Social Impact Authors: How & Why Author Chelly Bolger Wathen Is Helping To Change Our World
Don’t let others control my creative process or tell me how to do something — for instance in writing my 1st books my editor would not share with me the identity or contact info of my illustrator, despite my requests, she insisted on directing everything. This make the creative interaction between story and pictures much more difficult. I met the illustrator after the books were published and we became friends. We cut out that editor and worked on our next illustrated book together — sharing ideas. The book is so much better and much less headache.
As part of my series about “authors who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Chelly Bolger Wathen.
Barchelle (“Chelly”) Bolger Wathen, a native San Diegan, now enjoys living with her husband George and sweet Shayla in Prescott, Arizona. Chelly is a college graduate (Master of Public Administration degree), and a retired senior paralegal (San Diego City Attorney’s Office). She now works as a State Ombudsman Specialist. author, and co-business owner (“Wathen Custom Woodcrafts”). She also enjoys volunteering with DogTree Pines Senior Dog Sanctuary. From college papers and thesis to legal documents and grant proposals, Chelly always enjoyed writing. Today she focuses on writing Shayla’s books and producing plays based on those books. Follow the remarkable shepherd dog Shayla’s true journey from a Ukrainian orphanage to her forever family in America. A journey inspired by God and friends she meets along the way. But her favorite activity is enjoying God’s creation with family and friends — kayaking, ziplining, and hiking mountain trails. Every moment is a blessing, especially when it is shared with sweet Shayla.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood backstory?
I grew up in San Diego, California, the son of a high school counselor and a teacher/singer. I was the youngest of 3 (two older brothers). I was blessed with a normal childhood, just the 5 of us and always a dog plus at least one cat. I loved to sing in school/church/San Diego Opera, was a good student, pretty normal life. I was pretty shy and quiet, had buckteeth and was lousy in sports, and my mom was a more stern substitute teacher — other kids would pick on me because of these issues. I learned to be stronger, trying to not let cruel comments by other kids affect me, and try to have compassion for others.
When you were younger, was there a book that you read that inspired you to take action or changed your life? Can you share a story about that?
As a young child, I loved the Winnie the Pooh so much I created a play and acted it out with my friends in front of our school and principal. I was hooked as an early creative writer and playwright.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
First starting what? LOL! I can’t really think of anything.
Can you describe how you aim to make a significant social impact with your book?
My books about Shayla are designed primarily for younger kids and teens/young adults. The “Shayla’s Adventure” books share lessons of love and friendship to support kids, especially orphans and those who have overcome tough times. My original “Shayla & Friends” book tells the true story about the Ukrainian orphanage where Shayla grew up, their subsequent war-time exodus. My new book “Shayla & Friends: Into the Light” is designed for teens, about Shayla & our dog pack, but also about our fictional teenager overcoming abuse and abandonment, withstanding teen temptations and following God’s light. I aim to inspire others to sense God’s light, to overcome pain/loss and social temptations and be true to their best selves.
In my newest pending book “Shayla & Friends: Into the Light,” several of the dogs and people have overcome tough times of loss, physical disfigurement, abandonment, and they teach that genuine, inner beauty is the best.
Can you share with us the most interesting story that you shared in your book?
In the original “Shayla & Friends” book I share the true story of how the orphanage leader Roman started the orphanage — praying that God would restore his marriage and family. When God fulfilled this prayer, Roman offered his life and heart to God’s mission and started seeing the orphans near his Kyiv, Ukraine home, and created a model orphanage system, giving up his dream to become the youngest medical professor in his area. I also tell the story of how God was faithful to get buses to the orphanage at the start of the current war there, so they could flee the country from oncoming Russian forces with 125 kids before the troops advanced to take his kids. I hear that 20,000 Ukrainian children have been taken and only 500 recovered since the war started. Shayla reflects the strength of Roman and the Ukrainian people.
What was the “aha moment” or series of events that made you decide to bring your message to the greater world? Can you share a story about that?
As Roman and his family have shared with me, this is God’s story of faithfulness, redemption, and love. They have inspired me deeply to share this message of faith and hope.
Also, as I worked as a paralegal with the San Diego City Attorney’s Office for decades, including in Domestic Violence and Animal Anti-Cruelty efforts, as a Big Sister and animal rescue volunteer, and now as an Ombudsman helping with seniors, I know it takes all of us to support and encourage each other. Together we can overcome tough times, and that is what I seek to do in my books.
Without sharing specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
I have known kids and dogs who were abandoned, lost and scared, and through support, faith in them and God, love and friendship, they came to feel loved and overcame illness and pain.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
1. Support Ukraine to protect and recover their children, taken from their homeland
2. Pass legislation that animals have rights and are not just the owner’s property
3. Support our vulnerable children, seniors, animals
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
Leadership is compassionately protecting the rights of others, whether my staff or those vulnerable lives who need advocacy and protection, so that they can truly become their best selves.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? Please share a story or example for each.
- Don’t let others control my creative process or tell me how to do something — for instance in writing my 1st books my editor would not share with me the identity or contact info of my illustrator, despite my requests, she insisted on directing everything. This make the creative interaction between story and pictures much more difficult. I met the illustrator after the books were published and we became friends. We cut out that editor and worked on our next illustrated book together — sharing ideas. The book is so much better and much less headache.
- Don’t let anyone tell you it can’t be done — many folks did not have faith that I could turn my stories into published books. Fight past the nay-sayers, believe in the strength of your characters and “voices you hear in your head” and fight for their right to tell their story — your story. People told me that a book about a dog as a main character and narrator would never be a success — Wrong!
- Pace yourself — writing is a lot of work but if you don’t take time for yourself and some downtime you will burn out quickly. I work a regular job 30 hours/week, help my husband run a small business, maintain a household, and take time to write and publicize my books. Sometimes I feel so overwhelmed and exhausted and sense the pressure of a strict deadline. But when I don’t take time to enjoy life, spend time with my family and Shayla and God, I am never as creative. Take at least one day with no computer, phone, and enjoy nature. Hike, talk with a friend, just get away from modern technology.
(Can’t think of #4 or 5)
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
My best friend Buzzy Wassenberg’s favorite saying was “I love my ever expanding universe and those who roam it with me.” I love this and have often remembered this when trying new things (like ziplining) and meeting new people (like opening my life to a dog in Ukraine, across the world in a country I had barely heard of and now I love). Open your heart to new adventures, new friends, expand your universe beyond conventional and safe limits.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. :-)
Roman Korniyko and his daughters at Father’s House (Otchiy Dim) in Ukraine (or President Zelensky).
Someone like Jane Goodall, James Herriott, Diane Fossey, who love, champion, and understand animals and children.
How can our readers further follow your work online?
Shayla’s website: https://www.shaylaandfriends.com
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
