Author Feature: Destiny Nakita Arnold

DESTINY N. ARNOLD

Founder & CEO, Destiny Legacy LLC
Author • Entrepreneur • Multi-Brand Architect • Publishing Visionary

Published Books

Destiny Legacy: Becoming Her
A nonfiction memoir about growth, resilience, self-discovery, and becoming the woman you were always meant to be.

Pinky and Plum: Big Feelings, Little Bodies
A children’s book that helps young readers understand their emotions, develop emotional language, and learn that all feelings are worth expressing.

Together, these works reflect Destiny’s passion for creating stories and experiences that educate, inspire, and leave a lasting legacy across multiple audiences and generations.

Author Interview

1. At what point did you decide to be an author, and what was your path to publication?

I’ve always loved storytelling, but becoming an author was something that evolved over time. My path to publication began with my desire to share real experiences and lessons learned through my own journey. That eventually became Destiny Legacy: Becoming Her, a nonfiction memoir about growth, resilience, healing, and self-discovery.

As my publishing journey continued, I realized I wanted to reach readers of all ages. That led me to create Pinky and Plum: Big Feelings, Little Bodies, a children’s book focused on emotional awareness and healthy self-expression. Today, writing has expanded beyond individual books into building brands, experiences, and entire fictional worlds that allow me to connect with readers in different ways.

2. What do you do when a new idea jumps out at you while you’re still working on a book? Do you chase the squirrel or finish your current project first?

When inspiration strikes, I immediately document it. Whether I’m driving, working, traveling, or in the middle of another project, I’ll pull out my phone and record a voice note, jot down ideas, or talk through the concept before I lose it.

I don’t necessarily stop what I’m currently working on, but I do make sure the idea is captured. Some of my best concepts have started as quick notes recorded while I was doing something completely unrelated. Once the idea is safely documented, I can return to my current project and revisit it when the timing is right.

3. Have you been able to incorporate your previous experiences in your jobs or education into your writing?

Absolutely.

Destiny Legacy: Becoming Her is rooted in real-life experiences, personal growth, challenges, and lessons I’ve learned throughout my life. Even my children’s books are inspired by real experiences.

As a mother of two and a godmother to twin girls, I’ve witnessed firsthand how children experience big emotions and struggle to communicate what they’re feeling. Many of the situations explored in Pinky and Plum come from observing children navigate frustration, disappointment, excitement, fear, and joy. Those real-life experiences help make my stories authentic and relatable.

4. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

When I’m not writing, I’m usually building.

In addition to being an author, I’m the founder and CEO of Destiny Legacy LLC and the creator of several brands, including Destiny Legacy Travels and Destiny Legacy Events.

One of my favorite projects is the Destiny Legacy Treasure Hunt, an interactive cruise experience that combines storytelling, travel, adventure, and community engagement. Creating the Treasure Hunt involves developing prize structures, designing clues, planning logistics, identifying hiding locations, creating social media campaigns, and coordinating participant experiences.

Whether I’m writing books or planning events, I enjoy creating experiences that bring people together and leave lasting memories.

5. Share some of your journey to publishing your children’s book.

Publishing a children’s book was a completely different experience from publishing a traditional nonfiction book.

With a children’s book, the illustrations become just as important as the words. I had to ensure character consistency throughout the entire book, including hairstyles, bows, skin tones, heights, clothing details, and overall visual continuity.

For example, Pinky has one puffball hairstyle with round bows, while Plum has two puffball ponytails with purple round bows. Deja has her own distinctive look as well. Every illustration needed to remain consistent from page to page.

There were also technical considerations, including image formatting, print bleed requirements, cover design, barcode placement, and making sure illustrations printed correctly through KDP. It was a much more visual and detail-oriented process than I initially expected, but seeing the finished product made it all worthwhile.

6. Do you have a special connection to your children’s book topic or characters?

Yes, very much so.

Pinky and Plum: Big Feelings, Little Bodies was inspired by my experiences as a mother to a son and daughter, as well as my role as godmother to twin girls.

Children experience big emotions every day, but they don’t always have the language or tools to explain what they’re feeling. Watching children navigate those emotions inspired me to create characters who could help normalize those experiences and encourage healthy conversations between children and the adults who care for them.

7. What do you hope to teach or inspire in children reading your book?

I hope children learn that every feeling is valid and worth expressing.

I also hope parents and caregivers gain a deeper understanding of what children may be experiencing emotionally. Sometimes children are labeled as “whiny,” “dramatic,” or “overly sensitive” when they’re actually trying to communicate a need they don’t yet have the words to express.

If the book encourages even one family to pause, listen, and have a meaningful conversation about emotions, then it has accomplished its purpose.

8. Describe the child that is your target reader.

My target reader is the child who is feeling something big but doesn’t quite know how to explain it yet.

It’s the child who becomes frustrated, overwhelmed, excited, nervous, disappointed, or confused and needs help understanding those emotions.

At the same time, the book is also for parents, grandparents, teachers, and caregivers who want to better understand what children are experiencing emotionally and help guide them through those moments with patience and compassion.

9. What has been the most rewarding part of your publishing journey so far?

The most rewarding part has been realizing that my stories can create meaningful connections with people.

Whether it’s an adult reader finding encouragement in Destiny Legacy: Becoming Her or a parent sharing Pinky and Plum with their child, knowing that my work can positively impact someone else’s life makes every challenge worth it.

10. What’s next for you as a writer?

I’m currently building several exciting projects.

Under my pen name, Destiny Devereaux, I’m creating the At Sea Universe, an expansive fictional world featuring an interconnected fleet of cruise ships, captains, and character-driven stories inspired by travel, relationships, personal growth, and life at sea.

I’m also expanding the Pinky and Plum universe by introducing new characters, including parents, sibling dynamics, and additional educational resources. Future projects include a companion workbook, expanded character development, and an animated mascot for the brand.

In addition, I’m continuing to develop original music for the Pinky and Plum brand with producer Manny (@mannypereztheproducer), including themed songs such as Mood Monday, Wacky Wednesday, Family Friday, and Social Sunday.

Beyond publishing, I’m expanding my travel and events brands through new experiences, including future editions of the Destiny Legacy Treasure Hunt and other community-focused events.

Pinky and Plum

What happens when big feelings feel too big?

Pinky and Plum are the very best of friends—playing, laughing, and learning together every day. But when a tower falls down or a moment feels lonely, those little moments can bring up big emotions.

In Big Feelings, Little Bodies, children are gently guided through feelings like anger and sadness, learning that it’s okay to feel—and that those feelings don’t last forever.

Through simple, comforting language and relatable experiences, this story introduces young readers to healthy ways to:

• Recognize their emotions
• Pause and breathe
• Ask for help when they need it

Designed for both children and the grown-ups who love them, this book also includes interactive prompts and reflection pages to support meaningful conversations and emotional growth beyond the story.

Perfect for ages 3–6 (and younger children with guidance), Pinky & Plum: Big Feelings, Little Bodies is more than a story—it’s a gentle tool for building confidence, connection, and emotional understanding.

 

Website:
https://www.destinylegacyofficial.com/pinky-and-plum

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/pinkyandplumofficial/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589255650282

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@PinkyPlumOfficial

 

Destiny Legacy: Becoming Her

Destiny Legacy®: Becoming Her is not a story about where it all began—it’s a story about what it took to become.

This book goes beyond surface-level storytelling and into the reality of growing through environments that demanded strength before understanding, independence before support, and awareness before clarity.

Told in four intentional parts—Foundation, Becoming, Rebuilding, and Elevation—this journey walks through the layers of a life shaped by adversity, responsibility, resilience, self-discovery, and growth.

From learning how to navigate without protection…

to developing discipline, structure, and resilience…

to ultimately choosing growth over everything—

this is the evolution of becoming.

While this journey is told through the lens of one woman’s experience, its lessons speak to anyone who has ever fought to become more than their circumstances.

To those who had to find their way without a roadmap.

To those who learned to become their own foundation.

To those who chose growth, even when the path was difficult.

This isn’t just a story.

It’s a mirror.

A reflection of the strength, determination, and resilience that can emerge when life demands more than you thought you had to give.

Whether you’re rebuilding, rediscovering yourself, or stepping into the next chapter of your life, Destiny Legacy®: Becoming Her is a reminder that becoming isn’t a destination—it’s a continuous journey.

And every step matters.

Website:
https://www.destinylegacyofficial.com/destiny-devereaux

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/destinydevereaux/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@DestinyDevereauxOfficial

 

About the Author

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