"Growing up, I often felt like I didn't quite fit the mold. Different, conspicuous, searching for my place. It's a feeling I think many of us carry, that sense of not quite belonging, of standing out when sometimes you just want to blend in.
Years later, as I watched children navigate their own journeys of self-discovery, I realized how universal this experience is. Every child, at some point, feels different. Maybe they're the only one who loves books in a sports-obsessed family, or the quiet kid in a classroom of extroverts, or the one whose family traditions don't match their classmates'.
That's when the idea for Black Swan, White Swan began to take shape."
I wanted to create a story that didn't just acknowledge these feelings of being different but celebrated them. Not in a forced, "everyone's special" way, but in a genuine exploration of how our differences, the very things that sometimes make us feel isolated, can become our greatest strengths.
The two swans in my story represent the internal dialogue many of us have: the part that wants to fit in and the part that knows our uniqueness is valuable. Through their friendship, they discover that being different isn't something to overcome—it's something to embrace.
Writing this book became deeply personal. Every page reminded me of my own journey toward self-acceptance and the countless young people I've met who are still finding their way.
If this story helps even one young reader feel less alone in their differentness or gives them permission to see their unique qualities as gifts rather than burdens, then every hour spent writing was worth it.
Black Swan, White Swan will very soon be available on Amazon (Kindle) and Payhip (PDF). It's for young readers aged 11-14, but really for anyone who's ever felt like the different one.
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