My Journey from Otolaryngologist to Children’s Book Author

 From Healing Ears to Healing Hearts: My Journey from Otolaryngologist to Children’s Book Author

There are things in life that you never imagine you’ll do—until circumstances or experiences become the architect of your actions.

Becoming a children’s book author was never part of my life ambition, until one fateful day changed everything…

Table of Contents

1. Introduction:

2. My Journey to Otolaryngology:

3. From Doctor to Author: The Birth of a New Passion:

4. Balancing Science and Storytelling:

5. The Process of Book Creation:

6. The Awesome Reward:

7. Looking Ahead:

8. Conclusion:

Get Your Copy of Cherry’s Ear Adventure

1. Introduction:

The journey from otolaryngologist to children’s book author wasn’t something I planned, but life often leads us in unexpected directions…

It started during a moment of exploration in the digital space when I was encouraged to choose a niche, something to focus my energy on.

As I reflected, memories of specific patient cases came flooding back—heart-wrenching stories that I wished had unfolded differently.

These cases compelled me to take my mission of ear health education beyond the confines of the clinic, reaching out to children everywhere.

One such case was a 5-year-old girl who came to the hospital with a fever, ear discharge, and facial asymmetry—her face was twisted to one side. She had been exploring her ear at school and, feeling the pain that followed, told her mother.

Her father attempted to help, using olive oil to try and dislodge the foreign object, but nothing worked.

Even after taking her to a nearby hospital where a doctor tried and failed to remove the object, they didn’t come to see an Otolaryngologist until days later, after their attempts at logistics and preparation for travel. The infection had worsened, complicating what could have been a simple intervention.

Then there was the 22-year-old man who came in with recurrent ear discharge, tracing it back to an ear exploratory incident that occurred when he was a child.

His story was a reminder of the long-term consequences children may face from seemingly harmless actions.

The anxiety that parents face when their child has even the slightest ear issue after such an event is profound. They worry that every little problem is tied to that initial childhood incident, and I knew something had to be done to educate them.

These and other experiences—these children and their families—are what inspired me to create the Healthy Adventure Series, a series of picture books aimed at teaching children how to be curious while staying safe.

I realized that by blending my passion for teaching with my love for storytelling, I could make ear health education more accessible, fun, and memorable for young readers.

2. My Journey to otolaryngology:

I’ve always been driven by a desire to create happiness and bring peace to those around me. That desire led me into medicine—to help the sick recover and to make a meaningful difference in their lives.

Specializing in Otolaryngology came naturally during my house job rotational posting, a year-long internship that allowed me to explore different medical specialties.

I was drawn to the complexities of ear, nose, and throat health, especially in children.

Working with children in my practice has always been a joy. They’re sweet, innocent, and full of curiosity, though earning their cooperation during physical examinations often requires patience and creativity.

One thing I’ve noticed is that many of the behaviors that lead children to injure themselves—like sticking objects into their ears—are preventable with proper education. Not just for the children themselves, but for their older siblings, who are often the ones witnessing these moments.

The ear is a sensory organ that often gets neglected until something goes wrong. It’s not uncommon for parents to use home remedies like olive oil before seeking medical advice. And while we counsel them against these practices, the fact remains that early education can prevent these issues from occurring in the first place.

3. From Doctor to Author: The Birth of a New Passion:

As an otolaryngologist, I’ve encountered several cases in my practice that made me realize how important it is to educate kids about ear health…

Drawing inspiration from my experiences in the clinic, I realized that my role as a doctor could extend far beyond the hospital walls. I wanted to reach kids in their homes, schools, and imaginations.

I’ve always loved teaching through analogies and stories, so I began to ask myself: why not use storytelling to educate children about ear health?

The result was the Healthy Adventure Series, a set of children’s books that weave vital medical knowledge into engaging, adventurous stories. In particular, Cherry’s Ear Adventure was born out of my desire to show kids that curiosity is a wonderful thing, but it’s important to explore safely.

Through Cherry’s experiences, children learn about ear safety in a fun, non-threatening way. Also, through the Ear Safety Coloring and Activity Book, I provide an interactive, hands-on approach that reinforces these important lessons.

Writing these books has been an incredibly rewarding experience. It allows me to combine my medical knowledge with my passion for storytelling, creating a unique educational tool for both children and parents.

I’ve seen the emotional toll that ear-related issues can take on families, and hope that by sharing these stories, I can help prevent some of that worry.

4. Balancing Science and Storytelling:

Storytelling is a powerful tool in medicine. It allows us to break down complex ideas and present them in a relatable, understandable, and engaging way for children. But it’s a delicate balance—ensuring medical accuracy while crafting a story that captures the imagination.

With Cherry’s Ear Adventure, I wanted to create a character that children could relate to—someone who embodies their natural curiosity while serving as a role model for safe behavior.

I used my medical expertise to ensure that the lessons in the book are not only accurate but also easy for children to understand.

Get Your Copy of Cherry’s Ear Adventure

5. The Process of Book Creation:

The process of writing these books, though rewarding, wasn’t without its challenges. I hadn’t written fiction in years, and self-publishing was a whole new world to me.

I chose the self- publishing path because I wanted full control over the story and illustrations. I needed to ensure that the message in my heart was delivered exactly as I envisioned. I was determined to create a book that would stand shoulder to shoulder with traditionally published works, without compromising quality.

I knew from the start who my audience would be—curious, eager children who needed guidance on how to explore the world safely. To better understand the art of writing, I joined several author groups, where I gained invaluable insights.

I quickly learned that publishing a book is like piecing together a puzzle. It involves idea generation, manuscript development, editing, illustration, and then the administrative tasks of marketing and promoting. And after that, it’s time to move on to the next book.

I thought the writing process would be the easiest part, but it quickly became the most humbling. When I submitted what I thought was a polished draft, the editor’s response floored me.

She couldn’t understand what I was trying to say. Words and phrases we use every day in the medical field—like “foreign body impaction”—were completely unfamiliar to her and, as she pointed out, far too complex for the age group I was writing for.

The storyline itself, though unique and necessary, needed to be shaped in a way that resonated with children.

I remember introducing myself and explaining my background as a doctor, which helped the editor grasp why my story was so important.

But the true eye-opener came when another editor, one with experience in children’s books, told me, “Your idea has so much potential, but there’s no story here.” She was right—my initial drafts were more like lists of instructions and warnings, filled with medical facts but devoid of the whimsy and wonder that children’s books need.

It was a hard pill to swallow, but her advice was invaluable. She pointed me toward books and resources that could help me improve. she advised me to visit my local library and read many children’s books.

I spent hours reading children’s books, studying how other authors brought their stories to life. I debated whether to hire a ghostwriter, but ultimately, I decided to write the book myself. This was my story, my message to share with the world.

Fortunately, reading and writing have always been old friends of mine, so it didn’t take long for me to grasp the art of storytelling for children. By the time I submitted the final manuscript, my editor was amazed at how far I’d come.

The original title was When Curiosity Goes Wrong: The Story of Aurora and the Ear Explorers, but after much discussion and revision, we settled on the title that felt just right—Cherry’s Ear Adventure.

The Role of Illustrations

With the manuscript finalized, the next hurdle was finding the right illustrator. This could have been another stumbling block, but I was lucky enough to connect with an illustrator who had a medical background. This was a game-changer, as I didn’t have to explain complex medical terms—she already understood them. Together, we brought the story to life in a way that was both accurate and engaging for children.

Her creativity and collaboration made this process smoother than I had anticipated.

Self-Publishing: A Roller Coaster of Emotions

Self-publishing has been a roller coaster of emotions—filled with challenges, yet incredibly rewarding. It’s a journey that has pushed me beyond my comfort zone, tested my perseverance, and brought me closer to people like YOU.

This experience has taught me the importance of community and support, and how valuable it is to share your voice with the world.

Throughout this journey, I had one constant source of strength—my husband. He was the wind beneath my wings, ferrying the seeds of this project to their destination. His unwavering support made all the difference.

So, to my husband, Chuks, I can’t thank you enough. You’ve been my rock, and I’m eternally grateful for your love and encouragement.

6. The Awesome Reward:

There’s no greater reward than seeing your work make a positive impact. For me, that impact is twofold. On the one hand, I’m still a doctor, still treating children and helping them recover. On the other hand, I’m now an author, reaching children in a different but equally important way—through stories that can prevent the very issues I see in my practice.

The feedback I’ve received from parents and teachers has been heartwarming. Knowing that my books are helping children stay safe while still nurturing their curiosity is an incredible feeling. It reminds me of why I started this journey in the first place.

Get Your Copy of Cherry’s Ear Adventure

7. Looking Ahead:

As I look ahead, I’m excited about the future of the Healthy Adventure Series. I have so many ideas for new stories, all designed to educate children about their health in fun and engaging ways. I want to continue advocating for children’s health, not just in my clinic but through my books, reaching as many children and families as possible.

8. Conclusion:

I never imagined I’d be an author, but this journey has been one of the most fulfilling chapters of my life. This journey from Otolaryngologist to children’s author has been one filled with unexpected twists and invaluable lessons.

Through my books, I hope to inspire curiosity in children while teaching them how to explore their world safely. I invite you to join me on this journey—whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or simply someone who believes in the power of storytelling.

I invite you to support an indie author and grab your copy. I hope you enjoy the stories as much as I’ve enjoyed creating them.

Let’s teach our little ones to stay curious, but always safe. 

Get Your Copy of Cherry’s Ear Adventure

Dr. Modesty Nwabueze

Dr. Modesty Nwabueze is a dedicated otolaryngologist and passionate author, blending her medical expertise with a love for writing. As the author of the Healthy Adventure Series, a children’s picture book series, she uses her impactful stories to promote preventive medicine and inspire healthier living.

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