Interview With Author O'Reilly Collaborative
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Meet the Connection Happens team! We are a mom and her four daughters!
Sidne O’Reilly (Mom)
I am the proud mother of six, grandmother of 48 and great-grandmother of 14. My sweetheart and I have been married for almost 60 years. As a lifelong student of connection and self improvement, I am a Rapid Transformational Practitioner, a Coach, and owner of SO Transformational.
Edith Wilson
My partner and I are parents to ten fun adult-kiddos that keep us laughing. I am a commercial real estate advisor and contract analyst for higher education. My play time is hiking, cycling, kayaking and whale watching.
Heather Martinson
I’ve been married for 36 years and I love my four kids and three grandkids! I have run Celebration Education since 2006, which is an innovative in-person program for kids that are homeschooled. I’m also a nature lover, hiker, health nut, and all-around happy camper!
Marleen Branham
I am an office manager, marketing manager, and I love customer service. I am a mother of 4 daughters and soon to be 2 grandchildren (also girls). I am married to my high school sweetheart!
Jennie Sheperd
I have been working in child welfare for almost two decades. Along with my spouse of 25 years, I am a foster/adoptive parent of 5, with 2 beautiful grandkids. For ‘me’ time I can be found devouring books, hanging out with my dogs, and planning the next travel adventure with my spouse.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of our current book is, "Seven~Day Celebration: A Mother ~ Daughter Connection Experience. IN 2021, MY DAUGHTER Jennie gave each family member the book Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown as a Christmas present. My four daughters,
Edith, Heather, Marleen, and Jennie, and I decided we would go through the book together, forming a book club. We studied it for a full year, progressing usually just a few pages at a time as we dissected and discussed each concept in detail. We met on a video call almost every Friday morning before we went to work. Even though for some, because of living in different time zones, it meant getting up at 5:00 AM in the morning to be ready for the call.
As we went through the book together, something magic happened. We grew closer and our connections grew stronger as we shared our experiences and opened our hearts to each other. We learned the meaning of empathy and compassion. We discussed stress and overwhelm, grief and loss, hope and anguish. We even discussed the need to fit in and the importance of being true to who you are as an individual. Most of all, we learned about the importance of meaningful connections.
As a result of our growing closer emotionally, we decided we needed to spend some time
physically closer. All of us live just far enough away from each other that we don’t see each
other in person that often. We enjoyed a mother~daughter getaway in October 2022.
What a treat it was! At last, we could hug and laugh and cry together.
At the retreat, Edith led us in an exercise that showed what resources and strengths we had in combination. We were amazed at our collective talent, skills, and experiences.
An idea was born! We decided to form an organization that will help people in need.
In order to raise funds, we created the Connection Happens project. Story by Sidne O'Reilly (Mom)
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
You could say so. Heather did the heavy lifting for this book, but we all contributed. We met almost every Wednesday and Friday morning and collaborated, made decisions, proofed the contents, and made decisions concerning how to publish and market it. Emma Martinson, Heather's daughter-in-law did all the illustrations. She is a professional graphic artist and really brought the book to life!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Bren`e Brown for sure. We used a lifebalance process that I developed when the kids were little to form subjects for the book. Self-care, family, purpose to name a few.
What are you working on now?
Our next book in the works is a Father ~ Daughter Celebration Experience.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Probably Facebook so far.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Stick with it! Who knows who needs to hear your voice or whose prayers you might answer.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Have faith in your process. Be patient. Your time will come.
What are you reading now?
Atomic Habits, Rich as F*ck, Heart in the Right Place.
What’s next for you as a writer?
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?
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