Meet Paul Hewlett, Author of Lionel's Grand Adventure Series
What inspired you to become a children's author?
That’s a great question. I’m not sure that I ever gave it any conscious thought to be truthful. The concept for Lionel’s Grand Adventure kind of evolved from different ideas and situations that occurred. I know that I loved reading when I was growing up. I was a big fan of Robert Arthur’s The Three Investigators. I loved the fact that reading could take me anywhere and let me experience anything. When I was reading a book, I was right there next to the characters, experiencing everything that they did with them. I’m a very strong believer in reading. I think that there are so many benefits of children reading, certainly too many to mention here. I remember taking my daughter, when she was younger, to book fairs at school. I love the interaction books create between parents and children. We would look at just about every book for sale, and then read them together when we took them home. I want to encourage children to read, even children that are reluctant to do so. My aim is to get them reading, entertain them and maybe help teach them something in the process.
How did you come up with the idea for the Lionel's Grand Adventure Series?
The idea, as I mentioned in the first question, just kind of evolved from certain occurrences and ideas that I had. I tend to see the world a little different than most I assume. I see everyday things and kind of spin them into a story. Maybe you see someone in the store with a very strange hat on, for instance. I like to create a story behind the hat. Where did it come from? How did they acquire it? Why are they wearing it to the store? That’s how the story evolved, just observing everyday things. A lot of things in Lionel’s Grand Adventure are loosely based on where I grew up and things that happened to me. I’m not like Lionel, however, he’s definitely his own unique person.
How many books have you written in the series so far?
Two. The second book, Lionel Turns the Other Cheek is currently available on Amazon in ebook form. Lionel has been pretty anxious; he has been trying to convince his Mom to let him go to summer camp. There’s plenty of adventure and excitement, as one would expect when the Three-Toe-Pot-Bellied Walbaun foot is involved. Lionel is confronted with some very difficult circumstances this time around. He will be forced to make a very difficult decision.
Do you have a favorite topic to write about?
Only that it’s fiction. Writing nonfiction feels a lot like work to me. I have the utmost respect for those that do it and I enjoy reading nonfiction, but I enjoy writing fiction.
What do you hope children will learn from your books?
I hope that they learn to love reading. As I stated earlier, I believe reading is very important in a child’s development. It is beneficial in so many ways that if I can help a child learn to enjoy reading, then I will consider myself a success. Of course, I usually try to have a little lesson that I hope children learn from my books as well. In the case of the first book, I hope that they learn the golden rule and in the second, to turn the other cheek. Maybe Lionel’s experiences will help teach them these lessons.
Are you currently working on other books?
I am currently working on the third book in the Lionel’s Grand Adventure Series. The school year has just begun and the County Fair is coming to town. Another Grand Adventure is underway as Lionel finds himself struggling in math class and trying desperately to impress Carrie at the Fair. I am also in the preliminary stages of a picture book. That is something new to me and I am having a lot of fun with it thus far.
That’s a great question. I’m not sure that I ever gave it any conscious thought to be truthful. The concept for Lionel’s Grand Adventure kind of evolved from different ideas and situations that occurred. I know that I loved reading when I was growing up. I was a big fan of Robert Arthur’s The Three Investigators. I loved the fact that reading could take me anywhere and let me experience anything. When I was reading a book, I was right there next to the characters, experiencing everything that they did with them. I’m a very strong believer in reading. I think that there are so many benefits of children reading, certainly too many to mention here. I remember taking my daughter, when she was younger, to book fairs at school. I love the interaction books create between parents and children. We would look at just about every book for sale, and then read them together when we took them home. I want to encourage children to read, even children that are reluctant to do so. My aim is to get them reading, entertain them and maybe help teach them something in the process.
How did you come up with the idea for the Lionel's Grand Adventure Series?
The idea, as I mentioned in the first question, just kind of evolved from certain occurrences and ideas that I had. I tend to see the world a little different than most I assume. I see everyday things and kind of spin them into a story. Maybe you see someone in the store with a very strange hat on, for instance. I like to create a story behind the hat. Where did it come from? How did they acquire it? Why are they wearing it to the store? That’s how the story evolved, just observing everyday things. A lot of things in Lionel’s Grand Adventure are loosely based on where I grew up and things that happened to me. I’m not like Lionel, however, he’s definitely his own unique person.
How many books have you written in the series so far?
Two. The second book, Lionel Turns the Other Cheek is currently available on Amazon in ebook form. Lionel has been pretty anxious; he has been trying to convince his Mom to let him go to summer camp. There’s plenty of adventure and excitement, as one would expect when the Three-Toe-Pot-Bellied Walbaun foot is involved. Lionel is confronted with some very difficult circumstances this time around. He will be forced to make a very difficult decision.
Do you have a favorite topic to write about?
Only that it’s fiction. Writing nonfiction feels a lot like work to me. I have the utmost respect for those that do it and I enjoy reading nonfiction, but I enjoy writing fiction.
What do you hope children will learn from your books?
I hope that they learn to love reading. As I stated earlier, I believe reading is very important in a child’s development. It is beneficial in so many ways that if I can help a child learn to enjoy reading, then I will consider myself a success. Of course, I usually try to have a little lesson that I hope children learn from my books as well. In the case of the first book, I hope that they learn the golden rule and in the second, to turn the other cheek. Maybe Lionel’s experiences will help teach them these lessons.
Are you currently working on other books?
I am currently working on the third book in the Lionel’s Grand Adventure Series. The school year has just begun and the County Fair is coming to town. Another Grand Adventure is underway as Lionel finds himself struggling in math class and trying desperately to impress Carrie at the Fair. I am also in the preliminary stages of a picture book. That is something new to me and I am having a lot of fun with it thus far.
Stacie Theis / beachboundbooks@yahoo.com / copyright 2012