We were lucky to catch up with Brandy Clark recently and have shared our conversation below.

Brandy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump right into how you came up with the idea?

My youngest daughter, Vivian, was three years old when a seemingly random story popped in my head. It was a story about Vivian and her grandmother planting a flower garden. I shared it with my husband who said it sounded very similar to one of Jesus’s well-known parables called the Parable of the Sower. I thought it was cute so decided to write it in my journal and there it sat untouched for about three years.

At the end of 2018, as I thought about the future and everything I wanted to accomplish, I heard a voice ask me about that story I had jotted down three years
ago. What I now firmly believe was God speaking to me, he told me that I needed to turn that story into a children’s book. I had never written a book before, so I had no idea how to even begin, but something drove me to figure it out and so I did.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My first book was published in June 2019, so all in all, it took me about 6 months to figure out how to publish a book and then actually make it come to life. In the beginning, I simply cast a net by reaching out to as many people as possible to learn as much as possible. Browns Book Publishing reached out with a hybrid offer, but that route can be extremely expensive. But, I did recognize one of their authors because Vivian had one of his books. I decided to reach out to see if he’d be willing to talk to me about his experience, which he did. He had released several children’s books, but shared with me that some he’d published through Browns Books, while others he self published. I had read about self publishing, but was quite intimidated by what I felt would be a lot of work. Ultimately, his story was enough to tip the scales and I chose to go the self-publishing route.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Today, I have published 2 children’s books, both of which have won several awards. My first one even hit the best sellers list on Amazon last year, which was exciting! My vision is for this to become a 6-book children’s series. I have a 3rd one that has a completed manuscript and now just needs to be sent to the illustrator. I would very much love to see this one get published this year; I honestly feel like it’s my best story yet!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

My sweet customers! I always get the biggest grin when people share the most adorable photos of little ones reading one of my books. It seriously warms my heart each and every time! During COVID, I stumbled across a YouTube video of an elderly woman reading my book!! I was shocked because it was the first time I witnessed someone I didn’t know reading it! I was like, “Wow, God’s word about love and kindness is reaching our future through me!”

Contact Info:

• Website: www.brandycclark.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069552191264&mibextid=fVIIUt
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandycclark?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@brandyclark4586?si=bKe4fUxx8qBlZ7Gk

Image Credits
Photographer: Anna Carin Photo Location: Lizzygator