#17 - what a NY Times best seller does when she's drawing a blank, literally​

(with guest Eliza Wheeler) Once upon a time, a tired and worried mama and her young boy ducked into a bookstore for both a bit of shelter from the storm and for the love of books.  While the wee fella fawns over books about fierce dinosaurs and strapping knights with swords, the mama spied a magical book that drew her from across the room. That book was Eliza Wheeler's children's book Home in the Woods, a story about her own grandma, a story so deeply rooted in her family history that her siblings and cousins acted it out in the woods of their land, and a story that in the telling would, unbeknownst to her, inspire this mama to remember that she is indeed capable. I'm honored to have Eliza join me on this episode and share the long and winding path that brought that story from her childhood play to that mesmerizing book cover that drew me across the room on a cold day in November. In our show, she tells of how finally, she had to let go and allow herself to produce next to nothing in a 4 week prestigious fellowship, as the story brewed inside of her.  And you'll cheer alongside me when finally it burst forth.  And she shares what it is to write a children's book that includes hard topics like death and homelessness and have it speak safely to children in a way that builds empathy and understanding of the world. Her intention is palpable in this book and it's a joy to hear about that process.  Have a listen!Mentioned in the podcastthat gorgeous video about the making of the bookher websiteHer newsletter Creativi-TeaHer booksHome in the WoodsMiss Maples Seeds Eliza Wheeler is an illustrator and author of books for children. Her first picture book, ‘Miss Maple’s Seeds’ was a New York Times best-seller, and her newest book ‘Home In The Woods’ is based on the true story of her grandmother’s childhood experience of living in a tar-paper shack in the woods with seven siblings and their single mom. She has illustrated for numerous books, including the Newbery Honor book ‘Doll Bones’ by Holly Black, and the picture books by Pat Zietlow Miller; ‘When I’m With You, ‘When You Are Brave’, and ‘Wherever You Go’. Eliza was also a recipient of the prestigious Sendak Fellowship in 2017. She grew up in northern Wisconsin, spent 10 years in Los Angeles, and now lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.Hey!  Do you know of someone who would make a great guest on the show?  (maybe you?)Email me [email protected]@kinshiphandwork.com