Discover the Children's world of Glenys Nellist
When a book by Glenys Nellist crossed my desk, I was so impressed with her writing style, which reaches into the hearts and understanding of young children, that I just had to know more. Her books have the quality and substance I always searched long and hard for when purchasing books for school libraries.
Glenys is a multiple award-winning picture book author. Her books include the bestselling, 'Twas the Evening of Christmas, The Wonder That is You, and five popular series: Love Letters from God, Snuggle Time, 'Twas, Good News and Little Mole. Her writing reflects a deep passion for helping children discover joy and hope in the world. Originally from a small village in Northern England, Glenys lives in Michigan with her husband, David. Recently I connected with Glenys and asked her about her writing.
Your stories reflect your love for God and your relationship with him. Do you ever struggle to translate the deeper truths of God's nature into a simple narrative that children will grasp?
Writing for children, and especially trying to impart truths about God and God's word, is a huge responsibility and it's one I don't take lightly. However, I don't write alone! I honestly feel, when I sit down to write, that in some wonderful and mysterious way, the Holy Spirit helps me to pen just the right words. God's nature is such a mysterious and complex thing, and it is very important to me that all my books portray a God of love, and hope, and peace. That's the only kind of God I know. I have met so many people who were damaged in some way by the picture of God with which they were raised, and it has become increasingly important to me, especially in recent years, to give room for the reader to wonder about our great God, and discover those deeper truths for themselves. So, I have learned as I write, not to try and teach children what I believe about God, but to allow them to find, through my words, who God is for them.
As a successful author, do you allot time each day to write?
No! I wish I could say I did, but without a specific deadline, I'm afraid I'm not very organized! Unless I have a project I'm working on, then I'm more of a spontaneous writer, and my inspiration almost always comes when I'm outside, either under a tree, or walking and enjoying God's wonderful world.
Do you have a favorite series or book that you have written?
That is a very hard question and one I get asked a lot. My response is always the same... my favorites are the first book I wrote and the last. There will always be a special place in my heart for Love Letters from God, published in 2014 and the new, updated edition that was released earlier this year. This picture book, the first in a series of four, contains 18 Bible stories with love letters from God that can be personally addressed to the child. My other current favorite is my most recent title, Wherever You Are, a picture book exploring the simple but powerful premise... wherever you are, God is there.
Check out Glenys' web page and discover more!
www.glenysnellist.com