Blessing Hope's Family Room
Official Bio: (Word Count 27)
Blessing Hope is a word nerd, sea glass hunter, and historical hound living in Prince Edward Island, Canada. She is a member of the Young Writers Workshop.
The Longer Version
(Aka, Blessing's life story)
Blessing Hope has grown up in Storyland since she was a baby. Early family pictures show her reading board books and sitting next to parents and adults with stacks of books piled around her.
At age eleven, Blessing wrote her first non-school story and it thrilled her more than any of her previous creative endeavours. An enterprising child, she decided she wanted to make some money—sure that it would win a national writing contest. It did.
After winning a handful of additional writing awards, Blessing placed storytelling behind her, occasionally dabbling on a short story. However, her dream was always to write a middle grade novel.
When a hurricane devastated Prince Edward Island in 2022 and she was without power for eleven days, Blessing found she had the time to begin again on a writing project bigger than any she had ever attempted before. This reignited her passion for writing stories.
Currently, Blessing is working on her third middle grade novel and has ideas for many more, every book inspired by the Island she calls home and the God she calls Father.
Five Fun Facts About Blessing
(Aka, reasons for Blessing's oddness)
Is Blessing Hope your real name?
What, you think I made my name up?
Okay, okay, fine. Here's the truth.
The short answer is: It is, and it isn't.
If that sounds cryptic--and slightly contradictory--let me explain. Yep, Blessing Hope is on my birth certificate, however "Hope" is my middle name. So while Blessing Hope is a pseudonym in all technicality (because it's not my first and last name) Blessing Hope is as true as the natural reddish highlights in my hair. Which are very real, in case you were wondering.
What is your favourite part about living in Prince Edward Island?
I'm so glad you asked me!
Anne of Green Gables, potatoes, red dirt. That's what I bet you think of when you talk about Prince Edward Island. Some of you have visited my home and will know a little bit more--about the lobster and the countless beaches and Cows. But only a handful of you have explored the hidden gems of the Island. (How many of you have ever gone for a walk in Victoria Park in the winter?)
So, my favourite part about living on PEI is uncovering those jewels, then trying to capture the essence of what it means to live on the Island in a book. You're welcome.
What book are you working on currently?
Well, that's top secret unless you're on my emailing list (wink, wink) but here's a sneak peak:
~ A middle grade historical fiction novel in the vein of Anne of Green Gables and The Penderwicks.
~ A family of lighthouse keepers and a snarky seagull who live on Prince Edward Island.
~ Family warmth and the heart of an east-coast island community.
What is your favourite book?
Ahh, how could you do this to me! Don't you know that's the hardest question you could ever ask a book lover?
All right, here are my top three favourite books/series. If you want more recommendations in any middle grade genre, please ask me.
~ Top Fantasy Book: Spark by Sarah Beth Durst
~ Best Cosy Family Read: The Penderwicks series by Jeanne Birdsall (shoutout to the Vanderbeekers by Katrina Yan Glaser)
~ Inspiring Historical Fiction Novel: Words on Fire by Jennifer A. Nielsen
I heard a rumour...are you a ventriloquist?
Wait--who told you that?
I did?
Well, in that case, yes I am! My hugable monkey friend Garibaldi loves meeting new people and talking about books, ventriloquism, and Star Wars. (he looks like a cute version of Chewbacca, but you didn't hear that from me!)