We were lucky to catch up with Helen Holder recently and have shared our conversation below.

Helen, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

I had a few stories written that I wanted to see published. They were sent out and rejected by publishers. Self=publishing seemed the only way to go, but I didn’t know how to find an illustrator. For one of the books, I did the illustrating, but still found the self-publishing route daunting. I was ready to use my printer and bind a few copies for friends and family when I heard of Fox Pointe Publishing right here in my city! In March of 2020, I met with the owners and offered my illustrated manuscript. They accepted it and when I said I had other stories, they were willing to look at them all. The result of that meeting was 6 books published by January 2021! The publisher has continued to accept my efforts. Eight have been published and 3 more are being worked on.

Helen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I say that I have spent 34 years in the first grade, 33 of them as the teacher. I began writing children’s books in a writer’s group with other teachers. I also took several writing classes and participated in workshops. My books are fun to read aloud. Many of them have things to learn: what a glossary is, the fun that can be found in a dictionary, facts about flamingoes or animal tongues, color words, using your imagination.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

A common question for authors is “Where do you get your ideas?” I urge the questioner to become more observant and be tickled by what you hear or see. Whatever you notice, think about who, what, where, how, or why makes you laugh about it. Maybe there is a story there. My inspirations have mostly come from words I have heard. “I’m going to paint a magenta flamingo” were the words a grandson spoke after he had just learned the color word. From that came a story of a boy making a series of pictures with wildly imaginative colors for each aspect of his flamingo’s life. His sister, on the other hand, tried to give him the facts as she drew her picture. When I heard “crinkle crinkle wall” I knew I had to write a story using that phrase. Seeing “Glorious Gertie’s Fabulous Fireworks” on a store front led to research about fireworks and a story.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Sharing whatever you do with others is a wonderful result of your efforts. To know that someone else is enjoying your work makes it worthwhile. Because my books are meant to be read for fun, I love hearing about readers who want to read more of them. A high point was being greeted by someone as “a world famous author.” I was ready to demur, but then remembered I do have readers in Europe, Africa, and South America as well as locally.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/helenholder/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.helen.holder.5492216
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-helen-h-ab65a9bb/