Karen Franks – Bringing her childhood adventures to life

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

“What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or does it explode?” Langston Hughes

As a woman in her mid-50s, our Woman Empowered never thought that she would be in the middle of a $4 million effort to put the characters of a children’s book series on the big screen. That is the funny thing about dreams deferred; if you do not let them dry up, they can explode and create a life for you that you never thought possible.

I had an amazing time speaking to the incredibly talented Karen Franks. She has a powerful story, which is why she was chosen as our first Woman Empowered of 2021. She knows what it is like to have that “pinch me is this happening” feeling, especially after going after a dream that she did not see possible only a few years before.

From the very start, I could feel her youthful energy over the phone. We chuckled with each other after we compared what she was seeing out of her window at home in Bermuda, with what I was seeing out of my window in Toronto. I will tell you this; her blue skies, and clear water definitely beat our grey skies, and barren trees. This brought us to her story where she revisited a passion she had when she was younger.

“ You know Simone,” she began. “I was in between jobs. I had worked in banking and real estate for years, but somehow I knew that there was something else out there for me. I began to ask myself questions: where do I need to be? What is my next step? I remember sitting under my grandmother Mary Daniels’s piano, and reading her National Geographic Magazines. I would get excited when I saw beautiful children from around the world. My wish was that I could jump inside the pages and be there with them.

I truly believe that this was connected to my love for writing. I remember that I used to write a lot. I had such an imagination. I used to go on walks, and I fell in love with nature: the beautiful sand, the clear waters, the lush greenery; it was all so beautiful to me.

As I matured, I forgot most of the joy that I had for adventure, for writing. I got married, and had two beautiful sons: Matthieu and Jonathan. I began working in the corporate world and gained some real life experiences, here in Bermuda, and during my time living in Canada. These experiences allowed me to hone my skills, and develop my entrepreneurial savvy.”

Something was missing in Karen’s life, and it was during her time off that she began to recall her adventures as a child. The memories motivated her to start writing, and this was the birth of Abigail.

“I remember that I began taking online courses to refine my writing skills. In one of the courses, they asked me to draw upon childhood memories. It all came rushing back, and I wanted to bring my childhood adventures to life. Abigail could become a powerful icon. Stories about Abigail could fill a void within the industry of accessible multi-cultural reading, and be made available to the world.

In 2015, I wrote the manuscript, and published it not long after. I didn’t know what to do with it, so I sat on it for a few months. The publishing company liked it. They thought it would look great on the screen. A year later, after attending a book-to-screen pitchfest in New York, I realized how television and digital media could also promote Abigail’s values of literacy, diversity and dream building. I had no idea that this was going to launch the most important career of my life.

I realized I wanted to do more with this. I know that I did not want to write a book and have it just sit on the shelves. It had to provide value to the readers and stimulate creativity.”

Well, Karen got exactly what she had hoped for. The book was a tremendous success. The initial book series has brought Abigail to consumers around the world. Abigail is a bright girl who has wonderful adventures in her dreams while she is sleeping with her multi-dimensional dream pal Pearl.

The adventures are vast and they are with children of different cultures and ethnicities. “It was our way of bridging the gap of racial divide,” Karen shares with me. “It is actually the mission of my company ADA Group Holdings Limited. The characters change within each dream; readers get to meet children of different cultures and ethnicities, all the while having extraordinary adventures.

When I had the opportunity to share the stories with CBC, they loved the concept. They loved it so much that they encouraged me to do more with it. There was something about Abigail and friends; her message resonated with people. I couldn’t believe that there were over 27 languages in some of the schools that Abigail’s adventures reached, and that they were all excited to learn more about Abigail’s message of inclusion. This of course launched other great opportunities for me.”

Karen was watching Wendy Williams one day, and this was when she felt a magical moment with John Amos (father from Good Times), who happened to be on the show that day. When she presented her book to him, he loved it.

“You have to think about the things that you love to do,” Karen tells me. “Now at 55 years old, I am doing something that I never thought I would be doing.

It’s not about settling anymore. I was a housewife for over seven years. After my divorce I had to figure out where I belonged. I had to take courses, and learn things again. You never really lose it; sometimes you take a back seat to yourself. The important thing is that you do find yourself.

Embrace where you are. Turn down the noise, and focus on where you want to be. Ask yourself questions:

Who do you want to encourage?
Who do you want to make an impression upon (vision boards are good for that)?
What kind of impression do you want to make in the world in 2021?

We have to start thinking outside the box. I love being uncomfortable. It takes you to the next level in life.

The process of change is difficult. You have to be open to it. Once you get through the tough parts, and know that you are still whole, and valuable, you know that you can do it again.”