Inspiration
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/
Information about this sanctuary in Nairobi, Kenya appeared on one of my social media feeds many years ago and I fell in love with the photos and stories of these baby elephants. Daphne Sheldrick is my hero, and her compassion for the most vulnerable out in the wild is what fueled the idea behind my novel Songbirds of the Baobab Tree.
Strong women in literature who inspire me
A feisty but flawed female character has always inspired me. Here are some of my favorites:
Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie. Who doesn’t love her wild spirit and determination to find adventure, no matter what? She turned the wild prairies into a world of harsh beauty.
Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables is a character that still feels real to me. Sassy, curious, clever—what a beacon of hope to those who have ever felt like an emotional orphan.
Adunni from The Girl with the Louding Voice is a new favorite. Her simplicity is complex, her circumstances surreal, her language unforgettable. I will love her forever.
Aibileen Clark from The Help always fills me with hope. Whatever critics have to say about the book, I have not found a student in any of my classes who doesn’t love the message about dignity, empathy, and the power of being able to tell your story.