From Classrooms to Bookstores: Christine Devane’s Journey to Elephant Beach

“Sometimes you need someone outside of your family and friends to tell you, ‘This part doesn’t make sense,’ or ‘Try it this way.’ That honest feedback is what makes your writing stronger.” – Christine Devane

Christine Devane spent 13 years as a second-grade teacher, where she fell in love with story time and noticed something missing on the shelves—books that spoke directly to shy children. Drawing from her own childhood experiences as a quiet kid, Christine set out to write Elephant Beach, a debut picture book that blends her love of reading, teaching, family, and her collection of lucky elephants.

In this episode, Christine shares how her journey from the classroom to becoming a children’s author unfolded—starting over a decade ago, taking her through critique groups and writing conferences, and eventually leading to publication in a wonderfully unexpected way. We talk about the importance of writing communities, the challenge of finding objective feedback, and the personal touch of including a red-haired main character, inspired by Christine’s own childhood (and later reflected in her daughter).

Filling a gap for shy kids: Christine saw that children’s literature rarely centered shy personalities, inspiring her to write Elephant Beach. The long road to publication: She began the manuscript ten years ago, honing it through critique groups, conferences, and classes before it was finally picked up. The power of writing communities: Honest, constructive feedback from fellow writers gave her perspectives friends and family couldn’t. Personal touches matter: Giving her main character red hair made the story authentic—and later mirrored in her own daughter. Persistence pays off: Even after stepping away from teaching and focusing on her family, the story found its way into the world.