And the Trees Talked Back follows a young girl looking for her missing cat who discovers she has the ability to talk to trees. I think this original idea is intriguing. How did you come up with this idea and develop it into a story?

Thank you for describing the story of a girl who discovers she can talk with trees as an original and intriguing idea.

I had difficulty reading in elementary school, and I had to take remedial reading classes. I suppose they helped, but at the same time, they made me feel stupid. Though I had problems reading, I loved to draw, and I loved picture books. My favorite book was Where the Wild Things Are, by Maurice Sendak. I always had in the back of my mind that I would like to write and illustrate a children’s picture book like Maurice Sendak.

Sixty years went by with no idea for a picture book.

Then, in the late summer of 2020, the Covid-19 lockdown was in place. People were dying, There were no answers as to the virus’s origin or how it was transmitted. I personally was very strict about double masking, social distancing, hand washing, and even disinfecting the groceries that I paid to be delivered to my house before actually bringing them in. It was a lonely rigorous existence.

The only activity that felt normal and enjoyable was going for evening walks by myself. I was away from people, so I didn’t have to mask. It was on one of these walks that I noticed a tree that, to me, looked like an elephant with a raised trunk, two tusks, a mouth, and an open eye. I am sure I had passed the tree multiple times without ever noticing it. However, that evening I saw it, and I took photos of the tree.

I have always enjoyed creating art, so I drew a quick sketch of the tree and posted it on Facebook. People responded favorably to my sketch, so in the following days, weeks, and months, I intentionally looked for trees with facial features, which I photographed and sketched.

With multiple tree characters to choose from, I thought about writing a story. I wondered what a conversation with a tree might be like, so I wrote the dialogue of a child who surprised a tree, “I never knew a tree could talk.” Then I wrote the rather sassy response from the tree, “I never knew a human could listen.” They both laughed, and that was the beginning of a friendship. I really liked that scene and thought this could be the beginning of a children’s picture book, and it was.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

I indicated in my answer to question 1 that I began the project during the lockdown caused by Covid-19. The lockdowns resulted in an acute awareness of being alone, separated from friends, family, co-workers, shopkeepers, teachers, etc. I thought as I was writing that I should point out how important interactions and friendships are, even ones with those who appear to be different from one’s self. That finding commonalities with others is important to the development of friendships.

What experience in your life has had the biggest impact on your writing?

This is a very difficult question to answer because the answer brings sad emotions back to the surface.

First, let me be clear that my writing had always been either scientific writing or legal writing, never fiction.

My first wife, Melanie, and I were married for thirty-one years. She had cystic fibrosis. Her liver failed and she received a liver transplant. The anti-rejection medications, for her, caused intractable pain, digestive and breathing issues for 18 years before she finally succumbed and passed away. I had been her caregiver during those years.

After her passing, I knew she would not want me to live in misery. I made a decision to be open to new experiences new opportunities and new friendships. That single decision to be truly open to new possibilities brought new friendships, new art projects, new musical experiences, new connections and ultimately a new and wonderful love. I did not fear or reject new opportunities, I embraced them. It was with that new mindset in place that I discovered the tree that looked like an elephant. I was open to try writing fiction instead of legal briefs.

What is one thing that you hope readers take away from And the Trees Talked Back?

Amanda represents the best human qualities. I would like readers to come away hopeful that they, like Amanda, can live in peace with others by exhibiting the best human qualities such as kindness, empathy, helpfulness, friendship, and also by recognizing and standing for good and showing bravery against evil.

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