Featured Interview With S. Alston
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m originally from Seattle, Washington but have been living in the San Diego area since 2013. My husband and I have 3 children who are nearly grown so pretty soon it will just be the two of us with our dogs, a black lab named Chloe and a beagle named Penny.
As I’ve reflected on what I can do for this next chapter of our lives, I have been drawn to writing. When my children were little, we always loved reading children’s poetry, and I’ve found that over the years I’ve written many poems that I’ve never done anything with. So I’m beyond thrilled to have a creative outlet that gives me a platform to help young minds grow and learn to love reading and using their imaginations.
My mission is to write poems and books that are not only fun to read, but they empower young minds and let children know they have control of their thoughts, feelings, and actions. I currently have 2 children’s picture books published and will have 5 more coming in the next couple of months.
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I’m probably not like most authors as I really didn’t enjoy reading until I had children and started reading children’s books to them. I think growing up, I only read books that were assigned to me in school and because of that, I never really read anything that was of interest to me, so as a result, I didn’t think I liked reading. But as a young mom, I knew the importance of teaching kids to enjoy reading, so we began reading young children’s chapter books. I remember thinking how fun some of these books were to read! However, as my children grew older and I no longer needed to read to them, I stopped reading. Except for the occasional parenting book, I guess I always told myself I didn’t have time. And this is a little embarrassing to admit, but it wasn’t until the teen novel series Twilight came out that I realized I loved reading. I was completely immersed in that series! My husband will tell you that I skipped several meals and made everyone fend for themselves while I continued to read and finish the next chapter. LOL I didn’t even know that it was a teen novel series because it was a friend of mine that had recommended the first book. So imagine my surprise as an adult with young children, when I went to buy the second book, and it was in the teen section! I bought it anyway, and my love for reading grew from there. Since then I have become an avid reader. I have gone from reading fiction to non-fiction to self-help and back now through the genres. Through my reading, I have learned so much about myself and it has brought me back to my fond memories of reading to my children when they were little. I was also one of those people who would send Christmas poems on my Christmas cards and I have written poems here and there and never really done anything with them. One of the books I will have coming out soon called the Greatest Lesson is a poem I started about 15 years ago when we were moving a lot. It’s about finding happiness within and will be a fable for 4th grade readers.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My all-time favorite children’s book writers are Dr. Seuss and Barbara Park, but as far as other genres I’m not too particular. There are so many great authors it’s difficult to name just one! I typically enjoy reading easy-flowing books that leave me feeling good or better than I did before I started reading. So lately this means I’m reading all sorts of non-fiction books that help me grow and improve myself. Don Miller who wrote Building a Story Brand has helped me so much with understanding how to write better even though his instructions are centered on growing your business and brand. It’s a must-have for any entrepreneur. The Help, was one of my all-time favorite fiction books.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
I AM Mighty Me is the first book in a new series for preschoolers. It’s a picture book that teaches kids they are mighty and strong, and that they have control over their own thoughts and feelings. It empowers kids to become more self-aware and shows them healthy ways to take care of themselves and others, so they grow their power! I love the feeling I get when a young child enjoys my book and then I hear from the parents that they are running around the house calling themselves “mighty me” and repeating lines from the book. It just makes me smile so much to know that these miraculous little children are loving themselves a little more.
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