Interview with Maria Franz About Her New Book 'Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness'

Maria Franz has just released her second picture book of the year, 'Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness'. In this delightful book, Maria explores the concept of mindfulness through the eyes of dogs. We had the pleasure of chatting with Maria about her new book and what inspired her to connect her love of dogs to the practice of mindfulness.

Artwork and Collaboration

Maria shared that she had some notes on logistics for the artwork in the back matter of the book, as well as notes on how dogs perceive the world. She was thrilled to work with Pete Oswald, who created beautiful cut paper and watercolor illustrations throughout the book. Maria mentioned that she couldn't listen to music while drafting due to distraction, but instead used nature sounds like ocean waves and birdsong to help her get into the right mental space.

Writing Practice and Mindfulness

When asked about incorporating mindfulness into her writing practice, Maria shared that she has some pre-writing strategies to help her get into the zone. These include forest-bathing, walking in the woods, and taking time to connect with nature using her senses. She also mentioned that she tries to write by hand as a way to feel more connected to her work.

Personal Connection

Maria's book is dedicated to her family dogs present and past, including her beloved rescue dog Becca who passed away. Maria shared that after Becca's passing, she was unable to write for several months due to depression. However, once she finally felt ready to write again, she wanted to re-experience the joy and love she had felt in Becca's presence.

Inspiration Behind the Book

Maria explained that she got the idea for 'Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness' while reflecting on how dogs live in the present moment. She realized that this concept could be applied to humans as well, and wanted to explore ways that people can cultivate mindfulness through observing and learning from their canine companions.

Overall, 'Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness' is a heartwarming and thought-provoking book that celebrates the special bond between humans and dogs. We're excited to share Maria's new book with our readers and hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Maria franz interview