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The Power of Perspective
The Aim to Endeavor blends raw, reflective poetry and stunning photography to guide readers through the beauty of life’s uncertainties and the resilience of the human spirit. Why was this an important book for you to publish?
I felt it was important for me to publish The Aim to Endeavor because I have a great passion for poetry and creative writing. I have found that the process is wonderfully therapeutic. I have learned many life’s intricacies through the pouring of my thoughts through the pen and strive to share my insights with those who are pleased to read them. I have learned a lot about the power of perspective over the years, which can make or break any situation. My desire is that the reader will be inspired not only by the writing style but to embrace the overall inspirational tone of the book and apply them to their own life.
Can you share more about the collaborative process with Marvin Henschel for the visuals?
The collaborative process in which I worked with my husband, Marvin Henschel for the visuals was of continual and open conversation, a benefit of efficiency due to living with one another. We frequently bounced ideas off one another to form the overall vision for the book and to showcase his particular style of photography with the tone of each individual poem. Marvin has been an avid photographer for over twenty years. Traveling to all corners of the world has inspired him to capture photos of locations people seldom think of visiting and unveil distinctive landscapes to stir the imagination. His unique ability and passion for photography beautifully complement this particular style of poetry and reflections.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Some themes that were important to explore in The Aim to Endeavor was to encourage the reader to gain a deeper self-awareness and to find new and fulfilling perspectives about life, love, and family. Furthermore, this book focuses on bringing about an awareness of the unappetizing habits that can arise when dark days knock on your door, and to learn to find the beauty in the everyday as well as the extraordinary.
What advice would you give to readers seeking their own moments of “quiet clarity” amid life’s chaos?
The advice I would give readers seeking their own moments of “quiet clarity” amid life’s chaos would be the importance of self-care. You are no good to anyone, especially yourself if your “tank is running on empty.” I would encourage the reader to find what works best for their personality, whether it’s a walk in the forest, or curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee. I cannot stress enough the importance of finding time to recharge your battery and to find a healthy work-life balance. Through the therapeutic nature of writing, I have learned to implement the strategies that work best for me, which are a mix of all of the above, and found that I have become a better person for it and I encourage others to do the same.
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Collecting Quotes
The Little Book of Quotes by Women is a delightful, compact collection of 365 quotes from influential women who have graced U.S. postage stamps. Where did the idea for this book come from and how did it develop over time?
When I was in fifth grade, I was late for class and the teacher made me write “To thine own self be true” on the blackboard 100 times in front of the entire class. Needless to say, it was embarrassing. It taught me a lesson to never be late again as well as led me down a path of collecting quotes. I published my collection of favorite quotes in The Little Book of Gratitude Quotes in 2011.
The quote “We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty” by Maya Angelou was my favorite, it reminds me that growing is not easy. Do you have a favorite quote from this book and why?
Quotes from Eleanor Roosevelt have always been my favorites, including “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” This quote has inspired me for many years and especially inspired me to have a dream of being a writer, hold onto the hope of that dream, and to hopefully make a difference in the lives of others with books.
Did you find anything in your research of this book that surprised you?
I started working on the first edition of this book more than a decade ago and published it in 2014. About a year ago with the debut of the stamp of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, I noticed two things. First off, I realized that the stamps were much more ornate and life-like. Second, I realized that there were many new stamps of women I admired from Betty Ford, Lena Horne, Toni Morrison, and Sally Ride to the women who appeared on the Underground Railroad series including Harriet Tubman and Harriet Jacobs. That is when I decided to update the book and include biographical information about all the women who have appeared on U.S. Postage Stamps over the past 130 years.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
In 2025, I am looking forward to the publication of my next picture books which all feature animals as storytellers: Be WHOO You Are, Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Sea Star, and Whoo! Hoo!Hoo! The Carousel at the Zoo. I am currently working on a series of middle grade ocean mystery books tentatively titled Shell Shocked about two friends who tend to sea turtles and wild horses on an island.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | AKABOOKS | Amazon
Their words of wisdom have been thematically arranged in twelve sections including “Beauty,” “Courage,” “Happiness,” “Freedom,” “Possibility,” “Service,” and “Strength.” The Little Book of Quotes by Women features quotes from more than 130 women including Emily Dickinson, Pearl S. Buck, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Lena Horne, Helen Keller, Margaret Mead, Eleanor Roosevelt, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Harriet Tubman, Mother Teresa, and more.
The women featured in this book all share one thing in common—they have indeed left their stamp on history. Their unforgettable quotes have stood the test of time.
LITERARY TITAN 