Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am an artist, writer, student of life and positive thinking and a gluten free home cook who enjoys using my creativity to make daily life healthier, easier and more fun. My online presence is under my brand Espirational and includes a daily blog called Espirational: A 10 Minute Vacation for the Soul. I live in a lakeside community in Oklahoma with my husband Bob and feline child Callie. The lake and our beautiful sunrises and sunsets provide inspiration for my art, writing and yoga practice.
I have written four books. The first, Creating a Successful Craft Business inspired by my personal experience in the craft business, was traditionally published by Allworth Press/Skyhorse Publishing in 2003. The last three, Frozen Fun! 25 Dairy and Dairy Free Ice Cream Recipes, Have Yourself a Healthy Little Holiday and The Gluten Free Good Life are self published as Amazon Kindle e-books.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My most recent book The Gluten Free Good Life was inspired by my own experience living Gluten Free. In all of life our attitude matters, but it is especially important when dealing with lifestyle changes and health issues. Making drastic lifestyle changes can be difficult, but focusing on the positive and what is still available, in this case wonderful healthy, naturally gluten free foods rather than what is lost makes a world of difference. In the Gluten Free Good Life I share my experience as I grew into the gluten free way of life since beginning over ten years ago. Of course there are recipes as well. When I began cooking gluten free I didn’t think I would ever enjoy cooking again. The good news is after getting the hang of it I still love cooking and my friends and family still love eating what I make for them.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I know.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Barbara Brabec author of five craft business books inspired me, not in the sense of being competition, but her success showed me that there was a market for the type of book I was planning to write back in 2000. What I know of Barbara’s story as a successful and extremely resilient woman continues to inspire me on a very personal level.
What are you working on now?
Nothing at the current moment. Maintaning a blog and helping my husband get a book out has kept me busy.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m new to online promotion so I am still working on that.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Be open to advice, editing, changing and rewriting you work if necessary. When Creating a Successful Craft Business was first accepted by the publisher it was contingent on a complete rewrite. They liked the idea but not the way I had written it. I could have said no and not been published, but I did the work and it turned out better than I could have even imagined. Working with a publisher you win a few, lose a few and compromise a lot, but remember they are the experts. Be open to changes, even if it means something you consider drastic like a rewrite or coming up with a new title.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Hang in there.
What are you reading now?
This is a very busy time for me, so I am not reading a book at present. I do however have several daily devotionals I read as well a following a few inspirational blogs.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m not sure. I have several ideas floating around in my head. The blog I write is based on positive thinking and spiritual awakening. I may go in that direction for my next book.
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?
The Bible, The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Author Websites and Profiles
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