Turn Your Bad Experiences into a Best- Selling Book- Part One

Have life thrown your way a few curb balls? Some of us have had more adversities than others; nevertheless, they are still obstacles that we must learn to overcome. How we deal with these challenges will determine whether we move forward or backward.

I have had my share of bad experiences. I am a determined person; I will not let life beat me up to a pulp. I have decided to write about my experiences so others can learn from them. So far, I have written four books based on personal experiences. Today however, I want to talk about my first published book, Marie and Her Friend the Sea Turtle: A trilingual Story. I am beyond pleased that my book written in English, French, and Spanish has been a major inspiration to many children from all over the world.

As a child, I resided near the beach. The beach near my home was the perfect nesting site for sea turtles. The female sea turtle came on shore to lay her eggs. In an attempt to cover up her eggs, the female sea turtle may splatter sand all over her eyes leaving her disoriented and unable to return to the ocean. Oh no! A kind hearted, compassionate person will kindly help return the stranded sea turtle back to the ocean, right?

I was seven years old when I came across the biggest sea turtle I had ever seen. I tried my best to pick up the poor turtle, but much to my dismay I could not. My father had other plans. He ordered the cook to make stew out of the poor creature. That day was the darkest day of my life. I despised my father. I harbored that hatred for a very long time deep in my heart. I never forgave him.

In 2009, I sat down and wrote my first trilingual children's picture book. I turned my bad experience with the sea turtle into something positive. I wrote the story to teach about having compassion. The story also teaches children how to work out problems with their parents.

In the process of writing the book, came healing. As a child, I did not understand fully why my father did not spare the sea turtle, but I found closure by putting a happy conclusion in my book.

I am happy knowing that my story will teach young and old to respect sea turtles. Here's what two reviewers had to say about the book:

There are some important lessons I think children and their parents will learn after reading this book.

1. The importance of families listening with their hearts and not just their heads.

2. Children will hone their critical thinking skills. While her parents and Marie had differing opinions of what should be done with the sea turtle, they worked together and came up with a satisfying solution. Children will learn how cooperation makes a person become part of the solution rather than part of the problem.

3. Children will also learn the art of compassion for God's creatures. Marie exemplifies this lost art and will give parents opportunities to discuss treating animals with respect.

4. Children will be exposed to different cultures and discover even if we live in different parts of the world, compassion never goes out of style.

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In this book Marie follows her heart and cares for a sea turtle that cannot return to the ocean on its own. I feel this story is so important because not only does it teach children to follow their hearts and take care of our world's animals, but it also introduces children to sea turtles in general.

Growing up in FL, I learned a lot about sea turtles as a child and what a hard life they can have and how important it is for humans to intervene when a turtle is in trouble. Unfortunately, our turtles need to be protected from humans as well and Marie teaches children to be brave and stand up for what is right even if it is scary.

Now that I live in TN, I see a definite need to teach children about sea turtles and how to protect them. This is a creature that children in landlocked states don't really learn about. This book is especially important for readers in states such as mine. Not only is it a good book to purchase for your child but every school should have one in their library as well. This beautifully written story includes illustrations that are colorful and a joy to look at!

If you find yourself, knee deep with life's curb balls, please take a few moments, and inhale deeply. Grab, pen, paper, Ipad or any writing equipment and write away! By losing the negative, you then open yourself up to allow the positive to enter your life.

In July of 2011, I vacationed in Cancun, Mexico. My first night at the resort was the most wonderful night of my life. That night, I witnessed seven sea turtles coming to shore to lay their eggs. For three nights, I was able to get my spirit renewed with sheer happiness watching my favorite creatures come to land and then return safely to the ocean.

An open chapter that began with the darkest day of my life so many years ago finally concluded with the brightest and happiest day of my life. The pleasant memory of watching the sea turtles in Cancun come to shore is now engraved in my heart and soul forever. It was a magical moment because the bad has been replaced with a positive.

I have found writing to be very therapeutic and my wish is you too, will find much happiness with turning your bad experiences into a best-selling book. Happy writing!