Today, I am interviewing Nancy Davenport. Nancy’s third child, Austin, was born with Down syndrome and she worked and studied to learn how best to raise a child with needs that were different from the average child.  She obviously succeeded as Austin is now happily married and leading a successful and independent live with his wife.  She has written a book to help other children who don’t have Down syndrome understand the joy of having a friend with Down syndrome.

Jim:  You majored in English and history, then taught English and history.  Did you always think you might write?

Nancy:  In spite of being a teacher, during that time I never had much interest in writing for the public.  I guess until I had something to say.  I did write letters to my mother twice weekly (and she to me) which kept my hand in the craft. She considered long distance phone calls were only for emergencies. After my son was born with disabilities, I found people were interested in hearing my thoughts about him, so I began honing my skills for public consumption of my writing.

Jim:  Am I correct that you actually wrote Donovan and the Big Hole for your son who has Down syndrome?

 Nancy:  I wrote Donovan and the Big Hole for children who have not had a person with disabilities in their lives.  The main character, Donovan has Down syndrome and is modeled after my son, Austin who has Down syndrome.

Jim:  Is this written more for children who have Down syndrome or for others to help them understand and appreciate other children who may have some disability?

Nancy:  I have concluded that no one should grow up without knowing someone with Down syndrome. Their lives would not be very full if they didn’t know someone like that.  I want readers, after reading about Donovan, to want to have a friend like him because he is so accepting unconditionally of others and because he is just fun to be around. In additon, people like Donovan need friends.  Hopefully knowing Donovan through reading about him, people will be less intimidated by people with disabilities.

Jim:  How long did it take you to come up a story to bring out the points you wanted to make?

Nancy:   Not long. Like so many fiction stories, it created itself. By writing the story with Donovan as the narrator, I was constantly “in his head” so had to see every scenario from his point of view.  I was continually asking myself what my son would have done in this scene.

Jim:  When Donovan is narrating the story, he speaks fluidly.  But when he is actually speaking, he doesn’t always express his feelings as clearly. Is this typical of a person with Down syndrome: thinks clearly, but has more trouble articulating those thoughts?

Nancy:  Most people with Down syndrome do have considerably better receptive language skills than expressive language skills.  I had to have Donovan’s receptive language skills appear to be particularly excellent, otherwise the story would move too slowly.  I have his expressive language to be poor to keep reminding the reader of his disability.

Jim:  Did your years of writing a weekly newspaper column help you when you decided to write a book, and if so, how?

Nancy:  Writing for the newspaper and some magazines allowed me to learn some discipline in writing–doing it every day, finding the best time of day to write, as well as where to write, and meeting a deadline.  I learned the value of developing a tough skin when receiving critique as well as the value of rewriting.

Jim:  Do you plan other books featuring Donovan, or perhaps children with other disabilities?  Do you have any in the works?

Nancy:  I may come back to Donovan.  He has been up to some trouble lately in my imagination, so who knows.  Right now though I am working some how-to projects that directly help people with disabilities to live fulfilling, independent lives in their community.

Jim:  Before we quit, give us a quick story line for Donovan and the Big Hole.

Nancy:  Donovan, who tells the story and his brother find a mysterious box buried in their own front flower bed. This leads to adventures right in their neighborhood. They are able to help a man who has been framed for a crime he didn’t do, solve a mystery of missing PTA cash, and make some new friends.  This is all in spite of Donovan having Down syndrome. The book is written on a fourth grade reading level.

Jim: One last question.  Where can our readers buy Donovan and the Big Hole?   Oops, another last question.  I know you speak to schools.  How do people contact you for a school presentation?

Nancy:  Donovan and the Big Hole can be ordered on my website at www.NancyLDavenport.com.  I love to make free author visits and speak to students about the craft of writing as well as disabilities.  My website has “helps” for teachers with cross curriculum ideas, as well as comprehension and critical thinking questions to assist in reading the book as a class project.

Jim:  Some very thought provoking information here, most of which we can all use.  Thanks, Nancy.  Dear Readers, please leave a comment for Nancy. This is important stuff.  And check out her website.