Authors Speak A VOICE FOR THE CHILDREN

By Cortland Jones

I have had the privilege of meeting and engaging with children’s book author, Kim Adams, on Instagram for over a year now. We met through me extending an invitation to her to allow me to interview her on my Instagram IG LIVE talk show Ask Me A Question. Since that time Kim has been a tremendous supporter of what I do within the IG community and we mutually support each other’s work as authors.

I find her content to be humorous, honest, and engaging as she posts incredible heartwarming images of children who become a part of her author family, humorous reels documenting her highs and lows of being an author, and she shows up regularly for my IG LIVE segments often commenting and contributing to the dialogue sharing positive feedback with me about the content of the topics shared. Kim is a true author friend and great supporter and was the first person who came to mind to highlight as a guest author for Authors Speak I welcome and introduce to you children’s book author, Kim Adams:

Thank you for agreeing to this interview Kim.

Cortland Jones (CJ): Besides being a children’s book author, who is Kim Adams and what else does she do besides writing content for children?

Kim Adams (KA): Besides my passion for writing, I also advocate for early childhood literacy. Most importantly I am a loving mother of three amazing children and a wife of fifteen years. I left a senior position of 20 years in corporate America to be a full-time stay-at-home mother, teacher, and personal assistant to my family. The truth is, I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

CJ: When did you realize, or discover, your passion to write for children?

KA: I fell in love with poetry as a child. My earliest and fondest memory was being asked to silently read a poem in my 4th-grade class. Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out, by Shel Silverstein I memorized the entire poem by the end of the school day. The rhyming, predictable pattern, and phrases stayed with me. It ignited my passion for writing.

CJ: Did you have any favorite children’s books that you read as a child?

KA: I can vividly recall the first two books my mother read to me as a child, There was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Fly and The Little Red Hen. My mother had a unique flair for theatrics when she read or recited a story. She would slowly raise, then suddenly lower her voice to build drama and suspense

To this day, when I hear those stories, I hear them in her voice and I immediately feel a sense of joy.

CJ: What have you learned most about yourself as an author and writer for children since you have taken this journey?

KA: I've learned so much since I've taken on this journey. For one, money is not my motivator. When money becomes your main focus, it can potentially destroy your joy of writing. My greatest motivation comes from the impact I have on my little readers.

I've learned that I am the most fulfilled when I can support and help others. I've also learned the importance of community and surrounding oneself with positive-thinking people. But most importantly, I’ve learned to put my faith in God, allowing him to direct my path.

CJ: How long have you been a children’s book author?

KA: I don’t remember when I started writing but it was probably around the same time I had my first son, in the late 90s Creativity can come out at any time. The birth of my son inspired me to write. He enjoyed hearing my stories, especially the ones where he was the main character. He thought I was a genius every time I conjured up a story on a whim Fast forward to 2020. During the pandemic, my son showed me an article about self-publishing and encouraged me to publish the stories that I created for him as a child. That's how the Billy Be Kind series was born.

CJ: What is one memorable moment experienced from your pursuit of writing for children?

KA: My most memorable moment was when I learned that my parents were buying my books and giving them out to their church friends, bragging that their daughter was a prolific author. That still brings tears to my eyes.

CJ: What is one reward and one challenge of being a children’s book author?

KA: One of my greatest rewards as a children’s author is hearing positive feedback from parents and teachers. At this stage in my career, positive feedback is a huge motivator. It helps me to recognize my strengths and weaknesses as a writer

One of my biggest challenges is achieving a successful work-life balance. Inspiration comes at odd hours and sometimes at the cost of other important activities.

CJ: Did you ever feel like you wanted to give up this passion and pursuit to write for children and if yes, how did you handle it?

KA: No, I've never wanted to completely give up, but I've faced numerous challenges during the marketing process that made me consider throwing in the towel. I love writing and when I feel like giving up, I try to focus on my why, that's how I stay motivated.

CJ: Do your children inspire any of the content you write?

KA: Absolutely! My three amazing children have always been the inspiration and the impetus behind my series. They often inspire the traits of my characters and influence the overall storyline.

CJ: Do you have any authors or writers who inspire you?

KA: The authors who inspire me the most are Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, and Langston Hughes. I’ve always admired their ability to change the way people see themselves and how they fit into the world. I hope that my stories will have a similar impact on the children who read them.

CJ: What do you most want to be remembered for as a writer and children’s book author?

KA: I would like to be remembered for my contributions to children’s literature. I want my stories to provide the necessary foundation to help children thrive.

CJ: Why do you write for children and what do you most want children to take away from reading your books?

KA: I write for children because of the impact books had on me as a child, and I believe the most valuable lessons are taught at a very young age. My goal is to create stories that will not overwhelm the reader, but instead, offer simple first steps in problem-solving. Most importantly, I want children to walk away with the tools that they need to solve problems independently.

CJ: For others who aspire to write for children, what do you advise?

KA: I advise them to identify and write down their reasons for writing. Why do you want to tell your story? Why do you believe your story will make a difference? Why do you want to write for children? The answers are often compelling and can be used as fuel to ignite their passion.

CJ: What is one tip, strategy, suggestion, quote, or thought you want to leave with our readers?

KA: I heard someone say that life will constantly test your level of commitment. I couldn’t agree more Most people are ready to give up at the first sign of failure. I’ve learned that failure is not an obstacle. Perhaps it has been my greatest teacher and has taught me some of life’s most valuable lessons