Naturally Lefty

There are moments in life that make you pause and reflect—not just on where you are today, but on the journey that brought you here.

Recently, I had the incredible honor of being featured in VoyageHouston’s Rising Stars series. While it’s exciting to see my story shared with a wider audience, what means the most to me is the opportunity to encourage someone else who may be facing challenges of their own. The truth is, this journey didn’t begin with confidence.

A Quiet Child with Big Dreams

Growing up, I was an extremely quiet child. My family moved several times, and changing schools so often made it difficult to find my place. On top of that, I developed a significant speech impediment that led to years of speech therapy. There were moments when classmates—and even adults—laughed because I struggled to say my own name. Those experiences were painful, but they also taught me empathy. They helped me understand what it feels like to be overlooked, misunderstood, or different. Looking back, I realize those challenges shaped the person I’ve become.

Discovering the Power of Words

One of the greatest surprises in my journey is that I didn’t love reading novels as a child. Reading didn’t always come easily to me, and I often needed more time to understand what others seemed to grasp so quickly. Today, reading and writing have become some of the greatest joys in my life. Words became more than something to study—they became a way to connect, encourage, teach, and inspire. Whether I’m writing technical documentation for global organizations, coaching students through important essays, or creating stories for children, my goal has always been the same: Help people communicate with confidence.

Wearing Many Hats

People often ask how I balance so many different roles – a Senior Technical Writer and Knowledge Management professional; an educator and writing coach; a published children’s author; and a volunteer who believes deeply in giving back to the community.

While those roles may seem very different, they’re all connected by one purpose: Using communication to make a positive difference.

Every document I create, every student I coach, every classroom I visit, and every story I write is rooted in the belief that clear communication can change lives.

Why I Wrote Cookie’s Sweetest Day

When I wrote Cookie’s Sweetest Day, I wanted children to experience more than just a fun adventure. I wanted them to discover kindness, to see friendship beyond differences, and to believe that imagination, compassion, and teamwork can make every day a little brighter. That vision has grown beyond the pages of the book through school visits, literacy events, and the Cookie’s Kindness Project, where we’re working to place books into the hands of more children and encourage acts of kindness in our communities.

The Honor of Being Featured

Being recognized by VoyageHouston isn’t simply about receiving publicity. It’s a reminder that every journey matters—even the difficult parts. The moments that once made me feel small have become the experiences that allow me to connect with students, readers, colleagues, and families in meaningful ways. If sharing my story encourages even one person to believe in themselves a little more, then it’s worth telling.

Thank You

I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way—my family, friends, readers, students, colleagues, fellow authors, educators, volunteers, and community partners. Thank you for believing in me, reading my work, attending my events, sharing my posts, and encouraging me to keep creating. This recognition belongs to all of you as much as it does to me.

Read the Full Interview

If you’d like to learn more about my journey, what inspires my work, and what’s next, I invite you to read my full VoyageHouston Rising Stars interview.

https://voyagehouston.com/interview/rising-stars-meet-sonia-g-tummala-of-houston/

Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to continuing to learn, create, give back, and spread kindness—one story at a time.