We recently connected with Patricia Wallace and have shared our conversation below.

Patricia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I always knew I wanted to pursue writing, but it took a long time for the thought that originated in the back of my mind to move to the forefront and become a conscious effort. From childhood, I have been an avid reader and have constantly written short stories, descriptions, and scenes from things I observed in everyday life. My interest in the written word has always been my passion, but I put my creative writing desire on the back burner as I continued through life, finishing college and getting “regular” jobs that allowed me to develop and flex my writing muscles. Technical writing, marketing writing, and editing became the backbone of my career, and I was content to continue along this path. However, as time passed, the desire to focus more on my own creative work began to surface and take precedence.

That desire coincided with my getting laid off twice within two years. At that point, backed by the urging of my husband that I needed to focus on getting my book completed and published, I shifted gears and concentrated primarily on my personal goal of becoming a published author. My award-winning first book, “Christopher’s Timeouts,” is the result of that effort, which solidified that the time for me to realize my passion for writing had arrived.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

As I wrote “Christopher’s Timeouts, I envisioned sharing great stories with children in a relatable way by teaching important lessons in a light-hearted manner. My book is geared towards children between the ages of 4-8 and focuses on the importance of appropriate classroom behavior. It uses humor to engage young readers while teaching additional lessons about accountability, family values, and community.

As a former substitute teacher, I thoroughly enjoyed reading great books to the students, as well as engaging with them through the storytelling experience. Witnessing the students’ reaction as they embrace the words coming to life NEVER gets old. I want to help them embrace the joy of reading as much as I do, and the earlier the better. That’s why I cater to a younger age range.

I am the child of a librarian who instilled the love of reading in me, and I am excited to channel this appreciation of the written word in as many of my professional and personal endeavors as possible, epecially children’s literacy. According to data from the US Department of Education, roughly two-thirds of elementary school students in the United States are not reading at a proficient level by the time they reach 4th grade, meaning a significant portion of students struggle with reading in elementary school.

To support children’s literacy, my goal is to have “Christopher’s Timeouts” in as many school libraries, teachers’ classrooms, public libraries, and home collections as possible so kids have easy access to enjoy the treasure of a good book.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing my words come to life and how they resonate with my intended audience. Initially, my target audience for “Christopher’s Timeouts” was children between the ages of 4 and 8. However, I have consistently received feedback from parents indicating that the book has helped them manage their frustration by highlighting the hope in addressing inappropriate classroom behavior. The book has also assisted parents in understanding the importance of working with teachers to guide their children toward appropriate classroom conduct. In addition, educators find it to be an excellent teaching tool because it is relatable and timely while using humor to convey an important lesson.

These reactions keep confirming that I am meant to share what is in my heart with others. There are many ways to connect with people, and I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to engage with children through my writing, helping them recognize their value and potential for greatness.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Through my writing, I want to help children understand that life is filled with lessons that contribute to their individual growth and development. As they navigate their journey, they will make mistakes. However, the earlier they recognize that mistakes are a natural part of life, the more likely they are to make better choices as they learn from those experiences. This understanding will hopefully enable them to embrace the positive outcomes that lie ahead.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://facebook.com/triciaa.wall
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciaawallace
• Other: https://store.bookbaby.com/profile/patwallace