Authors never know when isolated moments in time can spark a writing inspiration.

Such a moment occurred to Kelowna author Sally Quon, one day as her attention was drawn to a child walking alone.

含羞草研究社淚 started thinking, 含羞草研究社榃hy was the child alone? Where were his parents? My head was filled with all the terrible things that could happen to a child by themselves,含羞草研究社� recalled Quon.

含羞草研究社淭hat is until I remembered that my own childhood was full of such moments, moments during which myth imagination flourished. Almost immediately, my thoughts turned to all of the interesting things that could happen.含羞草研究社�

Her thoughts percolated in her mind for a time, until she felt ready to tell a story, leading to a book of poetry project titled Bill and the Dragon.

Making the book complete was Quon partnering up with artist Billie Blue, who turned out to be the daughter of a childhood friend, to provide vibrant illustrations to accompany her story.

In the book, the boy character Billy meets a young dragon named Jim on a cold winter day. Explaining he is lost and alone, Jim shares how the fire in his belly has gone out, and if it doesn含羞草研究社檛 get reignited he will freeze.

Billy is determined to help, and the two head off on a snowy adventure to visit his grandma, drawing on the themes of family reunification, forging a friendship and coming to the aid of another.

Quon says the book is definitely aimed at children from age two to about eight, reiterating to her target audience how friendship is important, imagination is important and how 含羞草研究社済randmas know everything.含羞草研究社�

The 57-year-old has previously written a book of poetry geared to adults. She is working on a follow-up with Billie Blue and a poetry book of Japanese Haiku.

From Red Deer, Alta., Quon has lived in Kelowna for five years, living with a spinal cord disability which limits her ability to stand for long periods of time.

含羞草研究社淚 have the freedom to write more because you can含羞草研究社檛 do much else when your mobility is limited,含羞草研究社� she said.

While she was familiar with the Okanagan from family vacation visits when she was a child, Quon said since moving her permanently she has gained a greater appreciation for the natural landscape and the inspiration she draws from the local writing community.

含羞草研究社淪ome of us share our work together. We call ourselves the Soup Group. We meet once a month at a member含羞草研究社檚 house, have lunch and share our poetry,含羞草研究社� she said.

She enjoys poetry as opposed to longer-form writing because it is more precise in words used to express an emotion.

含羞草研究社淚 think it is the conciseness of the form as to why I enjoy poetry,含羞草研究社� she explained.

Billy and the Dragon is available at local bookstores, and online at OkanaganPublishingHouse.ca. or Amazon.ca.

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