Not everyone who is invited to read to children at the Cooke County Library writes his own book.
John Broyles is probably the first, his wife Tamara admitted.
Broyles wrote “The Unlikely Pumpkin” for local kids. His book is a story told through a poem with illustrations.
Writing the poem took only a few minutes, he said.
The illustrations were another story.
“They look kind of like (pictures in) a 1950s or ‘60s children’s’ book,” Broyles said. “We got into a time crunch and I had my daughter, Lexi, helping me color. We stayed up until 2 or 3 a.m. She finally wore out.”
He said in addition to writing a book that would teach a lesson about friendship and acceptance, he also wanted the book to be large enough to get some attention.
“I wanted to make it big so the kids could see it,” he explained.
And it is big.
Handmade of sturdy poster board, Broyles’ book shines with pictures that are comforting and human — kids playing in casual clothes, a dusky moon with a grandfather’s smile looking down on a pumpkin patch.
“The Unlikely Pumpkin” is about a character’s quest to find a place in the world,” Broyles said.
The pumpkin isn’t perfect. He isn’t the first one chosen by the kids who visit the pumpkin patch.
A lot of kids might identify with his initial feelings of being left out of things, and his joy at finding just the right place with the kids who choose him.
Broyles — who is also director of the Gainesville Area Chamber of Commerce — is not just the author of a children’s book.
“He writes plays and poems,” Tamara said.
She said it was her idea to turn “The Unlikely Pumpkin” into a play for the Butterfield Theater’s first youth production of the season.
“When I was putting together the (Butterfield) season, I wanted to do a play for fall, but I didn’t want a Halloween show. I thought “The Unlikely Pumpkin” would be perfect. It’s a story about being yourself, kind of a “High School Musical” for younger kids who all want to feel the same. They want to belong to something. The play makes it possible to realize you can find just one friend who can save you,” Tamara said.
Auditions for the show were Friday, and John said he is still tweaking the script.
He doesn’t expect to have trouble finding inspiration.
When he wrote a poem featured in last spring’s Butterfield’s production of “The Orphan Trains,” he said he sat at his desk and in about ten minutes, the poem was complete.
“The words came quickly,” he said.
Broyles has also written murder mystery plays.
His inspiration was his work in Dallas theater.
He said his wife, Tamara, encouraged him to write.
“I always said I couldn’t. Then after two pots of coffee and a night without sleep, I wrote the first act of “A Charitable Case of Death,’” he said.
He tried various methods to coax the words out.
“I would drag out the process, write a few scenes and revisit them,” he recalled.
He said he finds satisfaction when a play is finished.
“I’m proud of my murder mysteries. They’re melodramas,” he said.
Broyles does not write from an outline.
“If I can get the characters in my mind, they will begin to talk to each other,” he said.
From there, the story develops its own twists and turns.
For years, Broyles made his living as an actor.
He is also known for his voice-over and emcee skills as well as improvisational acts.
When the family moved from the Dallas area to Gainesville, Tamara said they found a niche.
“We are so lucky to both be doing what we love,” she said.
Local News
At Random: Writing his own story
- Local News
-
-
Randy Travis arrested in Sanger
SANGER — Country singer Randy Travis was arrested Monday morning in Sanger on a charge of suspicion of public intoxication.
-
In Memory of Andy
Gainesville Middle School designated Monday as Andy’s Lakers Day, in honor of Andy Sandoval, a GMS seventh-grader, who recently died of a brain aneurysm.
-
GHS students take top place finishes at academic meet
Several Gainesville High School students had top place finishes at the Ryan High School academic meet on Saturday.
Sophomores Mark Clark and Alexander “Alex” Huerta lead the leap of GHS leopards competing. -
Gainesville woman hit by car
THACKERVILLE, OKLA. — A road collision early Sunday morning near Thackerville injured one female pedestrian, a Gainesville resident whose identification has not been released by officials.
-
Gainesville native fights for justice
IDABEL, Okla. — An Idabel, Okla. police officer — reeling from the death of his friend and fellow officer — is trying to beef up his state’s negligent homicide laws.
-
As deadline approaches, election day unclear
As the Texas primary election approaches, a muddle continues locally and statewide as to exactly when election day arrives.
-
House District 68 candidates present platforms
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second part of a two-part report.
Texas House District 68 representative opponents stressed their intentions to mend local problems via “rural values” during Thursday’s candidate forum -
Cooke County emerges out of drought
For residents in Cooke County, one of the most severe droughts in Texas history is no longer a concern — for the time being, anyway.
-
Souper Bowl a super success
The aroma of some dozen different homemade soups filled the air Sunday in the lunchroom at the First Christian Church in Gainesville.
-
A mother's Love
VALLEY VIEW — She’s a crusader for special needs children and their parents, but Valley View resident Wendi Tipps doesn’t think of herself as a hero.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Stranded Fishermen Rescued From Bay of Green Bay
Analyst: Outside Troops Won't Intervene in Syria
Murder Trial for Ex-U.Va. Lacrosse Player Begins
NY Giants Touch Down Victorious
Police: Father Planned Deadly Fire for Some Time
US, UK Pressure on Syria; More Homs Violence
Raw Video: Mass Killer Wants Medal, Freedom
Few Answers in Death of Sons of Missing Utah Mom
Court Strips Contador of Tour De France Title
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
And the Winner for Best Super Bowl Ad Is...
Raw Video: Deadly Helicopter Crash in Australia
Raw Video: Smoke, Purported Gunfire in Syria
Romney Latest Poll to Join Let-me-explain Club
Blast Kills Husband of Missing Utah Mom, 2 Boys
Obama: US, Israel Will Work Against Iran Nukes
NJ Museum Finds 19th Century Recording
Snow Causes Disruptions in Much of Europe
Clinton: Vetoed U.N. Syria Resolution 'travesty'
Romney Picks Up Decisive Win in Nevada Caucuses
