Let me introduce to you two amazing ladies who have just published a beautiful children's book together about the birth of a Fresian colt. I have personally bought this book for my two daughters for Christmas this past year on the sole basis that they love horses. But upon receiving the autographed book in the mail, I came to appreciate the true beauty of it and the tremendous amount of work it took to pull it all together. It is my pleasure to introduce author, Ruby Wooten and Illustrator, Rebecca Dennett.
Past The Print: After browsing your website and, of course, reading the book, I can see that both of you are horse lovers. Did you have horses as a child?
Rebecca: We always had horses growing up. My passion for the childrens book was really my passion for Friesian horses. I like all breeds, but when I met Friesians, I was in love.
Ruby: I grew up on a ranch so I have always been around horses. I especially love Buckskins but I love all of them and especially now have a great interest in the Wild Mustangs and saving them.
Rebecca: I've written a lot of letters to the senators and representives about the wild horses. but with no success. They want to get rid of them. We have a fight on our hands.
Ruby : I have also written a lot of letters. We can not lose the Wild Mustangs.
Past The Print: How did you two meet?
Rebecca: We met on the internet. We both belonged to a forum on a website.
Ruby : We discovered that we had a great deal in common ... movies starring men with long hair riding beautiful horses.
Rebecca: Or rather, beautiful men with long beautiful hair riding beautiful horses.
Past The Print: Oh, I am right there with you! And put a sword in their hands and you have, in my opinion, a Hollywood blockbuster! Sorry...back to the topic at hand. Whose idea was it for the book?
Rebecca: It was Ruby's idea. I never wanted to do a book. People have tried to talk me into it, but I was never interested until Ruby said the magic word: Friesian!
Ruby: LOL Yes, it has always been my dream to have a book published. I did everything I could to get Reb to illustrate for me. I wrote a little book about a farmer and she just couldn't get into it. So, I had no choice, I had to pull out all stops and say Friesians. It worked!!!
Past The Print: How long did it take to illustrate the pictures?
Rebecca: Approximately two months, working on it almost constantly.
Past The Print: How did you decide to use poetry in the book vs. just writing a story?
Ruby: I also write children's songs and play them on the guitar (none ever published) and songs and stories just come to me in rhyme. I am a teacher and I have found that young readers seem to enjoy the book more if it is in rhyme and, also, that children like stories read to them that have a rythym and rhyme.
Past The Print: Wow, a teacher, too. What age do you teach?
Ruby: I teach the 3rd grade. I have taught third grade for 3 years and prior to that I taught 2nd. I love both grades. I love to teach.
Past The Print: I imagine the parents of your class have been very supportive of the book.
Ruby: The building where I teach has overall been very supportive. The principal, my boss, has been 100% behind me all the way. My teachers and other staff members have purchased the book, some multiple copies to give as gifts. One teacher wrote and "AR" (Accelerated Reading) test for the book. This same teacher purchased 2 extra copies for the school library. My principal also set up a book signing night for me at the public library. The district administrators attended and have shown tremendous support. I teach at a Title 1 school. The children are at risk and have experienced all kinds of abuse. I love these kids. When these parents purchase my book I know it is a purchase made of sacrifice. It is really hard to take their money. But, some of my students that are in high school now have come to visit me at the school and tell me they saw my picture in the paper. They are proud of me which is very humbling. Sipke's Son is my way of letting them see first hand that when I tell them that your dreams are a possibility, they really are!
Past The Print: Did you draw according to what Ruby wrote or did she write according to what you drew?
Rebecca: I drew according to what Ruby wrote. When I saw what she wrote, I started seeing the scenes in my mind. If she had written according to the pictures, the book wouldn't have been done. Remember, I never wanted to do a childrens book, or a book of any kind.
Ruby: Reb is one of the best artists I have ever seen. I wanted her to illustrate my story. I am so glad she is my partner, even if she didn't want to do it.
Past The Print: Writing and illustrating a child’s book is a big collaboration. Was it difficult having another person in the mix? Or did having the extra person make it easier?
Rebecca: Not difficult at all. We seem to think alike and see things alike.
Ruby: I agree it was not difficult at all. When I wrote this story I felt the emotion of my words with passion. The pictures that Reb drew held the same emotion and passion. We work very well together. We have had people tell us that they have never seen this type of collaboration and they wonder how we made it work. Well that is why it worked, we didn't have to make it happen - it was natural.
Rebecca: When Ruby sent the story, parts of it brought tears to my eyes. My favorite part is "Everyone knows stallions never cry." It called out to me and I had to illustrate it. That was the first illustration of the book, in fact.
Past The Print: Yes, now that you mention it, that line was very poignant to the sentiment of the story. So, tell us where Sipke’s Son: The Story of a Friesian Colt is available?
Rebecca and Ruby: You can get it on our website or write to us at two_goats@yahoo.com. We might try Amazon.com a little later, as well as some other avenues.
Past The Print: Do you plan on writing / illustrating more children’s books together? Or separate? Is there anything in the works?
Rebecca: We're thinking of doing another book about the colt, maybe a series. We'll see how it goes. Maybe Ruby will do books separately, but I won't.
Ruby: We have been asked by a lot of people who have purchased Sipke's Son if we will continue the story. So we are, as Reb said, tossing that around in hopes it manifests. I do love to write, so I would love to do more books. Reb and I share Native American roots. So, this Choctaw seems to be able to work around Reb's Cherokee's "NO'S". In fact, she has already written the first page.
Rebecca: Yeah, and that's not all we share. We decided to have the email two_goats because a pastor once told Ruby's mother that Ruby is a goat, not a sheep. My mother wishes she had named me Rebel. In fact, I don't think Ruby has ever called me Rebecca. She has always called me Rebel or Reb.
Ruby's right, I have written the first page of the next book, but I haven't done the artwork. The only reason I wrote it is because it is a memorial to Marie, the horse I had to have put to sleep just after Thanksgiving. Since I know the personalities of these horses, it just flowed, but Ruby will write the rest of the book.
Past The Print: I am so very sorry for your loss. My husband and I have had to experience the tradegy of a great horse's death too. There is just something about a horse. They truly find their way into your hearts and leave a huge mark upon it when they leave.
Have either of you had other books published in the past?
Rebecca: This is our first book.
Ruby: I have entered some of my poems in contests. I won third place in a local college writing contest with a poem "Where Old Warriors, Mountain Men, and Cowboys Go", but it should have been first.. LOLOL.
Past The Print: Now since this is a romance blog, I feel I should at least ask you one question pertaining to the world of romance. So if you are up for it, here goes. Rebecca, if you could paint a picture of a perfect romance novel hero, what would he look like and what would he be doing? Ruby, if you could write about a perfect romance novel hero, what would it say?
Rebecca: My idea of a perfect romance hero would probably be boring to most people. I would want someone who works to save animals. So, I'll try to be a little more mainstream. For a romance novel, I would do a painting of a Scotsman with long dark wavy hair wearing an old fashioned kilt, with the drape over his shoulder. He would be wearing old riding boots. He would be riding a Friesian horse, of course. He would look very strong and masterful, but sweet, chivalrous. Have you seen Timeline? He would be very much like Andre Marek. Or... A Native American with smoldering eyes riding a Friesian horse with his hair flying out behind him as he rides through the forest. Do you see a running theme here? There's always a Friesian horse in the picture. Maybe that's my true hero. A Friesian horse saved me from another horse, so he is really my hero. His name is Wycher (pronounced Viker). He's my knight in shining armor, and I get to work with him. I'm the luckiest person in the world.
Ruby: My romantic hero is a tall native American with long flowing hair...a top his mighty steed... :) Also, I find Vikings in chainmail with long hair to be pretty attractive too. :)
Past The Print: You know, when my fans read each of your impressions of a romance hero (plus in seeing the drawing of Andre Marek - played by Gerard Butler) they are going to think I bribed you both in some way to say those things. hahah
Here are a few beautiful drawings from the talented Rebecca Dennett:
I want to thank you both, Ruby and Rebecca, for taking time out of you busy schedules to be here and to give us a peek into the world of children's books and illustrating. I wish you much success in your lives and continued blessings in working with children and horses. And please keep in touch and let us know when the second book is finished and available. My girls and I are anxiously waiting.
Sipke's Son Website
Ruby and Rebecca's Email Address: two_goats@yahoo.com
*Leave a comment on this blog (along with your email address) and be automatically eligible to win an autographed copy of Sipke's Son. One lucky winner will be drawn randomly on Monday morning January 18th. Good luck!
Winner of the autographed children's book, SIPKE'S SON is Patricia Altner (randomly drawn on January 18, 2010).
And a big thanks to everyone for participating. Come back again.
*Dægan Ræliksen*
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