IndieView with Jackie Arnason, author of Hambone: Why Pigs Have curly Tails

I have loved words and reading since I was very little. It has always been such a pleasure to make up stories for my children and then for my grandchildren – it made for wonderful cuddle times with them. 

Jackie Arnason – 26 August 2020

The Back Flap

Hambone is a normal, little pig who loves to wallow in mud, gobble corn cobs and play with his brother and sister on Farmer Brown’s acreage. But Hambone has a dream – he wants a dill pickle – a big, green, drippy, sour dill pickle. His dream is so compelling that Hambone leaves home to chase it. He meets with many colourful characters on his adventure, including a parrot, a chef and a really big elephant until at last – his dream comes true – but something unexpected happens to his tail as his dream becomes reality!

Hambone’s little tale teaches us that you really can believe in your dreams!

About the book

What is the book about?

The adventures of a little pig in search of his dream – a dill pickle!

Hambone finds that kindness and helpfulness lead the way to achieving a dream. And dreams can be achieved even though they may sound silly to everyone else.

When did you start writing the book?

I wrote the actual first draft about 40 years ago for my youngest daughter.  My children were always asking for stories and this one popped into my head during my lunch hour – after a ham sandwich and a pickle!

How long did it take you to write it?

I did the first draft during my lunch hour and polished it up a couple of times later on.

Where did you get the idea from?

I think it may have been from my lunch – Ham sandwich with a pickle. Other than that, I just seem to have ideas drift into my head.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Once the book was accepted for printing – the revisions were a bit difficult but with my publishers help they turned out just fine.

What came easily?

The story itself was so easy. The characterizations took a bit more thought.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

Well since I don’t personally know any pigs – Hambone is entirely fictitious!

Do you have a target reader?

I think the book will appeal to children from ages 2 to 5 or 6. Perhaps even 7 year olds who are starting to read for themselves.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I usually get an idea in my head and then play with it in my mind. After I feel comfortable with the basic story I write it out and then start the revisions (the hard part).

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

Since most of my writing is children’s stories – I just jump right in to the story and work from there.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I usually write the basic story and then edit.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Since this is my first try at publishing a book – my publisher has done the editing with me.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

No – not usually. If I do listen I prefer quiet classics like Bach and Vivaldi and Greig.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

No I sent it direct to my publisher on the advice of my daughter

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

My daughter convinced me that I needed to at least try to get a story published so I sent off a couple of my stories and my publisher selected Hambone and away we went.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

The book cover was done by a professional artist and she is remarkable – It was as though she was living in my head the way she drew Hambone exactly.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

My publisher, my daughters and I are all working on the marketing side. Here’s hoping we succeed.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Look for and the contact indie publishers – find the one that fits with you and go for it!

About You

Where did you grow up?

I was born in a small town in southern Saskatchewan and grew up in Regina.

Where do you live now?

I live in a senior’s complex in Regina and enjoy it very much.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I have loved words and reading since I was very little. It has always been such a pleasure to make up stories for my children and then for my grandchildren – it made for wonderful cuddle times with them. I have also done a lot of poetry and special verses for my friends and relatives – birthdays, Christmas, Easter, etc.

What are you working on now?

I am talking with my publisher about another children’s book – not sure which story we will work on and I am also working on a much longer story about older children and magic and spells and scary adventures!

End of Interview:

For more from Jackie, visit her blog and like her Facebook page.

Get your copy of Hambone: Why Pigs Have curly Tails from Amazon US or Amazon UK.