Interview with Kimberly Joy, Author of "Tales From Toddlers"

 

Today I am excited to welcome Kimberly Joy to my blog. Kim is a good friend of mine, and she just released her first book! Tales From Toddlers is a devotional full of inspirational reflections from her time as a childcare provider. Meant to be an encouragement for moms, grandmas, aunts, teachers, daycare workers, and women everywhere, Tales From Toddlers draws upon God's heart for us as His children. 

Q: Welcome, Kim! Tell us about your new book. What was the inspiration behind it?

A: Tales From Toddlers is a 30-day devotional book, and was quite literally inspired by the toddlers in my daycare. As a childcare provider, I spent 50+ hours a week with the children in my care. As the weeks passed, I realized the crazy, funny, and sometimes thought-provoking things the little ones did were great illustrations of Biblical principles. I began to write devotionals based on these true-life adventures. 

Q: You've developed a readership by writing devotionals on your blog and Facebook page. Can you give us those links and tell us about your writing ministry?

A: I send out a weekly email devotional. Readers can sign up for this weekly encouragement at www.kimberlyjoyauthor.com.  I also post daily devotionals on Facebook (www.facebook.com/KimberlyJoyAuthor/) and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyjoyauthor/).

I love connecting with my readers, and I do my absolute best to answer every comment and question. My readers have become like family over the past two years, and I’m so thankful for their prayers and support of my ministry. 

 

Q: When did you develop a desire to write? Tell us some about your journey from having a dream to holding your own book in your hands.

 

A: I’ve always loved reading and writing, and I still have a couple little stories I wrote as a student in school. Several years ago, I entered a novel-writing contest, but didn’t do much writing after that. While working at the daycare, the writing bug bit me again, and I began to write in the afternoons while the children took their naps. Once I started, I couldn’t stop!

As readers began responding to my devotionals and asking when I was going to publish, I began to dream about producing a book. It was a long journey to publication, but all the hard work was worth it!

Q: You lived in Australia for 16 years. What's one thing that surprised you about living overseas, and one thing that surprised you about returning to the States?

A: This wasn’t surprising because I had previous knowledge of it, but learning to drive on the opposite side of the road when we moved to Australia was a big learning curve! I once got into the wrong side of the car after filling it at the gas station. I quickly realized there was no steering wheel in the side where I was sitting!

This may have a lot to do with living in the Bible belt, but I can remember being amazed by walking into Walmart and seeing Christian home décor, cards, and books after we returned to the States. In Australia, the only place these kinds of things were available was online or in Christian bookstores. (And yes, if you’re wondering—it was HARD relearning which side of the road to drive on again!)

Q: Readers on your Facebook page might know that one of your sons is a performance studies major in college and another is a proficient basketball player. Your youngest son has some exciting things coming up as he develops his own unique talents. As a busy mom and writer, when you have a few spare moments, how do you like to spend them?

A: Like most moms (or mums, as my boys say), I’m excited about my boys’ accomplishments. They are extremely creative, and I’m excited to see what God will do in their lives!

In my spare time, I love reading and spending time with my boys. At this stage in their lives, that usually entails watching them play basketball, or participating in church and school activities together.

Q: What are some things you are looking forward to in 2020?

A: I’m excited for 2020! On the writing side of things, I have plans for another devotional book, an online Bible study, and perhaps even a novel. (Remember that book I wrote for the contest? My boys are practically demanding I polish it up and publish it. They are my biggest fans, for sure!)

As far as personal plans, I’m looking forward to a trip up north to visit friends, a writing retreat, watching my boys play basketball at regionals, and attending a writing conference later in the year.

Thank you for stopping by to visit with me, Kimberly! Readers, don’t forget to check out these links, and click on the graphic below if you’d like to order Tales From Toddlers.

Website: www.kimberlyjoyauthor.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KimberlyJoyAuthor/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimberlyjoyauthor/

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