by Ellen Buikema

Reading the other team member’s showcases has been great fun. We are all so different, and that makes for an interesting multi-talented group!

On Writers in the Storm blog, I often write about characters as well as writing related issues that have been problematic for me. If I figure something out, I like to pass the information along.

Who I am.

I am Ellen Lucey Buikema, AKA Ellen L. Buikema, E.L. Buikema, Elle, Ellie, Mom, and soon to be Mimi as our first grandbaby is due in June!

I like to draw and paint, although I’m a tad rusty as it’s been a while, I find drawing relaxing.

Two years ago, I began guitar lessons. I play for the joy of it. For 30+ years I’ve made medicinal teas, and have been a Reiki practitioner approaching 20 years. I also enjoy experimental cooking!

Like many others, I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. I had too many interests. After having children of my own, I went back to school for teaching. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Theater, a Master’s in Education, specialization in Early Childhood Education, and two years of post-graduate work in Special Education.

My students have varied in age from two year olds to septuagenarians. I loved teaching when I had autonomy in the classroom, especially Pre-K with whom I share a sense of wonder and humor, and students with Learning Disabilities who need to use their strengths to find a creative work-around.

I tend to use lateral thinking.

For one of our family projects, we built a deck in the back of our house. Everyone one, kids included, worked on the design. We had everything ready to go, and then discovered that one of the foundational beams, 12” x 6” x 20’ had a major curve at one end. Having no preconceived ideas, I suggested using our car jack to straighten the beam and attach it to the post. It worked! After 30 or so years the deck is still standing.

Looking at problems with an open mind is, in my opinion, the best way to approach all issues in life.

I come by storytelling naturally.

My grandfather grew up in County Cork, Ireland on a farm named Cahireen in Bawnatanaknock Townland. He was one of fifteen children.

Several family members came to the US in the 1920s. Grandpa and two of his brothers eventually moved to Chicago and joined the police force there. His brothers told stories of the Irish Banshee that were so frightening that my father, a youngster at the time and a great bully, was terrified by them. The uncles passed away by the time I was born. I would have loved to hear their tales.

Grandpa Lucey had a very wry sense of humor and loved to tease. He told wonderful stories of his school days and about growing up on the farm. He referred to a particular math teacher as “mad,” as in crazy. Grandpa instilled in me a love of poetry. Through his stories I learned how words evoke emotions.

What I’ve been doing.

With the assistance of many patient people, I designed a website. Much barter was involved. Unlike my WITS teammates, I am not technically inclined. At all. However, I have developed a sense of humor regarding this and a somewhat thicker skin, which all writers need.

The first book I published, Parenting …  A Work in Progress is basically an easy-to-understand Child Growth and Development book. I wrote this for parents and anyone interested in children and how they think. There are lots of vignettes in the book to go along with the text.

I’ve published The Adventures of Charlie Chameleon, a series of illustrated chapter books for children written to encourage empathy without being heavy-handed. It became abundantly clear working in the classroom that children who have compassion for others were happier overall and played well with others. That is an important life skill.

I wrote to amuse the adults and siblings who might be reading to younger children too! My personal favorite character in the series is Frankie, the world’s most full-of-himself goldfish. He feels that he is fin-tastic in all ways. Definitely the Id component of personality in accordance with Dr. Sigmund Freud. These books are a combination of edutainment and bibliotherapy.

Upcoming adventures.

We recently moved from Texas to Missouri, so I haven’t connected with local writers yet. I know they are lurking about the KCMO area though. I’m confident that I’ll find them. In the meantime, I’m thinking about setting up an online classroom covering topics like writing for children, working with children, the writing process, teaching young children to write, how to help a child love reading, and the like. These are in pre-production phase.

An offer for the WITS Community

I’ve retired from teaching, but am discovering that the desire to share an understanding with others doesn’t go away just because you’re not in a classroom.

Just for you, I’m having a free 30-minute class on discovering your strong intelligences and how that relates to creating stories, on Zoom. If you are interested let me know in the comments stating “Show me the ways I am smart.”

Cheers!

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About Ellen

Author, speaker, and former teacher, Ellen L. Buikema has written Parenting ... A Work in Progress non-fiction for parents, and The Adventures of Charlie Chameleon chapter book series with stories encouraging the development of empathy—sprinkling humor wherever possible. Her Works in Progress are The Hobo Code, YA historical fiction and The Crystal Key, MG Magical Realism/ Sci-Fi, a glaze of time travel.

Find her at https://ellenbuikema.com or on Amazon.