Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Life has brought to me many experiences. In my work life, I’ve done everything from asking people if they want a pickle with their burger, to facilitating board meetings where the people assembled around the table release ‘disposable income’ every December. With my children grown, and taking on work that wouldn’t dance on my last nerve, I settled into a more relaxing way of life. That is when my writing began to blossom. To date, I have composed a trilogy centering on a mother/daughter relationship. It appears to be well received, which pleases me.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The trilogy, centering on a daughter and her mother is called The Union of Hearts series. The individual books are titled: Union of Hearts, Where Secrets Unravel; When First She Practiced to Deceive; And…that’s a wrap!
Being the mother of two adult daughters and having a background in psychology, theology, sociology, and art, these books came spilling out with a mix of personal and learned experiences. The characters, especially the older ones, are indicative of many of the older people I knew when I was young. It was a challenge to write the trilogy and yet, it brought to life a family I have grown fond of…even if they are fictional.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
If I have an unusual writing habit, it would be that I get so invested in my work, time passes unnoticed. Therefore, it’s not unusual for me to work through lunch and dinner, not noticing it until the room darkens and I need to turn on a light. Then, I need to remind myself to stop and eat. One other habit that does come to mind is that I always compose my work on the same old computer…but I believe many of us writers do the same thing. Yet, when I would get ready to write my cat, Duncan, would jump up on my lap, lay across my arm, and stretch out her leg over my hand as if she were helping me to find the keys. Sad to say, I lost my little Duncan in February. Now she’s on the other side of this life, as precious in that life as she was in this one. It makes me sad to think of my loss of this little blessing named, Duncan.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many books have interested me. Some are classics like Rebecca, Ann of Green Gables, Mark Twain’s abundant works, Shakespeare, etc. Yet, I also have a great interest in books centering on psychology, theology, science, as well as those threading through our spiritual connection to the other side. Therefore, I read the writings of Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, Carl Sagan, Susan Miller, Brian Weiss, Michael Newton, to name a few. However, there is a lighter side to my reading as well. There’s nothing like a good belly-laugh and I get plenty by reading Erma Bombeck and Bill Cosby.
What are you working on now?
Presently, I’m marketing the trilogy, but there is a book developing in the dusty back corners of my brain. This yet to be formed book, would be a children’s book.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
One would be this one: awesomegang.com. Another would be ebookhabit.com. Both give me added information and helpful links that aid in expanding my knowledge and research. Through the assistance of these sites I find new and informative bridges to cross and roads to travel.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing. Then, edit, edit, and…edit again.
Find the writing pattern that works for you and perfect it though active practice. Another person’s way of writing, or, the time they bookmark out may work for them, but it may not work for you. Find what works for you and stick to it. Your comfort propels your writing.
It is hard to turn a deaf ear to negative people, but work to do it anyway. Don’t give up on yourself, God hasn’t!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Two statements come to mind and I will quote them so you can hear them through your own ears.
“One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
“Someone else’s actions, should not determine my response.” The Dalai Lama
What are you reading now?
This form…ha!
Well, to be honest, between working full time and marketing my work at night, I read clips of short stories. I have a book by Leo Buscaglia and another by Erma Bombeck that I often pick up to re-read. The interesting part to me is that no matter how many times I read a person’s work; I always ‘hear’ something new with each reading. That is the treasure of life’s ‘parables’.
What’s next for you as a writer?
What’s next? Who really knows the answer to that? I simply get up and, with a prayer, place one foot in front of the other. I write, I market my books, but most of all, I open myself to the unexpected: the phone call that rings in, the lady at the store who asks where the coffee is located, a bird sitting regally on my back fence looking at me, all bring something new into my day. I feel blessed in the moment of just being…and from there, my writing flows…
What is your favorite book of all time?
You’ll roll your eyes when I tell you, but it is true…The Bible.
I’m not a religious person as much as a spiritual one. I read text on various religions, but always come back to The Bible. In it is a nest of stories that reflect conflict, challenge, love, care, ambition, cruelty, greed, etc. … everything that circles around us today is all in that thick, heavy book. And, like the works of Shakespeare, it remains a timeless record, for us, of the soul’s quest for the Divine…and…true home…
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