Spotlight: Love From Your Heart 

It’s my absolute pleasure to announce that brand-new children’s author, Primrose Mary Lewis, has just launched her first picture book, Love From Your Heart. To celebrate the publication, Primrose and I sat down to talk about how this book came to be.

MIRIAM LAUNDRY: Hi Primrose, and congratulations on the publication of Love From Your Heart. Can you tell us a bit about the book?

PRIMROSE LEWIS: Love From Your Heart is a picture book for children aged 4-8 years old (and all who are a child at heart). I started writing it before autumn 2021. I saw on social media a request for aspiring authors interested in publishing their book. It was your Children’s Book Masterclass. Thereafter, I joined the Publishing Mastermind group where the idea for this book and writing it came to fruition.

ML: When you saw that social media post, what prompted you to dive into your future as an author and sign up for Publishing Mastermind? 

PL: I joined the Publishing Mastermind because I saw and heard the truth about how authors will succeed. Joining was a no brainer. The messaging is clear, transparent, and integrity-based. The biggest value to me was that like-minds collaborated to share their talents, learn together, and move forward together, bringing to light their gift to all children. 

ML: Yes, it’s very special to see a group of writers come together with the common goal of empowering children. What inspired you to become an author in the first place?

PL: In the year 2000, in an undergrad course, my professor encouraged us, his students, to do something creative that would make a dent in the world then share it with the class. I chose to write inspirational verses and have continued to do so. I was then inspired to stretch my talent as a lead vocalist and a visual artist. 

ML: And what inspired this story in particular?

PL: On a personal level I continued to write inspirational verse. I drew from the verses, thoughts, conversations about and with God concerning love from the heart of the human soul. Specifically, how, and where to start to make this world a better place. For me the inspiration and contemplation kept going back to the feelings from the heart. I then fused and weaved the inspirations into this book. 

In retrospect too, back in 2008 I remember joking with my daughter Chantal about writing a children’s book; we laughed about ideas for the story. Deep in my heart I truly believed it could happen. Little did I know that that conversation, that thought, would years later manifest the product in this way. 

ML: It’s amazing how many authors’ books start out that way. Many authors I’ve worked with mention the idea of writing a children’s book in passing, never expecting it to go anywhere. Of course, time passes and they come to realize that writing is what they were made to do. I’m glad you discovered that passion too. 

Love From Your Heart is a beautiful book all about caring for others and enjoying the good things in life. Can you tell us why it was important for you to share this message with the world?

PL: Just seeing so much that is going on in the world, it’s important to help children stay connected to the truths; that they can see, believe, and dream the beautiful things that can happen when we love from the heart, and when we help and care from the heart, because the heart feels and carries truths about what is right and wrong. Sharing this message was important so that children can grow up knowing it’s ok to connect with their heart to learn to express how they feel and learn to take a moment to reflect, to ask, and recognize what action they can take to make the world a better place.

ML: That is such an important message. Oftentimes, authors encounter their own personal lessons while publishing. What was the biggest challenge or lesson you learned during the publishing process?

PL: I would say the biggest challenge was having so many stories to write about. A bit like Chantalabella’s excitement in having many ideas for her project but a timeline within which to do it. This is where working collaboratively with a professional publishing team is paramount. 

The biggest lesson I learned was to trust the process and just let it be, because after writing many drafts I began to wonder, where was I going with all this writing?  I soon learned that the many drafts created are possibilities for a re-working of other children’s books in the future. Trust the process!

ML: Yes, trusting the process is such a big part of publishing. Did this journey give you any memorable experiences?

PL: Yes, from cousins who chuckled and felt somewhat coy that they share the same name as a couple of characters in the book, and my daughter when looking at the front cover asked, "Is that me?”

ML: It’s always fun to see others’ reactions to the final product. When children and parents get this book on their shelves, what do you hope they take away from it?

PL: My hope is that parents and kids take encouragement from this book knowing that as humans, boys, girls, men, and women, young and old, from north, south, east, and west, all nations — know that we can love from our heart; emitting true and healthy changes within us, as citizens of this world, as God intended. The time is now!

ML: Lastly, if you could give advice to any aspiring author out there, what would you say?

PL: I have two pieces of advice. Firstly, do not stop writing! Your heart knows and is ready — trust it! Secondly, believe the fact that you’ve come this far proves you are passionate about what it is you must share. So go ahead and confidently make a beautiful difference in the lives of others that inspire possibilities for change. 

ML: Very well said, Primrose. Congratulations again on your brand new children’s book!

Watch the Full Interview:

Pick up your eBook or paperback copy of Love From Your Heart on Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, or your local Amazon Marketplace.

You can connect with Primrose and learn more about Love From Your Heart at www.primrosemarylewis.com and on Instagram.