WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BECOME A WRITER?
Over my life, and as part of my professional role in the etiquette and hospitality field, I’ve spent decades writing letters and thank-you notes. That probably qualifies me as a Master Note and Letter Writer, doesn’t it? Kidding aside, I had always envisioned creating a nonprofit to share my expertise with children who most need and are often the most enthusiastic to receive basic life and social skills.
Writing a book was the best way to provide an affordable and lasting benefit for children. Also, books allow us to reach far greater numbers. In our 3-hour character development and manners programs, there’s a great deal of expense and time involved to facilitate a 1/30 teacher to student ratio. Then there are those most vulnerable children whose families lack the means necessary for them to attend a summer camp or similar program. A tangible, long-lasting book resolves these limitations. Providing a dual benefit, my books are designed to inspire children not only to read but also to develop the character strengths that will take them far in life.
The illustrator was another fortuitous decision, as Anirban Mitra’s talent made our finished product a striking combination. Readers rave about the illustrations.
WAS THERE A TEACHER OR OTHER MENTOR WHO INFLUENCED YOUR WRITING?
The late Edmund Milberg, a former superintendent of Miami-Dade Schools and real estate investor, was for many years my friend and mentor. In fact, had it not been for him and others, I might not have become the success I am today. A most memorable example of when he influenced an outcome followed the untimely death of my beloved fiancé. I was devastated. Up until that time, I had never been a person who gets depressed, but this loss was something new to me. Privately, it was an emotional struggle and somehow Mr. Milberg knew I was feeling uncertainty about the future. To provide more context, a favorite past time of his was to clip and send relevant NY Times articles to his mentees but for this occasion, he sent a bookmark with a quote by George Eliot, “It is never too late to be what you might have been.” Seems silly, but at the time, those words truly resonated with me and were exactly what I needed to move forward. I still use that bookmark today. My shelves are filled with books gifted by him, most of them in the area of self-help…try not to judge. Mr. Milberg and his friendship were magnificent gifts to my life. I miss him.
HOW DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK?
Taking into account my love for children’s classics and the inherent character lessons in those stories, I began to extract and develop an outline using the characters and emphasizing corresponding core values to each.
WHICH OF YOUR CHARACTERS FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING TITLE DO YOU BELIEVE ARE MOST LIKE YOU AND WHY?
In Sip Tea, I believe I am most like Mad Hatter. Mad Hatter has integrity and “muchness”, a term we refer to in the book as having passion and a very big heart.
In Tame Your Manners, I am definitely the Whino Rhino pouting in the corner. With a goal-oriented type-A personality, patience is something I struggle with and make a concentrated effort to manage well. I cannot tell a lie, I’ve been a Whino Rhino on occasion. Of this, I am least proud.
WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU HOPE READERS WILL GLEAN FROM YOUR AWARD WINNING BOOK?
That the content—character development, emotional intelligence, etiquette, manners, social skills, socio-emotional learning—is not the fluff stuff, rather the critical foundation and skills that will greatly enhance a formal education. It’s unfortunate that many parents and teachers think test scores are most important when research shows that character strengths and social skills are as important if not more so, in early stage development and in helping children succeed in life. When social skills are combined with academic ones, children are equipped with a powerful combination.
TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE AS A WRITER:
I consider myself to be very self-aware. As such, I realize my writing mechanics and style leave a lot to be desired, and therefore, I try to emphasize my strengths whenever possible. Emerson’s quote, “Tis the reader that makes a good book,” sums me up pretty well. What I lack in technical writing skills, I hope to make up for in creativity and dramatic story-time performance.
I’m fortunate to be an expressive reader, singer, though not extremely well, and a skillful ballroom dancer. Putting all three aptitudes to work, our story times are fun and engaging with interactive lessons, sing-alongs, dances, and quizzes. One of my favorite testimonials by a teacher is, “Ms. Neff was by far the best motivational kids author we have experienced. The journey took the students through the different animals of KAMP Safari to be the best they can be using the pillars of character. She was insightful, meaningful, and comedic at the same time.” - Mrs. Henderson Grade 5 Teacher
IF YOU COULD BE COMPARED TO A WELL-KNOWN AUTHOR WHO WOULD YOU MOST WANT THIS TO BE AND WHY?
This is an easy one…Roald Dahl, the greatest children’s author of all time. Dahl’s characters and storyline in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” perfectly align with our Foundation’s core values and vision.
Dahl’s storytelling is not only pure imagination but also pure genius! Masterful at intertwining adult humor while drawing out the bad traits of spoiled children who won golden tickets, Dahl has brought delight to millions of readers. I mean, who could come up with concepts of an Everlasting Gobstopper offering a three-course meal and orange Oompa-Loompas working at an irresistible chocolate-fantasy factory? The best part is the plot—that Mr. Wonka’s motive behind the contest remains a secret throughout the tour, all the while repeatedly testing children (and parents) on their strengths of character. Extraordinarily magical!
WHO HAS HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE? My father has had the greatest impact on my life. I was sixteen and a daddy’s girl when my father died at the young age of 49. I admired him and hold special memories from my childhood and the many things we enjoyed together. If you believe in Freudian psychology, then it’s not surprising that even in my father’s absence, some of his habits have become my habits, good and bad. The good: a love for books, knowledge and constant learning, watersports and even golf. The bad: easily irritated by noise, overly responsible with a touch of perfectionism. I think he would be pleased that I became self-reliant, strong and a life-long learner in his absence.
HOW DID YOU GET PUBLISHED?
Following a life-threatening diagnosis of stage IV breast cancer and a prognosis of a year to live at best, I didn’t have a year-plus to query an agent and bring a book to market. So I decided to develop our own publishing arm, hire expertise for developmental editing, and execute my first book. This was a very good decision with no regrets, and ultimately provided greater financial benefit to charity partners.
IF A CLOSE FRIEND OR LOVED ONE WANTED TO WRITE A BOOK, WHAT GREATEST PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THEM? I tend not to offer advice in areas where I’m unqualified. I can say however, that I did a lot of research and had a good sense of what was needed at the outset; I continue to learn from the publishing process. I also realize that what has worked well for me, may not work for others, or for that matter, for me in the future. Each author has different audiences, goals, and hopefully, platforms, and must constantly reevaluate as the publishing landscape is ever-changing. Thanks to review boards such as Literary Classics, a well-done self-published product can gain credibility and traction from winning coveted literary awards. Thank you!
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ACCOMPLISHMENT?
Creating a successful educational nonprofit has been my greatest achievement and privilege. Since 2014, we’ve been able to provide author visits and a signed book for each child to twenty-six (26) academies and schools and seventeen (17) charities totaling 12,778 children. Our outreach and underwriting program underscores character education and literacy and brings our award-winning books to children in low-income communities and Title I schools. Of this, I am most proud.
WHAT ARE YOUR GREATEST LITERARY ASPIRATIONS?
I have two aspirations. The first, to have one of our books from the series, preferably Tame Your Manners, recognized by Oprah Book Club. Oprah not only promotes an “attitude of gratitude,” which aligns with our platform, but also demonstrates her belief in the way she lives her life. I often fantasize about being invited to the school she established in Africa, taking children on a Safari through my story, and gifting them books. To me, that would be a dream come true!
The second aspiration would be to have a successful book series that remains relevant and continues to inspire and enrich the lives of children and their families.
TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU THAT THEY MIGHT FIND INTERESTING:
I’m a philatelist (stamp collector/enthusiast) and love to adorn notes and letters with a stamp that is meaningful to the recipient.
DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?
Yes, two are underway:
Win a Golden Ticket at KAMP {Kids Arts & Manners Program - possibly for younger age group 4-6}
Desi and Lucy Go to KAMP {Kids Animals & Manners Program - Desi and Lucy are dogs doing good deeds}
These two books are anticipated to be released next year. Our books are available online and in most bookstores.
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