A Pippi Tattoo
The initial idea for writing Andromeda came about after I read a heart-wrenching article about an 11-year-old being bullied in school. I was outraged for a child to be a victim of bullying, and at such a young age! I flashed back to incidents where I took on bullies to defend fellow classmates.
You could say I was raised ‘a little bit country’ in that even from a young age, we were taught it was our responsibility to deal with bullies. I’m not sure if the reasoning as “country” is accurate, but I’m here to testify that I took my responsibility to defend anyone being picked on seriously!
As a kid, I was an avid reader inspired by the characters in the books I read. My favorite character and heroine was/is Pippi Longstocking. She embodies so many fabulous qualities. As a kid, I just thought she was fun, funny—and wild. I mean, c'mon, she lived in a house with her horse and pet monkey. I was all in! LOL! Pippi is wildly entertaining, but as an adult I realized she is that and so much more. She is a free spirit, non-conformist, adventurous, fearless, joyful, optimistic, and creative. And along the way, always a generous and kind spirit, and defender of the underdog.
Pippi is the embodiment of being true to one’s self, and an anti-bullying heroine. These qualities are part of my continued adoration of her. And, I am telling the gods-honest truth that when I visited Sweden, I thought it was an awesome idea to get a Pippi tattoo—in her homeland, of course! Readers may be relieved, or disappointed, to know that I did not, in fact, get that tattoo. Not then, not ever. ;)
I’m sharing about Pippi because she was a huge inspiration for writing Andromeda. As a child, her character, her qualities inspired me to be myself. To be brave, strong, honest—and fearless. And it is my hope that Andromeda and her friends are a source of joy to young readers, but also an inspiration. To know that it is OK to be yourself and that you are not alone. There are always good, kind people—friends out there waiting and wanting to be found.
You could say I was raised ‘a little bit country’ in that even from a young age, we were taught it was our responsibility to deal with bullies. I’m not sure if the reasoning as “country” is accurate, but I’m here to testify that I took my responsibility to defend anyone being picked on seriously!
As a kid, I was an avid reader inspired by the characters in the books I read. My favorite character and heroine was/is Pippi Longstocking. She embodies so many fabulous qualities. As a kid, I just thought she was fun, funny—and wild. I mean, c'mon, she lived in a house with her horse and pet monkey. I was all in! LOL! Pippi is wildly entertaining, but as an adult I realized she is that and so much more. She is a free spirit, non-conformist, adventurous, fearless, joyful, optimistic, and creative. And along the way, always a generous and kind spirit, and defender of the underdog.
Pippi is the embodiment of being true to one’s self, and an anti-bullying heroine. These qualities are part of my continued adoration of her. And, I am telling the gods-honest truth that when I visited Sweden, I thought it was an awesome idea to get a Pippi tattoo—in her homeland, of course! Readers may be relieved, or disappointed, to know that I did not, in fact, get that tattoo. Not then, not ever. ;)
I’m sharing about Pippi because she was a huge inspiration for writing Andromeda. As a child, her character, her qualities inspired me to be myself. To be brave, strong, honest—and fearless. And it is my hope that Andromeda and her friends are a source of joy to young readers, but also an inspiration. To know that it is OK to be yourself and that you are not alone. There are always good, kind people—friends out there waiting and wanting to be found.
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