This week the Writers-World Series visits with Amy Hendrickson, known simply as Ms. Hen to her fans.
          A mother and grandmother,  Ms. Hen started writing children's books in 2011 after attending the Iowa Writers Summer Festival.  She wanted to write books that featured a smart, spunky, principled, and interesting protagonist.
           "Girls are so much more than glittery princesses; they are self-reliant problem-solvers," Ms. Hen said. "Girls can be anything: scientists, mathematicians, astronauts."
          Add successful author to that list.


[image error]Ms. Hen perches on Mark Twain's desk in Hannibal, Mo.

Stats:Name: Amy Henrickson aka Ms.Hen Hometeam: I live in Grandville, MI, between Lake Michigan and beer city Grand Rapids Position:  Writer, painter, community gad-about Batting average: Lottie Gunderson, Girl Scientist Vol.1: Lucky Lottie & SpottyLottie;
Lottie Gunderson, Vol.2: Rocky Lottie & Lakey Lottie; John Ball (biography); Let’s Explore Mackinac Island











Website: www.mshenspen.com



Opening pitch: When working as a library supervisor in elementary schools, I was discouraged by the many thin stories of goofballs, fairies, and princesses, so I wrote the Lottie Gunderson, Girl Scientist books to inspire young readers to be curious, brave, and resourceful. John Ball was the Forest Gump of early settlement days of West Michigan – an explorer, adventurer, land speculator, and philanthropist.  He gave the property for Grand Rapids’ zoo and park.  Let’s Explore Mackinac Island is a guidebook with history, Q&A, walking tour, scavenger hunt, travel tips, and resources.
Considering the positions on a baseball team -- such as catcher, shortstop, left field, etc. -- which best describes the way you write and why? I would say Catcher.  I’m always on the look-out for ideas.  I catch ‘em, chew on ‘em, and then write about ‘em, and sometimes illustrate ‘em, too!
Tell us about scoring a home run: My most recent book, Let’s Explore Mackinac Island , has been a pretty big hit on the mainland as well as on the Island.
No one wins a game alone. Who’s on your team? Although I do the writing and photography/illustrations of all of the books, my daughter, Abby Elizabeth, a graphic designer, does the lay-out and file uploading for me.  She’s a whiz and a half.          My writing group of five people (FLAG—Four Ladies And a Gent) has been meeting faithfully for about six years.  We’ve celebrated publishing successes and continue to help and challenge each other with kindness, good humor, expertise… and snacks.          Librarians have been a source of inspiration and encouragement.          My friends and family --  I wish everybody had people like mine. They’re so great.

So what’s your game plan?
I’ll be selling books at Rockford,Michigan’s “Reading Rocks” event on Saturday. June 2 from 10 a.m. -1 p.m.
      I am also attending Princeton Seminary’s Frederick Buechner Writing Conference and Peninsula Writers' Writing Retreat at Glen Lake. And singing in the Grandville Community Choir at events in Grandville all summer.