ABOUT

Storyteller at Heart

“Since childhood, when I was living on a tropical island, I have been finding ways to remain in the magic of ethereal beauty as a mermaid does when crossing over to face the demands of life,” said Burns, who has had a business as Santa Barbara's makeover specialist for wardrobe image and home décor. 

Valerie was diagnosed in July 2013 with a cancerous tumor in both breasts, which showed a genetic disposition. Initially, two surgeries were planned. However, because of complications of staph infection and a chronic autoimmune condition, Valerie endured nine surgeries resulting in 64 days in the hospital.

Burns began writing her book before her diagnosis. The first personal essay she wrote was about the one memory she has of her mother who died of breast cancer when Burns was three. It is a book of personal essays beginning as a toddler in Miami and the island of Key Biscayne. It focuses on strength and survival while seeking moments of exceptional beauty with an awareness of all the humorous ironies in life. Valerie's own diagnosis and ordeal with breast cancer doesn't come into the story until 2/3 of the way through the book.

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Valerie states, "The book was a cathartic endeavor, with its raw honest words, and I've found moments of beauty even in the most painful times. It will hopefully resonate and be of meaning to others facing what seems to be an insurmountable challenge that is often a lonely and isolating journey."
 

Valerie Anne, a former LA Personal Stylist, Film Producer, and screenplay Story Editor also graduated from a fashion and design school in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition, Valerie received a full scholarship from the Santa Barbara writers conference in 2016 and 2019. One of her memoir pieces was submitted to the Prague Summer Writing Program, which offered her a $1,000 scholarship, where she traveled to Prague to work on her book. Additionally, in 2019, Valerie was sponsored by the nonprofit, www.sendmeonvacation.org a trip to Italy and The Dominican Republic to share a workshop she developed that utilizes her background in fashion and décor, as well as writing titled, "Living and Healing Through Color", which she shared at breast cancer survivor retreats for https://sendmeonvacation.org/ (SMOV) Burns states, "Going back to Italy was a dream come true and even more meaningful when contributing to participants of a beautiful retreat." She will be returning to Rome September 2022 as the first international free style participant for SMOV with the assignment of blogging about her experience.

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Valerie Anne continues to find natural beauty daily in Santa Barbara where she speaks with women to find moments of beauty in the most painful of times. As well as guide women to feel and look beautiful with her image consultant business and her "closet and color therapist" approach designed to inspire women toward positivity and purposefulness through all of life's highs and lows.

To contact Valerie to speak at your next event please go to the contact page.