The shade under the Rose of Sharon tree (it was so overgrown it was far past the bush stage) in my backyard was my space. Q: That’s such an important message! How did you get started as a writer?Ī: I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing, reading, drawing, and creating imaginary worlds in my head. And then maybe – just maybe – they’ll stop.

I also want those who bully others – for any reason – to realize just how much pain they’re causing. They end up thinking something is wrong with them, instead of realizing there’s something wrong with people who hurt others. They endure such hatred that they often suffer in silence from the humiliation of it all, never talking about what’s been said and done to them that shame-based isolation means they don’t know that others are treated the same way. I want fat kids to know they’re not alone. With the eyes of a fat person, so they see just how pervasive fat-bias and bullying are and how words can shatter the soul or heal it. I want readers to see the world with new eyes. If you live in someone else’s skin for a while, the experience stays with you. I don’t want them to just walk in her shoes because shoes are easy to take off, especially when they become uncomfortable. I want readers to feel what it’s like to live in Ellie’s skin. Q: What takeaway message do you hope readers get from your story?Ī: Starfish is emotionally real and, at times, raw. While nothing can make up for what happened to me or make it okay, one of my goals in writing Starfish is to give children the tools they need to deal with bullying so that maybe-just maybe-they won’t experience the pain I did, or at least not as much of it. Like Ellie, I was bullied at school, at home – everywhere. (I use the term fat because I want to strip it of its use as an insult and make it just a simple descriptor, just like tall or blonde.) I was bullied because I was fat. Fat protagonists are uncommon in children’s literature, even though a majority of Americans are fat.

I wrote Starfish because it was the book I needed when I was in middle-grade. (Note: The book releases on March 9, 2021) (Contest ends March 5, 2021.) Click To TweetIf you’re the chosen winner, I’ll contact you for your information.

You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the bottom of this post.

Lisa has offered to give away a print copy of this book (US ONLY).

Star fish lisa fipps