Author Spotlight - Tracy Helixon on her award winning book

Author, Tracy Schuldt Helixon, on her award winning book: Little Isaac’s Big Adventure

E-Book: http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/little-isaac.htm 

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING?

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember! In fact, when I was five years old, my parents found me writing all over my baby brother. When they asked what I was doing, I told them he thought he was a piece of paper. My household had no shortage of creativity and imagination!

I’ve been a full-time writing teacher at Western Technical College in Wisconsin for the past fourteen years. About five years ago, I decided to become more serious and purposeful about my freelance writing. I joined the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and started attending conferences. I’ve learned so much since that time!

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BEGIN WRITING?

When I was a child, my siblings, cousins, and I would write and perform plays for our family. My parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles always encouraged us. The process of creating the plays was so much fun, and the encouragement we received when we performed them fueled the fire.

I truly believe that the imagination and creativity they fostered carries far beyond writing and helps me in countless areas of my life—both personally and professionally. As an adult, writing helps me to tap into that creativity and energizes just about everything that I do.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE?

When my second son was a toddler, he used to ask me when it would be his turn to be the big brother and my oldest son’s turn to be the little brother. I realized that like so many children, he became frustrated when he couldn’t do all the things his older sibling could do. That concept helped to drive Little Isaac’s Big Adventure. And, in the book, my younger son DID get to be the big brother because I named the big brother character after him.

IS THIS YOUR FIRST BOOK?

Yes, and working with Guardian Angel Publishing has been wonderful. I’m grateful to be part of such a supportive group of writers and illustrators. The publisher, Lynda Burch, is amazing. I’m still in awe of what she accomplishes to support her writers and illustrators.

WHAT (IF ANY) OTHER BOOKS HAVE YOU PUBLISHED? 
(PLEASE PROVIDE LINKS TO PURCHASE IF APPLICABLE)

I have short stories in three of Knowonder’s collections of short stories for children. 

DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?

Yes! I’m thrilled to share that my next picture book, Caleb’s Light, will be published by Guardian Angel Publishing sometime in 2014 or 2015.

Caleb’s Light is a story close to my heart. It was inspired by a visit to Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Door County, Wisconsin. It’s a picture book about a forgotten time, when families lived in lighthouses to keep the light shining, rescue lost ships, and help sailors find their way. Everything changed when the lights became automated. Caleb’s Light is the story of a life-long friendship between a young boy and the lighthouse where he grew up.

The book will be available at Guardian Angel Publishing’s website, on my author website, and at Amazon and Barnes and Noble’s websites.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF:

I live in Wisconsin with my husband, Chris, and our three children. We love to read together, play together, and go on family adventures. I’ve also been an English teacher at Western Technical College in Wisconsin for fourteen years; currently, I’m chair of the Communication Skills Department. I feel blessed that almost every day, I get to do the things I love—read, write, and spend time with family, friends, colleagues, and students who inspire me.

TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING THAT OUR READERS MIGHT FIND FASCINATING ABOUT YOU:

I have kissed the Blarney Stone (after all, every writer can use the gift of gab!) and climbed the stairs of William Butler Yeats’s tower. When I was in college, I lived in Ireland for four months and met my relatives who still live there. Every year on St. Patrick’s Day, my family celebrates with homemade Irish soda bread and Irish stew.

WHAT DO YOU MOST ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME?

I like to run, read, write, play board games, and watch movies—sometimes on my own, and sometimes with friends and family.

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW/MOVIE?

I have lots of favorites! The movie It’s a Wonderful Life and the TV series Little House on the Prairie are two at the top of my list.

WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE AS AN AUTHOR?

My biggest challenge is making time to write. I’m blessed to have many good things happening in my life, and they all take time! I’m learning to be more purposeful about setting aside time for writing.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER ASPIRING AUTHORS?

Read. Be open to feedback, and don’t be afraid to revise. You can always go back to the original if the changes don’t help your story, but you might uncover something wonderful in the process. Join a professional organization where you can learn from other writers and nurture the creative process.

CAN YOU OFFER ANY TIPS ON GETTING PUBLISHED?

First, enjoy the process! Never lose sight of the art of writing. The process of writing is like air for me. Getting published is a bonus.

Find a good critique group, and consider setting your work aside before sending it to a publisher. Then, you can look at it with fresh eyes and make it even better before you submit it.

If you are interested in a publisher, study what else the company has published to see if your story would be a good fit.

And remember--enjoy the process!

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?

To Young Readers:  If you like to write, keep writing! You can bring ideas and perspectives to your story that nobody else in the world can bring. Have fun telling the story that only you can tell!


LITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org