July's Featured Artist: Annette Whipple

We are excited to introduce you to our artist of the month for July, Annette Whipple! Annette is a local author who writes informational children's books that are written to inspire, educate and build readers' curiosity. 

Where are you currently located?

I live in the Oxford area with my husband and three children.

How did you get started in your writing career?

I was not always a writer. Honestly, I didn’t enjoy making up stories as a student. It wasn’t until I began blogging in 2009 that I realized how much I enjoy writing. After a few years of blogging, I took writing courses. The more time I committed to learning the craft of writing, the better I became. Now I love the whole writing process and knowing readers enjoy my books!  

When did you publish your first book?

My first informational book for children came out in 2016. My tenth book for kids comes out this year.

 

Where do you find your inspiration?

I find nature and people fascinating. I love learning about new topics including science and history. I ask a lot of questions and always wonder why things happen and how they work. This world inspires me!

 

Do you have any topics you would love to write about but haven't?

I think it’d be amazing to research and write about wild cats, weather, and the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. I’ve written about fireflies and the RMS Titanic, but those have not yet been published. Maybe in the future!

 

Did you find yourself writing a lot during the pandemic?

I found myself thankful for my deadlines because without them, I don’t think I would have been able to write much. Writing with focus was a challenge. Deadlines helped me to focus on my research, writing, and revisions while moving forward.

 

What would you tell a young person who has a creative passion they want to follow?  

Creative passions are so important—for all ages! If you find yourself loving a creative outlet and want to consider earning money from it, commit time to it. Be willing to learn from others with more experience. Study what others do and talk to them when possible. With any craft, there seems to be a lot to learn, even when we have experience. (Though I have written many books and teach writing workshops, I still take classes from other writers. There’s always something for me to learn.) It’s also okay to have a variety of creative passions without excelling at them. Trying new things—and hard things—helps us become better people.

 

You can check out Annette's books in our store or in the "Featured Artist" collection in our online store. We currently have "Whooo? The Truth About Owls.", "The Story of the Wright Brothers", and "The Laura Ingalls Wilder Companion". You can also visit her website at www.annettewhipple.com to learn more about her work!

We are also excited to announce that we will be carrying her newest book, "Woof! The Truth About Dogs." Coming soon!