What is your life dream? I have had one since I was about 5, and I just turned 57. It's all about the kids. I imagined myself as the best, nurturing mother and KNEW I was meant to have children. I raised 2 amazing kids who have been my greatest teachers and loving companions.
I hope to someday have grandkids so I can be "Grammy Graham" or a sweet "Nanagram" lol. I am not sure it's going to happen in the next few years, but hey in the meantime... I can bring to life my children's books and create a world for my imaginative grandchildren and the kids of this world that are longing to feel heard and seen. I see YOU and I hear YOU, and I FEEL YOU. I know they are out there waiting for a little sunshine.
I have received my first publisher's rejection. Infinite Love & Gratitude for that! The "gifts in strange wrapping paper" as Dr. Darren Weissman calls them are the best lessons ever! Getting ready to submit my book proposal and pitch for a series of children's books with an endearing character along with a companion book as to how she was born into my character was intriguing. I have protected her and held her in my heart until I felt safe to express all of that love along with her compassion. I think it took my father's death and my significant other of 8 years supporting my dream to finally let her out. So it was a gift to receive my first "no" from a publisher because it is going to catapult me into self-publishing where I will have more control over illustrations and content as I envision it. So thank you to that "no"!
The deadline for submitting my proposal to my dream publisher got me to write what was in my heart, create a great website, archive my old writing, begin to blog my heart out and just "own" my lifelong goal of writing for children. I am in such a wonderful place because of that "push" to put all my thoughts and heartfelt ideas onto "paper" (well digitally). I cannot wait to see my book series come to life and hold my endearing, lovable character as a physical book in my hands.
I may attempt to illustrate my character myself and I am taking some watercolor classes to test the "waters" (hahaha pun intended) to see if I am up to the challenge of representing her as I have seen her for over 50 years. I am now 57 and dammit it's time to share her with the world.
I will be taking a self publishing class in November and have already received so much inspiration and support from others anxiously awaiting my book series' debut. I am humbled by the response on social media to bring to life my highly sensitive, old soul - little compassionate girl character that kids (and their parents) will adore.
Stay tuned for more info coming mid-November on production of this book series. Subscribe above for updates and I do appreciate the support and anticipation for her debut.
Life is good and every day is a new opportunity for growth! Happy Birthday to me and Happy BIRTH to my Sunshine!
Lots of love, Tami
Tami is grateful for all of her Highly Sensitive Person traits because they have made her who she is today: an optimistic, nurturing soul, full of great compassion. Being a mother has been her hardest and most rewarding job since her unique and sensitive children have been her greatest inspiration and teachers. She is currently writing a series of children’s books for HSP families, The Sunshine Books. Follow this blog for more of her heartfelt ponderings about life and love as she continues writing from her heart.
{Copyright 2019 - 2021 - Most photos are the property of Tamara S. Graham unless noted otherwise}