Michelle Schmidt, like so many people, has battled an inner voice of crippling doubt for years. The loss of a parent at a very young age was the first major turning point in her life and also when the serpent-like dragon of self-doubt raised its head. This is also where her journey in pursuit of truth began.

She recounts how social awkwardness and what seemed like failure at school only fed the doubt within. The negative way in which she filtered her experiences fed her insecurity until it seemed the size of a house. It was as if her inadequacy was constantly on display for all to sneer at.

Soon she started looking or a knight in shining armour to fight the dragon on her behalf. Valiant efforts were made but the dragon drove most knights to despair. It was not their battle to fight. She decided that the task was her own, and started to face her fears. As part of this journey Michelle started a journal, and to her surprise, what appeared on the page was a playful rhyme. She was soon inspired to write about her quest to encourage others.

"I would write to the child within. I would write a children's book for children and parents like me," she says.

Doubt is a Dragon is the result of her battle with self-doubt and an earnest search for truth - Verity.

Today Michelle is a science teacher at an international school in Switzerland. When she is not teaching she is a doting parent and loving spouse.

In the book, the honeybee represents the many people on her journey who encouraged, reminded and guided her to find the words to battle her inner doubt. "They are friends, family, colleagues, knights, authors, poets, my faith and treasured moments. For your support, words and love I am eternally grateful."