Guest Features: Sarah Ward
Hi all! This week I want to share an email interview from the talented Sarah Ward! (Read Through the NICU) Today’s article includes her biography, answers to my interview, and be sure to check out her links at the bottom! One of the best ways to learn about writing, the publishing/ indie publishing industry, and networking in the bookish world, is by communicating with and learning from other writers. I am so thankful to have learned from Sarah and hope you will enjoy this mini dive into her process as well!
Biography
Sarah Ward is a mother of three who all experienced time in the neonatal intensive care unit before coming home to thrive. She received a B.S. in health promotion and behavior from the University of Georgia and a degree in dental hygiene from the Medical College of Georgia. Her background in public health and experience in the NICU inspired her debut book Our NICU Journey.
Sarah enjoys all things music, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. She is thankful for the opportunity to stay at home to write and to enjoy her children while they are young. As an advocate for NICU families, Sarah hopes to support families on their own journey home and encourage the love of reading to all children.
Interview Questions
Question:
What are your favorite topics/genres to write about?
Answer:
I enjoy writing inspiring children's books in meter.
Question:
What writing projects are you working on/have worked on?
Answer:
I am currently volunteer editing for a nonprofit, assisting fellow authors with developing their rhyming children’s books, and have two upcoming books that will hopefully be complete in 2023.
Question:
How did you get into writing?
Answer:
In 2017 I uncharacteristically wrote a poem after my twin daughters, who were born at a gestational age of 28 weeks, came home from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). I think it was an outlet to express our journey home from the hospital. I did not know what to do with it, so I tucked it away in my nightstand. In 2019 my son also went through the NICU and my husband suggested using the poem to create a book to give back to the community and help other families struggling with the NICU know that they are not alone. This started my journey to becoming an author.
Question:
When did you begin writing?
Answer:
I published my first keepsake book about the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on World Prematurity Day on November 17, 2021. We chose this date to celebrate our preemies’ progress and raise awareness for premature birth.
Question:
What was your first publication, and what was the experience like?
Answer:
My first book is titled Our NICU Journey. Creating this love letter to NICU families was healing for us. Reading in the NICU is extremely beneficial, especially on days you are unable to hold your child. My husband and I read to our kids every day and still do. Publishing a book so families have a positive success story to read when their child is fighting for their life really hit home for us.
We used our personal photos to inspire the illustrations and included images of some of our health care teams to thank them for bringing our babies home. Many families who experience the NICU have birth trauma and many do not typically talk about their feelings afterwards. Writing this book was our way of coping with our NICU experiences, as well as a way to encourage others who might experience the same things.
I have also met so many talented individuals along the way. I have so much respect for writers, editors, illustrators, designers, and readers who share the same love for books as I do. I had no idea how much went into making a book and now I value books even more.
Question:
What is your favorite rule or writing tip?
Answer:
Never stop editing!
Question:
What is the weirdest writing tip or rule that you use?
Answer:
I like to just sit on a story for a while. I like to write it down and set it aside to come back to it later on with fresh eyes. It tends to give it new perspective.
Question:
What is your favorite part about writing?
Answer:
I really just love to write in rhyme. It comes naturally and I enjoy how things flow. Plus, it’s fun to rewrite my own lyrics to songs.
Question:
What is your biggest challenge in writing?
Answer:
Accepting criticism. I know that my writing is not for everyone, and that is ok. I also have to remind myself to get out of my own way to take advice and suggestions from others while staying true to my message.
Question:
What advice would you like to share about being a writer?
Answer:
Be patient. It is an art and you cannot rush art.
Question:
Any tips on publication, submitting works, or navigating the professional world?
Answer:
Be honest with yourself and know your limits. Do what you do best and hire a professional to assist you with the rest. They are worth every penny to elevate your piece. I am not tech savvy, and my book designer was paramount to making my book look professional. I am not an artist, so I hired an illustrator who made images ten times better than I imagined. Do your homework. Find out what direction you want to take and research all of the possibilities it will take for you to get there. There is a wealth of resources you can find to educate yourself about your genre and how to submit your work or self-publish.
Question:
Who are your favorite writers/inspirations?
Answer:
I love Nancy Tillman and Ryan T. Higgins
Question:
What are your goals or dreams in writing?
Answer:
Erma Bombeck said it best in saying, “When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say ‘I used everything you gave me’.”
Question:
If you could be fully funded to study or write about anything, what would it be?
Answer:
Children’s books that inspire hope to others and to remind my children that they are loved and can be anything they want to be with hard work and determination.
Links!!
Website: www.LittleWardBooks.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LittleWardBooks (Reading Through the NICU)
Instagram: www.instagram.com/Sarah_Immonen_Ward_author (Reading Through the NICU)
Reviews
“Sarah Ward writes a charming and loving account of her premature twins' NICU stay. With rhyme and dignity, she reveals the depth and strength of their journey. This book is a blessing to all the families affected by premature birth and she brings strength and hope to them. The watercolor illustrations are a beautiful complement to the deeply emotional story. Written as a love poem to the children, Our NICU Journey will be treasured for years. The resources listed at the end of the book and the journaling pages will be most helpful to families experiencing this process. Kudos to Sarah Ward for her efforts to bring hope and strength to others!”
Elizabeth S. | Amazon Review
"As a fellow NICU parent seeing that someone took their struggles and made them into a supportive book is truly amazing! I am proud to have been given the option to read this book and will recommend to fellow NICU parents for years to come!"
Amber M. | NICU Parent
"Our NICU Journey is a sweet NICU book for families to read to any child. Whether or not you have a NICU baby, you can enjoy this story and your children will too. Spreading awareness on NICU stays is very important and this is why I love this book. I also love the literature, it rhymes! Super cute book art to capture the attention of little eyes, short and sweet."
NICU.mamas Foundation | Parent of a NICU graduate
Conclusion
What did you learn from Sarah’s experiences? Be sure to check out her book, Our NICU Journey, and let me know in the comments below what you think about these questions! What is the most helpful writing advice you have ever heard and what do you wish you could improve in your process?