One of the really, really (can I say this again?) really nice things about being a writer is that other writers reach out to you and a great conversation starts. It was in that way that I met author Ashley King’s husband, Michael, with whom I talked about getting the word out. “Of course,” I said, “You’ll have to do a Made It Moment for my blog!” I never know what these are going to say, and Ashley’s is a wonderful surprise because it points to the need in all of us to love people for their uniquenesses–not judge them for their differences. Ashley’s charming picture book imparts the same message. I hope you will take a look, and maybe share a time when you felt judged for a difference.

For me it was being short. Ouch. And also for being the kid who hid away in a corner, reading, at every play date.

Too bad Ashley King wasn’t writing her story books then. I could’ve used one.

Like many first time authors, I’m finding it a bit difficult to pinpoint my “I Made It Moment.”  Perhaps it occurred when my illustrator started to cry after reading my first children’s book manuscript of “Dancing Daffodil Daisy.”  After witnessing similar reactions from other adults who had read my book, I knew I had something that was connecting with the hearts of readers.  As I think about it, that was my first “I Made It Moment.”  I wrote a story that, although intended for children, was inspiring adults to appreciate and use their wiggles for positive purposes.  With the rise in diagnoses of Attention Deficit Disorder, there has been a greater rise in the negative social stigmas that come with those diagnoses.  Daisy inspires kids (and adults) to put aside the negative stigmas and learn to appreciate and use their “wiggles” to bring a positive purpose to life.

I’m hopeful my next “I Made It Moment” will be increased sales of “Dancing Daffodil Daisy.”  Like many contemporary, beginning authors, I have chosen the self-publishing route.  After trying Xulon Press, we made a switch to Createspace and found them to be very helpful, responsive, and quick.  I’m the creative piece, and my husband is trying his best at the marketing piece.  He’s creating events on Facebook (i.e. “100 Copies of Dancing Daffodil Daisy Sold by New Year’s Day”), encouraging others to share the book with their Facebook friends, creating a Facebook fan page, and searching out great blogs to get the message out about Daisy.  As readers get excited about Daisy, I’m just as excited to introduce them to my second character, Timmy LeBedhead, who is enthralled with his discovery of a squirrely bird egg.  He just needs to catch it, and the country town fair is making that endeavor a bit difficult.

Ashley King lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two boys, and yellow lab (who can’t seem to stop chewing everything in the house). She enjoys teaching art at a private school in Massachusetts, dancing, and helping her husband with the children’s ministry at her local church.

“Dancing Daffodil Daisy’s” author also had the “wiggles” as a child. Ashley is looking forward to publishing her next two books: “Timmy LeBedhead” and “Maddie Sue Moorsoop.”