About the Author
My name is Maria Watts (previously Tome') but if you've known me for quite a while, I also go by Mia. It was a shortened version of Maria, given to me by my best friends in the 3rd grade. Anything good in me is because of JESUS, and for that I am grateful. I have a love for pretty things, especially flowers, and you'll find that most of the product packaging of my books involve flowers. I enjoy giving gifts, and giving of my time to those that I love. I enjoy cooking, baking, and hosting sweet moments inside my quaint home. If we were to spend a Saturday together, you'd also find me journaling at a cute hometown coffee shop or doing something active, (preferably anything involving water or nature). I am a coastal girl at heart (having lived in Florida for 23 years), with midwestern roots (born and raised in Michigan and currently reside in Kansas, with my husband).
I am in my 10th year of teaching elementary students and hope to continue to infuse a love of writing into their lives. One thing I know for sure, this journey of writing is never fully complete.
a little more about me...
From a very early age, everywhere I went, I created stories in my mind of characters on daring adventures. I'd play with the meaning of words on paper, and in college I was enthralled by learning a new word to add to my vocabulary every week. Tintinnabulation was a word I learned one time, which means a ringing of bells. I was determined to write a book someday. At first, I began plotting a fictional story when I was 16. It might be still on a notepad, in good ole' chicken scratch [now I am interested in finding it-despite it not being as legible]. Anyways, I started writing in 2016. It wasn't fiction though.
In 2020, I published my first book. The one I began in 2016 was finally complete [Waiting and Dreaming]. Waiting and Dreaming was finally released. The purpose of that book is to encourage others when they find themselves "stuck" in what seemingly feels like a "waiting" period in life. A standstill. A place they never anticipated finding themselves in. My goal within the book is to give a fresh perspective to what life could look like if we developed the moments we were in, instead of fighting the "I wish I was where I want to be right now". It's interesting as an author, you end up preaching to yourself too, and referring back to what you've written to help you meet a goal and sometimes just to encourage yourself in the process of development [okay, maybe to also remember to take your own advice. hehe!]
As you get familiar with this website, I hope you find something that can offer you hope and joy. Although the story started with me, I truly believe I am living out the very book I published. As I've been in moments of waiting for prayers to be answered in life, I challenged myself, picked up the pen and began writing a story that is only just the beginning. In the end, the legacy won't be about this book but what it looks like when one girl says YES, [even when she could have said NO], and chose to meet the need of readers that will be inspired to say YES to what they are having faith for.
Welcome! I hope you stay awhile.