About The Author
Debbie Leland
"When I go to the library and pull one of my books off the shelf, I know that dreams do come true"
I started writing when I was in elementary school. One of the first stories I remember writing is from the fifth grade. The story is called Cherokee, Friskie, Tiger, and the Wheel. It is a story about three hamsters and their exercise wheel.
When I was in the sixth grade I wrote a story called Where's My Partner? It was a story about a pair of go-go boots. I entered it in a story contest, and won first place. The prize was free books at the book fair. My teacher wrote that"'she enjoyed the story too, and hoped it was the beginning of a writing career."
When I was in eighth grade I was a library assistant. We had to write down what one of our goals was for when we grew up. I wrote down that I wanted to go into the library one day and pull a book off the shelf that I had written.
I was born in Kansas City, Missouri and moved to Whitehouse, Texas when I was fifteen years old and a sophomore in high school. I won an honorable mention for an essay contest sponsored by General Electric.
I went to Texas A&M University and got my degree in Physical Education. I taught elementary physical education in College Station for 22 years. Now I am a librarian at Forest Ridge Elementary School.
I have two children, Kacie and Brad. Kacie is at Texas A&M University and Brad is a senior in high school in College Station. I have a chocolate cocker spaniel named Melody. We go for long walks. She goes crazy when I pull the leash out of the drawer.
Sometimes I get ideas for stories when I am walking. I love being a writer.But I don't always love writing. Sometimes it is very hard work. But most of the time, I am the happiest when I am writing.
My first book, Aggie Goose Rhymes, was published in 1998. Since that time I have published four other stories, The Jalapeño Man, The Firegator,The Little Prairie Hen, and Daddy's Love.
When I talk to children, they often ask me if it is fun being a writer. Being a writer is the greatest job in the world. It is rewarding to see people sharing a story with each other that you have written. And it's especially fun when they ask for your autograph.
I love teaching others about writing, too.I've taught classes about writing for children to adults and to children at Rice University in the Continuing Education program, and at Texas A&M in the Youth Adventure Program.
I have lots of ideas for more stories. I'd like to write a chapter book, a book of poems, and a novel for adults, and maybe even a screenplay someday.
Writing rocks! Write on!