Oh! So Curious About Tattoos looks like an
exciting kids’ story. Can you tell us a
little about it?
The book is about my daughter’s curiosity towards my
tattoos. We really did have a discussion about my tattoos, different types of
tattoos, and how she can get a tattoo once she is the right age.
Any plans to turn it into a series?
We do plan to turn this into a series. Our next book is
going to be called Oh! So Curious About My Aunt. I have an older sister
with profound cognitive disabilities. My children do ask questions about my
sister. The objective of that book is to bring awareness that people with
cognitive disabilities can still teach. My sister taught me how to love
unconditionally, show empathy and sympathy, how to be devoted, and how
important family is within our lives.
How were the illustrations done in Oh! So Curious
About Tattoos?
I had reached out to Corey Miller, star from the hit reality
show LA Ink. He is my tattoo artist. I reached out to him with my idea.
I already had my manuscript completed when I approached him with my idea. He
agreed to illustrate each page and the title once we reviewed the logistics
behind the book. Corey is and will forever be a close friend to mine, and I
consider him family.
That’s an amazing cover.
Can you tell us a little about it?
Corey came up with the idea of the cover. He thought it
would be a good idea to put a me getting tattooed by him. Once he put the
drawing on paper, I fell in love with it. The colors were hard to figure out
with the cover page, because we didn’t want colors that were too neutral, but
we also didn’t want colors that would stand out too much.
What inspired the idea for your book?
I’m a school psychologist, and I thought that bringing
awareness to the world about tattoos needs to be a regular discussion with
adults and children. I believe the negative stigma that certain people have of
those who are tattooed needs to be an obsolete theory. Not all people who have
tattoos are bad. Just like not all people who don’t have tattoos are good. One
can be educated and still appreciate the art, beauty, and intricacies behind
tattooing. I want the world to know that you can have multiple tattoos and
still hold yourself to high standards.
How did you come up with the title to your book?
When my daughter continued to ask me multiple questions
about my tattoos, I would say to myself, “Amelia, you’re oh so curious about
everything.” The words, “oh so curious” just seemed to fit perfectly with the
title of the book, just as the fit perfectly with my daughter’s personality.
What part of the book was the most fun to write?
I love writing about how tattoos should be meaningful, and
we should only be getting tattoos that are meaningful to us. All of my tattoos
have meaning, which is what makes them special to me. There’s a personal
connection and story to each piece of art that I have on my body. I wanted the
ending to convey how I believe tattoos need to be meaningful, because I don’t
ever want my daughter to regret getting any tattoos on her when she is older
one day.
What was your hardest scene/section to write, and why?
I don’t believe any section was too hard to write about. In
all honesty, the book was fun to write. I’m passionate about tattoos, and when
you’re passionate about what you’re doing, it doesn’t ever really seem to be
hard.
Can you tell us a little about your background?
I’m a school psychologist within the Los Angeles area. I
have my undergraduate degree from San Diego State in communication, graduate
degree in counseling option school psychology from California State University,
Los Angeles, and second graduate degree from California State University,
Fresno in Educational Leadership and Administration. Corey has been tattooing
for nearly 40 years, and he has traveled the world to display his work.
Where can readers find out more about your work?
Readers can find our book through Barnes
and Noble