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Exclusive Interview with Helen Holder | Insights & Stories on CraveBooks

Helen Holder

Member Since: 05/2021

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

My childhood ambition was to be a teacher, an author, and an artist. I spent 34 years in the first grade (33 of them as a teacher.) Since retiring from teaching, I write children’s stories and record the doings of the Ladies Floral Club and Friends of the Creche as the secretary for each group. I also do a little illustrating. 

Other activities include origami, bookmaking, crocheting, traveling to visit 11 grandchildren, and collecting nativity scenes. During the Christmas season, more than 900 nativity scenes take over the house and we become a tourist destination.

I live in Austin, MN with my husband Bill and a few very hardy plants. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and interests.

I am a retired first-grade teacher. I have been collecting nativity sets for years and put 950 on display in my home in Dec. I enjoy paper crafts and reading.

When and why did you start writing books?

I began writing books after I had children 43 years ago. I was inspired by their comments and activities.

What made you decide to tackle writing as a career?

I wanted to see one of the stories published for grandkids and I began looking for a way to do it. I contacted Fox Pointe Publishing who took that story and 6 others.

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

Grandma in Sleepover with Grandma.

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer?

Terrific Tongues involved a lot of searching for information and cross-checking.

Who is your favourite author and book?

Rudyard Kipling's The Elephant's Child.

What book are you reading right now?

Five days at Memorial and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

Comments made by children or random words seen around me.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Paper crafts such as origami and bookmaking, crocheting, watching British murder mysteries on TV.

Do you have any new books in the works?

Yes, I'm working on 3 new children's books for 2021/22.