We recently connected with Tani Lamb and have shared our conversation below.
Tani, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.
It was a warm Caribbean night in the summer of 2016. The tropical island of St. Croix was warm and pleasantly humid as I descended the stairs of my vacation suite and inched toward the rhythms of kuduro and reggaeton vibrating from the outside dining area of the hotel. As I drew closer to the balcony, guests and staff were eagerly gathered, anticipating a larger celebration. I quickly grabbed one of the few spots left at the crowd’s edge and watched as the Moko Jumbie made their grand entrances, and the party erupted. There was singing, dancing, and celebratory clapping as the party continued. I happily recorded my video from the best spot I could grab from my late arrival. Suddenly, I heard a wooden tap behind my head. A rogue Moko Jumbie had appeared in the mostly empty hallway behind me. After he obtained my attention, he readily struck his pose so I could have my exclusive photo. He then nodded at me and danced off into the steamy Caribbean night. I looked at my photo and thought about all the magical experiences I had experienced from traveling worldwide. I realized I had traveled to places I had only dreamed of as a child. The plan for my first children’s book, “T Sees an Island,” was conceived. That was in August. On the plane ride back to Dallas, I started my brainstorming. In September, I wrote my rough draft and a few more before having the final draft proofed. I now possess a completed manuscript without pictures. I made many telephone calls and was rewarded with much disappointment. Finally, before enrolling in an online drawing class, a client came to my rescue with a friend named Marian, who had always wanted to illustrate a children’s book. Marian’s artwork matched perfectly, and my manuscript now had animation. With my book now completed, I needed a graphic artist for the layout. I was referred to a publisher who was highly recommended. To my disappointment, she had exaggerated her skillset and was too arrogant to admit this. My heart sank as I opened my first box of printed subpar books with blurry illustrations and artwork only covering a fourth of the cover. My first book signing was only a few days away, so I had no time to sulk.
It was a learned lesson, and my book was launched in December 2016. I did not let that devasting blow stop me. I had traveled to my hometown in Eastern Kentucky, and with the help of the local newspaper and my family, I sold every book in that box.
Tani, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My brand is about travel and encouraging individuals to leave their comfort zones. I have a YouTube travel channel that provides destination tips for adults, and I write children’s adventure travel books to inspire the youth. All I have ever wanted to do is travel and explore; that is precisely what I have done in my lifetime thus far. I have visited forty-six countries, six continents, and over thirty U.S. states. All of my early international trips were made solo, which taught me things about myself and others. There is the freedom to step off a plane on a different continent and have the courage to explore, enjoy a meal by yourself, and have enough discernment to make new friends.
All my life experiences have made me the Indie author I am. The knowledge I have obtained through this seven-year journey is priceless, and I would not trade it for anything. Despite all the challenges, I am proud of what I have accomplished, and I continue to grow and push forward.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
The pursuit of perfection could be difficult for a non-creative to grasp. After the original debacle with the graphics of my first book, I went on a quest to rectify the situation. I connected with a fantastic graphic artist with the skills to help me reach my goal. We actually redid the cover about four times. One day someone looked at the final book cover with a look of confusion and asked, “Why do you keep changing the cover?” I looked at her as if she should have already known the answer and responded, “It was not perfect.”
A different level of pride is attached to your work when you are self-employed, an artist, or any other creative type. We are meticulous and detail oriented because not only are our creations available for public scrutiny, but we pour our hearts into professions that we love and understand that we are blessed to have the ability to do what we love every day to make a living. Your work is your brand; your brand is how you carve out your living in this world.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The world is quickly becoming smaller and more connected. I saw the statistic that only one-third of Americans possess a passport. Exposure to different cultures, ideas, and people can help ease some of the unease of the new reality.
Travel, domestic and international, has become more common, yet is still unobtainable for some. Money, time, fear of the unknown, and the unavailability of ample vacation time are all factors. My mission is to make the world available to many children by using words on a page and correlating illustrations. Just because you cannot travel to an exotic location now does not mean you have to miss out on the experience.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tanilamb.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/tani.lamb?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LambchopPublishing/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tani-lamb-a2b732131
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tanibelle1?t=wy5Y2xN5Is2LRaUD_fIzRA&s=09
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@travelwithtanilamb
- The Princess of Sapphires and Sand: Adventures From A Teller Of Tales (Adventures From The Teller of Tales) https://a.co/d/6fzdE0C
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Barnesandnoble
Image Credits
Mallorca Media Hajas Afri
Stefanie and Panos Papdemetriou.