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Your personal story is one of obedience. You didn’t plan to
become an author. Tell us about some of the challenges you
faced from family, friends, etc. on your journey.
Challenges do come, and they come often. Some years ago, I
did a writing seminar, here in Barbados. I remember being so
excited, as I did want to write, but up until then, I had only
written articles for the newspaper, and a few plays for
church.
The gentleman who read and corrected all that I had written
scribbled all over them with a nasty little red pen. On the
bottom he wrote, “You can’t write!” I shrugged and thought,
“I have five kids to raise and I have lots to do, so never
mind!” He was a very influential man in Barbados – in fact,
he was a well known Pastor! Lesson to be learned in this?
When God says you can do it, even a well known Pastor
cannot get in the way with his negative comments!
Years later, when I knew God spoke to me about writing, I
felt excited and flew home (I mean drove!) and started to
write. I believe what was important at that time, was obeying
God, and not listening to man!
Friends and especially family have totally encouraged me on
my adventure, and this is really special!
The seven stories featured in Nana’s Bible Stories are biblically
correct – but, you have a unique style of storytelling. You have
created stories within stories. Would you please explain why you
used this style?
When reading the Bible, I tend to stop and meditate on what I
have read, and often, especially looking at characters in the
Bible, I wonder how they felt, where they lived, etc. My heart
always went out to the leper who Jesus healed. For instance,
did he have a family? His heart must have been broken at
having to leave home. I believe other people—including
children—might wonder the same things…so I thought it
would be interesting to develop stories around the stories.
I do a lot of research and I insist on maintaining the actual
story from the Bible. I do not remove the tiniest meaning
from the Word!
I had a wonderful time writing “A Father’s Miracle.” Here is a
little boy, who I invented, who just loved his Abba – Daddy.
His dad gets sick and has to move away from his home, and
all he loves. I wanted kids to be able to identify with this
child. It could have been them, and many kids face this sad
experience – maybe not leprosy, but sickness and death!
I believe kids will be encouraged and inspired, like the little
boy, and pray for loved ones who are sick, and have faith
that they will be healed by Jesus, who is the same today as
He was yesterday!
Your family has a rich history…tell us a little about your parents
and grandparents.
Answer: My life was very interesting with the parents and
grandparents that I had. A lot of it was wonderful, but there
were difficult times as well. I loved my life as a little girl. My
father was a big band leader in England, and we had two
pianos in our house. A grand piano in the living room, and a
small piano in his music room. Music was such a huge part
of my life, and I remember performing in front of his friends,
singing and dancing! I even went to a few of his
performances, which was a great treat, especially when I
went up on the stage with him.
My mother was very beautiful and made a few movies with
my father. My grandfather and grandmother were the last
Rajah and Ranee of Sarawak. My grandmother, who was JM
Barrie’s inspiration for “Wendy” in Peter Pan, was quite a
character—she was an artist and an author as well. She
took me to many interesting places, many of which she
should not have taken me, like scary movies!
When I was around 9 years old, my parents got divorced and
I thought it was the end of the world. She remarried to an
American Colonel, who for a while was my hero, as he could
get unlimited candy, coca cola, and chewing gum!
Unfortunately, he was not a hero and that marriage also
ended in divorce.
We learn difficult lessons in life, and I can relate to many
people because of the things I had to face, including World
War II, and being hated and singled out for being Jewish.
Through all of the pain and heartache, I loved my family very
much.
Some of your royalties from Nana’s Bible Stories will be going to
children’s charities. Please explain.
While we were working with Jane Seymour on her narration,
we learned about all the wonderful work that she was doing
on behalf of various children’s charities. It was touching to
see first hand the work that is being done and actually
meeting some of the young people who are benefiting from
her charity work. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of
my book will go to these charities, including City Hearts in
Los Angeles.
I am also involved the Children’s Trust in Barbados. They do
a marvelous job of helping, sick, and underprivileged
children on this island.
It is a great joy to be writing, knowing that the Lord is
blessing children both spiritually and financially through
Nana’s Bible Stories.
Do you think we ever become too old for God to use us?
Absolutely not, not, not! As long as we have breath we can
be used. As long as our heart is ticking, we can move out of
our comfort zone! Even if bad health or accidents get in our
way, we can pray, pray, pray!
Sincerely,
Roberta Simpson
become an author. Tell us about some of the challenges you
faced from family, friends, etc. on your journey.
Challenges do come, and they come often. Some years ago, I
did a writing seminar, here in Barbados. I remember being so
excited, as I did want to write, but up until then, I had only
written articles for the newspaper, and a few plays for
church.
The gentleman who read and corrected all that I had written
scribbled all over them with a nasty little red pen. On the
bottom he wrote, “You can’t write!” I shrugged and thought,
“I have five kids to raise and I have lots to do, so never
mind!” He was a very influential man in Barbados – in fact,
he was a well known Pastor! Lesson to be learned in this?
When God says you can do it, even a well known Pastor
cannot get in the way with his negative comments!
Years later, when I knew God spoke to me about writing, I
felt excited and flew home (I mean drove!) and started to
write. I believe what was important at that time, was obeying
God, and not listening to man!
Friends and especially family have totally encouraged me on
my adventure, and this is really special!
The seven stories featured in Nana’s Bible Stories are biblically
correct – but, you have a unique style of storytelling. You have
created stories within stories. Would you please explain why you
used this style?
When reading the Bible, I tend to stop and meditate on what I
have read, and often, especially looking at characters in the
Bible, I wonder how they felt, where they lived, etc. My heart
always went out to the leper who Jesus healed. For instance,
did he have a family? His heart must have been broken at
having to leave home. I believe other people—including
children—might wonder the same things…so I thought it
would be interesting to develop stories around the stories.
I do a lot of research and I insist on maintaining the actual
story from the Bible. I do not remove the tiniest meaning
from the Word!
I had a wonderful time writing “A Father’s Miracle.” Here is a
little boy, who I invented, who just loved his Abba – Daddy.
His dad gets sick and has to move away from his home, and
all he loves. I wanted kids to be able to identify with this
child. It could have been them, and many kids face this sad
experience – maybe not leprosy, but sickness and death!
I believe kids will be encouraged and inspired, like the little
boy, and pray for loved ones who are sick, and have faith
that they will be healed by Jesus, who is the same today as
He was yesterday!
Your family has a rich history…tell us a little about your parents
and grandparents.
Answer: My life was very interesting with the parents and
grandparents that I had. A lot of it was wonderful, but there
were difficult times as well. I loved my life as a little girl. My
father was a big band leader in England, and we had two
pianos in our house. A grand piano in the living room, and a
small piano in his music room. Music was such a huge part
of my life, and I remember performing in front of his friends,
singing and dancing! I even went to a few of his
performances, which was a great treat, especially when I
went up on the stage with him.
My mother was very beautiful and made a few movies with
my father. My grandfather and grandmother were the last
Rajah and Ranee of Sarawak. My grandmother, who was JM
Barrie’s inspiration for “Wendy” in Peter Pan, was quite a
character—she was an artist and an author as well. She
took me to many interesting places, many of which she
should not have taken me, like scary movies!
When I was around 9 years old, my parents got divorced and
I thought it was the end of the world. She remarried to an
American Colonel, who for a while was my hero, as he could
get unlimited candy, coca cola, and chewing gum!
Unfortunately, he was not a hero and that marriage also
ended in divorce.
We learn difficult lessons in life, and I can relate to many
people because of the things I had to face, including World
War II, and being hated and singled out for being Jewish.
Through all of the pain and heartache, I loved my family very
much.
Some of your royalties from Nana’s Bible Stories will be going to
children’s charities. Please explain.
While we were working with Jane Seymour on her narration,
we learned about all the wonderful work that she was doing
on behalf of various children’s charities. It was touching to
see first hand the work that is being done and actually
meeting some of the young people who are benefiting from
her charity work. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of
my book will go to these charities, including City Hearts in
Los Angeles.
I am also involved the Children’s Trust in Barbados. They do
a marvelous job of helping, sick, and underprivileged
children on this island.
It is a great joy to be writing, knowing that the Lord is
blessing children both spiritually and financially through
Nana’s Bible Stories.
Do you think we ever become too old for God to use us?
Absolutely not, not, not! As long as we have breath we can
be used. As long as our heart is ticking, we can move out of
our comfort zone! Even if bad health or accidents get in our
way, we can pray, pray, pray!
Sincerely,
Roberta Simpson
| ROBERTA SIMPSON |
FROM A ROYAL FAMILY
TO A WRITER: SIMPSON
PROVES THAT AGE IS
JUST A STATE OF MIND
Thank you for allowing me to
share a part of my life and
calling with you. If you would
like to learn more about me or
my book, please go to www.
nanasbiblestories.com. You
may download one of my
favorite stories, The Butterfly
and the Cross—the story of
the crucifixion as told through
the gentle and tender eyes of
a butterfly. I have also
included a special devotional
for the story which you may
share with your children this
Easter season. Cuddle up with
a child and enjoy!
share a part of my life and
calling with you. If you would
like to learn more about me or
my book, please go to www.
nanasbiblestories.com. You
may download one of my
favorite stories, The Butterfly
and the Cross—the story of
the crucifixion as told through
the gentle and tender eyes of
a butterfly. I have also
included a special devotional
for the story which you may
share with your children this
Easter season. Cuddle up with
a child and enjoy!