The Million Dollar
Alphabet for Life looks like a great
guide. Any plans to release similar self-help
books?
Yes! Actually, I am working on a similar
guide for educators. Having been an educator since 1999, I’d like to be of help
to fellow new and veteran teachers in an emotional way. There’s a secret
pressure that educators face and colleges or trainings are not known for
addressing the pressure. Educators are
tasked with ensuring that another human being wants to learn and do well. They
know it going in. But until faced with various children and families at the
different stages of learning all within one classroom, educators are often
unprepared for the toll this task takes on them. It is rewarding, but not
without much of themselves being given. Many times, an educator gives up on
personal interests just to be of service to their students, who they are not guaranteed
will do well or even want to do well. Add to that, the parents and the
administrator’s expectations. Needless to say, a person should be in a truly
healthy emotional state to feel happy while in service to children.
What will
readers get out of your guide?
Readers will understand that
all of their feelings are normal- even negative feelings. They’ll learn that
some feelings serve them better than others. That they can be in control of how
they feel every day. Readers can even learn how to change their perspective and
exit a negative feeling quicker than they’ve done in the past. Then back of the
book includes a ‘Try This’ section. The activities are designed to spark the
readers emotional barometers.
What
inspired you when writing The Million Dollar
Alphabet for Life?
I am
inspired by the knowledge that I am in control of how I feel. I always knew it.
But sometimes I just went with my knee jerk reactions and stayed angry or sad
for too long. I went from being a stay-at-home mother for three years, to an
entrepreneur. I could feel myself being on an emotional roller coaster too
often. As a mother and business owner, I
couldn’t be out of control emotionally because that would serve no one. Then I said to myself, ‘If you know you’re in
control, then be in control.’ So, I wrote The Million Dollar Alphabet
as a list. A few years later, I added quotes. I went on to add poems or stories
that could reflect what I was learning.
When
did you decide to become a writer?
I decided to write when I was a
teenager. I used reading and writing to escape. I had too many chores and a
very loud mother making sure I did them. I put it away for years. Then one year
while teaching, I realized I was ignoring a special part of me – my story
telling and writing part.
When
writing The Million Dollar
Alphabet for Life did anything stand out as particularly challenging?
The challenge came with finding
stories that were universal enough to appeal to a broad audience and at the
same time spoke to the point I was making with a particular letter in the
alphabet. In those moments, I quieted my mind and allowed a poem to come through.
How did
you come up with the concepts and ideas in The Million Dollar Alphabet for Life?
Lists and charts
are easy for many people to follow. I am a lover of lists. Each Letter is the first letter of an action
verb that signifies how I’d like to operate on a day to day basis. Those action
verbs resonate with me. At the end of the book, I encourage readers to make
their own list.
What do
you like to do when not writing?
I am
actually almost always writing. But, when I’m not writing, I like being a
student. I love mini home improvement tasks, painting and crafts. I enjoy family road trips, reading, all
things sci fi (but not horror). I love swimming and lakeside living. I love
being in the classroom and setting up learning experiences. I frequent Broadway
plays and movies. I absolutely love dancing and very loud music.
How can
readers discover more about you and your work?
I am
developing my website right now. But currently, I share via my business website
tinyscholarsworld.com and my email is dfdarwoodwrites@gmail.com