Jamie Scheumann grew up on a little horse farm, where she’d wander outside in nature and fall in love with any animals she’d come across. She has always had a soft spot for children and wants nothing more than for our youth to grow up in a world of possibilities. This goal, along with the experience of losing her father at age twelve, inspired her to write Dear Girl, Be Free and teach fourth grade for seven years. She retains a dual license in elementary education and early childhood development.
Jamie resides in Monroeville, Indiana, with her husband, Nick, her daughters, Kori and Layni, and two ridiculously silly dogs, Arlo and Della. In her free time, Jamie loves to be outside, travel, spend time with her family, and find all the adventures!
Q: What inspired the idea behind your book?
A: I wanted to create a message for young girls—our daughters—who may be feeling the same weight that so many of us grown women also felt as children. My hope is that if we can teach them and guide them by talking about our own past experiences, they will be better equipped to navigate similar struggles in a more productive and positive way as they grow.
Q. As an author, what tips would you give anyone who wants to get into writing?
A: relentless. I once had a college professor tell me my writing was “too flowery.” Maybe it was too flowery by his standards, but with the help of everyone at Blue Balloon Books, I just published a book filled with nothing but flowery words, and I couldn’t be more proud of it! Not everyone will connect with your work, but eventually you will find your people—your team!
Q: What is your favorite book?
A: Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech.
Q: Was your main character modeled after anyone in your life?
A: I think the book originally started as a message to my daughters and so many of my students, but what I found as I continued to work through the process was that I was also talking to a younger version of myself. I think it is something a lot of mothers and adult women can relate to.
Q: What is your favorite part about writing? Is plotting out the story, creating dialogue, world building, etc.?
A: I really love poetry! Having a story unfold within the poetry and getting the words to flow in just the right way is really my favorite part of all.
Q: Do you believe that being a “good writer” is a developed skill or a natural talent?
A: I believe wholeheartedly that it is a combination of both! I think that for many, it starts as an interest or a natural talent. From that interest, anyone can develop as a writer. Like everything in life, it just takes practice!
Q: Do you have a favorite book, poem, TV, or movie quote?
A: “I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself.” —D. H. Lawrence
Q: Would you write another book, or are you already writing another book?
A: I would love to! I have quite a few “starts.” I suppose choosing a project to work on just depends on what mood I am in at that moment in time. I don’t ever want to force my writing. If the excitement is there, I let it flow. If I am not feeling it that day, that’s okay!
Q: Is there an author you look up to, and why?
A: Patricia Polacco has a way of weaving her childhood memories and experiences into her stories. She writes so effortlessly from the perspective of children. Her story Junkyard Wonders is a tearjerker, but it is a really amazing story of how we are all beautifully different and can work together to overcome tragedy if we lift each other up. My students always loved it. They were able to see themselves in the characters, and I think that is really important for our children.
Q: If there were an apocalypse and you could only take five books into your doomsday bunker, what would they be?
A: That is a hard one! We would need books that we could lean on and learn from. Of course, Walk Two Moons is coming with us! So are Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés (I haven’t read it yet!), To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein, and of course, the Bible!
Learn more about Jamie Scheumann and her children’s book Dear Girl, Be Free, at https://blueballoonbooks.com/bookstore/dear-girl-be-free/.
