1. Rhonda what inspired you to create Stinky Feet, the Dragon?
I can't remember
classic children's stories so I made up one of my own during naptime one day
with one of my grandsons. It just happened to be a particularly bad stinky feet
day for him, so I came up with "Stinky Feet, the Dragon". He loved it
so much that he kept asking my daughter-in-law to tell him the story, so she
asked me to write it down. After I did, I took the chance and decided to
publish it.
2. What will children enjoy about this book?
First, Stinky Feet is
just cute! He also has family and friends who love him and are willing to play
a big role in providing support and a solution to his problem. I know that in
today's society we are seeing less and less of strong families who are
emotionally and spiritually healthy. But a child wants that and needs that. If
children are not getting that positive role model at home, I want them to know
that there are positive role models out there; people who do care. There IS
hope.
3. One of the themes is that a person’s attitude can play an
important role in responding to life’s issues. How can someone develop a
strong, positive attitude?
That comes from
encouragement. The strongest and most pure form of encouragement comes from
God. When we have that kind of encouragement, we have strength within us that
can see us through any situation and enable us to move forward in spite of any
negativity that may surround us.
4. How did you come to see
the world in a positive light and not let problems have control over your life?
We were very poor when
I was growing up, but my dad always taught me that there was no limit to what I
could do and accomplish. I believed him! Then when I began my relationship with
Jesus, I realized just how true that really was. But a good attitude is not
about what you have been called to do and whether or not you can do it; it's
about what you have been called to BE and whether or not THAT is making a
lasting, positive and spiritual impact on people's lives.
5. Do children have
positive role models when it comes to how they see the world?
Well, they should, but
unfortunately we have too many negative influences from people who are living
for their own agenda. That's why I want people to start being more intentional
not only with their own children, but invest in the lives of other children as
well. Be watchful for opportunities to make a difference in a young person's
life.
6. Any advice for struggling
writers?
My opinion only, but
"struggling writer" has its own negative connotation. If you feel
called to write, then write. Don't force it. If you're struggling (financially,
with ideas, or whatever), then reevaluate what you are doing, how you are doing
it and why you are doing it. Now understand, this advice is coming from a
novice in writing, but this novice has la little bit of age and wisdom behind
her, and this is a principle that I use concerning anything in my life. But the
most important thing I could advise other writers, is to be careful of the
message you are putting out there. We are responsible for how we influence
others.
7. What do you believe is
needed in the children’s book genre that we’re not seeing enough of?
Purpose! Books used to
have a "moral to the story". These teaching moments were tools to
show character, integrity and ethics to children. We have lost that to a certain
extent. Now when we read, it seems to be a reason to escape, without learning
anything from the story. But, that's just my opinion.
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