“I found a drawer filled with candy and wrappers and garbage and junk. She had been hoarding it and snacking at her leisure since October. This was in March.” Thus, Rebecca got the idea of a little blonde character who liked to hoard things, such as garbage and candy. Rebecca had met Sean through a project and told him about her idea. “He got super excited and gave her a voice and a whole lot of personality.” Rebecca’s favorite part of the process is reading Sean’s words and the excitement his writing gives her; the picture it creates in her head. Porter has a variety of expressions. “She’s hilarious. And that sense of humor appropriately resonates with both children and adults.” Porter the Hoarder and the Ransacked Room is the first book to be released of what will be a total series of 64 books so Rebecca has no immediate plans for after. “Although I do have a side project in the works that I’ve written and illustrated with the help of my daughters Logan and Quinn.” Rebecca has some advice to any reader who wants to write/ illustrate: “Don’t be worried about silly ideas or bad ideas. Free writing and free drawing whenever possible (even if you don’t think it is your best work) is always a learning experience and is so important. Just keep drawing and keep writing. Do your research to find a partner or team that is reliable and has the same passion and vision as you.” n NatureScapingDesigns.com 605-661-1205 HERVOICEvSEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019v15