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Aimee Duncan said that in all of her 28 years, she can't remember when she wasn't writing or drawing, and her first published novel, "Bean's Song," is the result of those efforts.
The young adult fantasy novel, a collaboration between Duncan and Travis Hanson of Riverside, Calif., is the first book in the "Tales of the Broken Moon" series. It follows the adventures of Bean, a 13-year-old boy who is kidnapped from his job at the Silver Dagger Inn.
The story is based on Hanson's concept, yet Duncan developed the essence of the characters. As Hanson explains it, he drew a picture and wanted an interpretation of what it meant.
"[Aimee] took the picture and conveyed the message that captured the spirit of the story," Hanson said. "She conveyed words the way I envisioned it."
"The story has evolved to develop the characters in Bean's life," Duncan said from the children's room at Rourk Library in Shallotte, N.C. "Book two is in the process of being written with more adventures for Bean."
Duncan is library assistant in children's services at the library, a perfect venue for her talents. She worked at Earth Angels Educational Center in Shallotte for about six years and did art projects with all age groups. She taught art to students in the Evelyn Wray Village School, part of the education center there. She had begun teaching creative writing just before accepting her current position two months ago. Among her duties are conducting story hour at the library at 10 a.m. Thursday mornings for preschoolers and at 3:30 p.m. for school-age children.
"Even as a little girl, I wanted to be a librarian," the Shallotte resident said.
"Books were always part of my life."
Duncan's serious side is reserved for adults, but when children enter the room, her cheerful personality blossoms, and she greets them with a broad smile. She interrupts talk with adults to answer children's questions or to find whatever they want.
When Brody Smith, 3, of Ash, N.C., said he wanted "Yego" books, Duncan understood that the child wanted books about Diego, the character in the "Dora the Explorer" series, which is televised on the Nickelodeon channel. She found a book that included Diego, but she promised to acquire exactly what Brody would like.
"If there isn't a book in stock, I make a note of it," she said.
Caroline Smith, 5, of Ash (no relation to Brody), told Duncan, "Miss Aimee, I loved these books" that she had returned. Duncan assisted her in finding more books to read.
Duncan is on familiar territory at the library. She lived in Ash until she was 15; then she and her parents and two brothers, moved to Shallotte. She attended Brunswick County Schools, earned an associate degree from Brunswick Community College and a bachelor's degree, with a major in liberal arts and a minor in creative writing, from Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, Va.
She recommends that others who want to publish a book be willing to work, do research and have confidence in themselves.
"She has an uncanny ability to create and write stories," Hanson said. "Her characters are empathetic."
"My writing is very important to me," Duncan said. "I have a lot of stories in my head, and even they will be told one way or another."
"She's incredible," Hanson said. "It's been an absolute blast [writing "Bean's Song"]. I'm so glad she's a part of it. I look forward to what the future's going to bring."
Travis Hanson | book collaborator
New book
What | "Bean's Song," young adult fantasy novel
Where to get it | Amazon.com, Beanleafpress.com, B. Dalton Bookstore and Waldenbooks
Cost | $10.95
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