Interview With Author Sensei Sarhn
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Renowned and highly trusted in the 1990s and 2000s for her striking and distinctive flair as a professional photographer, Sarhn photographed four Australian Prime Ministers, immortalised numerous celebrities, and vividly captured a plethora of sporting legends through her lens.
After retiring her camera, Sarhn followed her passion for martial arts into founding a karate dojo, channelling her desire into making a profound and positive impact on the lives of her students. Imparting invaluable life skills such as strength of character, compassion, respect, self-awareness, focus, courage, determination, discipline, and confidence.
Her commitment to empowering the next generation is now vividly captured in her debut novel, ‘Osu,’ where she continues her mission to inspire healthy self-image and resilience in young adults and teenagers.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Inspired to make a positive difference on a wider audience with her empowering martial arts teaching, Sensei Sarhn is the author of the inspirational, coming of age YA novel ‘Osu’. She teaches that great things are possible for all; one doesn’t need to be a magician, vampire, or gifted to do extraordinary things.
“Those who achieve great feats, are not carved from a different stone,
nor are they superhuman.
They just know and do things differently.
All of which can be taught and learnt if one is open”. – Sensei Sarhn
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
“Most of my writing / creative story thinking is done straight after or even during meditating. Even the thought to write a book came to me while meditating. Let me explain:
Battered and bruised, I sat motionless on my couch six years ago. I closed my eyes to dwell amongst the healing of my meditation practice. 20 full contact fights with only 10 seconds break in between each fresh black belt fighter, had pounded my then late 40’s body. Not my mind or spirit, however.
This goal wasn’t about me. What fuelled me forward, were my karate students and my daughter. Proving to them that it could be done despite my age. That great things were possible for all.
Two days after achieving what I set out to do, amongst the peace of my meditative mind, I heard a voice. “Write a book”, the voice said. My response was quick, negative, firm, and vulgar. After all, hadn’t I done enough? The voice in my mind persisted for months, until I surrendered to it’s call.
Determined to inspire healthy self-image, confidence, and self-awareness in young adults and teenagers, I channeled my experiences into writing my gripping novel, ‘Osu’.”
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Authors:
Paulo Coelho
M. Scott Peck
Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Anita Diamant
James Allen
Oscar Wilde
Nedd Brockmann
Lynda Mullaly Hunt
James Nestor
Adam M. Grant
Robert M. Pirsig
Hugh van Cuylenburg
What are you working on now?
Olive is in year twelve and training for the fight of her live, in the sequel to ‘Osu’.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Ask me this question again in 12 months time. 🙂
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Your energy is everything. How you feel at the time of writing is paramount. Remove the stress, self doubt, anxiety and negativity. Focus on feeling good and being kind to yourself. I can highly recommend meditating before writing. Relaxed, have fun and enjoy!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I was a young woman when a mentor said “surround yourself with good people.” Simple but profound advice that has served me well.
What are you reading now?
“Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself” by Joe Dispenza
“Build the Life You Want” by Arthur C. Brooks & Oprah Winfrey
“The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron
What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing the sequel to ‘Osu’ and planning the third addition in the series.
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?
* SAS Survival Guide (after all, I am stranded on a deserted island)
* A fish camp cookbook (again if I am stuck, at least I can eat yummy food)
* M. Scott Peck’s book, ‘A Road Less Travelled’ (so I can dwell and ponder his words again)
* Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert M. Pirsig (one deep book to ponder all over again)
Author Websites and Profiles
Sensei Sarhn’s Social Media Links
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