Q. What was the most surprising thing you learned about creating books?

Elena: It’s hard! It takes a lot more work to create a book than I first realized. Writing was only the first baby step. Then the production, printing, and marketing…wow, there’s so much that goes into the whole process!

Q. Describe what your ideal writing space looks like?

Elena: Somewhere that has a lot of cheese, chocolate, and lattes.

Q. How did you become involved in the subject or theme of your book?

Elena: I struggled with body image and low self-esteem in elementary school and middle school. I had never thought of thanking my body for everything it does…I was too busy criticizing it! And as you can probably guess, that was not healthy.

 It wasn’t healthy, physically, or emotionally. After learning about gratitude and mindfulness techniques as an adult, I started to wonder: If I could go back in time and talk to my child self, what book would I want her to read? 

I realized that I would have needed that introduction to gratitude and mindfulness. That’s what inspired me to write. Thank You, Me. There are so many wonderful books on these topics now, but they’re really weren’t many when I was growing up.

 I’m grateful that so many authors are choosing to write inspirational and mindfulness books. And I hope they continue—you never know who needs to hear your message.

Q. What inspires you as a writer?

Elena: Other writers inspire me. Watching the success of other authors inspires me to keep on writing and publishing!

Q. What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Elena: When I’m not writing, I like to read. And when I’m not reading, I’m usually designing someone’s book. My life really revolves around books. 

Q. What does your creative process look like?

Elena: It usually happens past midnight when there’s nothing else to distract me, and I’m at wit’s end with procrastinating, and it’s just time to get over it and write!

Q. Can you tell us about one of the most rewarding moments you have had as an author?

Elena: I have made some incredible friendships, thanks to publishing this book. Looking back at synchronicity after synchronicity, I literally would not have met some of my closest friends if I had not published this book. I’m not a religious person, but I’m very spiritual. 

Self-publishing this book was like following bread crumbs in God’s plan. It’s amazing how coincidental meetings can change our lives. I can write pages and pages about this, but the short answer is: The most rewarding part of being an author was being able to create these new relationships. 

Q. What do you hope your readers take away from this book?

Elena: I hope that readers (both children and adults) will start to value (and thank) their bodies and senses. We live in a very body-image obsessed society. We don’t often think past the clothes we wear or the body shape we’re in. And yet our bodies pretty much DO everything for us! 

They allow us to see, hear, feel…and really—to be here! I hope my book will serve as a little reminder to notice our bodies and to express a bit of gratitude for everything they do. 

Q. Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

Elena: I often hear from women who say the book made them cry! In a good way (I hope!). It’s interesting that the book can bring up so many emotions. The kids don’t have this response, but the women reading the book to their children do. 

I heard from a woman in Brazil who wrote to me about her own childhood experience with body image. Her classmates made fun of her for the color of her skin. She was of European descent, and in Brazil, the children called her “ghost.” 

The experience was so painful for her that she refused to wear dresses or shorts. I don’t remember how she found my book, but hearing from her was an overwhelmingly rewarding experience. It’s amazing how sharing experiences and stories can connect people.

Q. What process takes place in creating your artwork?

Elena: I start by making rough sketches in a sketchbook. After getting a composition I like, I use a light table to trace those onto watercolor paper. Then I start to paint. Afterward, I scan the pages and do some more editing in Photoshop. 

Then I compile everything in Adobe InDesign. For my next book, I’d like to transition to digital art in Procreate, but there’s something about the experience of painting—the texture of paper and paint—that really can’t be replicated in the digital world. We’ll see!

Q. Did you draw as a child?

Elena: Yes! All the time. In Kindergarten, I made my first book about the sun and planets (I think we were learning about that, or actually I have no idea why I chose that subject). My teacher laminated and spiral-bound the pages, and you could say that I was hooked on books since then.

 In second grade, I started making books on sticky note pads. If you look through my high school and college notebooks, you’ll mostly find drawings and doodles. (That’s how I was paying my best attention!)