Interview with Fay Klinger, Author of I Am Strong, I Am Smart...

The very accomplished author Fay Klinger, is treating us to an interview on today's stop of her Book Tour!  So, let's get right to it, shall we?

Tell me, Fay, or what are you grateful?

I am immensely grateful for my husband, who encourages me in building and sharing my talents and skills. Without him I could not have accomplished much in writing. My children are wonderful. By sharing with me their wealth of knowledge and skill, I have grown and felt supported in my endeavors.

At what age were you the happiest? What triggered such joy?

I was the happiest in my youth and teen years. My father built a cabin in the mountains for our family. We lived there almost all summers and many weekends throughout the year. There I was free. Free to explore. Free to just be myself. Free to enjoy my childhood.

We didn’t have many modern conveniences in the mountains. Life was very simple and calm. The happy memories are endless—catching frogs at the pond, climbing mountains, riding horses (with or without a saddle), attending western “stomp” dances, many hours of playing Double Solitaire with my mother and siblings . . .

What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult?

Two in particular. One was Richard Bach, the author of Jonathan

Livingston Seagull. He had a gift of telling a story that gave readers purpose in their own lives, a drive to do better.

Another would definitely be Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women. Sometimes now I’m reminded of that book as I see my life with my family and extended family, and I think it could fit so well with the sweet portrayals in that book. The drama, the tragedies, the character-building events . . . Sometimes as events unfold in my life, I think if we just had a movie soundtrack added, the pictures would fit very well with the movie “Little Women”!

Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing?

Yes, indeed! One of the main “must haves” is quiet. I do not write well in chaos. Some writers need music. Not me. As I write, I play the words through my mind and then verbalize them. I couldn’t do what I do without quiet time.

Another main “must have” is time to pray and the feeling that I am being guided to write. Driven or compelled to write a message that needs to be shared.

Do you have a common theme or item that appears in each of your books?

It started back when I was a young mother. I was a professional illustrator and wanted to share my love of motherhood and the joy of babies. Then those visuals began to turn into words, and then to books. The themes of joy in motherhood and the strength of women can be seen threaded through all of my work.

Tell us about your latest release:

I have two books being released this month. The fiction book (for ages 8 to 12) is fully illustrated (Christian, national). A couple of my beta readers (non-professional critiquers) were in this age category, and oh, my goodness, they did such a marvelous job and were very entertaining to work with. The artwork was done by Briana Shawcroft. She did an excellent job and I had a lot of fun working with her on this project. 

I Am Strong! I Am Smart!

Luisa May, known to her family and friends as Lu, loves to play games with her grandma. When she’s bullied at school, Grandma has a special puzzle for Lu to help her see how valuable she is—no matter what others say, or how much doubt she feels within herself. Soon after, Grandma has to go to the hospital, and Lu finds out Grandma needs help recovering. Then it’s Lu’s turn to help Grandma see how valuable she is—no matter how much doubt she feels within herself. It’s a beautiful parallel for young and old alike, as each age learns from the other. Written and illustrated with loving hands, this delightful children’s story offers a heartfelt message that unites and bonds generations. From the award-winning pen of Fay A. Klingler, I Am Strong! I Am Smart! provides to women of all ages a reminder of the tremendous gift of “girl power.

To my delight, I Am Strong! I Am Smart! received 23 endorsements before it even went to press. I hope mothers and granddaughters, in particular, will feel the “warmth” of this book and gain from it:

Praise for I am Strong, I am Smart:

What a delightful book written and illustrated with a light, humorous touch. The message is right in the title, I Am Strong! I Am Smart! One of the most protective factors in any child’s life is the self-perception that “I am capable, important, and powerful.” This book allows children to enter into this self-perception along with our heroine. A valuable, fun read, reinforcing key family

—Joe L. Freeman, Master of Divinity, LCSW

My second book out this month is a non-fiction book, that also has received many endorsements. I am immensely grateful to the many people who contributed to We Are Strong! Mothers and Daughters Stand Together.

We Are Strong! Mothers and Daughters Stand Together

Every girl needs a mentor, someone she can trust to show her the way home to Heavenly Father. The stakes are high—as women of influence, how we live and how we teach Heavenly Father’s daughters will change the course of their lives forever. Using compelling real-life stories from women of all ages, award-winning author Fay A. Klingler clearly defines how and why we must continue to live and teach the Young Women. We Are Strong! beautifully illustrates how powerful a faithful woman’s example can be.

Praise:

I began reading We Are Strong! amidst a heavy personal trial in my life, and yet after reading only a few short pages, I had the desire to get on my knees and thank Heavenly Father for every small blessing in my life. I love how Fay uses multiple true stories and examples to teach valuable principles. These stories carry the book and entice you to read yet one more page because you can relate. Bravo to Fay for tackling the topics that are easy for Moms to forget, but are of utmost importance. Her detail and straightforwardness is helpful and motivating. I am reminded of what an honor it is to be a woman. I have never thought so deeply about my personal commitment as an adult woman to each of the YW values. There is work to be done and  I have signed my name to do it.I feel uplifted and encouraged. We live at a time when despair is too common. While reading Fay’s book, I have been filled with hope and determination. I can do something. I will start within the walls of my own home and work outward.

—Lorene Elder, Stake Young Women President

How did you decide on your story plot?

My fiction book was the product of my wonderful mother’s example. As a child, my mother taught me 100 ways to play Solitaire and Double Solitaire. I’ve learned so much from her and from my children and grandchildren, I wanted to show how, no matter our age, we not only can learn from each other, but we can build each other up and help through the crises that come our way.

The non-fiction book came about from an outline I was given from my Heavenly Father. As I proceeded with the writing, just the “right” stories came forward as contributions in the most unusual ways. What a blessing it has been to see so directly the hand of the Lord.

Sounds like some great reads!  Thanks for stopping by Fay, we enjoyed your visit!

Book Trailer: I Am Strong, I Am Smart

Author Bio:

Fay A. Klingler, author and illustrator, is an award-winning creative and technical writer, as well as a sought-after motivational speaker for women’s groups. Her expertise includes successful patterns for life, betrayal recovery, and effective grandparenting. Her previous publications include A Woman’s Power: Threads that Bind Us to God; Shattered: Six Steps from Betrayal to Recovery; Daughters of God, You Have What It Takes; The LDS Grandparents’ Idea Book; My Magnificent Mountain; The Complete Guide to Woman’s Time; Our New Baby; and A Mother’s Journal.

An active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sister Klingler has served in various stake and ward Relief Society positions, as a ward Young Women president, in the Primary, and as a stake missionary.

The Klinglers have twelve children and thirty-five grandchildren in their blended family. They reside in Draper, Utah.

Connect:

www.fayklingler.com

www.facebook.com/FayKlingler