What was your inspiration for the main character in the story, Candice Cate (CC)? The character CC was partially inspired by my daughter, Cienna, who we also call CC. She is funny and whimsical, and I guess a lot of her mannerisms were put into CC in the book. For example, the hands on her hips when she is stating a point or the verbiage used in communicating to Millie.
Did you have a horse while you were growing up? I did not have a horse growing up, but my oldest sister always had a horse or two. The story actually came to me in a dream. The dream was in full color and audio. Millie was speaking to me, and it was really quite hilarious! I could not stop thinking about it so I started writing.
You do an excellent job of capturing the way a 10-year-old would speak. How are you able to do that? I think I am, and was at the time of writing the first book, able to capture how a 10-year-old would speak because of being a mom to a very funny, verbal and social daughter. I really find the conversations the kids have with each other and with me very entertaining. The feedback from the kids reading my books has been very positive.
Do you plan to write more about the adventures of CC and her horse Millie? I have had numerous requests for a third book, which I have started. My illustrator Gary Laronde is anxious to start on the next book as well. Gary is an accomplished illustrator with several published works. He captured the characters in my books so perfectly. He is really quite talented. This adventure of writing children's books has been so fun and rewarding. It was not something I had really ever thought about doing in my life, but now that I have, I would love to continue writing and sharing the funny antics of Millie and CC with several more books.
