| Coaldale couple share literary effort |
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| Local Content - Local News |
| Written by Sara Scott |
| Thursday, 04 March 2010 16:15 |
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A world of imagination is something that many adults leave behind them in exchange for careers, families and the pressures that this world presents to them.
In the case of Erich Bier, it is the opposite. Bier decided to use his retirement two years ago as an excuse to jump back into a world of imagination. He has written and published two children’s stories, and is in the process of writing many more. He works alongside his wife, Donna, who illustrates all of his work. “I Wish I Could Fly” is a story about a hopeful dragon and is his most recent publication. “Writing is something that I wanted to do even as a teenager. Now that I’m retired, I have more time,” said Bier, who uses his legal first name, Andreas, on all of his work. Bier says that he does not know exactly where the inspiration for his stories comes from. “The ideas are just buried in my head. I can take something from outside and keep going with it, and out comes a story.” Toying with the idea of becoming a children’s author, Bier began writing in 1991. At the time he was living in Sicamous, B.C. and owned and operated a restaurant there. During a particularly slow winter, he and Donna decided to write and illustrate a story. Inspired by the various tales of the sea monsters which inhabit the lakes of British Columbia “The Shoe-Swap Serpants” was the couple’s first publication. Now that he has retired, Bier has much more time to devote to the development of his ideas – something which takes up much of his time. “He never stops imagining,” says Donna. “He imagines like a child can, so it’s a perfect fit.” Bier insists that he cannot take all of the credit, as his wife’s illustrations really make his words come to life. “It is her pictures that make my story,” he says. “I always have the vision of the picture on the page,” says Donna. “It’s like I trace it.” Many of Bier’s stories focus on animals who must overcome their own obstacles, and ultimately learn something about themselves in the process. “I’m trying to suggest that animals have the same problems that people do. I’m hoping to encourage kids to investigate – to stop and smell the roses.” The Bier’s are very optimistic for their future in the business of children’s literature. They are planning a trip south in their RV throughout which they will be selling and promoting the stories. Additionally, the next book, ‘Tip and Happy’ about a weasel and a partridge who befriend each other is currently in progress. I Wish I Could Fly is available at Coaldale Pharmacy and online at amazon.ca. |
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