Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Originally from Italy, I like to think of myself as a citizen of the world. I have lived in New Zealand, Ireland, London and now Scotland. I am a holistic clinical hypnotherapist, performance coach, singer-songwriter and drummer. I am a jack of all trades it seems… I cannot stay still for long! I am literally obsessed with learning, I cannot stop attending online courses, training, classes of all types… In terms of what I have published, some of my poems were published back in my twenties in literary magazines and I have produced and published eleven music albums under the moniker Elyssa Vulpes. However, in terms of non-fiction books, this is my first.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Dare to be seen: from stage fright to stage presence. Ten easy steps to turn your performance anxiety into authentic power with transformational hypnotherapy. It was inspired by the fact that I suffered from stage fright for many years to the point that I almost gave up performing altogether. After trying many other’cures’ and falling short every time, I applied the principles I teach my clients and found hypnotherapy actually worked. I decided I needed to share these results with as many people as possible because I don’t want them to go through what I had to!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I am not sure if they are unusual but I feel I need to move my body before I write. I need to let go of the tension first. I use music to let my body do what it feels like doing. Then I sit quietly for a few minutes with my eyes closed, to make sure I listen to the voice within. If I don’t do that I end up waking up at 4 am with all kinds of ideas and I can no longer sleep!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
In the self-help arena Tony Robbins, Rachael Jayne Groover, Charlie Morley and Lama Tsultrim Allione. In the hypnotherapy arena Milton Erickson, Ormond McGill, Randal Churchill, Adam Eason, Roy Hunter, Charles Tebbetts, Gil Boyne, too many to mention! In the fiction arena, I am a fan of Margaret Atwood, Isaac Asimov, George Orwell, Edgar Allan Poe, Agatha Christie, and Lovecraft. You cannot go wrong with the classics! I also love Stieg Larsson… I am quirky in my tastes. I will read anything a good friend recommends.
What are you working on now?
At the moment it is all about getting my accompanying online course to the book launched. I put a lot of work in making sure the hypnotherapy sessions included in the course would be available for everyone to enjoy, not only those who can afford them in person!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I love Goodreads giveaways! Also, Bookbubs ads to drive pre-orders to the book. I also recommend pitching to relevant podcasts.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would say, do not judge your first draft. Just expect it to be rough, that’s why it’s called rough draft! Do not spend endless time making it perfect. That is what the second, third, fourth etc draft is for! Imagine you are a sculptor. You get a rock to start with. You shape it into the final figure in stages. Be patient and persevere. Rome was not built in a day but most people underestimate what can get done in a year if you work on your project most days.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Can you just…. write ONE sentence? Of course, you can! Now can you write another? Of course! Keep going. Success breeds success. Make your goals small and achievable so you are always succeeding. Also: stop expecting the world to be a meritocracy and the lack of success to mean you are not good enough. Just learn from what doesn’t work and don’t give up until you succeed! Writing is about giving of yourself. If you think of it that way you cannot fail.
What are you reading now?
I am reading two books:
1) The French Lieutenant Woman by John Fowles, because I loved “The Collector”
2) Empower your Thoughts by Scott Allan – he is a fellow author and I am on his launch team, he is on my launch team so I am helping him launch his book!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am considering writing a sequel to Dare to be Seen, called “Master the Stage”. This was the idea from the start because I have ten more sessions to share with those who will have implemented the sessions in the first book and want to take their stage presence to the next level so they can perform at their very best. I am also very interested in finishing a work of fiction that I have had in mind for years… and I have to write my new album! There’s just not enough hours in the day….
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Can I just bring my kindle? I literally cannot answer this question. It would be too unfair to too many books.
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