Bookpleasures.com welcomesas out guest Barbara Bella author of Mother-Daughter Days on Russian Hill: Tales of Love and Laughter.


Barbara has been a working mom and owner of a premier West Coast Publishers’ Representative Firm which provides advertising sales management for magazine brands in print and digital formats.  Employing over 150 professionals in San Francisco and Los Angeles over the course of her career, Barbara has been both mentor and colleague. 

She has served on the Board as Trustee of San Francisco University High School and is Chair Emerita of Golden Gate Philharmonic youth orchestra.  Barbara has planned ten Mother-Daughter trips over a decade with another mother-daughter duo where together they have traveled the world.  She became a CASA last year and currently mentors a high school youth in San Francisco.  She resides on Russian Hill, San Francisco with her husband, John Baccaglini.  One of her greatest joys is the loving relationship she has with her daughter Bree, now 27.

Norm: Good day Barbara and welcome to Bookpleasures.com

Norm: How did you decide you were ready to write Mother-Daughter Days on Russian Hill: Tales of Love and Laughter?


Barbara:  I retired three years ago and had a vague notion of projects and activities I thought could be fun to do to stay productive and active in this chapter of my life; some of these way off in the future. 

Writing the stories of the sheer fun and joy I had raising my daughter fell into the category of a project for some undefined distant date.  I wanted to write it just for her and I imagined she would someday read about her childhood with her own child or children. 

But then the pandemic hit.  This curtailed so many of my activities, so it seemed natural to move to something that required quiet and solitary time to tackle.  

Norm: Did you write your book more by logic or intuition, or some combination of the two? Please summarize your writing process. 

Barbara: Both were needed.  Over the years, I have enjoyed casually writing fun poems for friends and colleagues to mark special occasions of big birthdays, or Holiday celebrations.  This process has always been intuitive…and was always designed as a one-time read-aloud for the recipients. 

My first draft of the book took this loose approach to get the arch of the narrative down.  From there, I needed to apply much more discipline and logic. I wanted the readers to be able to visualize the full experience and do so with rhyming verse that offered both pleasurable sounds and proper cadence, so that it would be lyrical and logical…and work for anyone reading this aloud.  

Also, because this was designed to be an illustrated book, my words had to be the springboard for the illustrator, so if I told the story well, it would allow an artist to capture the feeling I was trying to create; the feeling of love and fun I experienced with my daughter over the years. 

Norm:  What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book?

Barbara: Well, I honestly never intended to pursue a broader audience.  But as I got going, I found that the book resonated with other moms and their daughters.  There was a quality that was so universal that it led to mission creep.  Then when I found Amber Rae Malott, the young artist who so intuitively understood the emotion, and was able to convey the spirit of my story I knew I had to promote the book as way of promoting her talent. 

While this was my retirement project, Amber is just starting out and I want her to gain exposure—all the illustrations are hand-drawn and painted…and they all capture exactly the sweetness and poignancy of this story.  

Norm: How has your various experiences mentioned in your bio influenced the writing of your book?

Barbara:  I am not sure I really know, but my professional background is grounded in the principles of communication and empathy, so I imagine that this has played a hand.  

Norm: What was your relationship with your mother when you were growing up? 

Barbara: In many ways it was the opposite.  I was one of eight children, raised at a time when your mom said, “be home in time for dinner” or “be home before it gets dark”, and off you would go. 

Childhood companionship was with friends and siblings more so than with your parents.  And at home, you always had someone to play with. 

My daughter was an only child, raised in a city during a period of play dates and supervision.  I just could not raise an only child and leave her to have no one to play with in the home.  I had to figure out how to be Bree’s parent, yet also provide her with companionship within the home. 

It was a careful balance because your child always needs her or his parents to be the authority figures, so they feel safe and secure.  

Norm: What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them? 

Barbara:  My intention was to commemorate the happiness and fun and love of raising my child.  Because we happen to live in such an iconic neighborhood it lent the story an additional interesting character in a sense.  Finding Amber completed the vision.  My goal was realized when I presented the book to my daughter Bree and we sat together while I read it aloud to her.  We were both bursting with love and so I’d say I achieved my goal!! 

Norm: Prior to your writing of your book, had you read any books concerning mother-daughter relationships? If so, which ones and did they inspire you to write your own book?

Barbara: I love reading and am always with a book. My home is bursting at the seams with books and magazines.  My career was spent with magazines. 

Yet I do not consider myself a writer in the literary tradition.  I am a mom who can spin a good rhyming verse to tell a story-- I have to believe that everything I’ve ever read inspired me to commemorate for posterity this singular love story for my daughter. 

Norm:  If you could relive a moment in your life with your daughter, which moment would you choose and why?

Barbara: As I say in the book, “There isn’t any one day I liked more than any other…each time that we’re together is just perfect for this mother!”

Norm: What do you think most characterizes your writing?

Barbara:  I hope my writing is characterized by good energy, fun and love!

Norm:  Did you think about your reading public when you created your book? Did you imagine a specific reader when you wrote the book?

Barbara:  As I described, my initial audience was Bree and my imagined future child(ren).   It was only later in the process that I thought of the broader audience and how any mother could find this story a window to her own sweet reminisces and cherished memories.  

Norm: How did you work with Amber Rae Malott, the illustrator of your book?

Barbara: I cannot extol enough my appreciation and affection for Amber.  We did the book in three phases.  Amber lives in Florida, so I took pictures and videos of the Russian Hill neighborhood and we talked about what sites, landmarks, vendors, or even objects should be in each stanza. 

I sent her various photos of  Bree and myself over the years so she could get to know us a bit.  She then drew a draft all the stanzas with her own creative expression.  Amber considered doing some of the buildings with digital techniques, but then found that her hand-drawing offered a far superior complement. 

From there she began the real work of drawing and painting each page.  She sent them to me so we could collaborate on any adjustments.  She was a true partner and her patience and commitment made all the difference in producing this gorgeous book.  

Norm: What did you did you find most difficult in writing your book? Please explain.

Barbara:  Getting the cadence just right without sacrificing a well-chosen word, phrase or rhyme.  

Norm: Many people have the skills and drive to write a book, but failure to market and sell the book the right way is probably what keep a lot of people from finding success. Can you give us 2-3 strategies that have been effective for you in promoting your book?

Barbara:  I’m at early stages, but here’s what I suggest;

  • Try reaching out to organizations that are organically symbiotic to see how you can work together.  For me, I am reaching out to mother-daughter associations and organizations.  I am reaching out to businesses who are located or connected to Russian Hill, San Francisco.

  • Try reaching out to your own network and hope it can be a multiplier.  For me, I will be announcing my book to all my family, friends and colleagues via email and social media and asking them to share with their own networks.  

  • Try to get your book reviewed in a variety of places.  For me, I thank you for this interview!

Norm: Where can our readers find out more about you and Mother-Daughter Days on Russian Hill: Tales of Love and Laughter?

Barbara: They can visit my WEBSITE:   I invite readers to send me their stories, and in rhyming verse if they wish, in hopes that I can compile a collection of mother-daughter tales from across the country!  Readers can buy the book online at:

  • Bookshop.org: online bookstore that supports local book stores 

Norm: What is next for Barbara Bella?

Barbara:  As referenced above, on the last page of the book, I invite readers to tell me their own tales by sending to barbara@motherdaughterdays.com, (and in rhyming verse if they are so inclined). 

And meanwhile, I am working with my friend on a sequel of sorts called Mother-Daughter Days Around the World: Tales of Fun and Adventure.  This book would tell the story of a mother-daughter duo who took 10 trips together around the world.  This one is based on trips taken with Bree and me with my friend Carla and her daughter Serafina over a ten-year period from 8-18!  

Norm: As this interview draws to a close what one question would you have liked me to ask you? Please share your answer. 

Barbara:   I would say that writing a book that you plan to self-publish requires a lot of patience because it involves so much more than just writing the book.  It required a significant investment of time to figure out how to get it printed, distributed, promoted. And for illustrated books, it requires ability to collaborate with the visual artist to achieve a mutually satisfying experience and outcome.  I’m so glad I did this.  I learned a lot and I found the whole endeavor to be very satisfying.    

Norm: Thanks once again and good luck with your book.

Follow Here to Read Norm's Review of Mother-Daughter Days on Russian Hill: Tales of Love and Laughter .