Q: First tell us something about yourself?
My name is Danielle Dawn Falk, and I am a mom of two from British Columbia, Canada. I have always had a passion for reading and writing, and I have just recently released my debut children’s book, “What It Means to Be Me”.
Q: How and when did your journey start as a writer?
Since I was very young, I have always been a writer. I kept a journal as a kid, and I have written numerous poems, songs, and short stories over the years. Growing up, I struggled a lot with feelings of self-doubt, and lack of confidence, due to not always fitting in with my peers. I experienced bullying and spent a lot of my youth feeling very left out and lonely. I started using writing as an outlet, and as a way to express myself. It is something I have always enjoyed very much.
Q: When did you write your first story? Is it published or not?
I wrote my first story when I was about six years old, and it was about what life might have been like for kids in the late 1800’s. I had visited a museum with my class at school and it really got me thinking. I loved the idea of imagining what it would have been like to live in a world so different than modern times. I don’t know what happened to that story, but I will always remember what it felt like to write it and what it was about.
Q: Tell us something more about your books?
I have recently published my first book. “What It Means to Be Me” is a sweet story, written in rhyming verse, and meant to take readers on an uplifting and inspiring journey of self-discovery and self-worth. When writing this story, one of my main goals was to make sure that any child who reads it can see themselves in it. It is a book about lovingly accepting and embracing exactly who we are meant to be, and I want everyone to feel good about themselves after reading it.
Q: Why do you choose kids as your reader ? is there any specific reason?
As I mentioned, when I was growing up, I struggled with not feeling accepted by my peers. I unfortunately experienced bullying and had low self-esteem. When I became a mom, I made it a goal of mine to help my kids gain confidence from a young age, while also teaching them to show acceptance and compassion toward all others. I chose to write for kids because I want to help others learn these important values from a young age as well. I truly hope that through my writing, I can do just that!
Q: How did these stories and characters come to your mind?
My book is written in rhyming verse and there are no specific main characters. Instead, I hope while reading, all kids can picture themselves as the narrator of the story and see themselves in the book.
Q: Do you want to leave any message for your readers?
I hope everyone enjoys the book for its simplicity and for the positive messages I hope to get across to young readers. I want all children to know that their own unique journey in life is full of so much meaning and purpose, and that they have the right and freedom to be exactly who they are meant to be.
