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Welcome to the newest post in Writing While Healing, a series where I speak with indie authors who’ve found light through writing during their darkest times.
Today, I’m honored to feature Kendall
Concini-Moore, author and a mental health advocate. You can learn more about Kendall Concini-Moore here.
Please introduce yourself!
Name? Kendall Concini-Moore- Title-Mom, Author, Mental Health Advocate, Decent Volleyball Player.
Please tell us a little about yourself and the kind of stories you write.
As I faced the challenging task of balancing motherhood with mental health, during the first year of my daughter’s life, I searched for resources: studies, books, or personal stories—that might help me explain my struggles to her. When I couldn’t find anything that truly resonated, I decided to create it myself.
Mom’s Cloud and the Beach Adventure is an 800-word picture book for children ages 4 to 7 that gently explores how a parent can be present and loving, even while carrying invisible emotional weight. This story is poised to fill a demonstrated niche in the trade book market, offering a unique focus that will differentiate it from other books currently available. I envision this book as the beginning of a series where the "cloud" returns in different forms, representing emotions like anxiety, fear, or anger. These stories will continue to guide children through complex emotional experiences with creativity and care.
I also plan to build a supportive community around this work, leveraging my presence on social media to offer resources for emotional wellness and bridge the generational gap in understanding and managing emotions.
Please share a bit about your mental health journey, as much as you are comfortable with :)
I honestly never thought I'd have kids, because my depression- if I can't take care of my own mind, how can I raise others- but through therapy & a core squad, I started foster kids & volunteering places, and discovered my own strength. Having my children, I wanted to be open with them about my struggles, talking to them about emotions & holding space.
I've had depression & anxiety since high school, due to bullying- but recently was diagnosed with depression and ADHD, focusing on the H ;)
How has your mental health influenced your writing process or creativity?
I believe Mom’s Cloud and the Beach Adventure offers a fresh perspective on emotional well-being, carving out a space for a much-needed narrative that centers on the intersection of a parent’s emotional experience and a child’s understanding. It can spark important conversations about mental health and emotional resilience for both children and parents.
Do you find writing to be healing, challenging, or a bit of both?
Both- overall healing, but some pages too close to me- especially when editors wanted to rip them apart.
Has your experience with mental health shaped the themes or characters in your stories?
Yes, the story is directly my family, and a beach day experience. My favorite part are the quotes from "Dad". They are literal sentences my husband has told me throughout my life.
Are there any writing routines, boundaries, or self-care habits that help you stay grounded?
Oh it's chaos writing randomly.
What advice would you give to other writers who have similar struggles as you?
Traditional publishers have tried to edit, cut down, change parts- but podcasts, bloggers, people have responded well to the narrative- so my advice is write for your audience, write for your message, not the market.
Have you ever taken breaks from writing to focus on your mental health?
Writing was my break from a different mental health snowball, I had health issues and writing helped me to escape that.
What’s something you wish more people understood about being a writer with mental health struggles?
Maybe it's just me, but I'm not trying to be a 'bestseller' I'm trying to find the right sale. I want a parent, loved one, child who needs the book to find it and feel seen or have a tool to support.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with the readers?
More than selling the book, I'm building a community though my blog, my instagram. I'd love other posts, shares, etc.
Where can readers connect with you and your work? (Socials, website, books, etc.)
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Thank you for reading!
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