I’m Amanda Clark:
My husband and I, along with our 5 hooligan children, 8 noisy chickens, and 1 motherly cat live in Indiana. Ours is a beautiful blended family. I was a single mom for 7 years until my dear husband decided to jump into the deep end of the pool and take my three children and I on. Those 7 years were made easier by a wonderful support system. Thank heavens for the people who love us! It is largely due to these heaven sent people that I have been able to make my dream of writing come true.
Write Away:
Writing has always been one of my passions. The flow of language and ideas has always mesmerized me. I simply love stories, whatever form they take. I can thank my father for instilling in me the love of listening to stories, and my mother for my love of books and the ability to write them. If you only knew how many red ink pens she’s burned through hacking my papers to pieces, but, her critiques and edits always made them better, even if I was too annoyed to admit it. And yes, she is still the first person to edit anything I write. It’s kind of scary how happy she is to sit down with a red pen and a new manuscript.
Illustration is about the “us”:
A love of art was instilled in me from the time I was a child. I remember lying on the floor for hours poring over art books, fascinated by the colors and textures. My favorite memories of art involve other people though: the bustle of art class, taking trips to the art museum with my mother, seeing the world through a camera lens with my father. Now it’s my turn to involve my children and readers. Asking for their help and opinions makes the illustrations more personal. Art is meant to be shared and enjoyed. Put the right pictures with a story and it comes to life. Even before they can read the words a child can read the pictures. Illustrations are all about the “us” — what they make us feel, communicate, share with each other, dream for, imagine. Thank you for being part of my “us.”