Deborah Paul – författare

My first ballad was inspired by a young Misty Copeland, now a principal ballerina for American Ballet Theatre in New York. I wrote feature articles about her and watched her dance in The Nutcracker at the Warner Grand Theatre in San Pedro, California, when she was barely fifteen years old. Copeland has gone on to be a globally recognized name, but even at thirteen or fourteen, everyone knew this hard-working girlagainst immeasurable oddswas going to accomplish her goals. Baby Rain was a nickname given to Misty by a ballet teacher, which aptly portrays my sweet fictional character.

Around 2003, my granddaughter Shellby came to live with my husband and me. One of our bonding and endearing experiences was she and I became part of a womens surfing club in the South Bay called Ohana Nalu (Wave Family). The Shellby Shores personality is a compilation of the many amazing curl girls we surfed with, including world-class surfers and coaches Mary Setterholm and Wendy Gilley, plus our immediate surfing pals Joyce Flood, Sonia Nicholson, Kiki Foley, and Ivette Stickelmaier. Hermosa Beach surf instructor Vince Ray and my husband, Jim, were also integral parts of our surfing experience. Many of our ladies could hang 10, barrel, and as far as I know, I was the only member at the time who could do a headstand on a wave. Still, the ballad reflects the talent, kindness, and caring sisterhood our group encapsulated at a tumultuous time in many of our lives. The Ballad of Shellby Shores is Deborah Pauls second published book in a series of five childrens books.

I had the privilege of covering a newspaper story about the Los Angeles Maritime Institutes TopSail program in San Pedro, California, cofounded by retired teacher and coast guard licensed captain Jim Gladson and a handful of friends, including Captain Alice Robinson, who is the inspiration behind the ballad. I accompanied them on a weekend trip on the hundred-foot-tall ships to Catalina Island with dozens of preteens manning the two brigantines. Many of the junior-high-age kids were considered at-risk youth. One of the girls had only house slippers to wear on deck while others were clearly neglected-looking and shy. Alices first and only rule on board ship was Everyone is friends here, meaning everyone was to put any gang-like squabbles behind them and work as a team. By the end of the weekend, under Alices funny, carefree tutelage, the bonny crew could rig and raise sails, lower dinghies into the water, cook their own meals, swap the decks, and more. The general transformation was wonderful and bittersweet to behold, and Alice set the mood.