Author Spotlight with Curious Marsh
Introducing children's author, Curious Marsh, whose wonderfully written prose style, weaves tales of self-expression, discovery, and adventure. Check out her exclusive interview with me below. I have included a link to her beautiful book 'What Do I Want to Be?'.
When did you first realise you wanted to write children’s books?
“The thought had crossed my mind for a number of years, but it was always brushed off as a pipe dream. However, out of the blue, I sat down late last year and just started writing, and it all kind of fell into place. I’m a firm believer that things happen at the right time, so the stars must have aligned because here I am. Originally, I just wanted to see if I could do it. Then, it became a goal to get at least one person to read my book, and if I’m honest, I’m now hooked. Despite feeling like an imposter at times, I’m thoroughly enjoying this creative outlet. Balancing a full-time corporate role with writing has been a challenge, but it’s a journey I’m eager to continue.”
Tell me about your book ‘What Do I Want to Be?’ - What’s the message and what inspired it?
“It dawned on me that there is so much pressure on kids these days that many of them are missing out on what it means to be a kid. As adults, we have our own pressures, and in an attempt to better equip our kids, I feel that we are passing these pressures on earlier and earlier. The simple question of ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ now carries so much weight. I took this thought and then imagined how a kid would perceive it. I know my kids often look at me sitting at a desk all day and are adamant that’s not for them. If the story can empower a child to think beyond the stereotypes and listen to their inner voices, discovering what they really enjoy, that would be the ultimate goal. And then, to top it off, it’s a reminder to be a kid and make the most of it. Your childhood is so short, and I think as adults, we can all look back and realise that those were the days—carefree, simple, magical.”
What themes do you like to write about?
“The stories I have written so far focus on themes of growing up, self-expression, and discovery. Drawing inspiration from my own childhood, I revisit the core memories that had a significant impact on me. Writing from a child’s point of view is essential to me as I aim to give them a voice. I believe that the simplest activity can become an amazing adventure for children, and I strive to capture that magical perspective on paper.”
Tell me about one difficulty you experienced when writing and how you overcame it?
“I’m impatient, and sometimes I find myself forcing the writing process. This is not helpful and often results in writing that I’m not happy with down the line. To avoid this, I’m trying to be more organised in my approach. I set deadlines and plan what I want to do. I don’t always stick to it, but I’m getting better.”
What is the most surprising thing you discovered when starting your writing journey?
“I discovered how much I actually enjoy writing and playing with words. Getting a thought or expression onto paper and having it conveyed as I had imagined is very satisfying. I also have to give a big shout-out to the amazing author community that I have discovered on this journey. There is such an unbelievable camaraderie among us all, and I truly feel like we all want everyone to succeed. On a personal level, this is so heart-warming to see and be a part of.”
“Writing from a child’s point of view is essential to me as I aim to give them a voice.” — Curious Marsh
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