Congratulations on the release of THE INS & OUTS OF AIR. Please tell us more about it.
About the book: The respiratory system is busy 24 hours a day, while we are awake and asleep. In fact, unless we are out of breath, we might not even know our lungs are on the job. The rhymes and learning activities plus the terrific illustrations by Eugene Ruble will help you learn the basics about how the respiratory system works.
What was the inspiration for this book?
Bill: Good question. By the way, thanks for extending this interview opportunity. As part of THE SUM OF OUR PARTS series, this particular book was inspired literally by the huffing and puffing while doing everyday stuff. The series started out as a single book: “No Bones About It” published in 2009. As it turns out, although hardly planned, that first book formed the structural foundation for the rest of the series. So you could say the series has good bones and with Book Seven, it is catching its breath.
What is your favorite moment from the book?
Bill: I’ll have to think about this question because the books in the series don’t actually tell a story. Also, if there is a Main Character, it would be the Respiratory System which is the subject of the book. That said, I do have a couple favorite verses to share with you. You may notice the strong leading syllable in each line and the staccato, rap feel to the verses. When writing these kinds of rhyming verses, pretty much the possibilities are endless, which makes it both challenging and loads of fun.
Quickly, molecules of O2,
Crossing membranesone-cell thick,
Find the blood cells they must go to,
And which places they must stick.
In reverse, CO2oozes
From the blood cells as they pass.
Through gas transfer, bloodthen loses,
All its Carbon Dioxidegas.
Respiration’s thus repeated,
Each three seconds—day and night.
When your O2’s been depleted,
Breathe and you will be all right.
I love it! Thanks for sharing that. What a fun way to learn about the body, Bill. Is this your first published book?
Bill: No. “The Ins & Outs Of Air” is Book Seven in the series, which will eventually have ten books covering most of the body’s major structures and systems, basically from head to toes. Also, four of my fiction stories have been published.
We’d love to hear more about you.
Overall, I’m just a normal person with a slightly wacky view of words and how they fit together, although I suppose there is a remote possibility that I am indeed a wacky person. I was a nomad for the first 38 years of my life, moving around on five continents as a kid and later with my own family. But for the last 28 years, I have lived in the same house in Sacramento with my wife, Rita, of 44 years. We have two children and four grandchildren split between California and South Carolina. I’m an Air Force veteran, a Scout leader and a church Deacon. Some of my favorite things to do when I’m not writing is running, backpacking in the High Sierra and sleeping on the ground.
In addition to stories written in rhyme, I also play around with humor and satire. I’m planning a trip to a local fabric store to research my next humor fabrication. Then there’s that perpetual novel waiting in the wings. Everything else has been a little this and a little that.
Do you have any book signing events or book tours scheduled for THE INS & OUTS OF AIR?
Bill: I have developed a long-standing relationship with the K-8 school our grandson attended when he was younger and with the Sacramento Public Library. I’m working with the librarians at both places to do readings as part of their on-going literacy programs. I also donate my books to local schools and branch libraries.
How can our readers learn more about you and any upcoming THE INS & OUTS OF AIR events?
Bill: I feature all my published books on my website at http://www.billkirkwrites.comwhere each book has its own book page. I also have two blogs, one of which specifically features all the books in THE SUM OF OUR PARTS series at http://billkirkwrites-tsoop.blogspot.com.
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