Do It All Mamas (& Papas): Meet the mom behind Tell Me A Story

Amy showing off one of her audio books

In today's Do It All Mamas (& Papas) feature (find out more about this series below)... Amy Friedman, mom to two daughters, one stepdaughter, and one stepson, all in their 20s, and children's author/story teller.

Examiner: Tell me something unique/interesting about yourself.

Amy: Wow--well, maybe most unique in terms of this particular business is that I've been writing a worldwide syndicated column of stories for children since 1992 and so have written and published more than 800 stories. Universal Press Syndicate signed me and my illustrator, Jillian Gilliland, 16 years ago to a 15 year contract, and we've just re-signed--10 more years. Daunting when I write it down...how many stories will that be?

Examiner: What is your business all about?

Amy: For years I had hoped a publisher would decide to publish audio books of selected stories from "Tell Me A Story," the syndicated feature. My younger daughter suffers from severe dyslexia, and it was only when she discovered audio books that she learned to LOVE reading (before that time she despised it, which is a tough thing for a writer Mom to know). I was teaching creative writing at UCLA Extension in Los Angeles (where I still teach), and many of my students were working actors. One day, listening to one of the gifted actors reading her work, it struck me: Why not produce these on my own. Voila, the idea was born. (You can find out more about Amy's work at www.mythsandtales.com)

Examiner: What is your favorite product that you make or sell and why do you like or recommend it?

Amy: We're tiny--we produce just one audio book a year, and so far we've released just two (with our third, Tell Me A Story 3: Women of Wonder) in production right now. I love both of them, and could never choose one over the other, and I suspect when the third one is finished, I'll feel the same way. I love these because the blend of talent--from the work of composer Laura Hall to the exquisite music by so many talented musicians to the readings by stunning actors, to the designer's work with Jillian's fabulous artwork--has taken the stories to new heights, and though I wrote the stories, every time I listen, I hear something new.

Examiner: What secret do you have to share with other parents about "having it all" with your family and business?

Amy: Love what you do, and share your joy in your work with your kids--when my younger daughter was very small, she'd sometimes become annoyed hearing the sound of my keyboard at 5 in the morning, but just recently she told me how much she understood, and how glad she is that I taught her--by showing her--how much fun hard work can be.

Examiner: What is the number one piece of advice you have for other parents?

Amy: I can't give advice--I'm still learning, even though my kids are grown. I think patience is key, in everything--in parenting, in work, in life. But don't berate yourself for losing your patience sometimes. It's natural. And know that adult children are exquisite pleasure, even when you worry about them.

Examiner: What is your (and your kids) favorite family activity?

Amy: We're all so different, that's hard to answer--some love to read, others don't. Some love sports, others don't. They all love big family gatherings on the beach and traveling to new places.

Examiner: Anything else you want to add?

Amy: When Laura Hall, my composer, Lori Ada Jaroslow, my director, and I were originally talking about what we hoped to create, we all agreed: When kids find a piece of music or art or story or show they love, they'll listen (and watch or play) it over and over again. That meant, to us, that our CDs had to be work that parents would enjoy, too, work that spoke not just to children but also to parents. And we've never heard a single person complain though we've heard many folks tell us that their children listen to the CDs over and over and over and over again.