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Tell us a little about yourself:
I was born and raised in England, but moved to the US at 18 to play soccer. Now I’m old and retired, I’ve been coaching full time for club and high school. I really enjoy working with youth athletes and helping them become the best they can be!
I met my husband, who is a born and raised Kansan working at our first jobs in Dallas. We moved to Phoenix for the sunshine and work where had our daughter Piper. Then we moved to Kansas City, had our second born, Max. This is when I started journaling all of my pregnancy thoughts which became the very first draft of the book. We realized we missed the desert life and headed back to AZ in 2019.
Have you always wanted to write?
I have always been creative- I love fashion, art, anything that helps express a person. I used to have a notebook when I was younger to write songs and comedy skits. Nothing Saturday Night Live worthy! I have always been pretty consistent on expressing myself, I have never followed the pack, but never really had to confidence until recently to think somebody would want to read something I wrote. I guess it comes with getting older, you care less what people think …. So I took a leap of faith and decided to just do it.
What made you decide you wanted to publish a book?
When I was pregnant with my second born, I had all these feelings of worry, doubt, guilt, yet I couldn’t find anywhere to support me. The internet was full of sunshine and rainbows regarding pregnancy. I just didn’t feel that way. I knew I couldn’t be the only mama feeling this way. I wanted to write a book that shared in those emotions that aren’t really discussed, but yet universal.
What were some of the initial challenges of writing?
I didn’t expect to be writing a book during a pandemic! It was hard to stay focused and meet deadlines with a 6- & 4-year-old at home. It was frustrating trying to find quiet time when we were at home together constantly without relief. Other than that, I really enjoyed the process, from the editing, reviewing illustrators’ portfolios, choosing design and layout. I was given complete artistic control. I loved it and I can’t wait to start on my new one!
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to write a book?
Be patient. This trait is a complete weakness of mine. I can’t even wait for taquitos to cook in the toaster oven. I am terribly impatient, ask my husband. But if you want quality work, you must be patient and let things sit, don’t make rushed decisions as it may be costly to your project long term.
Describe a typical day in your house.
Well, as I sit here, my kiddos are running around our house half-dressed, with a tennis ball, and dominos. I’m not sure what kind of game they have created, but considering the noise, they are having a good time. Our house is fun. Not very structured, but it’s fun. We draw, we play games, we play soccer (we play a lot of soccer) we bake (my husband is an incredible baker), we see our friends. Both our families live thousands of miles away and so we have got some amazing friends who are the type of friends you can call at 3 am, and they would pick up the phone and be there for us. We are incredibly lucky to have so many amazing people in our life.
What is something you want your readers to know about you or the book?
Everything about the book is so intentional. From the butterfly featured on every page (symbolizing transition and change) from the dog reacting to the mom’s thoughts, thinking the book is speaking to him, it’s all super-intentional. The position of the words, the sounds and the order they are written and placed, hours and hours were spent making it exactly the way it is.
What are next steps now you are a published author?
Promoting my book and enjoying this next chapter! I already have my next two books written, but I am trying to soak up this fun honeymoon period now it’s all finally done. Reading the wonderful reviews, connecting with other children’s authors on social media, working on spreading the word, it’s all a fun and rewarding journey. I am incredibly grateful and go to bed and wake up each day with a full heart.
I was born and raised in England, but moved to the US at 18 to play soccer. Now I’m old and retired, I’ve been coaching full time for club and high school. I really enjoy working with youth athletes and helping them become the best they can be!
I met my husband, who is a born and raised Kansan working at our first jobs in Dallas. We moved to Phoenix for the sunshine and work where had our daughter Piper. Then we moved to Kansas City, had our second born, Max. This is when I started journaling all of my pregnancy thoughts which became the very first draft of the book. We realized we missed the desert life and headed back to AZ in 2019.
Have you always wanted to write?
I have always been creative- I love fashion, art, anything that helps express a person. I used to have a notebook when I was younger to write songs and comedy skits. Nothing Saturday Night Live worthy! I have always been pretty consistent on expressing myself, I have never followed the pack, but never really had to confidence until recently to think somebody would want to read something I wrote. I guess it comes with getting older, you care less what people think …. So I took a leap of faith and decided to just do it.
What made you decide you wanted to publish a book?
When I was pregnant with my second born, I had all these feelings of worry, doubt, guilt, yet I couldn’t find anywhere to support me. The internet was full of sunshine and rainbows regarding pregnancy. I just didn’t feel that way. I knew I couldn’t be the only mama feeling this way. I wanted to write a book that shared in those emotions that aren’t really discussed, but yet universal.
What were some of the initial challenges of writing?
I didn’t expect to be writing a book during a pandemic! It was hard to stay focused and meet deadlines with a 6- & 4-year-old at home. It was frustrating trying to find quiet time when we were at home together constantly without relief. Other than that, I really enjoyed the process, from the editing, reviewing illustrators’ portfolios, choosing design and layout. I was given complete artistic control. I loved it and I can’t wait to start on my new one!
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to write a book?
Be patient. This trait is a complete weakness of mine. I can’t even wait for taquitos to cook in the toaster oven. I am terribly impatient, ask my husband. But if you want quality work, you must be patient and let things sit, don’t make rushed decisions as it may be costly to your project long term.
Describe a typical day in your house.
Well, as I sit here, my kiddos are running around our house half-dressed, with a tennis ball, and dominos. I’m not sure what kind of game they have created, but considering the noise, they are having a good time. Our house is fun. Not very structured, but it’s fun. We draw, we play games, we play soccer (we play a lot of soccer) we bake (my husband is an incredible baker), we see our friends. Both our families live thousands of miles away and so we have got some amazing friends who are the type of friends you can call at 3 am, and they would pick up the phone and be there for us. We are incredibly lucky to have so many amazing people in our life.
What is something you want your readers to know about you or the book?
Everything about the book is so intentional. From the butterfly featured on every page (symbolizing transition and change) from the dog reacting to the mom’s thoughts, thinking the book is speaking to him, it’s all super-intentional. The position of the words, the sounds and the order they are written and placed, hours and hours were spent making it exactly the way it is.
What are next steps now you are a published author?
Promoting my book and enjoying this next chapter! I already have my next two books written, but I am trying to soak up this fun honeymoon period now it’s all finally done. Reading the wonderful reviews, connecting with other children’s authors on social media, working on spreading the word, it’s all a fun and rewarding journey. I am incredibly grateful and go to bed and wake up each day with a full heart.
