Interview with “Happy Seed” author Sanettra Waller. Ms. Waller is preparing her first book for publication, a children’s book entitled “Happy Seed

Interview with “Happy Seed” author Sanettra Waller. Ms. Waller is preparing her first book for publication, a children’s book entitled “Happy Seed.”

Q: You’re a nurse who specializes in pediatric care. Do you see a connection between your day job and your writing?

A: I absolutely do. Having chosen pediatric care as my area of practice as an LPN, I have gathered experiences that have ignited and my desire to write. The connection comes into play because the children I am working with bring out the child in me.  I admire the imagination of children so I let their imagination merge with my creative imagination.  Also, having the privilege to work with special needs children and their families has kept me grounded.  It’s a great motivator to see them thrive in spite of their challenges. 

Q: When did you first realize you had the “writing bug?” Nursery school? Kindergarten? Later? All three?

A:  As far back as I can remember I have always loved to write. However, the first time I thought about it as an occupation was in the sixth grade. My teacher, Mrs. Sherry, asked us to write an essay on a famous historical person whom we admire.  I wrote about Harriet Tubman.  It was an easy  selection for me because I felt a passion for her mission and admired her courage.  I turned my assignment in and assumed it was over and done with; I was just hoping that it made the grade. The next day in class I was asked to come to the front of the classroom.  I shook like a leaf (but no one noticed) as I took that walk.  I was sure I would be the laughing stock of the class.  As an 11-year-old I was very shy and usually very quiet (except at recess).  As it turned out, Mrs. Sherry wanted to read my essay to the class.  She probably sensed that I would be too nervous to read it.  She then turned to me to praise me for a well written essay and she then hung it on the board as an example, for 1 week.  From that day on I thought of myself as a writer, and yes, I caught the bug!

Q: Did either/both of your parents have artistic urges? Did they encourage you directly or by example to look for your inner creative spark?

A: Both my parents had artistic urges.  They both had artistic sparks.  My mother sang in the church choir and in a gospel trio.  My father sang with a quartet and he was a lead singer of a gospel group as well.  They loved my writing and would eagerly listen to the latest poem I had written.  They encouraged me to have a balanced life as well.  They wanted me to have an education, trade or profession because the bills have to be paid.  It was up to me to find the balance between a profession and following my dreams.

Q: Did friends, family, teachers see this side of you? Did they encourage it or discourage it?

A: Yes, they did.  My family, friends and teachers saw and encouraged me by asking me to write for them.    They would have me write poems for weddings, funerals or special occasions.  My 11-grade English teacher awarded me with a free writing course to attend a summer writing class at University Maryland.

Q: How have your life experience and your creative side interacted in different stages of your life?

A: Truthfully, my life experiences and my creative side have been intermingling all along. My creative side gave my life experiences an outlet or route for expression, while my life experiences gave my creative side a unique signature. I just woke to witness this loving relationship that has been there all the time.

Q: Why “Happy Seed?” Did the idea for it just hit you like a bolt out of the blue or did it form gradually in your mind? How’s it going and would you like to share something about it?

A: Happy Seed hit me like a bolt out of the blue! That’s exactly how it was. I remember writing it on my cell phone note pad. The story came to me word by word and, at the same time, I kind of knew what it was going to be about. It just poured itself into me as I wrote! Happy Seed is an adventurer. He loves to travel and explore new places. He always see the glass as being completely full—not half full! He has places he’d like to go and he wants to take you with him!

Q: Do you have any advice for newbie writers? Would you like to say something about how it was for you to actually break the ice and begin writing?

A: I would say let it flow and you will find your unique writing style.  Don’t shy away from or be overly concerned with a subject that has been written about before.  Just express it your way.  The only way to begin writing is to ‘Just Do It’.as the popular logo says so well.  If you have typos and grammatical errors, so what?  That is what editors, spell- and grammar check are for.  Just hold on to the thought you are trying to express.  You can go back and make corrections later, as all writers (great and small) have to do.  All the above advice has been shared with me and I pass it on to you.  Just express yourself.  After all, no one else can do that for you.

Thank you Ms. Waller!