Troll Trotters author Paulette Dowle had always thought about writing picture books for children. In this blog, Paulette shares her journey to becoming a published author. From making up stories to make her daughters laugh, to writing her debut picture book and having it published by Tiny Tree Books. Paulette shares the ups and downs of her journey in the hope to inspire others.
by Paulette Dowle, author of Troll Trotters.
I’ve always wanted to start writing picture books for children. It was a quiet dream that lived in me for as long as I can remember. But for a long time, I let fear talk me out of it. I’d ask myself: How could someone like me — just an ordinary person — ever get published? I didn’t go to university. I worked full-time to support my family. I didn’t have the “right” background or the perfect path.
But something changed when I started making up stories for my daughters. Watching them light up with laughter, seeing them connect with the characters and hang on to every word, made me realise I had something worth sharing. I had the ability to make someone smile through stories. That was my spark, that was my inspiration.
I’ve learned: dreams don’t come with a checklist.
“I stopped waiting for permission and started writing anyway…”
I stopped waiting for permission and started writing anyway — stories full of laughter, heart, and a bit of mischief. And one day, quite a few years later, something incredible happened. Tiny Tree Books saw something in my work and gave me a chance. They agreed to publish my picture book Troll Trotters, and signed me as an author. Just like that, a dream I had tucked away for years became a reality.
My journey isn’t polished, and it certainly wasn’t perfect, but it’s proof that stories come from all kinds of voices. And sometimes, the ones we doubt the most are the ones that need to be told.
I’ve loved writing for as long as I can remember. It was always a lifelong dream to create stories that would not only entertain but also connect with young readers in a meaningful way.
I had no roadmap, just a deep love for storytelling.
With my book Troll Trotters, I set out to write something a little different: a story with heart, humour, and a fresh take on the trolls we all think we know. I wanted to reinvent the old folklore, and to bring trolls into the modern world as characters children could relate to.
Yes, they’re a bit ugly (they can’t help that (it’s just the way they look!), and yes, they’re mischievous, but that’s just part of who they are. Beneath the grumbles and giggles, Troll Trotters is a story about acceptance, friendship, and the messy, magical journey of embracing change. Because, like the trolls, we all face challenges. And, with a little courage (and maybe a bit of slime), we can find adventure in the unexpected.
About Paulette Dowle
Paulette Dowle was always the child in the corner of the playground, lost in the pages of a book while the world buzzed around her. Although life took her on a different path after leaving school, her imagination remained alive with stories of untold worlds and yet-to-be-imagined monsters.
The turning point came when Paulette became a mother to two beautiful daughters, whose presence inspired her to finally put her ideas onto paper. For Paulette, the real magic lies not just in crafting words into stories but in witnessing the joy and wonder on readers’ faces as they are drawn into her world of imagination and adventure.
Troll Trotters by Paulette Dowle and Tim Brunt is available now online and from all good bookshops.
Order your copy today from Amazon | Waterstones | Bookshop.org
