Yourchildren’s book, The Adventures of Smitty looks magically. Tell us about it.
It’sthe story of a magical island of little creatures called Smilies and themischievous little main character, Smitty. He’s such a naughty boy. Haha! All the moms and kids I’ve shared it with have been giving me such awonderful reaction. I cannot believe it. I have to tell you how excited Iam to finally have a life-long dream come true. Writing The Adventures of Smitty was really aboutfinding a story that I would want to read to my children at night. It has to beexciting but not scary so that my two daughters can go to sleep. Basically, I was looking for that perfect blend to read to my kids atnight and decided, “Why not try writing my own?”
We’vehad a lot of changes in our life recently, so I want to make sure that when Iput my daughters to sleep that they feel safe. I have short chaptersbecause I know how busy we moms are but if you can just sacrifice 5 minutes atnight reading to your kids, it makes a world of difference. Your kidswill never forget it. And although we’re running around the whirlwind of life,our kids grow up so fast, and that time that we’d rather finish watching whathappened in our favorite soap opera instead of reading to our kids will nevercome again. I hope that The Adventures of Smitty and books likeit help moms do exactly that.
Andit’s only 99 cents this week. That’s what I love about it. Now, You arerecently divorced. How have you been able to continue writing when goingthrough such a change?
Yes, itis by far one of the most challenging points in my life. To see a marriage youthought would last forever to not last forever was difficult for the two of us.I really learned a lot about myself and most importantly, it’s brought mecloser to my daughters. I think that’s what really motivated me to finishthis children’s book no matter what. When you’re going through changes in yourlife like this, you need something to hold on to. There’s a part of you thatwants to prove that you can make it, that you will be a success even if it’snot with the partner you originally imagined building a life with. I hadto keep writing, for my kids. I want to show them that they have to keepstrong, no matter what.
We aswomen, as moms really need to stick together to support each other and ourdreams. We’re living in an age when I think we’re finally realizing, althoughwe want love, the men in our life aren’t the answer to everything. We have tostand up on our own two feet and keep going. True love will happen, but untilthen, we have to keep moving forward. Our children depend on us and we dependon us.
Inaddition to being a children’s book author, you’re also a small business owner.How do you juggle taking care of two daughters and at the same time running abusiness?
Yes, Iam a fashion designer and have a retail store. Any type of creativity is whatI’m passionate about. That’s why writing The Adventures of Smitty was so importantto me. Let me tell you, run
ning a small business in today’s economy isn’teasy especially when raising two girls at the same time. But somehow, it seemssomeone’s watching over me because my dreams are coming true no matter what. Tohave that many moms glowing about my children’s book, means somuch to me. And I know my girls are proud.
ning a small business in today’s economy isn’teasy especially when raising two girls at the same time. But somehow, it seemssomeone’s watching over me because my dreams are coming true no matter what. Tohave that many moms glowing about my children’s book, means somuch to me. And I know my girls are proud.
When doyou ever have time to write?
Youmean, in between laundry, running a business, chasing my girls around thehouse, cleaning the house, and flying back and forth fromMiami to New York? Haha?That’s one thing I’ve learned, when you really want to do something, you find away. Things fall into place if you just go for it and that’s what I wantto encourage all the moms who are reading this right now. Whatever your goalis, you can do it. Don’t let the challenges in your personal life stop you fromgoing for your dreams. Just go for it and it’s almost magical how thingsfall into place.
Wherecan we get a copy of “The Adventures of Smitty”?
Rightnow, it’s available online by going to: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/94655 Youcan also visit my website: whereyou can read more about my writing process, my recommendations for other booksand my own adventures in Mommyhood.
I’m sograteful for your support and the support I’m getting from so many wonderfulmoms who dream of writing children’s books one day too. Writing The Adventures of Smitty has been such anemotional experience for me, a true journey as I was going through so manychanges while writing it. It’s truly been a blessing in my life. It, along with my daughters, and that guy upstairs have really pulled methrough a challenging time.
Thanksfor the interview, Anna. And let’s go out and support a fellow mom by getting acopy of The Adventures of Smitty today. I know I will!
I live in a small Georgia town that you most likely have never heard of and I LOVE it! My house is more than full as I am a single mother of four & caregiver to my aging mother and uncle. Lover of all things Outlander. Goes to the beat of her own drum woman.
![\\\\\\\"\\\\\\\"](\\\\\\\"https://d5nxst8fruw4z.cloudfront.net/atrk.gif?account=r2cEh1aAod000d\\\\\\\")