We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful N.D. Byma. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with N.D. below.

N.D. , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

I’ve been very fortunate to have worked on a lot of projects through the years. I have 15 current physical releases of my own, but I’ve also created a comic series and helped other authors bring their projects to life.

As far as which one was most meaningful, that’s a tough question. Each book I write has a special place in my heart because I really try to put something honest and human into each of my stories. If I had to choose one though, I would have to say that making Another Epic Day with my friend Michael was definitely one of my most rewarding experiences.

If you don’t know Michael Mascaro, he is one of the most kind, thoughtful and genuine people you could ever meet. In spite of incredibly difficult medical issues, Michael has always kept a wonderfully positive attitude.

Needless to say, when I met Michael at a book event and he asked if I would help him make a story about finding joy in the darkness, I couldn’t say anything but yes. I’m incredibly proud of the story Michael and I created and being able to see him share that book with friends and strangers means everything to me.

N.D. , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The weirdest part about my author journey was that I never actually planned to be, or wanted to be, an author. I was actually attending culinary school when I decided to write my first book. School had me busy every night and I would spend most of my days at home with my son, who was barely a year old at the time.

Sitting still has never been something I was good at, so I came up with the idea to write a kids book during the day while my son napped upstairs. My motivation was nothing more than to try something new and to see what happened. Would I fail? Probably. Would I learn a lot through the process? Without a doubt!

The concept behind my first book was the story of a silly King and his big pet blue bear named Bear. In addition to his blue best friend, this king also had two royal caretakers who chased him around and cleaned up the messes he made throughout his day. His name was King Boogie, and this story was about my son – nicknamed Boogie – and my wife and I’s adventures as first-time parents.

After King Boogie, I realized that I had found a creative outlet that I never knew existed inside me and I haven’t slowed down since. My stories are used by counselors, teachers, parents, pastors and I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. Seeing people enjoying the stories and benefiting from the positive messages is the most fulfilling feeling and I’m pretty sure I’m in this for the long haul now.

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

Being able to create something that strangers can relate with and find joy in is incredible.

My goal with my writing is to create stories that speak to both adults and kids. There is honestly nothing more rewarding than seeing young kids or grown adults resonating with the messages in my books. I want readers to know they are important and that they aren’t alone in whatever they are going through in life. Friendship, purpose, loss, medical issues, anxiety etc.

If I can share a little bit of positivity and joy with people who need it, I consider myself very blessed.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I think most people, myself included, are taught to believe that success is solely defined by massive sales, swooning reviewers and stratospheric name recognition. Well, that’s dumb. My books have all been very well reviewed, but I realized pretty early on that true success is creating something from the heart that brightens someone else’s life.

Yes, it would be nice to have big commercial success, but that isn’t what drives me. My goal is to write positive stories and just put as much good into the world as I can. If that means I stay an independent author for the rest of my days, that’s just fine with me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ndbyma.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/n.d.byma
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/n.d.byma/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ndbyma/