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From a Q & A:

Q:

The bond between a father and a son is very precious, and I know you dedicate your books to your son, Riven.

What was his reaction when you showed him the first book?

A:

My son was an integral part of the entire process, and I couldn't have done it without him.

The book is dedicated to him, yes, but his consistent assistance was as always, invaluable.

That said, he WAS extremely excited when I first told him what I was planning, and that I wanted him to help with ideas and sketches throughout development.

Even if our books aren't extremely successful, just seeing the smile on his face as he held a physical copy for the first time, definitely made it all worth it.

____

Q:

I read that you consider yourself an “adversity survivor” can you tell me a little more about how that term fueled your passion to write a children’s book?

A:

I'm sure there are plenty of reasons I could consider myself a survivor, but the truth is, the REAL survivor is my son Riven.

He was born in The Hospital for Sick Children, with a Congenital Diafragmatic Hernia, Hypoplaisia, and dextroxardia.

Basically, that means there was a hole in his diaphragm, which allowed his intestines to enter and crowd his chest cavity, thus causing severely depreciated lung tissue, whilst pushing his heart into the axilla region (armpit).

In the hospital, during our many, lengthy visits..

to soothe Riven when he was in pain, I would sing/read him nursery rhymes.

Eventually I ran out though, so I turned to writing poetry.

I would read my poems to him so often, that other ill children began to gather and listen in.

Their parents soon joined as well, until one day a parent suggested I write for children in a professional fashion.

I suppose that was the first time I had even thought about it, much less considered it.

As a single father, I had spent many years by my child's side, worried about his well-being and inevitable future health complications.

So my priorities had to remain there, with my little Riven, until his health improved.

Despite his prognosis, he has not only surprised the medical professionals, but has exceeded ALL expectations.

..and I honestly couldn't be more proud.

The love and mutual admiration my son and I have built and share, is a joy I hope every parent can experience one day.

Thinking back, I truthfully cannot remember what it was like without him in my life, and for that..for HIM, I am eternally grateful.

Dedicating a series of rhyming, poetry based children's books to him, is just one small way I'm attempting to show my son just how much I adore him.

We have certainly struggled in numerous ways in addition to what I've said, but the bottom line is, together, we have successfully made it to today.

..and because of this, I have fortunately found some time to pursue this poetic passion.