(photo credit: Ben Evans)
Posted by | RayCornelius
DeShawn Snow isn’t as interested in keeping up with the Joneses as she is with helping their tweenage daughter survive the perils and pitfalls of elementary school…you know it can be hard being a 5th grader these days.
The former RHOA star-turned-minister-turned children’s book author is releasing her first series of children stories aimed at helping to develop self esteem and self awareness of young girls.
Culled from some of her childhood experiences, these books are living proof that you can turn your negative childhood issues into a positive and profitable endeavor.
We recently caught up with DeShawn to talk about the books, her hopes to have a DeShawn Snow doll and why the RHOA shouldn’t be viewed as nothing more than entertainment.
RC: What is the inspiration behind your children’s book series?
DS: Well you know I have a passion for empowering, encouraging and enriching the lives of young women and teen girls. And so with my foundation we were reaching the girls at 11 years old and then I realized that we needed to start reaching the girls a little bit younger. I am raising all boys but I do have nieces and friends who have girls and just seeing the girls at my son’s school, I realized that I needed to start planting seeds in their lives at an earlier age.
RC: Are the stories based on real situations?
DS: The whole series is loosely based on my life. My nickname is Shawnee and everyone at home calls me that. Book one talks about bullying and I was bullied. Book two talks about keeping up with the Joneses and judging your inside by someone else’s outside. Those three things I dealt with as an adult and then in book three we discuss “taking center stage” and how to shine—meaning—that you are promoting from within. Don’t worry about what other people are doing just know that your steps are ordered by God and so when it’s your time to shine, you will shine.
RC: Let’s talk about the characters…
DS: Well the main character is Lil Shawnee and her two friends that are girls. So my sons are like, “Mom! What about us?” [Laughs] I will write in some other characters as she continues to grow. Right now, Lil Shawnee is in the fifth grade, so she is not dealing with the little boys just yet. But I hope to have a series of books. Additionally I want to have a merchandising line and an animated series. I really want to build the brand to include dolls, bedroom accessories, board game, and video games.
RC: What are you hoping to accomplish with the series?
DS: Well I want to empower and encourage the girls. It’s a “you can do it” message to help them overcome negativity and build inner strength with a sprinkle of heavenly advice as well. I just want to make them well rounded.
RC: Did you get a chance to catch this past season of The Real Housewives of Atlanta?
DS: Actually, I don’t really watch it. I will catch it if it’s on television. But I don’t tape the show or anything like that. Of course I hear about it because it’s so popular and I see the ladies when we are out. We don’t talk all the time but when we see each other we speak. And I know they’re all busy doing great things aside from the show, so, for that I am happy. I know it’s a little wild as are all the other reality shows. Unfortunately, the images that people see only tell half the story. I know from being on the first season that it shows a part of your life and people think that you’re that person the entire time. But that’s not who they really are. And then also people need to realize that it’s entertainment.
DeShawn Snow’s Book Series, Lil Shawnee Books are available in stores and can also be ordered online at www.lilshawnee.com