I have had kids ask me if the story is real. As a writer it is a wonderful feeling when a fiction story can seem real in the eyes and minds of kids. I know then that I have tapped into their true imaginations.
Paul J. Collins – 7 January 2019
The Back Flap
In this exciting and heartwarming New York City-based adventure story, a young country girl helps her best friend, Ellie the Eagle, rescue Ellie’s four eggs hidden in the Rockefeller Christmas Tree.
About the book
What is the book about?
Adeline Colby lives on a farm not far from New York City. She saves an eagle from being shot by hunters, and they become best friends. Ellie the eagle builds her nest in the tree outside Adeline’s bedroom window and soon there are four baby eaglet eggs in the nest. Nearing Christmas, Adeline’s dad cuts down the tree and sells it to New York City where it becomes the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Adeline, flying on Ellie’s back, sets out on an exciting adventure to save the baby eaglet eggs. The story takes them all over New York City, where Adeline and Ellie search for the tree. Finally, with the help of two famous New York hawks, they save the eggs and create a wonderful new holiday tradition.
Where did you get the idea from? When did you start writing the book?
Two years ago, my daughter, Adeline, asked me to write her a story about the American Eagle. It was the week before Christmas. I thought about Christmas in New York City and what image best represents the holidays. The Rockefeller Christmas Tree was the first thing that came to mind. I thought about the tree and how I could weave in a story about an eagle….the rest is history.
How long did it take you to write it?
I typically noodle a story for anywhere between a day and about 6 weeks. Ellie took about three days to think through. It takes about 4 hours to type a story of this length.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
The message in the story is that we should always try to help others. The hardest part of the story was trying to figure out how someone recognizable from New York City could be used to help Adeline and Ellie on their quest. I wanted to keep that someone kid/Ellie friendly, but still make it seem real. That’s when I came up with the idea of using Pale Male and Octavia, the famous New York City hawks. I have had kids ask me if the story is real. As a writer it is a wonderful feeling when a fiction story can seem real in the eyes and minds of kids. I know then that I have tapped into their true imaginations.
What came easily?
The hardest part of any story is coming up with the story line and the messages I wish to get across in the story. I believe every kids story should have a strong positive message. This is the reason I developed my Ten Principles of Life which I believe are very important for kids to live by. Each of my stories has at least one principle that is relevant.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
My kids appear in many of my stories. In Ellie all three are featured, although the main character is my youngest, Adeline. In several of the stories I use animals as the main characters.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
I wouldn’t say any one author has influenced me. I love to read. I read both fiction and non-fiction. As a child I read a lot of the classics: Charles Dickens; Mark Twain; Shakespeare; James Joyce; Oscar Wilde; the Bible; etc. All of my stories are action based so I tend to like current authors focused on action/thrillers: Dan Brown; James Patterson; John Grisham; Jeffrey Archer; Wilbur Smith; Ian Fleming; Tom Clancy; Nelson DeMille; etc. I also read a lot of biographies and history.
Do you have a target reader?
My focus is boys and girls between the ages of 4 and 9.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I will think about an animal (eagle, crocodile, bear, tiger cub, etc.) or an event (Christmas, Halloween, etc.). I typically noodle a story for anywhere between a day and about 6 weeks. Once I have come up with a story, I will tell it to my kids to test their reactions. Based on their reactions I might tweak the story a little. It takes about 4 hours to fully type a story of this length.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
No, I just type up the story in copy edit format so I can send it to the artist/illustrator I want to use for that particular story. Copy edit format describes the scene I want for each page with the specific text for that page below it.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I will edit throughout. I will edit all the way up to the final version of the book. I sometimes need to adjust the text to fit the final artwork.
Did you hire a professional editor?
When I first wrote Ellie I showed the story to an editor. She wanted me to completely rewrite the story and turn it into a real life non-fictional story about a family that owned a tree that was cut down and actually used as the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. She in essence wanted to use her background and experiences to change my story. I realized that I don’t want to do that. I do not want others to rewrite my stories so therefore I don’t use an editor.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
I listen to classical music when I write. I have put a list together of all of the classical pieces I enjoy (over 1,000 pieces of classical music). With classical music you don’t get caught up thinking about lyrics. Because you don’t hear the music very often you can enjoy it for what it is.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No, I self publish.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
There are two primary reasons: my charitable foundation and picking the right illustrators. I have set up a charitable foundation to give money to various children’s charities I like. A portion of the proceeds from each book goes to my foundation. My website carries books that have real values and principles for kids. Eventually I will invite other authors onto my label under three conditions. 1.Their stories have a positive message/value. 2. We pick the illustrator together. 3. They are also willing to give part of the proceeds to children’s charities.
Most publishing houses have their own in-house artists they want you to use. Art is critical to the success of a kid’s book. Kids love color, action and interesting characters. I pick all my own illustrators for that reason. Each illustrator is picked for a specific book. I am currently working with eight different artists.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
The illustrator for each book does it under my direction.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
Yes, I have a long-term launch and marketing plan.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Dublin, Ireland. I grew up about 20 miles outside Dublin on a horse farm. I moved to the US when I was 21.
What would you like readers to know about you? What are you working on now?
Ellie The Eagle is one of six books on my website. My website address is https://www.moonlightpuppies.com. In December a seventh book and the first coloring book will be added and available on the website. In 2019, I expect to add at least five new titles and a second coloring book.
I believe we should all give something back to society. Some people coach baseball, others teach, do community service, etc. I want to give kids strong positive messages and values through my books. I want kids who read my books to love them and hopefully have them become their favorite books. I want to help kids charities. Consequently, I created a series of books and a publishing company to do just that.
End of Interview:
For more from Paul or to get your copy of Ellie The Eagle visit his website.
