About Aisli Madden:
Aislí Madden is an Irish author, designer and TV presenter, who has practiced mindfulness daily for nearly two decades.
Aislí created the Buddabugzz brand to bring mindfulness techniques to children from the earliest age. Buddabugzz bedtime stories are infused with techniques that help to develop self-confidence, positive thinking, AND encourage sleep at bedtime.
What inspires you to write?
I love to entertain and make children laugh but above all else I love to tell a story that can change children’s lives.
Scientific evidence indicates that mindfulness has incalculable physical and mental health benefits. It is also used all over the world as a remedy for insomnia.
The simple practice of Mindfulness is the cornerstone to happiness. I want all children to be aware of and experience its benefits.
Tell us about your writing process.
I write and illustrate my books. I generally come up with an idea or outline of a story first, then the images start floating into my mind. I then I doodle some sketches. As the story progresses, so do the images. I work both up simultaneously until I have a draft book. Then I go back and edit again, and again, and again. When I’m happy with the overall finished book, Ill pass it over to family and friends for feedback. After a few tweaks, ill send it off for professional editing. It takes a lot of time to perfect, but its worth it.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I visualize my Buddabugzz EVERYWHERE, especially when I’m out walking my dog. I get inspiration from nature. If I see a gnarly tree, Ill take a photo. It may end up becoming part of my set, or background for my illustrations.
What advice would you give other writers?
You must live, sleep, breathe your work. If you are not 100% committed you will not succeed. You must believe in yourself, your work and your dreams… and put the hours in!
I am a graphic designer by trade, and have designed hundreds of book covers over the years. My advice to any self publishing author is to pay premium for a good designer. Regardless of what people say… we DO judge a book by its cover!
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I funded my first book, Zenji & the Muzzy Bug, on Kickstarter. It was a huge project to take on singlehandedly but the support I received from friends and family was phenomenal. I then decided to approach one agency, who I had been a fan of for years. After waiting 10 weeks, I received a cut and paste rejection letter from them. I was gutted. But rather than spend any more time trying to find another, I decided to tackle the publishing industry head on and self publish. It is still early days, but I think it was the right choice. You learn a lot about the industry this way. Your customers are more tangible too.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
The world is constantly changing. It is up to us to adapt. I’m excited about what the future holds for publishing. Advancing technologies give us more tools to reach our audience. We just need to ensure that we have balance.
What do you use?: Professional Editor
What genres do you write?: Children
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Aisli Madden Home Page Link
Link To Aisli Madden Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
LinkedIn
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit, to allow you, the reader, to hear the author in their own voice.
