by Sally Matheny
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| Paige Snedeker illustrates her books with her mouth. |
Today's post has a double purpose. One is to
raise awareness about rare diseases and how they affect people. February 28 is "Rare Disease Awareness Day."
The other purpose of this post is to highlight a young woman who suffers from a rare genetic disease but who is determined to shine stories of hope for others.
The other purpose of this post is to highlight a young woman who suffers from a rare genetic disease but who is determined to shine stories of hope for others.
You may have heard of Paige Snedeker. She's a rare gem and she guest blogged
for me last week. You can find her guest post, “Trials and Purpose,” here.
Paige is a talented author and illustrator. A great deal has happened since writing and illustrating her first book, Sofia and Her Morningstar, which released in 2013.
One milestone occurred in the fall of 2016. Paige
finally received a diagnosis of the rare neurodegenerative disease she has
dealt with for over twenty years. She and her brother, Tyson, have Brown Vialetto Van Laere Syndrome (BVVL).
Tyson’s twin brother passed away when Paige was nine years old. He also had
BVVL.
B2 (riboflavin) therapy has begun and we’re all praying
for good results. However, Paige isn’t the kind to sit around and do nothing
while she’s waiting.
She wrote and illustrated a second book, Camo’s Journey. It released in January 2017.
Today, I’m honored to interview Paige about her writing
and illustrating journey.
Paige,
share with us how you began your writing
journey.
When I was in middle
school, I believed I could never be a writer, but I loved to write stories so
much. My imagination was so big and overwhelming.
When I started high
school, my teacher encouraged me to write. It was very difficult. At the time,
my grammar was not very good, and I was scared to write because of that.
I did not have the
opportunity of taking any writing classes until after I graduated from high
school. I became really serious about my writing when I attended my first Florida
Christian Writers’ Conference. I still
attend this every year.
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| Sofia and Her Morningstar |
I always wanted
to help people through my writing. I want people to know that they have been
created for a reason and that they should be happy with who they are.
What inspired you to write Camo’s
Journey?
After I graduated, I
wanted to become a detective, so I started studying for college.
Then, one day I found out about the writers’ conference from one of my favorite authors.
After I attended it, I learned that God wanted me to continue writing. I wanted to share my story with others. I was able to do this through my characters in Camo’s Journey.
Then, one day I found out about the writers’ conference from one of my favorite authors.
After I attended it, I learned that God wanted me to continue writing. I wanted to share my story with others. I was able to do this through my characters in Camo’s Journey.
I read where it took you five years to
complete your first book. About how long did it take you to complete the second
one?
After I attended the first
conference, I started writing Camo’s
Journey. It took me six months to finish writing it. Then I started the
illustrations. That took more than a year. I had bad illustrators’ block. Ha-ha!
You're funny, Paige. What do you do when you face writer’s or illustrator’s block?
So, did you do anything differently the second time around? Any lessons learned?
I try to take
my time. I write in my journal to help me process my thoughts and ideas.
Also, I go to God’s Word for inspiration. After all, He is why I do what I do
in the first place.
So, did you do anything differently the second time around? Any lessons learned?
As I wrote Camo’s Journey, my writing began to expand. The story became deeper, and I put more of my passion into it.
When I wrote Sofia and Her Morningstar, I was more
distant from the Lord. As I grew older, I finally surrendered my heart to Jesus
completely.
So, Camo’s Journey is more powerful because it reflects more of what
the Lord has done in my life and in my heart.
As for my illustrations, I
used more vibrant colors. The artwork has improved as I have gained more
experience with the techniques.
Tell us about the various techniques you
used illustrating your books.
I have used both
watercolors and acrylics in my illustrations, but mostly watercolors.
My techniques include
using different kinds of paintbrushes, paper towels, sponges and balloons.
Sometimes I use Q-tips as well. We also use textured paper.
I use clenched teeth to
hold all of these items. My art teacher will hold the paper in front of me. She
cuts out the different shapes and pieces and I told her how to arrange them.
I have also done a couple
of stained glass pieces. Working with stained glass is pretty scary, and it
challenges me in a different way.
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| One of Paige Snedeker's stained glass pieces. |
My nurse, Pat inspired me
the most. I had to go through a lot of personal trials. I will tell you this: other
nurses mentally abused me, and I was so broken until Pat came. She showed me
that I am an amazing person and that God has given me many talents. She
encouraged me to use them without fear. That is why I wrote. She is my hero,
and I love her a lot.
What’s next? Is there a third book in the future?
I am currently working on
my third book, which will finish my trilogy. I also have other kinds of writing
ideas in mind. But these projects are in the very early stages, so I don’t want
to speak about them just yet.
You also have a blog and want to branch out
your speaking ministry as well, right?
I try to write a blog post
every month about something more personal or related to my work. My blog is
called Paige’s
Pages, and it can be found on my website.
I have spoken in a few
places. I have even Skyped with a school in the Bahamas to share my story with
the students remotely.
I also want to spread the
word about my disorder, BVVL, since it is so incredibly rare. There is a way to
help children with this disease, but it is so little known that barely anyone
knows how to treat it.
The older an individual
with BVVL becomes, the less chance the treatments will have any effects. I have
started my treatments in the last few months, and I am getting stronger every
day, but my body has already been damaged because of the disease.
I want to continue to
share my story with others as much as possible, so I am always looking for more
opportunities to speak in local churches, etc.
I want to bring hope and
encouragement and tell others like Philippians 4:13 tells us, that, through
Christ, anything is possible.
Thank
you so much for sharing with us, Paige. You are an encouragement to us all. May
the Lord continue to meet all your needs and bless your work for His glory.
You may also want to read a book review of Camo’s Journey here and get in on the special prize giveaways!
