Firefly Fred is your first book for children. How did it come about?
By accident, actually. I had forgotten to bring my daughter's books on vacation and the first night she got up in my lap at bedtime and wanted me to read her a book. So I made up this little story for her which quickly became her favorite.
Because I know you well, I feel I can see influences in your life in this book. Is that so?
There is no question that when you come from a large family (4 brothers and 2 sisters), that cooperation is necessary just to get along each day, each side giving up a little and trying to make something happen.
What caused you choose the subject matter?
My nights in Fox Ridge State Park. My grandfather was the Forest Ranger at Fox Ridge State Park in Charleston, Illinois, and I would spend much of my summers with them. My brothers and I would grab my grandmother's preserve jars, poke holes in the metal lids and then run around capturing Fireflies. I'll never forget that time.
And the slant, the perspective? How did you determine the approach?
Actually, the artist and I worked really in isolation. I didn't want him to be guided by anything but the rhymes themselves. He is a gifted artist whose perspective is slightly angled from the norm and that's exactly what I wanted for Firefly Fred.
How did you decide on the literary form?
I love Dr. Seuss books and can remember them all from when I was a kid. I loved how he made non-sensical words seem real. In Firefly Fred, the stanza's where Fred is grabbing lumber starts out normal, but ends "8 by 5's and 6 by 2's. Anyone in construction knows these sizes don't really exist, but the meter of the rhymes makes it seem alright.
How did you select the illustrator?
Brian Patenaude was working for me as an artist at Ion Storm (a computer game company I co-founded in Dallas, Texas). I saw his illustrations all over his cube and asked if he would consider illustrating a children's book I had written. He jumped at the opportunity.
Did you know someone similar to the main character?
Not sure. I'm positive, that as a child spending my summers in Southern Illinois, I met many characters at the auctions my grandparents took me to. I met so many fascinating people and their quirky traits are reflected in Fred as well as other books I've written.
What do you hope to convey to children?
Firefly Fred has underlying morals about both sides working to solve a problem, and accepting each others differences, but in the end, I don't talk about or take a part the story - just hope each child has the rhymes clicking in their heads. I hope it is a story that is fun to read for the parents and keeps each child entertained. That's why I wrote it. Of course I want to have a positive message, but sometimes many books go one way too far, or the other.
At the end of the book, you provide a little note to parents. Why did you feel you wanted to do that?
Because I have a great deal of friends that work so hard each day and I know they are like me and have no energy left to "deal" with the kids. I was really pushed into storytime by my wife, and when I saw how relaxed I would get reading and saw the look of excitement in my children's eyes, I realized how good this could be.
Have you always been creative?
My brain is built that way. You can't shut it off even if you tried, and I think when you come from a large family, you have a built-in audience for your games, your stories, your ideas. As a child I made up games. Not hide and seek type games, but full blown games with boards and playing pieces carved out of wood. I was the organizer of the block and always had a huge group of kids sorted and constructing or playing something in the back yard.
What kinds of creative pursuits have you attempted?
Everything you can think of. I was into making games, playing music, making movies with our super 8 camera, and as I grew older, I've continued to push creativity at every turn.
How long have you been writing?
Around 7 years. My daughter was a little over one when I started.
Do you plan to write other children's books?
I have already written others and, in fact, Brian has started working on some concept sketches.
How about other kinds of writing?
I've started a new piece a couple of years ago and have worked on it in my free time. It's quite a departure from the children's books, but it has it's roots in my childhood fascination.
Do you think writing a book will in any way change your life?
It already has. You wonder if your writing has a voice. If other people will "get it". I've read Firefly Fred to my children's classes and I see how excited the kids get. That is a huge impact.
What would you suggest to other writers?
Test, Test, Test. Let other's read your work and be willing to "kill your offspring" which is what your words become. Many think that this is the "best" wording or the "best" phrasing, but if you're truly creative, then you can rewrite a passage and it will be even better the next time around.