Ollie the Orca by Laura Maw Interview

Children's Book

Date Published: October 2014

Come along and join Bubba the Bottlenose dolphin as he makes a new buddy while sharing a day they won’t soon forget. Grade 1-2 Reading Level
Bubba is out on one of his undersea adventures when he finds a frightened Orca trapped by a fishing net! In this attention gripping yet comical tale, Bubba works with his buddy Sammy the Seagull to free Ollie. Come along and join Bubba the Bottlenose dolphin as he makes a new buddy while sharing a day they won’t soon forget.

When Laura Maw was a child, her favorite activities were going to the ocean and picking out another stack of books from the library. She loved reading from a very young age and could never seem to satisfy her craving for another new adventure, another new imagination landscape. Writing is a passion that seemed to come naturally with her love of reading. She too wanted to be able to help someone through a bad day, or to have a unique and thrilling experience on a good day, through the written communication of a story. She has a very vivid imagination that often takes her on wondrous adventures in her dreams. In fact, the idea for Bubba’s Balloon came to her in the form of a very funny dream. She woke up laughing and felt that it was a story that must be shared with others. The character of Ollie was even developed through daydreaming about Bubba’s adventures.

https://www.facebook.com/BubbanBuddies

Purchas Links

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Ollie-Orca-Bubba-Buddies-TM/dp/0992115124/

Deal Sharing Aunt Interview with Laura Maw

May 15^th, 2015

Q1: What inspired you to write your first book?

I have a very vivid imagination that often takes me on wondrous adventures in my dreams. The idea for my first book, Bubba’s Balloon, came to me in the form of a very funny dream. I woke up laughing and felt that it was a story that must be shared with others. The character of Ollie for my second book, Ollie the Orca, was later created through daydreaming about what other adventures Bubba might be having.

Q2: Do you have a specific writing style?

I really enjoy writing my rough drafts using a pen and paper. The smoothness and warmth of the paper is calming to the touch. Writing outdoors is preferred because nature helps inspire creative thought.

Q3: How did you come up with the title?

Children’s picture book covers are all about attention capturing colourful pictures, so it is best to keep the title short. Also, this second Bubba n’ Buddies book introduces an exciting new character, Ollie. To showcase his introduction I named the book accordingly, Ollie the Orca. Bubba, being a good buddy, doesn’t mind sharing the spotlight with Ollie.

Q4: Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

There are a few great messages that can be found inside this story. It speaks to the importance of the buddy system, which is increasingly vital in today’s society. To encourage Bubba and Ollie to be safer while out exploring Sammy suggests that they travel together on their next adventure.

The story highlights the importance of friendship and helping others. When Bubba sees that Ollie is trapped, he immediately calls Sammy for help. Sammy then puts aside his dinner to go and help Bubba and Ollie. Bubba knew he could count on Sammy when he was in trouble because Sammy is a good friend.

Also, the negative impact of human activities on marine life is an underlying message in the story. Large spanning nets trap unintended marine animals like Ollie on a daily basis. Sadly some will die as a result of being trapped and others that escape are often badly injured.

Q5: How much of the book is realistic?

Well, the talking marine animal side of things is definitely not realistic, and neither is the likelihood of a Seagull, Bottlenose dolphin and an Orca being buddies in real life. But, hey, that is part of the fun when writing fiction; you get to bend the rules of realism! Unfortunately, marine animals do get trapped by fishing nets all the time in real life.

Q6: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

In a way, this book is based on events that everyone will experience in their lifetime. It is not hard to think of a situation where we were in trouble and needed to call on a friend for help, or a situation where we helped a stranger in need. Likewise, it is easy to imagine many adventures that would be much safer if you were to travel with a buddy.

Q7: What books have influenced your life most?

Growing up, The Berenstain Bears stories taught me about the importance of morals and values. This series has influenced my life most because of the veracity foundation that it laid when I was a child, causing me to continually strive to be the best version of myself.

Q8: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

With out a doubt I would have to say Robert Munsch. I loved reading his books when I was a kid! I must have read every one of them. I really liked the humour in his stories and the different imaginative situations that his characters would find themselves in.

Q9: What book are you reading now?

I am currently reading Ghost Story by Peter Straub. After that, I look forward to reading more books by George Orwell.

Q10: What would you like my readers to know?

That they are awesome for supporting reading and literature!

As it really is all about getting kids excited about reading, I set the price of my books as low as possible. Both of my Bubba n’ Buddies picture books are available at Amazon.com in e-book and paperback formats.