Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Soucy Mills.
Danielle, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve been writing stories almost as long as I’ve known how to put words to paper. I guess you could say I’ve always known I’d become a writer. By 5th grade, I remember realizing it was very difficult to write a real book at my age because I simply didn’t know enough about life. But that certainly didn’t stop me from trying! I hand wrote my first “novel” by the age of 10.
Gymnastics was also a passion of mine. At two and half, I was swinging upside-down like a monkey from my swing-set. Afraid I’d get hurt, my mom signed me up for gymnastics lessons and the rest was history. I always hoped to someday combine my love for writing and flipping.
In high school, I continued to pour my heart out onto the page. I wrote children’s stories in Italian for a class project, as well as short stories and poetry for a Writing for Publication class. Yet, I went into my first year of college unsure if I could turn my passions into a career. I finally set my major to English with a focus in Creative Writing after transferring to Rhode Island College to also compete on their gymnastics team.
While my mother always supported my writing, she often encouraged me to find a “good job with benefits,” and tried to steer me away from writing professionally. Yet, like callings often do, they whisper in your ear. They nudge you. They remind you why you’re here.
Shortly into my time at RIC, I won a scholarship for a collection of my short stories, and was later accepted into the MFA program at Chapman University in Orange, California. I knew it was a sign I was on the right track – or should I say the write track?! I finished my first novel, “Illusion of an Ending,” for my thesis and also completed the first draft of a children’s story, Tina Tumbles, which was inspired by my childhood.
Usually, the “traditional” thing to do is find a literary agent who will then help you find a publisher. But I like to say that the Universe had different plans for me. I was guided down the path of independent publication and while it was certainly not what I’d planned, when you’re doing what you love amazing things happen.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Writing is such a peculiar job because so much of the time you never know if your work will actually make it out there into the world.
When a small independent publisher picked up both my novel and my children’s book, I was beyond excited. But things didn’t exactly work out. My contract expired, and although I’d already begun working with an amazing illustrator and most of the illustrations for my children’s book were done, I’d learned that many publishing companies won’t pick up your book if you submit with an illustrator.
I had this incredibly strong urge to get my work out there, and so when I saw an award-winning independent author by the name of Sheri Fink speak at a Publishers and Writers of San Diego meeting about her journey to becoming a best-selling children’s author, I knew I had to move forward with publication. Sheri became my publishing mentor, and about a year later, after a successful Kickstarter campaign, Tina Tumbles was released. A little while later, I published my novel.
While there were several struggles along the way, I see roadblocks as aspects of life that are basically trying to nudge you in a different direction, or at least trying to teach you something. That said, I’m grateful for the struggles that have come my way because I know I would not be who I am without them.
What should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
While I specialize in writing very different genres – children’s picture books and Visionary & Metaphysical fiction for adults – my overall goal is to write books which contribute to the well-being of our world.
Although the stuff that I write is fiction (i.e. not exactly real), I love to portray the magic that I truly believe exists within our lives, whether we choose to see it or not. Stuff like “soul purpose”, the power of positive thinking and believing in ourselves, the incredible concept of synchronicity, and our innate ability to create miracles. I don’t know if it sets me apart, but I’m certainly proud of my mission.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
About a year after Tina Tumbles was released, I woke up one morning to a Facebook post tagged from an old friend in high school. Without any solicitation Tina Tumbles had appeared in an issue of Us Weekly Magazine, listed as a favorite of Jenna Dewan Tatum’s daughter, Everly. It also appeared in an interview they’d done with People.com. The story had apparently inspired Everly to put on a leotard and try gymnastics, and she’d chosen it as a bed-time favorite out of so many other books. It was honestly like something out of a dream.
The funny part was that at first, I didn’t know who Jenna was. I’d been SO busy getting as much reading and writing done as possible before my daughter was born that I hardly watched any TV. It finally hit me that Jenna is an extremely talented dancer and actress married to Channing Tatum. Now, Jenna is a huge inspiration to me and I love that she also shares her spiritual side and seems so down to earth regardless of her fame.
Because of this, I also later I teamed up with a leotard company called Snowflake Designs to create a matching girl/doll leotard set like the leotard Tina wears in the book.
Maybe about a month or two before all of this had happened, I remember wondering if Tina Tumbles was truly inspiring kids to try gymnastics and build their love for reading as I’d intended. It was really cool to see it had been doing exactly that, not just for Everly, but for kids around the world.
And while these proud moments are pretty high up on my list, every time I hear that someone has enjoyed my work I am deeply honored.
Pricing:
- Signed Tina Tumbles hardcover – 15.00 (on my website, includes shipping; also available on Amazon in paperback)
- Illusion of an Ending – 12.00 (on Amazon)
- Tina Tumbles matching girl/doll leotard set made by Snowflake Designs – 68.00 (on Amazon)
- I Flip Over Books T-shirt – 20-30.00 (on Amazon)
If you’re interested in having me read or speak at a school, library, or event, I am available to attend anywhere in San Diego. Please contact me with the information below.
- Address: 502563 San Diego, CA 92150
- Website: www.daniellesoucymills.com
- Email: daniellesoucymills@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/daniellesoucymills
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorDanielleSoucyMills ; www.facebook.com/TinaTumbles
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/dsoucymills
- Other: www.amazon.com/author/daniellesoucymills
Image Credit:
Luciana Russo McAllister, Cristy Schimmel
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