Richie Frieman?s resume boasts two professions that most people only dream about ? professional wrestler and children?s book author.
This past January, the Owings Mills native and Terps grad retired from life in the ring to write and illustrate “Terple.”
Through rhyming prose, “Terple” follows a brave young turtle who ventures outside his pond. Today at Greetings & Readings, Terple the puppet will help Frieman read his tale before signing copies of the book.
Q What do most people misunderstand about writing children?s books?
A It?s painstakingly difficult to sit down and get everything the way you want it. If the audience, children, don?t like it, they decide it on page one or two and they?ll tell you. With adults you can say, “Keep reading, it gets really good around chapter five.” But with kids, if you don?t get them right away, it?s done.
Q What?s Terple?s story about?
A It?s about the concept of not settling or being a victim of your own fate. When children are little, they believe they can do anythingthey want, and then somewhere around young adult life, they tend to think “I could never do that. I have to do this.” It?s a sad and false realization. Anybody really can do anything. I?m becoming a father in June. While I was writing “Terple,” my wife got pregnant, and I really wanted to put that [message] into the book.
Q What was your illustrating and writing process?
A No matter where I was ? walking around, in the car or out ? I always wrote down ideas on anything I could find. I have Post-it notes everywhere. Every line has possibilities. When I write down all my notes, then the words start flowing and rhyming. Everything I write rhymes, and then I start thinking and talking in rhymes. Rhyming is the only way for the thought to come out the way I wanted it to.
IF YOU GO
“Terple” book reading and signing
WHERE: Greetings & Readings
Hunt Valley Towne Centre
118-AA Shawan Road, Hunt Valley
WHEN: 11 a.m. today
INFO: 410-771-3022
