Meet Charlotte Holland, an exceptionally talented young author who, at just eight and a half years old, has already penned several manuscripts with a vivid imagination that brings her characters to life. Raised in a nurturing environment that values creativity, Charlotte’s writing journey began when she was only seven. Her favorite creation, Lady Baga, is a spirited character living in the fantastical world of Bugsylvania, and she has captivated the hearts of Charlotte’s classmates and teachers alike.
Charlotte’s writing is not only encouraged by her supportive family but also by her educational environment which has been instrumental in honing her skills. With a love for reading and writing that surpasses other subjects, Charlotte also possesses a talent for art, which plays a crucial role in her storytelling process. She believes in crafting the visuals for her characters before putting their adventures into words, thereby making her stories a vibrant tapestry of text and images.
In this Q&A conducted by the NH Writers’ Project, Charlotte shares insights into her creative process, her sources of inspiration, and her aspirations for the future. From receiving feedback in the classroom to dreaming of publishing her books and making children around the world smile, Charlotte’s passion and dedication to her craft are truly inspiring.
Join us as we explore the imaginative world of Charlotte Holland, where ladybugs have large families, bugs play music, and every character has a story waiting to be told.
NH Writers’ Project: Charlotte, it’s fantastic to chat with you today. Could you start by telling us about the books you’ve written?
Charlotte: Absolutely! So far, I’ve written a few books. They’re not published yet, but I’m really excited about them. My favorite is the first one, The BUGinning, because it introduces all the characters.
NH Writers’ Project: Can you share a bit about your main character?
Charlotte: Sure! The main character is Lady Baga. She lives in Bugsylvania and has a huge family with 19 sisters and 10 brothers. I created her after talking about ladybugs with my Aunt Janet last summer.
NH Writers’ Project: What inspires you to write?
Charlotte: A lot of my inspiration comes from my family, teachers, and classmates. My teachers have read my books to the class, and the feedback has been great! I also get ideas from my cousin Grady, like when I created Grady the grasshopper after he got stuck in a swing set.
NH Writers’ Project: How do you gather feedback on your writing?
Charlotte: My teacher reads my stories to the class without telling them I wrote them. Afterward, she asks for their honest opinions. I feel this approach really helps me understand what the readers like and where I can improve.
NH Writers’ Project: Do you also illustrate your books?
Charlotte: Yes, I do! I don’t start writing until I have a picture of the character in my mind. So, I usually draw the character first, which helps a lot with my writing.
NH Writers’ Project: What’s your favorite subject in school?
Charlotte: Reading and writing, definitely. But I also really love art. It’s special to me because it ties directly into my book illustrations.
NH Writers’ Project: We look forward to meeting you at the 603 Writers’ Conference on June 8th. What do you hope to accomplish there?
Charlotte: I’m hoping to learn more about publishing and to meet authors and publishers who might be interested in my books. I’m also looking for new inspiration for future stories.
NH Writers’ Project: Finally, Charlotte, what’s the biggest dream you have for your writing?
Charlotte: I dream of publishing my books and making children happy by reading them. Maybe one day, like JK Rowling, one of my stories could be turned into a movie!
NH Writers’ Project: Thank you, Charlotte, for sharing your journey and dreams with us today. You’re an inspiration, and we can’t wait to see where your writing takes you next!
