HOW I GOT STARTED WRITING
It’s a question I get asked a lot, and it’s a big reason why I’m so passionate about helping women pursue their dreams, push past obstacles and take little steps, too. :)
I sat there at a conference listening to the speaker (who was an author) share a story about a woman who had come up to her and told her she wished she could be a writer like she was. When I heard that, my heart stirred. Because I wanted to be a writer, too. In elementary school, I wrote stories that got published in an anthology my school district printed, and in high school I loved writing essays and papers. So how was it that years later, sitting at that conference, I found myself so far away from writing? I dreamed of becoming an author, but that dream had been put up on a shelf… and seemed so far off.
As the speaker talked about the woman who dreamed the same thing, I sat on the edge of my seat. And when she shared her response, it struck me…
“Just start,” she said. “Whether it’s five minutes a day, or ten. Just start writing. And then you are a writer.”
It was one of the most freeing things I’d heard. I didn’t have to long to write, or just dream of it. I didn’t have to imagine what it would be like or worry that I’d already missed my chance…
All I had to do was start. So I did. Sometimes I wrote ten minutes a day because that’s all I had. And some days I wrote more. It wasn’t easy, believe me, but nothing worthwhile is. But years later, after many rejection letters and after signing my first book contracts, I’m more thankful than ever that I didn’t let that dream pass me by. And that I didn’t give up.
Becoming an author didn’t happen overnight, but it did happen – little step by little step. Which is one of the reasons I’m so passionate about helping women pursue their dreams, too. Because there’s nothing quite like following that tug on your heart, believing in yourself, finding your true voice and stepping into your purpose.
BOOK SIGNINGS, TV APPEARANCES & FUN












BOOKS FOR KIDS
Papa, Let’s Play!
Author: Genny Heikka
Illustrator: Kim Youngsu
Publisher: Tuntun Books, Korea
More Info: Tun Tun
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Where’s the Mouse?
Author: Genny Heikka
Illustrator: Kim Sunkyong
Publisher: Tuntun Books, Korea
See the illustrator & book, more info Tun Tun
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Find the Sea Animals
Author: Genny Heikka
Illustrator: Lee Jeho
Publisher: Tuntun Books, Korea
More Info: Tun Tun
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I Brush My Teeth
Author: Genny Heikka
Illustrator: Han Yu-min
Publisher: Tuntun Books, Korea
See the illustrator & book, more info Tun Tun
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Birthdays Around the World
Author: Genny Heikka
Illustrator: Kim Sanghee
Publisher: Tuntun Books, Korea
More Info:
Tun Tun
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Goodnight!
Author: Genny Heikka
Illustrator: An Eun-jin
Publisher: Tuntun Books, Korea
More Info: Tun Tun
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BOOKS FOR WOMEN
Finding Mommy Bliss
Publisher: Hallway Publishing
Learn more: findingmommybliss.com
“Sure to give an emotional boost to mothers everywhere.” – San Francisco Book Review
Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Amazon
Download Genny’s book’s Press Release: Helping moms be their best
Finding Mommy Bliss – Snippet
Book trailer: watch here
Companion piece to Finding Mommy Bliss
with additional audio/video features.
Purchase via Snippet App anditunes
A Celebration of Women’s Favorites Online
Contributed: “A Man Named Ted”
Publisher: Bright Sky Press
Purchase: Amazon
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Little Bits & Pieces of Happiness
Publisher: Snippet
Purchase via Snippet App and itunes
Released
30 Days to Stand for Freedom
Contributed: “What Every Child Deserves”
Purchase: Released – 30 Days to Stand for Freedom (Free)
Facing Our Fears
31 Stories from M.O.M
Contributed: “On Being a Scared Mom,” and, “Me?” Purchase: TheMomInitative.com
Overwhelmed
31 Stories from M.O.M
Contributed: “The View From the Rock Wall,” and, “Be Joyful, Always”
Purchase: Amazon
Getting it Together
31 Days to a More Together You
Contributed: “Just Love Them”
Purchase: TheMomInitative.coGetting it Together
31 Days to a More Together You
Contributed: “Just Love Them”
Purchase: TheMomInitative.com
AWARDS



- California Focus on Writers Contest - 1st Place, Picture Book
- SCBWI Sue Alexander Award - Honorable Mention, MG Novel
- California Focus on Writers Contest - Honorable Mention
- Smartwriters.com WIN Contest Winner