POWERGRAMS

PG_Mar_Apr_final

Issue link: https://alabamapower.uberflip.com/i/947157

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 47 of 51

Kids enjoy Hale's tale of 'Ebeneezer' 45 Hale It takes a special talent to bring a character to life – and even more so, to write books that capture the imagination of children. More than nine years after DeCorey Hale wrote "Ebeneezer the Sneezer," an amusing story for his then- toddler daughter, he's finding success in writing. Hale has recently sold about 300 copies of his self-published book. With that achievement, the assistant plant control operator at the Power Systems Development Facility at Plant Gaston in Wilsonville is looking forward to publishing more stories. For Hale, storytelling comes naturally. As one who grew up loving books, he wanted his young daughter, Nylah, to immerse herself in reading. At bedtime, Hale would sit down with a book and read to the 3-year-old. "Even before she could read, she was looking at the pictures and trying to figure out everything," Hale said. "After a while, she knew all the stories because I'd read them to her so many times. One day, I asked if she wanted me to write her a bedtime story." That was the beginning of "Ebeneezer the Sneezer," Hale's recently published children's book. Ebeneezer is a little old man who "sneezed soooo much. He sneezed on everything he touched." Thanks to the bedtime ritual – and the need for new tales – Hale ended up writing 20 stories. He copyrighted his work, but that was as far as his books progressed. As Nylah grew older, Hale put his stories "on the back burner," storing them in a folder at his mother's home. About a year ago, Hale joined a business group on Facebook. Meeting others with interests in writing, Hale became friends with Atlanta native and women's health writer Carol Atkins. She advised Hale about publishing and finding an illustrator. After Hale began working with illustrator Lauren Lacy, he applied for a bar code so that he could sell his books in stores and on the web. A longtime Sylacauga resident, Hale has several friends who are teachers. Those close relationships have led to other outlets for sharing his stories. On his day off, he occasionally reads to children at Sylacauga Elementary School and at preschools. "I've always been a big proponent of reading and education," said Hale, who reached his 10-year anniversary with Alabama Power in February. Several of his Gaston co-workers have bought the "Ebeneezer" book for their children or grandchildren. To learn more about Hale's writings, see his website: www.decoreyhale.com. By Donna Cope Illustration by Lauren Lacy

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of POWERGRAMS - PG_Mar_Apr_final