​As I was thinking about some of the precious moments in the past, I came to think about all the children that I have worked with in the past.
 
As early as age 13, I was working with children and youth as a Camp Counselor and working with the Y.M.C.A. summer programs. This was the start of my journey to give back to other children in my area.
 
As I got older and, in the military, I worked with Little League as a baseball coach and Scouting in between the time of working in my military job. I even went to play with Korean orphans when I was stationed in Korea.
 
In addition, I always liked to participate in the Korean children’s festivals that were held outside the base. I also participated in the Special Olympics programs.
 
Of course, as I ended up getting married, I also had my own children later in life as well as working with other youth organizations, Migrant Head Start as an Infant/Toddler Teacher,  Daycare Teacher, Awana’s Leader, Sunday School Children’s Church Leader,  Vacation Bible School Teacher, Elementary School  Aged Teacher, Summer School Teacher, and even as a Before/After School Tutor with a school and tutoring company.
 
This all led me up to becoming a children’s book author. It is so rewarding having the opportunity and blessing to attend author visits both virtually and in-person with school aged children at elementary schools and daycares. So far, I have read to over 1,000 children and hope to read more to share theme- based books with literary elements included.
 
In my office, I have a notebook that has every letter, birthday cards, handmade thank you notes, and other projects that children so diligently made for me so much for over the last 40 years. I love to pull the book out while wondering how each child that I had contact with in my various roles as a volunteer or in paid positions is doing these days. The book helps me to realize the “preciousness of the moment “in time. I could have thrown all of this away, but I keep this notebook of the great memories I had with these children. As I age, it makes me realize why I do what I do as a children’s book author now.
 
Last year, I read to a school virtually in the Oklahoma City Public Schools. I was blessed to have received these kind letters in the mail. They were written before I did the Virtual Visit. This is why I do what I do ensuring I can “make a difference in the lives of children.”

​ As I was thinking about what I was going to speak about, I produced the topic on the Five P’s of a Successful Author. The five P’s are purpose, passion, persistence, patience, and possibilities. I had an outline that kept me on task since I can talk forever so I felt like I was on target.

First, let us discuss purpose. You must know your “why,” the reason you want to become an author. What is your purpose? Is it for fame, money, personal growth, career, success, or achievement? Then, you must decide whether it is a business or is it a hobby? Is this something you will dabble in occasionally, or will you focus more on your journey?
 
The second “P” is your passion. Does your face light up when you talk about your books? Can you feel that new sensation when you get your first book in the mail with your name on it? Do you want to tell everyone about it that you meet? Because of my passion in writing as a children’s book author, I produced a mantra called, “Literacy, Learning, and Legacy.” In addition, I wanted to “make a difference in the lives of children.” Sure, everyone wants to sell your books but what motivates you in your mission at hand.
 
 Many jobs that I have had were just to survive but others I was very enthusiastic about were the most important to me. This does not mean that I did not care about them. If you are enthusiastic about a job, you are more willing to succeed in that job. This should be evident as an author too. Your dedication will be evident through this journey, which will in turn reflect in your writing.
 
It is also important to find your “niche.” What is the group, market, idea, or mission, will you go on to find your place in the writing world? Many of my books are based on “niches.” Niches are important to avoid a lack of direction and to provide clarity on how to proceed as a writer.

​From the audience feedback, I was told that the authors really enjoyed my presentation getting an A + and Extra Credit. You would have to understand that for many years, it was hard for me to get praise and knowing how to accept it since I am not the kind of person that flaunts or brags. However, it did feel good that I did get this feedback. You never know unless maybe people are sleeping during your presentation or just bored. I did not sense this.     I was able to sell some books at the event too, which is always good for the exposure.

Speaking of exposure, I just got my book in the mail created by the wonderful Diana Kathryn Penn called, “Marketing Matters for Indie Authors: The Passionate Plotter Guidebook Series .“    I have already begun to read this wonderful tool.

I also went to read for Storytime at Knights Nook Bookstore in Yukon, Oklahoma. This was a fun time of reading to several children my books, “It Happens” and “Eli’s Shenanigans. I got right down on the floor at the children’s level so that I could read to them. Each child was sitting on a pillow. I passed out stickers to the children and greeted all of them that attended. 

​My final joy this week was the delivery of my story in “Visions” which is number 3 of 3 anthologies that my stories are located in. The other two anthologies are “The Quire,” and "Flights of Fantasy- Bedtime Stories."

​There is something about getting a book in the mail that has your name in it or on it. I am overjoyed to be part of this journey thanks to Diana Kathryn Penn (www.pagespromotions.com ). She is an amazing author, mentor, and teacher of the art of Indie Publishing. She has wonderful resources on marketing and other topics that help you become a better writer and successful Indie published author.

​My next adventure this week is to volunteer at a local elementary school on the Book Bus for Oklahoma City Public Schools and be a guest speaker for the Oklahoma City Christian Writers. I am looking forward to these great opportunities.