Welcome to Author Services Australia, Charlotte Kemp, and welcome to our author interviews! If you could start by introducing yourself to everyone, let them know where you’re from and some of your interests and hobbies.
What inspired you to start writing?
I suffer with extremely bad anxiety; it can really affect myself and my kids. I was struggling to explain to my boys why I was upset all the time. I then started to see the signs of anxiety in oldest son. As both my boys are big readers, I tried searching for a child-friendly book to help explain my day-to-day behaviour. All I could find were adult and self-help books, but nothing for them. So, I decided to write my own.
As a local Perth resident and a mother of two boys, mental health has always been an important aspect of my life. It has defined who I am as person, both in positive and negative ways.
I currently suffer with multiple mental health disorders, including general anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, and disruptive mood dysregulation disorder (DMDD).
With these mental health issues I found it hard to describe to my boys why Mummy was having a hard time or maybe not in the best mood. As both my boys are true lovers of books, I started to search for a children’s book to explain to them both my behaviour and actions when my anxiety is good or bad.
After months of finding only adult content around this topic, I decided I write my own children’s book. This is where my first book, ‘Mummy will be ok’ started. This topic is close to my heart and trying to break the negative stigma of mental health for our Mental Health.
What is your preferred genre to write in?
Children’s.
What is your writing process?
All over the place, ha-ha – mainly try and come up with an important message for my books. Trying to break the negative stigma of mental health, and I try to think I can do that.
What is one thing you wish you knew now that you didn’t know when you started writing?
How hard it would be to get my message and books out there.
What was the hardest part of self-publishing?
Again, getting my book out there – it is such an important message and you have to truly put in 110% of effort to do so.
Which book is your favorite and why?
Mummy will be ok – my first book – I wrote it for my boys so it will always be the most special.
I want everyone to know that it’s okay, to not be okay all the time. We all have good and bad days and you’re no lesser a parent because of it. We are all human!
We need to remove negative stigma around mental health, not just for us but for kids as well. People need to know that it is okay to be emotional, to be sad, to ask for help and where to find help. That’s why I placed the numbers for support services in the book so that if someone does need them, they don’t need to ask.
If my book helps just one parent reach out and connect with support or help their kids understand emotions and mental health, I will be happy! – Sorry probably more than just one thing
Who are some of your favorite authors?
I love a good Romance novel, so Jane Austen & Nicholas Sparks would be at the top of the list.
What are you working on right now?
Just released my second book – Super Heroes Will Be Okay, but I am working on my own novel.
What’s next for you as an author?
Focusing on my two books that are out at the moment to help try and teach our kids more about mental health. Trying to teach them about why it is so important.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Promoting Mental Health more in our community and with our children.
If you could choose one superpower, what would it be and why?
Teleporting for sure – it would be so easier to get everywhere!
Thanks so much for taking the time to do an author interview, Charlotte Kemp! Please take a minute and check Charlotte Kemp out on the links below! If you would like to do an author interview, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
******
Author Name: Charlotte Kemp
Genre/s: Children’s Books
Author Website: www.thehahppieststigmaco.com
Social Media Links: Facebook and Instagram.
Best Link to Where People Can Buy Your Book: Shop now — The Happiest Stigma Co
