Today, Norm Goldman Editor and Publisher of Bookpleasures.com is excited to have as our guest  ten-year old award -winning author and illustrator Natalie Tinti author of Sewing Friendship 2 as well as Sewing Friendship.

Natalie's award- winning talents began in 2004 when, at the tender age of five, she won first place for the poster contest at the 4th Annual Artists Event hosted by Great Graphics Bella & Animal Friends of the Valleys. That same year, she achieved first place for the Visual Arts Primary Division at her school for the Reflections theme A Different Kind of Hero. In 2007, her art piece was placed in the Promenade Mall at the Youth Art Exhibition hosted by the Temecula Valley Art Council.
Recently, Natalie's book, Sewing a Friendship, was awarded a Silver Medal in the 2009 award contest hosted by the nationally recognized Readers Favorite Book Reviews under the Children-Chapter category.

Good day Natalie and thanks for participating in our interview.

Norm:

How did you get started in writing and what keeps you going?

Natalie:

I guess it's in my blood: writting, especially drawing. And what keeps me going to write is that I would like to see children happier about themselves and show that friendships are created when you have courage to include others.

Norm:

What do you do when you are not writing and drawing?

Natalie:

I draw for myself or play with my friends.

Norm:

Did you know the end of your two books at the beginning?

Natalie:

For my first book I knew how it would ended, but for my second book it was the big mystery for me.

Norm:

Do you write from your own experiences and how much of you are in your books? As a follow up, are the characters in your book based on people you know or have encountered or are they strictly fictional?

Natalie:

I combine knowledge and ideas for my books from my surroundings, and I create my characters by "sewing" different pieces from different people together.

Norm:

What do you want your books to do other than entertain?

Natalie:

I believe that kids will be inspired to do incredible things, to be empowered to use their talents and imaginations, and learn valuable lessons from my books.

Norm:

How many books do you read in a month and who are your favorite authors?

Natalie:

Let's just put it this way, I need to read more often but my favorite authors, not counting myself, are Jeff Kinney, who wrote Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Jane O'Conner, who wrote Fancy Nancy, Sienna Mercer, who wrote My Sister the Vampire, and almost every single anime author.

Norm:

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

Natalie:

It was not as easy as I suspected to create my books; but no matter what, it was possible.

Norm:

What was the most difficult part about writing your books?

Natalie:

I have to say it wasn't hard writing the book, it was just putting all the pages together and putting each picture on the right  page.

Norm:

Have you received many emails and letters concerning your books? What are something of the things they say?

Natalie:

I wish I have more. All letters from children are very interesting, they like Sewing a Friendship.

Norm:

What do you want to do when you get older?

Natalie:

I would like to stay with illustrating and writing books because when you do write books you share your knowledge with others, and you also use it on yourself to grow and develop.  What I'm trying to say is that I learn too, from my experience. Also seeing other people happy makes me happy.

Norm:

Where can our readers find out more about you and your books?

Natalie:

You can find it on the Interest and on my website Tintinatie.com

Norm:

What is next for Natalie Tinti and is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

Natalie

Have fun, be creative. Remember, that the true friend reaches for your hand and touches your heart.

Norm

Thanks once again and good luck  with all of your future endeavors

CLICK HERE TO READ NORM'S REVIEW OF SEWING A FRIENDSHIP 2

Click Here To Purchase Sewing a Friendship 2: The Power of Imagination, Friendship and Mind!