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MEET ELEANOR ASPIN
by Ann Stalcup

What did you most like to do when you were a child?

Eleanor Aspin

At nine, I painted my first oil of my favorite stuffed animal. (This picture can be seen on my website if you want a chuckle, and is the only time that you will see me in a nightgown). Besides my passion for drawing and painting, I had great fun moving doll furniture outside underneath the frilly ferns, creating a perfect home. I’d pretend for hours, putting my poor dolls through harrowing adventures. Decorating my room, roller-skating, knitting, and creating hairstyles were also fun. On Saturdays, my sister and I would ride a bus to downtown Santa Ana and watch a triple feature. I now shudder at the amount of candy that I consumed.

What books influenced you most when you were growing up?

Any book read influenced me in one way or another. As a young reader, IF I WERE CAPTAIN of THAT SHIP, by Louise Lee Floethe and Richard Floethe, as illustrator, was my favorite, and the CHILD CRAFT series were also big with me. But in elementary school, a series of adventure books by British author, Enid Blyton sparked my interest. ISLAND of ADVENTURE; CASTLE of ADVENTURE; VALLEY of ADVENTURE; MOUNTAIN of ADVENTURE; etc. I read the NANCY DREW series, and some classics, JANE EYRE, LITTLE WOMEN; MOBY DICK; TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, and GONE WITH the WIND were others that come to mind. I would roller-skate to the library and to this day I still love the smell of a library.

When you went to college, were you already pursuing a writing career?

Not at all.I began junior college as an art major, but became dismayed with the popular distortion of all forms of art, including clay. It was the late 60s, and ‘odd’ was in, realistic was out. I soon changed to cosmetology, another creative field.

If you didn’t write as a child, then when did you start writing and what inspired you to start?

I had no idea that I liked to write, although I wrote daily in five-year diaries as a child. My real writing manifested after my children were grown. I began writing short stories for fun, without considering a writing career. My first book, HELP ME! HELP ME! was inspired in 2003 with the need to help my granddaughter learn about emergency situations. It rhymed, and I drew pictures to make it interesting. This is when art came back into my life. This reinvented my passion for illustration, and I had suddenly found a niche again.

What kinds of things inspire you to write?

Inspiration for stories has always come from subjects of my own interest. For an example: Inspiration for my illustrated novella, ABBY’S ATTIC ADVENTURES came from a very simple image…stairs. Inspiration is one of the subjects I like to talk about at the elementary schools. The students are like sponges and I’m always surprised how receptive they are.

How often do you write or illustrate?

I’ve always been disciplined. I find time to write or illustrate everyday. It continues to be a passion. This means that most likely I’m up very early to have fun! I’m self-employed, which also allows me, if I’m lucky, to occasionally rearrange my time.

Was your book accepted immediately, or did you experience a number of rejections?

Rejections are part of the business, and believe me, I have collected a ton of letters. I keep a folder and I’m proud of them. They keep me humbled. An interesting observation is that the more an author experiences success, the rejection letters become more promising. One finds micro-nuances, hidden meanings, or maybe it’s only hopefulness in every rejection. An extra line or two in hand-written pen from the editor is always nice.

What other book projects are you busy with?

I have many coals in the fire having to do with both my writing and artwork. They continue to stack up.

How do you see your future with books?

I’ve always felt that I’ve been led to where I am today. I follow my heart and I’m my best friend. I see myself on a journey that will take me to the proper place, whether it’s writing or art or both or something else. I intend to enjoy my time on this planet and use the innate talent that was given me. I’m grateful for everything that I have.