Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Laura Pasternak. I’m a mother of two with a creative spirit. I started my DIY Blog (phar-ma.com) back in 2010 as a creative outlet where I taught myself the art of illustration and design.
Inspired by my children, I set out to write and illustrate a story to help ease the anxiety that comes with having two homes. My first book is a bedtime story (Sweet Dreams, Lima Beans) with a fun, modern take on bedtime that any child would enjoy. From the book’s inception, I knew I wanted my Lima Bean characters to tell more stories so I also created The Secret Life of Beans Children’s Book Series (thesecretlifeofbeans.com) as an inspirational platform for children and families alike. My hope is to continue spreading a positive message and bring families closer together by adding more to this series.
I live in beautiful Sarasota, Florida with my two amazing children and work in helping people with rare diseases.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called Livin’ the Dream, Lima Beans and it takes readers on a whimsical journey about finding your passions and staying true to yourself. Live life to the fullest–this is something that I try to encourage my own children to do.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
The ideas for the books usually hit me throughout the day and I’ll write them down on notes and piece them together for the final product.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’ve always been a fan of Dr. Seuss. The unmistakeable rhyming patterns and bright illustrations always made me feel like anything was possible. More recently, Adam Rubin, Dav Pilkey, and “Ann Droid”–I love their modern approaches to children’s books.
What are you working on now?
I’ve already written the third book in The Secret Life of Beans Series to address the challenges of screen time for children these days. Now I just need to work on the illustrations!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Awesome Gang of course! I’ve also had success is using Facebook groups, promoting on social media channels, and Pinterest.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice would be to do 1% more everyday. Writing can be overwhelming, but if you just do 1% it’s manageable. I work full time and I’m a single mom, so I always make it a priority of doing a little bit at a time and it eventually leads to a finished product.
Author Websites and Profiles
Laura Pasternak Website
Laura Pasternak Amazon Profile
Laura Pasternak’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account