Our featured artist this month is actually a very talented writer and editor…
Caroline Leech, who has created many of your favorite Blue Mountain greetings! Whether writing songs or sentiments, she has that special ability to work seamlessly with the artists involved to produce cards that are instant hits. Read what Caroline has to say about what inspires her and keeps her motivated in the work she loves so much…
Hi Caroline, When did you first realize you had writing abilities or know that you wanted to be a writer?
I have loved words for as long as I can remember. As a child I used to make greeting cards for my Mom and Dad on the backs of the Twinkies inserts. I won my first poetry contest in second grade for a song I wrote to sing to the birds.
Can you tell us a little about your background?
I have over 30 years (where does the time go?) of experience in the social expression industry, holding a variety of corporate and consulting positions. I have a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Dayton and have written ten children’s books for Golden Books and Disney.
What is your current position at bluemountain.com and could you tell us a little more about your work?
As a Senior Editor, I write greetings, compose song lyrics and create storylines with the artists and musicians. I am fortunate to work with our very creative and talented design and audio teams who make work a pleasure. Brainstorming new ideas with them is one of my favorite things to do.
Which is your favorite ecard you’ve created and what makes it special to you?
“My One and Only One” is my favorite ecard, because the song I wrote for it was inspired by my husband. I also enjoy writing the titles for our Talking Cards. This has to be the only place on earth where puns are welcome.
Who is the writer who has most influenced you? How do you use that influence in your work?
There are many authors and poets I love, but a lot of my inspiration comes from our customers. I like to read customer comments and follow them on our fan page, listening to what delights and inspires them. For example, I noticed that many of the quotations they like are about sunshine, so I wrote a singing telegram and a card about sending sunny wishes.
What types of things do you do to keep yourself motivated?
Actually, staying motivated is never a problem. The real challenge is finding enough hours in the day to accomplish everything I’d like to do.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I’d like to be here, doing what I love most.
On a final note, what are some things you like to do when you’re away from work?
Not surprisingly, I love to read. When I’m not curled up with a book, I’m spending time with my family and friends.
