Today I have the pleasure of speaking with Sara Bell, a local author in the Twin Cities. Sara is a participant in Brush and Pen: Festival for Artists and Authors,
Welcome, Sara! Thanks for taking the time to talk with me today.
Katelyn– Hi Sara can you tell us a bit about yourself that isn’t writing related.
As a writer, I am always curious to know why other writers started to write. What got you started?
Sara- I’m an avid reader and there just came a time when I was reading and I realized I have stories to share too. Even though I’m generally outgoing, I can still be pretty shy/insecure and I feel like I’ve spent years hiding behind a mask. Always trying to fit in and be well-liked. Writing has let me be myself- first in my journals, then more and more on social media, and now in blogs and books.
Katelyn- We all need that sometimes don’t we?! I am curious why you write.
Sara-I am very introspective and love to know why I think a certain thought or what caused a feeling. Writing helps me process my thoughts and feelings and make sense of my experiences. I’m also a teacher at heart and if just one person can learn from my mistakes or my knowledge, I want to share everything I can.
Sara- I have two books so far- one chapter book that I co-authored and one children’s book that I’ll launch and take orders for at the festival! Obstacles Equal Opportunities was a compilation of stories from several authors. In it, I shared a bit about a pivotal point in my life when I got divorced, lost my job, and my Papa died – all catapulting me into caregiving and self-employment. My children’s book is called Nana Forgot My Name and it’s a rhyming, full color illustrated book that uses symbolism and silly rhymes to help younger kids make sense of Alzheimer’s (or at least make as much sense of it as the rest of us!).
Katelyn- I think honest stories about our own struggles are so helpful because they let people know they are not alone in their struggles. I love the idea of a children’s book about Alzheimer’s! It can imagine it is really confusing for children when it happens to someone they love. My kids were young adults when it happened to their dad’s father and it was still hard for them.
I don’t know if this happens to you but most creative people have creative blocks at times. What do you do when you get a creative block?
Do you have favorite authors that inspire you?
Sara- I love Alexi Panos and Danielle LaPorte and also Gabrielle Bernstein. And any of the great thought leaders of the early 1900’s through today, really. The list goes on but those three are all women whose books I read over and over again.
I imagine there are people who are reading this who would like to write a book and just don’t know how to start. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Sara- If they already have purchased my books or if they like my articles or blogs, they can keep me in mind for freelancing opportunities. I write for a number of small businesses (mostly newsletter/blog post copy) and am open to new projects or collaborations.
What is your web address or where can people see your art?
www.eventplanningsupport.com is my official business site. I don’t house my books on there (yet!), but people are always welcome to connect with me via email or social media (sara@eventplanningsupport.com or @saraannbell on Instagram, and I’m on Facebook as Sara Barnat Bell)