Meet Joe Moore...
The first story
I was born in Pittsburgh, Pa, lived in Johnstown, PA for over 20 years, the birthplace of Maxwell the Raindrop. Currently I live in Columbus , Ohio. I am the proud Dad of two kids. Madelyne is a graduate of Ohio University and is a Licensed Social Worker. Marissa is living in Ohio preparing to study Radiology. When they were younger, like typical kids they would bring many picture books home from school. I am an avid reader (although a lazy writer) and I always encouraged them to read a lot and think for themselves.
Although we discovered a few books that found a special place on our bookshelf, I have to admit that many of the books they brought home seemed like they had little value. ..to me or to them. Until we read “The Giving Tree”. That story inspired me to start thinking about writing my own children’s story. Something just for me, Madelyne and Marissa.
I like to write, I even wrote a novel in my twenties, but had never tried a story for children. I began with a few silly ideas that I could ‘plug’ their names in to keep their interest. One evening, after tucking them in for the night, I sat listening to music and the entire basic idea of this little raindrop just came to me. A little raindrop who wants to be something other than what he is.
I wrote the idea as quickly as I could and fell in love with the raindrop immediately. I knew right away that I had to find a perfect name, one that was cute and also a little awkward. Luckily, the CD I was playing ended. I grabbed the case. The artist was the soul singer Maxwell! It was one of those rare, perfect moments when everything just fits and makes sense.
From an idea to a book
For a while the story was simply a cute idea that we often shared at bedtime. Years later, I ran into a friend who had just opened an art gallery. When I asked what inspired him to do this, he said that he believed in the idea and understood that when he grew older he didn’t want to look back filled with regret because he didn’t do it.
At that point I looked at Maxwell in a new way and knew I had to get this story in print. I realized that I had a big task ahead and it began with finding the right illustrator.
I met several artists who showed interest, but simply weren’t the right fit. I found Jackie Donnelly volunteering at the local Community Arts Center. The day we met she showed me some of her works which included a lot of fantasy characters like dragons and other drawings of animals that she had created. Looking at these, I wondered if she would care about a raindrop book. Later when she showed me her initial sketches, there was something in the expression in his eyes that I recognized as Maxwell. I knew she would be the one to bring Maxwell to life…she was my illustrator.
The story was soon brought to life and was off to print. Today, over 4800 copies of Maxwell The Raindrop Who Wouldn't Fall and Maxwell The Raindrop "Am I Still Me?" have been sold.
I was born in Pittsburgh, Pa, lived in Johnstown, PA for over 20 years, the birthplace of Maxwell the Raindrop. Currently I live in Columbus , Ohio. I am the proud Dad of two kids. Madelyne is a graduate of Ohio University and is a Licensed Social Worker. Marissa is living in Ohio preparing to study Radiology. When they were younger, like typical kids they would bring many picture books home from school. I am an avid reader (although a lazy writer) and I always encouraged them to read a lot and think for themselves.
Although we discovered a few books that found a special place on our bookshelf, I have to admit that many of the books they brought home seemed like they had little value. ..to me or to them. Until we read “The Giving Tree”. That story inspired me to start thinking about writing my own children’s story. Something just for me, Madelyne and Marissa.
I like to write, I even wrote a novel in my twenties, but had never tried a story for children. I began with a few silly ideas that I could ‘plug’ their names in to keep their interest. One evening, after tucking them in for the night, I sat listening to music and the entire basic idea of this little raindrop just came to me. A little raindrop who wants to be something other than what he is.
I wrote the idea as quickly as I could and fell in love with the raindrop immediately. I knew right away that I had to find a perfect name, one that was cute and also a little awkward. Luckily, the CD I was playing ended. I grabbed the case. The artist was the soul singer Maxwell! It was one of those rare, perfect moments when everything just fits and makes sense.
From an idea to a book
For a while the story was simply a cute idea that we often shared at bedtime. Years later, I ran into a friend who had just opened an art gallery. When I asked what inspired him to do this, he said that he believed in the idea and understood that when he grew older he didn’t want to look back filled with regret because he didn’t do it.
At that point I looked at Maxwell in a new way and knew I had to get this story in print. I realized that I had a big task ahead and it began with finding the right illustrator.
I met several artists who showed interest, but simply weren’t the right fit. I found Jackie Donnelly volunteering at the local Community Arts Center. The day we met she showed me some of her works which included a lot of fantasy characters like dragons and other drawings of animals that she had created. Looking at these, I wondered if she would care about a raindrop book. Later when she showed me her initial sketches, there was something in the expression in his eyes that I recognized as Maxwell. I knew she would be the one to bring Maxwell to life…she was my illustrator.
The story was soon brought to life and was off to print. Today, over 4800 copies of Maxwell The Raindrop Who Wouldn't Fall and Maxwell The Raindrop "Am I Still Me?" have been sold.
Q & A with Joe
Q. What would you like to see become of the Maxwell Stories?
A. " I would love for the books to be available nationwide. I also think the stories would make a great animated movie. I even wrote a theme song for the movie. You can hear it on Maxwell The Raindrop's Facebook page.
Q. Which Maxwell story was easiest to write?
A. "Maxwell The Raindrop Who Wouldn't Fall. The whole idea of the story came to me all at once. It can't get much easier than that."
Q. How do you prefer to write your stories? Do you use a computer, or do you like putting a pen to paper?
A. "I always write it with pen and paper. I'm used to doing it like that, and I can write faster than I can type."
Q. What else do you write?
A. "I have several other picture book stories and a few short stories. I also enjoy writing songs. I play a little acoustic guitar."
Q. Do you have any hobbies?
A. "Besides playing guitar, I love listening to music, especially from the 60's. Some of the favorites are Bob Dylan and The Grateful Dead. I've started to do some gardening, and I am finding I really enjoy that. I have also started doing acrylic art projects. I enjoy yoga, biking and meditation. I love to learn new things."
Q. If you could have a super power, what would it be?
A. "I think it would be great to be invisible. Especially when I go hiking in the woods, I would love to get close to every animal."
Q. What was your favorite subject in school?
A. "It was English, of course LOL! I have always loved reading and writing."
Favorite Superhero - Spiderman
Favorite Insect - Grasshoppers
Pets - I have had dogs, rabbits, Guinea pigs, gerbils and fish. When you have kids, you have a variety of pets and we have loved each and every one of them. Like Maxell, they all had a special purpose in this world.
A. " I would love for the books to be available nationwide. I also think the stories would make a great animated movie. I even wrote a theme song for the movie. You can hear it on Maxwell The Raindrop's Facebook page.
Q. Which Maxwell story was easiest to write?
A. "Maxwell The Raindrop Who Wouldn't Fall. The whole idea of the story came to me all at once. It can't get much easier than that."
Q. How do you prefer to write your stories? Do you use a computer, or do you like putting a pen to paper?
A. "I always write it with pen and paper. I'm used to doing it like that, and I can write faster than I can type."
Q. What else do you write?
A. "I have several other picture book stories and a few short stories. I also enjoy writing songs. I play a little acoustic guitar."
Q. Do you have any hobbies?
A. "Besides playing guitar, I love listening to music, especially from the 60's. Some of the favorites are Bob Dylan and The Grateful Dead. I've started to do some gardening, and I am finding I really enjoy that. I have also started doing acrylic art projects. I enjoy yoga, biking and meditation. I love to learn new things."
Q. If you could have a super power, what would it be?
A. "I think it would be great to be invisible. Especially when I go hiking in the woods, I would love to get close to every animal."
Q. What was your favorite subject in school?
A. "It was English, of course LOL! I have always loved reading and writing."
Favorite Superhero - Spiderman
Favorite Insect - Grasshoppers
Pets - I have had dogs, rabbits, Guinea pigs, gerbils and fish. When you have kids, you have a variety of pets and we have loved each and every one of them. Like Maxell, they all had a special purpose in this world.