Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Greetings!
I am what they call middle-aged (lol) with more than 30 years’ experience helping people with their personal development and support them on their spiritual path. I specialize in transmitting techniques and practices to deal with stress, and clear subconscious mental programming that is in the way of success.
I previously wrote three self-help books that reflect the aforementioned and just wrote my first novel, book I of a trilogy.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
It is: Ekstasis – The Return of the Sovereign Heart, an epic metaphysical & visionary tale, and a time travel / suspense romance.
My original inspiration was to write a kind of love story where people are spiritually connected to each other, where sex is sacred, hence the sovereign heart part of the title. But much more than that worked its way into the story as it is inspired by my own guides.
What the editorial and reader reviews mostly convey is that Ekstasis provides healing and transformation through the medium of storytelling, so I am delighted!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not sure if it is unusual, but I get up at 6 am and write in bed with a coffee every day until 10.30am. Then later again if I have time.
For my previous books, I took to writing absolutely anywhere, on planes, trains and yes, even automobiles while waiting for the kids to finish school or their activities. I found out that I don’t need bags of time as I use to think (which was more of an excuse) or a special place to do some good work.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Aside of all things spiritual (David Deida, Marianne Williamson, Paulo Coelho, etc) I love the Time Traveller’s Wife as a time travel love story, Margaret Attwood The Handmaids Tale (she writes so eloquently) and Stephen King.
I love all books from Marc Levy and Guillaume Musso who are mostly known in France, where I am originally from.
What are you working on now?
Ekstasis book II! 🙂
I love it as I have come to love the characters in this epic story. I’m completely involved with them, and feel hugely responsible for their fates! How exciting.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
There is a video trailer for Ekstasis – The Return of the Sovereign Heart: https://youtu.be/DIh4yBhBOXk
Or direct to my Amazon author page:
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Spot the negative self talk, and get a coach if you need one, I did for my first book, just to keep my writing pace going, and help turn it into a habit.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Read lots! Quote from Stephen King: “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have time to write.”
What are you reading now?
The City by Dean Koontz – absolutely brilliantly written with goodness oozing out of it, made me cry several times.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Write, read, write, read … 🙂 And start a discussion group for my novel.
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?
Maybe the Celestine Prophecy (series of 10) and several blank books I can write into!
Author Websites and Profiles
Mahayana I. Dugast Website
Mahayana I. Dugast Amazon Profile
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