Positively Georgia looks like a fun and motivational children’s book. Any plans to turn it into a series?
Thank you. It's a great book kids and adults love. I'm really excited it has taken off. There are definite plans to turn it into a series. The second book has just been completed and I'm working with the publisher now to complete the illustrations and do a final review of the manuscript.
After that I have several more ideas for the series. I'm excited for the future. Georgia is helping the world with her positive thoughts. I hope these books bring joy and inspiration to future generations for many years to come.
I feel grateful to share these books with the world. Georgia will continue to encourage readers to think what they want to accomplish in life, set a goal, then go full force and do it. Readers will be so happy to realize they are the creators of their life. Georgia takes these concepts and makes them an easy read. All in a format children and adults enjoy and understand.
How did you come up with the story in Positively Georgia?
Georgia is our family dog who is quite the character. She is always doing funny things around the house. Like drinking from the toilet bowl and laying on her back with her paws straight up in the air. She races from one end of the house to the other, sounding like she is tap dancing as her paws and claws click on the floor.
I thought it would be neat to share what her daydreams might be like as she travels around our city in the back of our truck. Georgia goes to work everyday with my husband Norman who is a realtor. Georgia is the company mascot. Norman and Georgia are inseparable. She absolutely loves him and is one of the best dogs we have ever had.
What will young readers get out of your book?
Young readers enjoy the relatable part of how dogs act 'spazzy' sometimes. But there is a deeper message about how we feel the energy of other people. And how their emotions can affect our behaviour.
I think it is important for young readers to see they are the ones in control of their thoughts. And if someone is upset around them, they can go to a place in their mind where they are in control. Life is too short to spend time being miserable.
Georgia teaches young readers to look for the positive in every situation and experience. She teaches us to focus and decide what is really important. This book helps you realize you have unique gifts that should be shared with the world. You are important and your contributions matter.
What inspired you when writing Positively Georgia?
It was inspiring when the images in my mind were turned into illustrations. Working with the illustrator was lots of fun. It felt like Christmas every time we completed a drawing.
I told the illustrator what I was imagining and described it in detail. It was amazing to watch those visions come to life in a sketch drawing, then later in full color with backgrounds. They were exactly as I had imagined.
I'm proud of illustrations in the book. Every detail is exactly as I pictured them in my mind. Right down to the placements of the flowers and hints of pink on every page.
It was so much fun to create and watch. Everything came to life. Writing children's books is my passion. I'm grateful to finally be living my dream. I wake up every day excited and look forward to sharing more thoughts of hope, love, joy and happiness with the world through Georgia's adventures.
When did you decide to become a writer?
I have always been a writer as far back as I can remember. As a little kid I had books I created complete with drawings and full stories. I was about 6 years old when I created my first book. The title was "I want to live in a cat box."
It's funny because we didn't even have a cat or a cat box. And I really have no idea where that came from. But I remember my drawings were pretty elaborate for a 6 year old...ha. Since then I have always thought about being an author. I kept thinking wouldn't it great if there was a book about this or that, the ideas are always flowing.
Then one day I finally decided it was time. It was June 26, 2019. Today is the day I will write my book. Go all in, and be committed to getting it done and sharing it with the world. I'm so happy I took the leap. Now all my dreams are coming true. It feels amazing.
When writing Positively Georgia, did anything stand out as particularly challenging?
The hardest part was the printing. We launched the book on Amazon and orders were flying in. The printer was taking a long time to process orders and probably didn't realize how quickly my book would catch on. It was a massive takeoff in a market that is usually dominated by older titles that have been around for years.
Some of the orders were cancelled by the printer for reasons still not known to me. But Georgia's fans kept ordering and believing in the book.
Eventually we switched from hardcover to paperback. Now orders are flooding in and shipping out. I'm extremely grateful for Georgia's fan base and their persistence in making sure Georgia's message gets out.
I’m very happy they kept ordering the book. My heart was thrilled to see them taking photos of themselves with the book after they read it. Readers sent amazing notes about how they loved the book and how their kids loved the colorful illustrations. Everyone enjoys the positive messages.
It felt great to put myself out there, then have people validate my work. So inspiring. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles are buying Positively Georgia as gifts for their children and the young adults in their lives. I am honored to have their support and grateful they are sharing my words with loved ones.
What do you like to do when not writing?
I work full time as an Executive Assistant at a Health Authority in Western Canada. It's a wonderful job and I truly enjoy the people I work with. I work there during the day, then write books at night and on weekends. That includes daydreaming about future adventures and stories that will be in Georgia's coming books.
My husband and I like to travel around the world. So far Mexico is our favorite. We love where we live but it's nice to sneak away either on a plane or cruise ship to explore sunny locations.
I also like attending motivational conferences and enjoy reading books by John Kanary, Bob Proctor, Jack Canfield, Earl Nightingale, and others. My library has really grown within the past two years. I truly believe books are a treasure.
My husband and I also like to go for walks around the beautiful forests in our city. We enjoy going to the gym everyday at lunch. I think it's important to keep your body moving, laughing, learning and spending time with true friends that make you giggle so hard your face hurts.
Where can readers find out more about your work?
Readers can visit my website at www.FerrisBooks.com and also look me up on Youtube. I currently have a video of myself speaking about the book and the inspiration behind the book. Positively Georgia is available on Amazon in both English and Hungarian.