Featured Interview With Mindy Willens
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I was born in Chicago, but have lived in California since 2007. I don’t have any dependents (including pets or plants, haha). My passion is singing, and my greatest accomplishments there have been breaking a wine glass with my voice and opening for The Supremes.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
As a child, I loved Dr. Seuss and Louis Sachar the most. I became a teacher, and I use Mo Willems to introduce new readers to the joy that books can bring. I have several books for children that I’ve written, and only two years ago, I started my first book for adults, Date Smart: QuickStart.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
I’ve always been excited by choose-your-own-adventure style books. I brought the concept over to my current work, and I find it enhances the reader’s experience by cutting to the chase, and gamification.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
After tragically losing my little sister to a guy she met online (Nicole Willens 1986-2012; 25 years old) to dating violence, and my own nightmare relationship with someone akin to the “Tinder Swindler,” I decided to create my own dating app to remedy the shortcomings of those available (circa 2015). It broadened my perspective as people of all ages and varied backgrounds approached me for dating advice and access to my collection of resources. That’s what prompted me to author ‘Date Smart: Quickstart,’ a comprehensive dating survival guidebook. It’s packed with essential tips and tools to navigate the dating scene, presented in a unique flowchart format. This interactive approach allows you to “choose your own advice” as you read. I poured my heart and soul into developing a program that addresses the unique challenges we face in safeguarding our emotional and physical wellbeing when we put ourselves out there to find love.
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