When a Bestselling Author Met Hermey the Alpaca
Sometimes the people who inspire us don’t realize just how much of an impact they’ve made.
For me, one of those people is Ruth Cardello, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of romance novels. Long before I began writing the Hermey the Alpaca children’s book series, Ruth helped inspire me to believe that writing a book of my own was something I could actually do.
So when Ruth came to visit the alpaca farm, it was a pretty special day.
And, of course, Hermey made sure she received the full alpaca welcome.
Ruth Meets the Real Hermey
Ruth had the chance to meet Hermey the Alpaca himself — the real alpaca who would become the inspiration behind my children’s books.
Hermey has always had plenty of personality, and he certainly wasn’t shy during Ruth’s visit. He came right over to say hello and even gave her a few of his famous alpaca kisses.
It’s one of those moments that still makes me smile.
For readers who only know Hermey through the pages of the books, it’s easy to forget that so many of his adventures and personality traits began with a very real alpaca.
From Inspiration to My First Book
The visit became even more meaningful after I began my own journey as an author.
My first children’s picture book, Hermey the Alpaca: Beyond the Gate, was the beginning of a whole new adventure for me.
When I had the opportunity to autograph a copy of my very first book for Ruth, things seemed to come full circle.
Here was someone whose success as an author had helped inspire me to write, now holding a signed copy of the first book I had written myself.
That meant a lot to me.
You Never Know Who Will Inspire You
One of the things I’ve learned through writing the Hermey books is that inspiration can come from all sorts of places.
Sometimes it comes from the animals and experiences around us.
Sometimes it comes from an idea that simply won’t leave us alone.
And sometimes it comes from seeing another person follow their own creative path and thinking:
Maybe I can do that too.
Ruth Cardello was one of those people for me.
I’m grateful for the inspiration — and I’m glad Hermey got the chance to thank her in his own way.
With a kiss.
Or two.
About Hermey the Alpaca: Beyond the Gate
Hermey the Alpaca: Beyond the Gate is the first book in the Hermey the Alpaca children’s picture-book series and introduces young readers to Hermey’s world of curiosity, friendship, and adventure.