Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
Hi there! My name is Rene’ Schultz from NH USA! I’m so grateful to live in a beautiful state w so much nature all around. I live here w my husband of 25 years and my two adult daughters. I suffered w childhood sexual and physical abuse but always tried my best with what I knew, volunteering and working w elder care and special needs. I’ve made it through a life of struggles with CPTSD and now want to teach kids before the going gets really tough
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘A Million More Kisses’ book?
Key challenges, we’ll first of all I’m an accidental writer. I haven’t taken classes and had to be taught as I went, about how to set up paragraphs etc. them the tech stuff, I am $10k into this book as I had to hire and beg everyone I could find for the answers to everything. I don’t learn very well so this project has been arduous for me and the many people I bugged incessantly. I am so, so grateful for so many people along my journey
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
Honestly, I haven’t read children’s books in 20 years. I have tried on my journey to not read any kids books, afraid I would get someone else’s idea in my head and be frozen. I’m not super creative so I’ve been super sensitive to not letting others influence any ideas I may come up with
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I honestly have not been far. I would have to say again, I’m so grateful to be in NH, I have mountains, cities and beaches all within an hour of me.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
Is there a lot to do before diving into books? Well I have 2 series coming, both based on my life experiences so I had to live almost 50 years of trauma lol One is on my chihuahua, pretty basic and I know him well. The other series is set in the woods w animals so reading up in nests, dens, animals and what they eat is a lot of fun
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘A Million More Kisses’ book?
It took almost 3 years from beginning to end. I went through a few publishers who scammed me, an illustrator and several editors. I finally got a great team around me and have been able to put out a spectacular product.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘A Million More Kisses’ book to buy?
Readers can find my book on IG at woody Knoll Publishing or my personal account, _that_wicked_smaht_chick. Facebook Rene Pelletier Schultz, my website woodyKnollPublishing.com, TikTok, Rene Schultz And I’ll be on Goodreads this week.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘A Million More Kisses’?
Around 2017 I took a photo of my chihuahua standing at the top of my mother in laws outdoor stairs looking down. It looked like he was saying goodbye for the last time and I got the idea to write about it. The cover, I initially just wanted an outline of a lady’s face so the book would be relatable to more kids. My illustrator ended up doing this and I went with it. I trusted her skill and the process of what the book would become
Q9. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
My book has so many secrets! 1. I had a very difficult relationship w my in-laws esp my mother in law. She is on the cover and I wrote a gorgeous story around her. Around the woman she was to others. Her cruelty for 30 y literally drove me to suicide. The passion for my book came from loss of self, grieving what will never be, keeping faith, hope and boundaries in order to find freedom in forgiveness. The black and red checker jacket hanging in the nurse scene is a shout out to my father in law whom I did hospice for. Kelley library is our real library where Nonnie, my mother in law always went, and her niece Audrey who really worked there! In one of the scenes there is a sign way out in the yard, in real life it says “Schultz conservation land”. When Nonnie died in July, 2019, the little sign outside the library had one of her quotes on it “the best thing about books, no commercials”. The nurses are my daughters. Emmy is Emily and Ellie is Rachel Elizabeth. Yes, I had so much fun writing this for everyone. The story you’ll hold in your hands is for the kids, my story of overcoming is to hold in your heart. God bless us all as we fight darkness with light.
Book Is Available On Amazon
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