Guest Blog from children’s book author and Mum Kylie Cimen

As the famous quote goes…

“If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.  The more things you do, the more you can do” – Lucille Ball

For me it is true. The busier I am the more I am able to get done.  I wrote this blog between, school pickup, dropping one child to piano and making dinner!  Similarly, my stories seem to evolve in my “spare” time.  My latest story to be published next year, “Bower Bird Blues”, was partially written whilst I sat and watched my children at swimming lessons!

I am a mother of four children aged 10, 9,  8 and 5.  Three years ago during the busiest time of my life, when my oldest child was 7, I decided to focus on fulfilling my long term dream to write stories for children.

Why then? Well, the death of my dear Grandmother changed me.  It changed how I viewed my life.  When she died I was confronted with my own fate.  I then vowed that at once I would listen to my inner voice, stop procrastinating and start a journey that I knew deep down I would never regret.

The start of that journey began with me thinking deeply about why I wanted to write for children and what I wanted to write about.  I believed that there was room for my ideas in children’s’ literature.  I decided that I would write stories that focus on emotional intelligence issues and that are a little bit different.  The concept of contemporary fairy tales came to mind.

In 2010 my decision to take action saw my dream become a reality.  “Clara Worry Cloud” was published.   Recently my vision was confirmed again with the completion and on-line release of “Five Minutes to Lizard Land”.   “Clara Worry Cloud”, leaves the reader with a strategy to cope with anxiety.  “Five Minutes to Lizard Land”, is centred around the ripple effect from one random act of kindness.  Each story hung in the background of my life for 2 years.  Whenever I could, I wrote!

I am currently working on “Bower Bird Blues”, a story that teaches the importance of self acceptance.  My eight-year-old son Attila will be illustrating this story.  The concept and basic plot were written at swimming lessons last year and now I spend 10-15 minutes here and there to improve it.  It might take me bit longer than if I had all the time in the world but I know I will get there in the end.

I am convinced that being busy makes me write more efficiently and effectively.  I focus when I make the time.  I think that if I was to write full-time I would get lost in the daydream.   I tackle writing like I tackle the dishes.  One plate, or in the case of writing, one word at a time!

When I started writing this blog,  I thought that maybe because I’m busy I manage my time better and when I get the time I use it effectively.  But then I thought that being busy isn’t the motivating force.  I LOVE what I do.  I really enjoy it and I want to make a difference in the lives of children. But being busy makes me more determined to find the time to do it!  I realised after Grandma died that we are all presented with the same 24 hours in a day and we all have a choice in how we use those hours.

So, for what it’s worth here is my advice.  If you really want to do something, love doing it but can’t find the time – Get busy!  Magically you will work out a way to do it!!

You can find out more about me and my books at www.rule13.com.au

Darwin, a kind and caring boy from the town of Dibbleydoo finds an injured lizard at the bus stop one day.  He helps her and she tells her friends about the ‘magic’ boy that saved her life!
The news spreads like wildfire and injured lizards near and far make their way to the bus stop for help. The events that follow change Dibbleydoo and Darwin’s life forever!

Suitable For 6-9 year olds

Available as eBook from APPLE, Barnes and Noble, Amazon and Sony for only $2.99

Clara Worry Cloud tells the story of a baby cloud terrified to grow bigger and of the thought that ‘things’ will fly through her tummy.  So much so she cries and the other baby clouds tease her.  Clara’s mother realises that she needs to confront her fear.  Surprisingly, Clara is surprised by the outcome and learns an important lesson – not to worry about things she has yet to experience.  Mouths of Mums reviews rated ‘Clara Worry Cloud” 4.5 stars out of 5.

Suitable For 3-8 year olds

Available from all good bookstores and on-line as an eBook for only $2.99.