I recently spoke to a group of children, between nine and thirteen, about my experience becoming an author. I explained that it all began when I was their age. Growing up without cell phones, the internet and social media, books were a huge form of entertainment. They provided an escape to magical lands. In between getting lost in adventures and following exciting characters, I fell in love with stories.

Needless to say, the kids were a little shocked that there were no cellphones. “No YouTube! No Snapchat? What!?” 

Their mouths flew open when I told them that we only got a TV set when I was about 8 years old, and it had two channels only, with programming limited to a few hours a day! 

While trying to get the point across that screen time should be limited, I also didn’t want to seem completely unrelatable. “Just like the characters and adventures that inspired me, “ I told them, “The stories that you love, whether they are in a book, a movie or a game, can also inspire you to write your own stories.”     

I tried to emphasize the importance of setting aside time to read and time to write. Both are necessary in order for a person to develop skills that help them to become a better storyteller.  

Storytelling is a craft which has been created by pouring one’s heart into a piece of work, deliberately planned to bring enjoyment to readers. As an author, from the moment an idea enters your brain to a beautifully bound book in a reader’s hands, you are creating something unique. 

The greatest reward for an author is hearing readers ask, “When is your next book coming out?”
That’s the ultimate sign that your story has resonated. As a children’s book writer, my motivation is to create meaningful experiences that bring families closer and stories that inspire future generations to cherish our planet and the beauty of nature.