S. Smith

Born and bred in Australia, I have lived mainly in New South Wales and Queensland. I have moved around between the two states. A mum to two very energetic boys who keep me on my toes. I've grown up with a strong connection to Ireland and the Celtics and love all things magical! I have been an advent reader my whole life. I would take at least seven books to school with me, you could always find me somewhere in a library with a book in hand. Escaping into different worlds, living many different lives. I have been fluttering around with careers and hobbies, trying to find the right one. From kitchen hand to administration, to photographer, to now an author. And the greatest gift in all this for me is showing my boys that no matter what age you are, you can always achieve your dreams.

“Welcome! I'm here with a fellow Aussie mum, S. Smith. Can you describe yourself in one word?”

If I were to describe myself in one word, it would probably be chaotic. My life is a symphony of chaos with my boys, dog and husband. A constant fight for structure and routine. Meeting everyone's needs and sensory issues. And then you add in everyone's appointments... And my own thoughts are just a hurricane. So chaotic sounds right.

“It sounds like you have your hands full! And I can totally relate. I myself have three on the spectrum. Now, let's talk about your writing. Does it energize or exhaust you?”

If I am on a good role, and the words are flowing, then I am energised. But if I’m editing, and that feels like a never-ending task, I’ll be mentally exhausted. I have found it to be a balancing act, really, walking a tightrope and never knowing which side you can fall to.

“Writing certainly has its ups and downs. Now, as you created your book, what is one of the most surprising things you learned?”

One of the most surprising things I learned was how accessible self-publishing has become. Initially, I had finished writing my book nearly a decade ago, but I never thought it would be possible to publish it because I thought I would have to send it off to publishing houses and wait for that agonising letter of either being rejected or accepted. And I always thought my book was never really good enough. I hadn’t seen many books out there with a similar storyline to mine. So it collected dust in my hard drive till I was convinced to self publish.

“I feel that! It's amazing to see how self-publishing has opened up opportunities for many of us. Next question, how do you handle writer's block? Do you have any strategies or techniques that help you overcome it?”

I’m not sure I have a way to handle it. For years, I thought I only had the one story in me. I attempted to write another, but those projects never really took off. I had a good break in-between writing my first book and then finally publishing it. And I think during that break I did a lot of self-finding (as cheesy as it is). And eventually, after a while, there were books. I really wanted to read and when my interest in reading picked up, that inspired to write again.

“It's fascinating to hear how your personal experiences and passions have influenced your writing journeys. Speaking of inspiration, what initially inspired you to write?”

I'm not sure. It was always my way of expressing the random thoughts going through my head, so they didn't drive me bonkers. ADHD brain is like a 24/7 fair that's constantly open. When I was a little kid, I remember writing a book about a bunny and enjoyed it. I created my own magazine in an exercise book. Throughout high school, I would just write. Sometimes, I guess I would say they were like poems. I've always enjoyed being creative, and I wasn't ever good with a brush. I loved reading books where I could escape from the world and any problems, where I could pretend I was magical or a strong warrior. And I wanted to provide that for other people. To share my love of reading.

“I love that! Thank you for sharing your insights and advice with us. If you’d like to check out Shauna's work, simply click on the book displayed below. And if you want to stay updated on her journey, you can follow her through the social media links provided.”