Author's Interview with Clara Harper

Before we dive into our exciting conversation with today’s remarkable author, let’s start by getting to know the creative mind behind the diverse and captivating stories.

1. Could you please introduce yourself to us?

I'm Clara Harper, I am a marketing executive for a digital design firm in the NE United States (Rhode Island). I am married and have 2 sons. I was 39 when I had my first child, it took us years to start our family. So I have had a full career before becoming a mother, which has been an interesting experience.

2. Congratulations on your book! What inspired you to write it?

Balancing motherhood and a full time career turned out to be way harder than I could have imagined. I have struggled and found balance, then struggled again, then really spent time researching tools to help me be a better mother without losing myself. My kids really struggled when they were angry, tantrums felt like an endless pain point in our household with no end in sight. It felt like we just couldn't get past it. I thought it was a phase and although we applied traditional de-escalation tools, they barely worked. We just felt more and more helpless and were unable to get our kids through it. 

Finally I had the idea to try teaching them the same things but in non traditional ways, like a story with visual aids. What I realized was that traditional tools like breathing exercises, counting to 10, imagining something silly when they are angry, all were super useful tools that worked, but just telling the kids in the moment was like talking to a brick wall. So I wrote this book and put my son in it, and our dog, and made it visually fun to see. And as we read it together he was able to absorb the information in a new way. The book as a tool to help them get through the tantrum phase actually worked! So that's why I did it, and why I won't stop. We have other challenges and I will write and create as long as it helps my kids, and other children get through the hard emotional hurdles of childhood.

3. What is your book about?

It's about a little boy who has a hard time overcoming anger. But his anger manifests as an imaginary monster that is destructive. It's like his inner monster coming out.

4. Why did you choose this genre for your book?

Because I had a real problem I needed to solve. I realized that there are other parents struggling with the same things! So why not share it with other moms too? I had kids late, so I never had a "village" or support from other moms. My sister's and friends had already had kids and they were grown. I was and am essentially on my own.

5. How long did it take you to complete the book?

Several months. Many rewrites and edits.

6. What makes your book special?

It's special to me because it is about my children and our very real challenges. And I hope it becomes special to you because I want to share any small victory I have in the crazy parenting game. Parents supporting each other is my goal with this series!

7. When can we expect your next book?

October! I am releasing another Inner Monster book in December as well. :)

8. Did you experience writer’s block while writing? What advice would you give to others who face it?

I do frequently get writer's block! The tool that works for me is taking a 24 hour break from writing completely and doing something totally unrelated. I love to hike so I will often walk out in the woods on nature hikes with my kids. They are my inspiration so it often causes the creativity to spike again before the 24 hours are over.

9. Besides being a talented author, what are your other hobbies?

I love to hike, and I am also an amateur gardener with a special love of growing hot chili peppers. :)

10. Last but not least, how did you feel during this interview?

Relaxed and excited. I have always wanted to write. I have been writing a novel for years as a hobby but never actually planned to publish it. This was an attempt to solve a problem but it turned into a fun endeavor that I decided to see through to fruition. Now I don't want to stop!

Book Link