Interview with Children's Author Christy E. Bykowski
Christy E. Bykowski is an award-winning public
relations and marketing practitioner, as well as a wife and mother. She lives
and works in Cleveland, Ohio, with her husband, Benjamin, raising their three
boys and spreading awareness about celiac disease and the need for a
gluten-free environment for individuals diagnosed with celiac disease.
Tell us briefly about your recently
published book and what you feel is the most important topic/sub-message you
share.
“Beckmin Goes to School” is meant to raise awareness for celiac
disease and the everyday challenges children with celiac disease face in their
otherwise normal activities. As
diagnosis of celiac disease increases, education, awareness, and understanding
will be the keys to making celiac kids feel normal and included. This book is written for children to help them
express and understand celiac disease. Beckmin’s stories,
written to help children define, understand, and explain celiac disease, are
meant to be both empowering and educational for kids and their parents.
What are some of the things that have influenced/inspired your writing?
I was inspired by my son, Beckmin, who was diagnosed with
celiac disease at age 1.5. Watching him
grow up – how he’s had to explain his disease to other kids and parents; how
he’s to make very adult decisions all day, every day – led me to write this
book. I’m hoping it’s a tool that will
help him, and others, easy explain what celiac disease is and how someone with
it has to cope.
Can you share some writing experiences with us?
Most of my writing is done in my PJs, at
my computer with a cup of coffee – before the kids wake up. While I enjoy writing all kinds of things,
this is the first piece I’ve taken all the way through publication.
It has been my experience, some things come quite easily
(like creating the setting) and other things aren’t so easy (like deciding on a
title). What comes easily to you and what do you find more difficult?
The characters for the book and the
purpose/intent came really easily – because it was so personal to me. But, I had a really hard time figuring out
the name of the book. I wanted to be
sure that the people who would be looking for this kind of resource were able
to find it.
Please describe to us your relationship between you and your
editor. What makes an author/editor relationship a success?
I think the key to an author/editor relationship really lies
in the ability to accept and give feedback.
I had to be open to the edits and suggestions she made for me.
Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? If yes, how
did you ‘cure’ it?
I don’t really suffer from writer’s block because I’m not
that focused in my writing. By that I
mean I typically write about what’s on my mind or in my situation around
me. I don’t try to force my writing. I let the words come to me.
What happens before sitting down to write? (Explain your
creative process.)
I’d like to say I
have a formal creative process, but I don’t.
Usually, something happens and I think to myself that I want to remember
that moment. It might take a few days or weeks before I get around to getting
it down on paper.
What advice would you give to a new
writer?
Don’t give up! Your
children’s book will be a wonderful legacy for you and your child.
The World of Ink Network will be
touring author Christy E. Bykowski's kid friendly celiac disease awareness
picture book, Gluten-Free Me:
Beckmin Goes to School January 2014. You can find out more about Christy E. Bykowski,
her book and World of Ink Author/Book Tour at http://tinyurl.com/lquajjn
Author Website: www.glutenfreekids.info
Twitter URL: @christybyk
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