Q: First tell us something about yourself.
My name is Cherise Arthur and I am a retired educator and currently teaching a class at a local college on writing and self publishing. I grew up on a farm and always loved animals and writing as a kid. I was lucky enough to have ponies and horses as a child as well as dogs, cats, ducks and even a raccoon. Dad brought him home one day and he was very small. We named him Rocky.
Q: How and when did your journey start as a writer?
I have always loved writing as a child and it was my favorite subject in school. I find the use of words and grammar say a lot about you as a person. I wrote many stories and was inspired by my Grandmother who wrote a story for us when we were children and illustrated it. I like to be out in nature and observe the natural world and I also love to watch people. I have a wild imagination still as an adult and make up stories about people and what their stories might be.
Q: When did you write your first story? Is it published or not?
I got serious and wrote Sierra and Star in 2020 and I self published it on Amazon and a book and ebook. That was an exciting adventure to find an illustrator.. I learned about ScBWI and prior to that I was very involved with Willamette Writers Group in Portland, OR and I volunteered at their conferences. I met and talked to amazing authors and screenwriters and the more classes and seminars that I went to the moIre I became confident in my writing and pursuing other projects. I was able to get into a local author fair and my local library and to get Sierra and Star in three local libraries.
Q: Since you’ve been published what other opportunities have you had as a writer.
I am teaching and am now volunteering for the Oregon Donkey Sanctuary and American Wild Horse Conservation and wrote a song and created a video for my speaking engagements to teach the public about our wild horses and burros. Reading and writing can open your career up to amazing opportunities.
Q: Tell us something more about your books?
Sierra and Star is about a young girl who wishes for a pony. She does not like dolls and wants more than anything to have a pony. On her 8th birthday she is surprised to get a pony and their amazing adventures together begin. This is loosely based on me as a child and wanting a pony. My second book Bella and the Queen’s ponies is a modern day fairy tale. Bella gets lost in the woods and must get help. She comes upon a magical herd of Dartmoor Ponies, talking owls, singing mice and the beautiful Queen Lillian who teach her lessons about kindness and helping each other. My current book is titled Oliver’s Magical Adventures. It is a fun book about a boy who makes a wish on a carousel and takes a wild ride on a zebra in the park. It is very cute and funny and little kids love this story. All books are available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Q: How did these stories and characters come to your mind?
Sierra and Star came to me while riding my horse one day. I like the name Sierra and actually Sierra was the name of the horse I was riding at the time. I thought it would be a nice book for your girls who long to have a pony or a horse and it is a sweet story. After a vacation to London and Paris, I learned about these really cute Dartmoor Ponies and thought it would be a fun book to write. It became very magical as I learned the area I was writing about was once considered magical and pixie led. I created some magical characters in my mind and had a blast creating this book. The mice sing and the owl gives the character some wonderful advice. Queen Lillian is magical and sweet – I love this book and the story. All my books have a bit of magical touch to them. Oliver’s Magical Adventures is my first book with a boy character and he decided to make a magical wish. The takes a wild ride on a carousel zebra and kids love this story. It is funny and other carousel animals must find a way to get them back to the carousel. I have always loved horses and carousels and loved creating this fun story for children. I also learned a lot about the carousels all over the United States and in Europe as well.
Q: Do you want to leave any message for your readers?
Readers making great writers. Reading can take us to magical places and hopefully inspire you to maybe one day want to venture into the field of writing. I suggest becoming friends with your local library staff. They are interesting people and can help you as you research for school projects or find books of interest that you like. Get a library card at a young age! You will always love visiting libraries and maybe one day we will see your book on the shelf. Keep reading and writing. It is really good for your brain development for young children too, Have a magical day!
