We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Heather Marie a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Heather, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
In 2022 I took a self-improvement course with multi-millionaire Chris Patterson with Live Large Coaching and I can say it truly changed my life. In one of his classes he defined Insanity as a fly constantly hitting the window sill to try to get inside the house, meanwhile 2 feet to left the door was open. I loved this analogy so much, so many of us include myself continue to do the same thing over and over again and expect a different result. His class was structured on Bob Proctors teachings and philosophies’, “Change your paradigm change your life”. It was a 6 month course and I can honestly say it changed not only my way of thinking and my life, but most importantly I found my purpose in life. I had always wanted to work with children however due to past circumstances, no fault of my own the path I was on and the door that once was open was now shut. They always say when one door closes another door opens but for me for the longest time I didn’t believe that was the truth. I was devastated, lost and thought what I truly wanted to do in life had become lost in time. Chris Pattersons class helped me change my way of thinking and find a way to still do what I love in January of 2023 I sent Chris a text saying ” I know this may be crazy but I am going to write a children’s book series about my two French Bull Dogs Pickle Juice & Patty Cakes to help teach kids to be kind, to never give up and accept differences in others. When I sent hm this text I didn’t know anything about how this journey worked or what all went into it. I started doing hours and hours of research, how many words a picture book has, what type of font, what colors really popped on a page, where to find an editor, how to find an illustrator, how to get an ISBN number and most importantly how to self-publish. Although I thought these were the most important steps so much more went into this, but I was determined to figure it out and everything began falling into place. I published my first book in August of 2023 and My second book in July of 2024, my 3rd book for the series is currently in edit and will be published in the fall of this year, 2025. Through all of this the most rewarding part is being a true advocate for literacy not only in my community but abroad as well. Seeing the smiles on thousands of kids’ faces and having the ability to change lives through writing books is more than I could have ever asked for in life and I have without a doubt found my purpose in live and it wouldn’t of happened if I never went through a 6 month coaching course that truly changed my life forever. You are capable of anything with the right mindset, passion, people in your life that truly want what’s best for you, discipline and the will to succeed.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I started a children’s picture book series “The Adventures of Pickle Juice and Patty Cakes” based off of my two French bulldog puppies Pickle Juice & Patty Cakes. I wrote this series to teach kids to always be kind, to never give up and to accept differences in others. I currently have two published books in the series, “Pickle Juice & Patty Cakes Ice Cream Adventure” and “Pickle Juice & Patty Cakes Space Adventure”. My third book in the series ” Pickle Juice & Patty Cakes BIG Farm Adventure” is currently in edit and will be released in the Fall of this year. I love being out in the community with my side kick Patty Cakes making appearances at local schools for author visits, bookstores, local arts markets, donating books to local and overseas charities and being at several events in Duval and St.John’s County almost every weekend. I love being able to provide interactive story times throughout the community with different sensory, arts and craft, and creative writing activities that go along with my books to keep the kids engaged and help increase sensory and literacy development as well as reading comprehension. My mission is to provide a memorable experience for kids while teaching kids the importance of being kind and accepting differences in others.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back on my Self-Publishing Journey, staying persistent in my execution, showing perseverance and exuding passion has gotten me where I am today. My advice to new and inspiring authors is to stay the course, you will receive many setbacks and you may get 100 no’s and 1 yes, but that one yes could change your life forever, if this truly your passion and sets your soul on fire do not give up, when you achieve the unimaginable you will be so full of gratitude that you never gave up.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed, I pray, I take a deep breath and think about how far I have come. I turn to things I enjoy doing, working out or going on a run. I speak to loved ones.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heathermariebooks.com
- Instagram: picklejuiceandpattycakes
- Facebook: Heather Rickard
- Linkedin: Heather Rickard
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