EPISODE · Dec 19, 2025 · 21 MIN
From Doodle to Story: The Hands That Started It All
from Plot Twist Radio · host Erin Egnatz
Today’s guest brings us a story that started exactly the way childhood creativity does — with a simple doodle.Susan K. Fairchild is a lifelong artist and the debut author of The Turkey Hands, a children’s book that was born not from a sentence or a scene, but from a traced hand that suddenly came alive on the page. From that one sketch grew a joyful, mischievous story about play, imagination, and the power kids have when they’re encouraged to create.Her journey reminds us that art isn’t just something we look at, it’s something we listen to. It’s the spark that nudges us toward storytelling, whether we’re six years old with crayons or adults rediscovering our creativity.Hailing from the Texas Panhandle and now living in New York City, Susan has spent her career supporting education through nonprofit work. Today, we’ll talk about how a spontaneous doodle became a fully illustrated children’s book, the crossover between visual and written storytelling, the freedom and vulnerability of indie publishing, and the childlike joy that fuels her creative work.Susan K. Fairchild - The Early Morning SessionsSusan K Fairchild (@susankfairchild) • Instagram photos and videosSusan K. Fairchild - author of The Turkey Hands
What this episode covers
Today’s guest brings us a story that started exactly the way childhood creativity does — with a simple doodle.Susan K. Fairchild is a lifelong artist and the debut author of The Turkey Hands, a children’s book that was born not from a sentence or a scene, but from a traced hand that suddenly came alive on the page. From that one sketch grew a joyful, mischievous story about play, imagination, and the power kids have when they’re encouraged to create.Her journey reminds us that art isn’t just something we look at, it’s something we listen to. It’s the spark that nudges us toward storytelling, whether we’re six years old with crayons or adults rediscovering our creativity.Hailing from the Texas Panhandle and now living in New York City, Susan has spent her career supporting education through nonprofit work. Today, we’ll talk about how a spontaneous doodle became a fully illustrated children’s book, the crossover between visual and written storytelling, the freedom and vulnerability of indie publishing, and the childlike joy that fuels her creative work.Susan K. Fairchild - The Early Morning SessionsSusan K Fairchild (@susankfairchild) • Instagram photos and videosSusan K. Fairchild - author of The Turkey Hands
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From Doodle to Story: The Hands That Started It All
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