About the Author:

Before I became a Life coach and self-help author, my educational years found me bouncing all around the United States. From Indiana to California and even Colorado, I’ve had the opportunity of diverse experiences. For my undergraduate studies, I earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.  During undergrad I had the awesome privilege of going abroad to Spain.  After college I entered the classroom and was blessed to teach 1st and 3rd grade.  My classroom experience offered me endless life lessons, however I became a statistic and realized that my love of words and reading needed to be honed into me becoming an author.  One cool fact is that when I resigned from teaching, it was to be a children’s story author.

Are you releasing anything else? If so, what, and when is the release?

Of course, thanks for inquiring. I have a children’s picture book, Untitled: You & Me that is being published in September.  I can’t wait for all young ladies to see themselves reflected within the illustrations of the story.  Untitled: You & Me has already been translated into Spanish and several other languages to incorporate all girls who look like you and me. Head over to HavenByHaven.com and leave your e-mail for more details and information, once it becomes available.

Describe yourself in five words: Quirky, Loved, Grateful, Laugher, and a Writer (go figure!) 😉

What fact about yourself would really surprise people? I love Frank Sinatra, when I was younger, my mother would buy me his cd’s, even his Christmas specials -and that’s true LOL! 

How do you work through self-doubts and fear? Working through self-doubt and fears is one way that I was able to birth my book and Release All In Love & Trust.  What we ALL have to know, beyond a shadow of doubt is that fear, IS NOT REAL.  Once we grasp that we can do anything and you can’t go off of fleeting feelings, you will begin to develop the courage and strength to tackle the false beliefs that you are leaning on. 

What scares you the most? Now that I have published my first book I learned that it was success. 

What makes you happiest? There are a list of things that make me the happiest, for example nature, the fall and warm holidays with excellent, family, friends, and food.

Why do you write? Wow, great question, one of my goals of writing is to Release the feelings and connections I have bottled up inside me stemming from life experiences. I also provide and write for healing, others need to know that you are having a human experience just like them.

Have you always enjoyed writing? Yes, I just didn’t know that I was an author for a looonnngg time.  Talking about Releasing All In Love & Trust to discover your true journey. 😉

What motivates you to write? That question is amazing because there is no one answer. Writing is living for me, so love, certain aspirations and my own life experiences motivate me to write. When you realize how insanely cool you truly are, all sorts of information and inspiration spring up within your soul.

What writing are you most proud of?  My children’s picture book Untitled: You & Me.  When I initially resigned from teaching, it was actually to be a children’s story author. A miracle of love came my way, with my weight release, which turned me in the direction of becoming a Life Coach and Self-Help Author.

What are you most proud of in your personal life? Falling in love with myself, I never saw that day and time coming, however I am so elated that it has arrived and here to stay.

What books did you love growing up? Super, love this question, I was just mentioning how Mildred D. Taylor (Road To Memphis, my fave of hers) had my attention when I was younger. When I became a classroom educator, I loved to read Virginia Hamilton books to my students and showed them the speechless illustrations of Kadir Nelson.  Please check out all those amazing authors and illustrator. 

Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live? Boy is that question true, here’s what’s even more authentic then that question -the true answer. Here goes, I was born in Indiana, raised in Colorado with California in between, and I completed my undergrad studies in Alabama. Yes, my life experiences through locations run the gamut. It wasn’t until I was much older that I truly understood the diversity and richness of my childhood experiences and exposure.

How did you develop your writing? Here’s what’s crazy I DIDN’T, it literally flows. What I will say is that you MUST read about writing and find yourself writing daily (or damn near close) so that you are able to be the “Lebron James” of your pen. Practice, I learned, does make perfect!

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing? Mercy is all I can cry because publishing my book by far has been the biggest learning curve. I am now at the stage of marketing however publishing always has crooks, turns, and catches.  I have been telling all of my friends, you will not have to go through this when it’s your turn.

What marketing works for you? I’ve just arrived at the marketing space so I will let you know, however we connected just fine! 😉

Do you find it hard to share your work? I will say yes and no, if I feel that I am in a safe and supported environment then I am willing to give you a peek into my creations. However low vibrations are real so I have learned to be cautious with what I share about my life in general, not just my writings. 

What else do you do, other than write?  Walking is one of the methods that I used to release my weight. I also have a love for bowling, basketball, and documentary films.  Now that I have learned that life is for the taking my palette for experiences have opened up. As an illustration, I’m ready for motorcycle rides and way more tattoos and piercings. Nothing to scary though! 😉

What other jobs have you had in your life? Here’s what’s funny, I’ve had more humbling jobs AFTER my degree than before. In high school I worked for a beauty supply in the mall and as I have stated before, I am a former classroom educator.

If you could study any subject at university what would you pick? Yesss, I love this question because I am actually going into fashion design and merchandising, I can’t wait to explore a talent that I have suppressed due to false beliefs.  Another space that I would love to occupy is an anthropologist. Zora Neale Hurston was an anthropologist and my brother always says that I am one -so therefore I am! It Is So!

 If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Give me Africa! I look forward to traveling to the Motherland with my family along side me.  The beautiful people, land, fabrics (such vibrant colours) and way of life call my name.

How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk? Confession time, it’s all the above, since I no longer want to lose inspiration through my content I reach for what’s immediately available at that time. Even when I sit down to write at an ordained time, I will still reach for all the above because information and bright ideas come at you from all angles! I love creativity even though it comes with a price. 😊  

How much sleep do you need to be your best?  When I find out, I will surely let you know!

Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support? Oh God yes, the host of friends and family who’ve had patience with me even before the book. I would like to acknowledge my editors and formatters as well as those who left encouraging words about my book and career. 

Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you? Success in writing looks like a true penetration in an individual’s life. As an example, Fly Girl, by Omar Tyree changed my life forever, as a matter of fact, Fly Girl is mentioned in my book that’s how much of an impact Omar Tyree’s words touched my soul. My goals of being on multiple bestseller’s list and financial freedom are all apart of what I feel is a successful writing career.

Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it? My new, debut, book Release All In Love & Trust came to be through my life experiences. As a classroom educator my beliefs and habits caused my life to come crashing down.  Not only did my poor decision-making leave me with medical issues, I accepted the reality that I was ruining my personal and professional brand. 

If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask? Hands down, it would be Kim Porter, that is who my book is dedicated to. I never had the privilege of meeting her in this lifetime, so I would snatch that time up, no questions asked.

When you are not writing, how do you like to relax? I am a complete laugher, as a matter fact, sense of humor is the 1^st item on my list for my husband. He has to have a strong sense of humor. With that being said, a good knee-slapping comedy is a perfect fix for me to wind down and relax!

What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel? My words will empower my reader and allow them to see that it’s all about you and YOU have ALL the power you need to receive your heart’s desire. Also I want people to remember and inherently know that “what you lose, you can find and physical weight is not lost it is released!’ That’s what I want for all -to RELEASE their unnecessary mental and physical weight.

You can stay abreast to all my latest happenings by signing up for my e-mail at HavenByHaven.com, you can also send me your questions, comments, or concerns, at HavenByHaven@gmail.com. Look forward to communicating with you! 😊 😊