Goodreads asked M.E.R:

Where did you get the idea for your most recent book?

M.E.R During the summer I babysat for a family who lived up the street from me. After a full day of summer camp their daughter would somehow acquire abundant energy. I would come through the door and she’d jump on me asking, “What are we doing today?”
When it was bed time, that energy, for some reason, reached its peak. Finding a way to help her calm down was nearly impossible. I tried reading books, but that required having a light on, which kept her eyes wide open. After the fourth night I decided to try something new. That day when I walked through the door and she asked, “What are we doing today?” I answered, “Later tonight I have a story to tell you.” The reaction I received was pure excitement. When we made a tent that afternoon she paused the game with her stuffed dog in mid jump and asked, “Can you say the story now?” I countered with, “But it’s not bedtime.” She replied, “Well, it feels like night time because the blanket makes it look dark in here.” I waved off her sneaky attempt and was able to hold the story off until after she took a bath. Once her teeth were brushed she usually picked out books, but instead of taking five minutes in front of the bookcase she hopped right into bed. Bringing the covers up to her chin she fixed an expectant gaze in my direction, her bright blue eyes wide with enthusiasm.
“Story time,” she smiled.
That night I started a tradition.
She listened intently and only interrupted to ask what certain words meant. The story brought us into a world only the two of us knew. Each night we settled in and my voice transported us to realms of fairies, mermaids, and pirates. I used logic and a smidge of magic to tackle dragons, out think dryads and outsmart pirates. The main character, Buttercup, soon became the title of the stories.
The next day when I walked through the door instead of asking what we were doing she inquired, “Buttercup Story?”
Through these stories I was able to incorporate her daily struggles and demonstrate an appropriate way of dealing with them. It was my unique way of getting around lecturing to a four year old. The stories became a way for me to aid in the dismantling of everyday feelings that can seem too big to handle in the present. These adventures gave way to opportunities that helped her learn vocabulary, sympathize with other’s struggles, and comprehend complex ideas in a simpler and safe setting.
After the third night of telling her a Buttercup story I recognized its potential interest to other young children. I got excited and contacted my friend from Keene State, who I was going to room with. I had seen her art work and loved her style. She agreed to help me and is now my partner in bringing the Buttercup Stories to life.

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