Authot Interview: Emma's Secret- Real or Imagined by Steena Holmes

Disclosure / Disclaimer: I received this book, free of charge, from Bookspark PR, for review purposes on this blog. No other compensation, monetary or in kind, has been received or implied for this post. Nor was I told how to post about it
Earlier today I shared with you a review and giveaway of Emma's Secret, and now I have a Guest Post for you from Steena Holmes!

I asked Steena: How she came to use the subject matter as a book - was it based on a real experience she read about, or was around? How did she change it to fit the book, or did the book just come to her from the initial reading of a similar experience?


This was her answer: 

Nicole, thanks for having me! I have to say, your Oatmeal Chocolate No Bake Bars look delicious and the perfect recipe to make with my kids! (Steena is a confessed Chocoloholic- check out her blog!)

Now, about Emma. I think it has to be every mother’s nightmare for her child to go missing. Even if it’s only for a few seconds at the grocery store or the park when we lose sight of them. There’s that moment of anxiety that overwhelms us and for one second, everything freezes. And then we go into panic mode where we will do everything and anything to find our child. 

I have three daughters and we live on a very busy street. One summer day they were out in the front playing. I was inside, standing at my front window and watched them. I think the sprinkler was on. One moment my youngest was there and the next minute she was gone. I panicked.

And in that moment a whole scenario went through my head…what if someone had taken her? Where would she be? What would happen? What would I do? What about my other daughters? How would this affect them? 

Before I could even move, she’d come back into sight. She’d only ventured about our neighbors hedge, but I will never forget that one moment. Ever.

I’d been plotting a story at the time but I couldn’t get into it. Once the girls were in bed that night, I opened up a new file and started to write down Emma’s story. I had the general idea – a child goes missing. But I’m an organic writer – I tend to let the story tell itself. The words flowed and as the story took shape, I started to fall in love with not only Emma but with Jack, Dottie and everyone else. 

I hope it’s a story you could fall in love with as well.