• Print Full Article
• Email Article
• Suggest an Article

Unlocking a World of Imagination

Author: Denise Watson-Quinalty
Issue: 2008 January

Children’s book author and Edmond resident, Tammi Sauer, never thought she would be competing against the likes of songstress, Kelly Clarkson. According to her young fans, Sauer is not only competing in the popularity contest—she’s winning!

Originally from Kansas, Sauer and her husband, Ron, now live in Edmond with their two young children, ten-year-old Julia and seven-year-old Mason.

“I think my family is proud of what I do,” she said.

What Sauer does is create entire worlds filled with thoughtful, colorful characters that have stories of their own to share.

Sauer said she has been writing ever since she can remember. She still keeps old journals and a box of letters she wrote to her husband during their high school days. Sauer said her favorite college professor at Kansas State University, Dr. Marjorie Hancock, encouraged her to seek publication for her work.

In the spring of 2003, she did just that. Sauer settled into writing books for young people, age four to eight, explaining that she cannot imagine a better audience.

“Plus, the fan mail is unbeatable,” she said.

“My dream is to right [sic] a book,” one young girl wrote. “Do not tell her this but I like you more than Kelly Clarkson,” she added.

As for the stories and characters themselves, Sauer said picking her favorite would be like picking a favorite child—impossible.

“They are all personal to me,” she explained. “I couldn’t possibly value one over another.”

Sauer described her characters as “imperfect.” She hopes readers will cheer for them throughout the story.

"By each book's end, I work to make the character save the day the best way he knows how," she said.

Sauer believes youngsters and parents alike enjoy her stories. She said her books contain heart as well as humor and can be more than just books to curl up with at bedtime.

“The more parents read to their children, the better readers their children will become,” she said. "In addition, reading books together creates warm memories, opens up channels for discussion and stimulates the imagination.”

Making a connection with editors, parents and children is Sauer’s favorite part of writing. Her least favorite part is waiting, which is a big part of the writing process. After finishing a story, Sauer must wait to hear back from her agent, then wait to hear from an editor who, hopefully, will want to acquire the manuscript.
...

1 | 2 | Next Page >