My nephews enjoyed the Dinosaur Devotions book by Michelle Medlock Adams. I enjoyed taking pictures of them with the book. I am sharing a picture of my 3 year old nephew, Owen. Michelle was gracious enough to answer some questions for More Than a Review readers regarding the book and writing for children.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a Hoosier through and through—born and raised in Southern Indiana and a 
graduate of Indiana University School of Journalism. I began my writing career as a newspaper reporter, served as a stringer for the Associated Press, and eventually moved to Texas to take a feature writing position with a worldwide ministry magazine. That’s where I began writing for children. One day my boss came into my office and explained that the writer who had been crafting the children’s stories was moving to the Internet department. Then he said, “You have kids, right?” I nodded, “Yes, I have two little girls.” “Good,” he said. “You can write the children’s stories then.” I remember thinking, “Just because I have kids doesn’t mean I can write for them.” But I’m a researcher so I read every book I could find about writing for children, and I joined the local chapter of SCBWI and began learning. I fell in love with writing for children during that season, and it’s been a love affair ever since.
How did Dinosaur Devotions come about?
Well, my youngest daughter, Allyson, wasn’t your typical girly girl, growing up. She loved dinosaurs and lizards. In fact, she had an African Fat tailed Lizard for almost a decade. 
His name was Rocky. Anyway, because she loved dinosaurs so much, we checked out lots of dinosaur books from our library. And, I discovered I was also fascinated with dinosaurs. Since we were living in Texas at the time, we were able to see dinosaur footprints and fossils near Glen Rose, Texas. It was very cool.
Fast forward to a couple of years ago…I was writing another devotional book for adults on the theme of nature, and as I wrote about various animals, I started thinking about how fun it would be to write devotionals about dinosaurs. I liked the alliteration of “Dinosaur Devotions,” so I I made that the working title and pitched the idea to an editor friend of mine. She loved it! That was the confirmation I needed to move forward. I truly believe God started me on this Jurassic journey many years ago.
How did you find 75 Dinosaurs? I had lots and lots and lots of resource books. I told you I love research! 😊
What is your hope for Dinosaur Devotions?
I hope that “Dinosaur Devotions” touches the hearts of kids all over the world, causing them to draw closer to God.
You have written adult and children’s books. Which are harder and why?
Writing for children is much harder but it’s also way more fun. It’s more difficult because you have to say so much in so few words. And you have to write it in such a way that kids won’t be off your lap and down the hall before you’re done with the book.
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
It definitely energizes me. Now, “peopling” all day too many days in a row can exhaust me.
If you could tell your younger writing-self something, what would it be?
Relax and enjoy the journey a little more. When I was younger, I was always looking to the next deadline, the next contract, the next conference. Today, I still plan ahead, but I am enjoying this writing journey a lot more. I feel so blessed to get to do what I do fulltime.
What is something memorable you have heard from your readers/fans?
Well, I’ve been at this long enough that last year when I was speaking at an elementary school in Paoli, Ind., the mom of one of the third grade students came up after and said, “You’re my favorite author. I read your books when I was a kid, and now I read them to my kids.” I was both honored and depressed. Honored that I was her favorite author and that she was passing on her love of my books to her daughter. Depressed because I am so old, lol.
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
The money we spent so that I could attend the Write-to-Publish writers conference at Wheaton College in 2000. That conference was lifechanging for me. I pitched a book to the late Denny Boultinghouse at Howard Books, and he rejected it within the first minute of our 15-min. appointment. So, to fill the time, I told him about another book idea I’d had while reading a magazine on the plane. “That I like,” he said, and proceeded to help me outline the book. The following year, that book, “Living the Love Chapter” was published and earned me “Write of the Year.” It was a career-changing moment for me.
For readers and parents new to your writing what books would you recommend for them to start with?
For my very young fans/readers, I’d start with “God Knows You” and “God Loves You”—part of the peek-a-boo promises series. My most popular series of all time is the “What is” series: “What Is Easter?” “What Is Christmas?” “What is Thanksgiving?” and the soon-to-be released “What Is America?” Those would also be great to start with, as well as “Happy Birthday, Jesus” and “How Much Does God Love You?” Also, I have a new holiday picture book coming out this season, “Cis the Christmas”—yay!