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On The Table Read, “the best book magazine in the UK“, children’s book author, Lindsey Pope, talks about what inspired her new book, Sheldon’s Time, and her creative process.
Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed Lindsey Pope about her life and career, what inspired her to start writing, and the story of her new children’s picture book, Sheldon’s Time.
Hi! I’m Lindsey Pope. I’m a writer and facilitator who has just released her first children’s picture book, Sheldon’s Time. I’m also a proud mom of an amazing daughter and a mental health advocate.
I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t want this! But, I do recall that the urge to write a book started to become particularly strong while I away at college.
I like to think that writing chose me – I remember getting story ideas coming to my head that I’d feel the urge to jot down from a pretty young age.
My first book, Found in Faith, started as a series of comforting messages I was writing for myself. Once I decided to compile them into a book, it only took about a month.
My first children’s picture book, Sheldon’s Time, started off as a poem about a crab and it took me over five years to refine the story and get it into book format.
Sheldon’s Time started off as a cute little poem about a crab that I wrote over five years ago. I immediately fell in love with the crab and he simply wouldn’t leave me alone until his book was released.
I really doubted my ability to write a children’s book, so I received a lot of feedback. Some was very helpful, some not so much. I listened to too many outside opinions initially and changed the story so much that I lost it, and then gave up for a few years. I also received some pushback on my main character being an introvert, which surprised me but also made me question my story choices. With time, I was more confidently able to advocate for myself and Sheldon by producing the story how I wanted it to be told.
The crab poem came through initially as just that, then as I developed the character more, I realized I was creating him to express a part of my own inner child.
The general feeling I had at times that others would pressure me to do things, not understanding my own needs.
Sheldon is reading alone in his sandcastle when he is unexpectedly interrupted by his friends who want him to come outside and play instead.
Sheldon’s friends have a very difficult time understanding why he doesn’t want to play with them, and it hurts their feelings.
My initial poem was freely written. The story changed a lot since then, but I really liked my initial ending and have never changed that.
Yes, absolutely! I wrote Sheldon’s Time in rhyme, so I hired a rhyming editor to help me refine my rhymes. That was well worth my investment.
WRITE IT! It may take on a life of its own that delights you. It may be a story. It may be a novel. You just never know where it will take you, which is really fun. You may cry, eat lots of junk food, and scream during the process – this is all normal. Find yourself author communities in person and/or online so you have people who understand your madness. The beautiful writing community on Twitter really helped encourage me.
Absolutely! Sheldon’s friends, Stella and Sully, also have their own stories. I’m hoping to produce their books in the near future.
ABSOLUTELY! It feels truly amazing to bring my dream to life! I really love my book, and I have felt so loved from the people I’ve connected with since its release. I’m hooked and this won’t be my last one!
Book: On Amazon or if you’d like a personalized version, please message me on Facebook!
Here’s the Amazon link: https://smile.amazon.com/Sheldons-Time-Lindsey-Pope/dp/B0B8RP66DQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=LCS21YSOY6Z6&keywords=sheldon%27s+time&qid=1662089367&sprefix=%2Caps%2C288&sr=8-1
and my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LindseyPWrites
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