When did you start writing Peanut the Penguin and what made you decide to publish it?

I began writing Peanut the Penguin almost immediately after a webinar from Bold Story Press. In it, Emily Barrosse encouraged me to think that writing (and illustrating) a book was an attainable goal after all. So I sat and wrote, and painted. I wrote from the heart, created from the heart and I absolutely wanted to share what I created with readers.

What advice would you give to a writer working on her first book?

Be patient with yourself and the process. There are many facets to writing a book. The process begins with writing but does not end with the final period. Give yourself space. Go back and re-read after a couple of weeks. Get a head start on marketing before finishing the book…announce it via social media, ask for reviews ahead of time, start building a website. And most of all, believe in yourself and your writing. My book was published a year ago, but regarding marketing it, I treat it as though it was published a week ago. Marketing is an on-going process.

In your opinion, what are the most important elements of good writing?

Subject matter is key, of course, especially writing that connects to emotions to which readers can relate. Descriptive words should be age-appropriate. The tone of the story should flow evenly. And even with these elements, without good editing, a beautiful story may not deliver well.

Do you consider Peanut the Penguin to be a success? How do you define success when it comes to your writing and publishing experience?

Success in not always measured monetarily. Personal achievement is success. Peanut the Penguin was a success from the moment I began writing it. I say this because I believed in what I set out to do, which was to create a book fashioned after the old children’s classic hand-painted storybooks, and to write a story that would engage young readers and help them to connect with a very important emotion…empathy. So success began with the first idea and written word. It continued with the publishing process that took me from a raw product to a finished one, and holding it in my hand for the first time. And finally, the reviews, feedback and reactions that I received from parents, teachers and children reading it for the first time were my reward, and further confirmation to me that this was indeed a success.

What's next? Will there be a sequel? Will you write something entirely different? Or, having published one beautiful children's book, are you ready to move on to new challenges outside of publishing?

My original intention was to write and illustrate another children’s book, not necessarily a sequel, but a sequel will happen in due course. I have been exploring areas outside of the children’s book genre, dabbling in articles and podcasts about connecting with children. But regarding writing another children’s book, I am eager to start another, and of course my fan club – my kids who are now 2 years older than when I read them the first draft of Peanut the Penguin – are continuing to support and encourage me to do so.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Yes! My next podcast interview is to be aired on November 7th (Parenting with Confidence Podcast with Theresa Inman), and following this will be another podcast interview on Beyond the Pen with Maccabee Griffin date TBD. Check out my website. There you will learn more about me and my journey and find links to past podcasts I have done.