From Dream to Reality: My Journey to Becoming a Children’s Author

My cozy writing essentials: laptop, warm coffee, and a trusty blankie—my go-to setup for months of creative work.

Becoming an author wasn’t exactly on my five-year plan—let’s be honest, it wasn’t even on my radar. But when I hit the big 5-0, things started to shift. To celebrate the milestone, I did a photo shoot (because why not?), complete with fun outfits, including a puffy tulle skirt and, naturally, a crown. While reviewing the proofs with my mom and the photographer, Rachel Neva, something clicked. Rachel, after hearing some of the stories we were swapping, said, “You really should write a book!” And I just knew. I remember looking at one particular photo and thinking, “This will be on the cover of my book one day.” Spoiler alert: it didn’t end up on the cover, but it lit the fire!

Though I’ve always loved writing (thank you, high school English classes), life had a funny way of keeping me busy. Between raising four kids and juggling life, I spent many hours curled up with them, reading everything from picture books to chapter books—complete with character voices, of course. Writing a children’s book felt like the perfect way to capture those magic moments.

But let’s be real—I didn’t get here without a little nudge. Someone close to me strongly encouraged (read: demanded) that I use my creativity for more than just daydreaming. They knew my ability to craft stories, make graphics, and whip up videos. It was time to do something with it. After the books were finally published, my friends jumped on social media saying, “FINALLY, the world is going to see how creative you are!” It’s been a long time coming, but let me tell you, the payoff has been worth it.

Overcoming Challenges

Now, let’s talk about the hard stuff—because yes, there were challenges. For starters, the technical side of self-publishing was like learning a new language. I spent four months agonizing over formats, page counts, and content. The perfectionist in me was this close to abandoning ship more than once. If it weren’t for a friend who gave me a swift kick in the right direction, I’d probably still be hovering over that “publish” button!

The good news? After that first book, the process got a whole lot easier. Book two? Done in two weekends. (I know, right?!) Both books are written in rhyme, so I read them aloud hundreds of times—yes, hundreds—just to make sure the rhythm and meter were perfect. Finding the right words that rhymed and made sense? Let’s just say I gained a whole new respect for Dr. Seuss.

Balancing Life and Writing

While publishing my first book, I was working full-time and squeezing in writing whenever I could. I’d take every minute of my off time to write, and some days, I seriously considered calling in sick just to keep the momentum going! It was tough to put the project down when things were flowing. Luckily, I had a fantastic support system—friends and family who I’d show my progress to, making sure I wasn’t going off the rails.

And yes, there were moments when I doubted myself. Could I actually pull this off? Was this even worth it? But then I remembered why I started. I wanted to create something lasting—something my kids could hold onto, just like the legacy my parents left for me. That kept me going.

From Doubt to Accomplishment

I won’t lie—there were plenty of times when I thought about throwing in the towel. In the first month especially, I was filled with self-doubt. Who was I kidding? Who would care about these books? But then I made peace with the idea that even if only my family enjoyed them, that was enough. And just like that, the pressure melted away, and I kept going.

When I finally held the proof copy of my first book in my hands, I was in disbelief. I kept thinking, “OMG, I did this!” Sharing that proof with my granddaughter (the toughest critic of them all) and getting her stamp of approval was a big moment for me. From there, the positive feedback started rolling in, and it made every bit of the hard work worth it.

Life as a Published Author

Since then, life has changed in some pretty amazing ways. Personally, I’ve never felt so proud. Professionally, the books have opened up opportunities I never expected. I’ve connected with the community, partnered with local organizations like United Way, and even held book readings. On the business side, I’ve started helping companies with marketing and graphic design projects. And hey, six months after my first book came out, I hit the 300 copies sold mark (most first-time authors sell fewer than 100 in a year!). Not bad, right?

Moving forward, I’m excited to see where this path leads. I’ve found a creative outlet that I love, and I can’t wait to keep sharing more stories with readers of all ages.