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Local woman inspired by grandson to write book
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Saturday, April 26, 2008 9:18 PM EDT
OWOSSO - There are many reasons to write a book.
For Barb Clatterbaugh, the two most important are her grandsons: Mason and Lucas.
Clatterbaugh wrote a children's book, “The Moon is Following Me,” inspired by, and dedicated to, Mason and Lucas Clatterbaugh. The book has been published and there will be a book signing May 3 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Book Mark, 119 W. Exchange St., Owosso. Both Clatterbaugh and the book's illustrator, Lisa Wright, also from the area, will be present for the book signing. Lucas and Mason will be there as well.
Claterbaugh is a retired Baker College of Owosso official and a former County Board member.
The book is the first publishing experience for both Clatterbaugh and Wright, who is an art teacher with Almont schools.
The theme for the book developed from a phrase Clatterbaugh heard her grandson Lucas say.
“It happened several years ago. He was out riding his bicycle in the driveway,” said Clatterbaugh.
He came inside and, addressing his grandmother, Lucas said “....The moon is following me. I can't get away from it.”
“He was peddling, trying to get away and kept looking behind him,” said Clatterbaugh.
Her grandson's words stayed in her mind, and Clatterbaugh finally put them into book form, creating a character inspired by Lucas, and another character living in a far away country. Both found places in her book.
Eventually Clatterbaugh located a publisher, a company called BookSurge Publishing. She found Wright through a friend and the pieces of her book began coming together.
Clatterbaugh said she has enjoyed her experience working with BookSurge, although she emphasized it was a lot of work to finish the project.
“I had to pick out a font. And there were revisions upon revisions, mostly mine,” she said. “Each time I would catch something else I wanted to change, and I would do it all over again.”
The book is available at Sheila's Styling Salon, Baker College of Owosso's bookstore and at www.amazon.com.
Clatterbaugh has already received royalties from the book's sales.
“I'm proud of this book,” said Clatterbaugh. “I finished it. I did it.”
