Take your time. This belongs to you. It’s your hearts desires on those pages. Don’t let anyone rush your creativity.
As part of my series about “authors who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mary Brodsky.
Mary Brodsky is a mother, grandmother, wife, and author. This beloved children’s book author is famous for her stories focusing on diverse characters, and stories that are out in the world, spreading a message of kindness, diversity, and sweetness. Mary Brodsky has written and published ten books to date, each featuring characters from a wide diversity of cultures.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
My parents were my protectors and my champions. I was #3 of five children but I never felt left out… less than… deprived. Mom was actively involved in all our lives. She taught us how to provide for ourselves as well as care for others. She kept us busy, but totally filled with purpose. Every game became a life lesson and every life lesson a game. My father worked full time but when he was home, we were his world. He taught us to be strong independent people and he did so with a sense of humor as big as the sky.
When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or changed your life? Can you share a story about that?
I came to the world of story telling a little later in life. When my children were small, I read bedtime stories to them nightly. I wanted them to feel the wonder of the written word. Shel Silverstein’s “Where the Sidewalk Ends” was always our absolute must read. The real wonder of it all was, not only did his words capture their imaginations but they created an overwhelming sense of discovery in me as well. I wanted to reach children with as much joy as we received from him. Favorite quote… “If you are a dreamer, come in…”
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
“Just the facts ma’am.” When my son and his lovely bride came to me and said they were expecting my first grandchild I knew! I just had to get my stories on paper for my little gifts from God. They said it was to be a girl so of course, within days I had 10 fairy stories outlined and ready to begin writing. One month later while I was deeply immersed in the Forever Forest, they came back to me with the “oops” news that the doctor was mistaken. My little angel girl was a boy. Not to worry. Being an equal opportunity grandma I quickly developed and inserted Gnomes into the already planned out fairy series! Also not to worry, spoiler alert… There will be a gnome series! Flexibility is key in lessons learned.
Can you describe how you aim to make a significant social impact with your book?
I have found through my research that diversity of characters has been largely overlooked or ignored in most children’s books. (Although I am happy to note that is changing rapidly in today’s inclusive society.) When I speak of a diversity, I am talking about a child’s ability to see themselves on the pages of the book. We don’t all have the same color of skin or one eye color. Some of the most beautiful little ones might also need ear jewelry to help them hear, or bright fairy blue glasses to view this rainbow world we live in. I want my sweet young readers to find themselves in my books.
Can you share with us the most interesting story that you shared in your book?
Oh yes, I was casually observing my daughters-in-law disciplining one of her two boys. I suddenly realized how brilliant she was and that what she shared with them was exactly what I needed at that moment in my storyline. The boys were fighting over a toy. Have you heard that one before? It’s what siblings do right? Well, anyway she took the toy and said… “Are you loving your brother more than this toy right now? Nothing you have, or do, is more important than your relationship together. You see boys, eventually, the toy will break, but your brother will always be there, so let’s love our brother more than a toy.” Don’t worry, I extolled her parenting skills so much she consented to me using it. Wink, wink.
What was the “aha moment” or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?
Well, I originally wrote for my grand-babies. As the characters developed though, I realized that they wanted to tell so much more than I was letting them. I thought of all the little hearts and minds I could help mold and train up in a gentler, kind and caring way and I was compelled to go for it.
Without sharing specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
It’s funny you should ask that because every time I speak before a group of children, I say to myself, “How can I reach these impressionable little ones?” The one question I always ask about halfway through my time with them is, “How many of you think you want to be a writer?” Depending on the group, there are usually about 5 or 6 that raise their hands. Then I say, “How many of you have a brain and can think with it?” All hands go up, so then I say, “Well guess what? That means you are all writers. If you can think it, then you can write it. There are stories that are always running around in all of your heads!” Finally I ask the first question again… at least 50% of the hands go up. Don’t you just love that?!
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
My goal is to remind parents of the sweetness of life and the importance of instilling good morals and sensitivity to others in their children. In our fast-paced society, it’s easy to lose sight of the simple pleasures in life. But by sharing my stories, I hope to encourage a return to a kinder, more compassionate way of living.
- My mission is not really to solve a problem; it is more to create an awareness of important life lessons that seem to be slipping away from us. Lessons on morality and attitude. This all begins in a loving home.
- The parental role has taken a beating in modern society and I hope to encourage parents to jump back into the fray by reading with their littles and remembering the sweeter side of things.
- As for politicians, well I am a bear of little brain and I just can’t even fathom where they stand on these issues.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Oh wow, that’s a tough one for me. Our world leaders have me so confused and disappointed that I’m afraid I have become somewhat of an ostrich on this subject. (You know, head in the sand, hiding from it all.). But, as for the much smaller view on leadership I do have an opinion on that. I believe to be an effective leader you need to exhibit the same qualities that you are looking for in your followers. We are most effective through our own actions. When we are morally upright, gracious in our language and honest with our expectations of end result, folks are naturally drawn to follow our lead.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why?
- Stop trying to do it by yourself. In my book titled Zee Works Alone, the main character Zee thinks she has to do everything by herself. Throughout various mishaps she learns the power of teamwork. Once I let my family in to help me talk through various concerns like fairy design, editing, even what life lessons to tackle, things became so much easier.
- Take your time. This belongs to you. It’s your hearts desires on those pages. Don’t let anyone rush your creativity.
- Research, research, research! Yes, even with children’s stories. Know your characters before you start with their story.
- Find a publisher that gets you. I self-published at first and I had some lovely books that sat on my library shelf collecting dust. I knew nothing about marketing nor did I wish to know anything. I did know I wanted my stories to remain a large part of me. It wasn’t easy to find someone but when I finally did, all the bells and whistles started quite a cacophony of interest!
- Create an oasis. Learn to ignore the outside world. At home, find your spot and fill it with what calms you. I grab a cup of liquid gold (my coffee❤) and settle into my lace covered window oasis. Wa-la, then the magic happens. When traveling I hunt out a beautiful nature spot and immerse myself in it.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Oh yes, I would love to share. My books are all about life lessons. One book in particular reaches deep into my own psyche. It’s titled Luna Lights Up. You see, Luna is always worried that people won’t like her. This makes her very shy and insecure in dealing with others. Her forest friends help her to come to the realization that… “just by being who she really was… She was liked. She now knew that she could shine her light upon her forest family, or let her gloom show through and they would help her think away her worries.”
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Oh, that’s so easy to answer. It would be Shel Silverstein. I’m afraid we can’t make the lunch thing happen since he passed away in 1999 but what I would have given to explore his mind! He had the most amazing capacity to let fly his fantastical imagination in a way that reaches children of all ages. I want to be him when I grow up!
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Readers can find me and my fairy books at https://alwaysandforeverbooks.com/, and to read my new book Catia’s Christmas Gift visit https://bit.ly/CatiasChristmasGift
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Social Impact Authors: How & Why Author Mary Brodsky Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.