From Doodles to Dreams: Our Story
Not Your Average Author
Hi, my name is Cheri (the good looking one in the picture, not the bald one… he’s my hubby). If you’re looking for a writer with a wall full of academic trophies and a background in classical literature, you might be in the wrong place. To be honest, I’ve never been greatly academic. School and I didn’t always see eye-to-eye, i was bullied a lot, and for a long time, I let that define what I thought I was capable of.
But I’ve always believed that creativity doesn’t require a degree – it just requires a heart.
Finding an Escape
A few years ago, things weren’t easy. My mental health was in a difficult place, and I felt the weight of the “day-to-day” more than usual. I needed a way out – not a physical exit, but a mental one. I needed a project to get lost in, a world I could build from scratch to escape the noise of the real world.
With a background in Art and Design, I started where I felt most comfortable: with a pencil in my hand.
The Spark
My journey into the world of books actually started at a local school. They asked me to design characters for their core objectives, which eventually led to me helping another local school write a book about anti-bullying. It was a rewarding experience, but it left me with a nagging question: “Could I do this for myself?”
I spent months cycling through ideas, trying to find the right story. I quickly realised that the traditional publishing world can be a gated community – it’s expensive, intimidating, and often feels out of reach for someone just starting out.
Purpose and Poverty
When I’m not sketching characters or typing away at a my computer and tablet, I work at a local charity dedicated to alleviating poverty and social isolation. Every day, I see the importance of community and the power of giving people a voice. It reminded me that I wanted to use my own voice, too.
Proving the World Wrong
I decided to write and self-publish a children’s book for two reasons:
1. For the Kids: To create something magical, relatable, and fun.
2. For the “Non-Academics”: To prove to the world – and honestly, to myself – that you don’t need to be a “top of the class” writer to create something of value.
You don’t need a PhD to tell a story that touches a child’s imagination. You just need a bit of grit, a lot of heart, and the courage to hit “publish.”