Author Spotlight - Ms. AnnMarie Meyers
Today it gives me great pleasure to bring to your attention another wonderful author, this time, targeted to children, by the name of AnnMarie Meyers.
AnnMarie is the author of a wonderfully written story called Up in the Air - a true gem of a story that helps young readers open their eyes to how important it is to dare to dream and to hold on to their dreams but before you head into the article check out the following YouTube video promo for her book....
Author profile section:
Country of residence: Toronto, Ontario
Favourite hobbies: squash, reading, hiking, swimming, jogging
Favourite song: I have so many but the one that comes to mind at the moment is: Dance Me To The End of Love by Leonard Cohen
Favourite movie: Again, there are so many. One that has stood the test of time and which I still love is THE SOUND OF MUSIC.
Favourite Colour: Blue, however I am currently and increasingly being drawn to purple
A place you enjoyed visiting recently: Paris, France
A place you would like to visit one day: Australia
About your book:
What inspired you to become an author and how long have you been writing books?
To be honest, deciding to become an author took me by surprise. I’ve always enjoyed writing essays and coming up with story ideas when I attended school. However, after studying books by D.H. Lawrence, E.M. Foster and James Joyce when I was in Secondary School, I came to the conclusion that most authors led really sad lives, and I wanted none of that.
You can imagine how surprised I was when, in my very first journal, in the very first entry I wrote: “I want to be a writer”. I just laughed, and over the years resisted this urge, which I deliberately buried deep. However, one day I realized that I really wanted to create stories, so I finally embraced what my subconscious had been telling, sat down in front of the computer one morning at 5:00 am and started writing my first book.
How did you come up with the idea for your book?
UP IN THE AIR is my first children’s book. The overall idea came to me one day while I was meditating. It was the first, and so far the only time, this has happened, and it was the clearest and most detailed image I have ever received.
Can you provide readers of this article with a short synopsis about your book?
Ever since she can remember, ten-year-old Melody has always wanted to fly. And when she leaps off a swing in the park one day and lands in the mystical realm of Chimeroan, her dream finally comes true. She is given a pair of wings. She can fly! Life cannot be any better. Yet, dreams do come with a price. Even with wings, Melody realizes she cannot out-fly the memories of her past. The car accident that had left her father paralyzed, and she unscathed, still plagues her with guilt— she believes that it was entirely her fault. In Chimeroan, Melody is forced to come to terms with her part in her father's accident. She must choose between the two things that have become the world to her: keeping her wings or healing her father.
What do you think readers will find most appealing about your books?
I think readers will identify with Melody’s journey as she does whatever she can in order to hold on to her dream of flying and keeping her wings. I also believe they will be able to resonate with how important it is for us to face our fears in order to be able to live our dream.
Tell us about your main character.
Melody believes she was responsible for the accident that partially paralyzed her dad, and she has carried around this guilt with her since the age of five. Her deepest desire is to fly away and escape, yet when she does in fact get the wings of her dreams, she realizes she still isn’t happy. Her guilt is still tearing her apart and the only way she can live her dream is to face and overcome her guilt.
Tell us about your illustrations.
UP IN THE AIR was illustrated by a person named Ethan Aldridge. I really love his illustrations and the way he portrayed Melody and the dream world of Chimeroan.
What do you hope readers learn from your book?
I hope that readers will see how important it is for all of us to live our dream.
Check out the following YouTube clip from Arise America International. An informative video which had included AnnMarie's story.
What other books have you written?
I’ve written several other books, as yet unpublished. One of these books, entitled OUT OF MY SKIN, was picked up by a literary agent last year.
Are you currently working on any other writing projects?
Yes, I am working on a YA novel and hope to complete it this year.
How can readers discover more about you and your work?
They can learn more about my work by visiting any of the following links:
Website: https://annmariemeyers.com
FB author page: https://www.facebook.com/AnnMarieMeyersauthor/
Twitter: @AnnMarie_Meyers
Do you have any words of advice to parents who may have children who do not readily look to picking up a book to read?
People read what they’re interested in, and it’s even more so for kids. I think it’s important to introduce children to books – whether fiction or non-fiction – that capture and hold their attention.
When my daughter was younger I chose books for her that I thought were ‘cool’ and which I believed she would enjoy. I was wrong. I learned from early on to let her choose the books she was interested in – within the boundaries of age-appropriate stories, of course – and to let go of my preconceived opinions as to what was ‘best’.
Do you have any suggestions or tips to children when choosing a book to read?
Read for fun. Read for information. Read for joy. It doesn’t matter why you read, just read.
I certainly hope you enjoyed reading this article and will consider acquiring a copy for that special young reader in your life. Until next time.....
Happy Reading!
Brian
