One of my publishers asked me to respond to questions about why I write books and I thought I would share this with you, my dear readers, as many of you often ask me these questions. Hopefully, you will find yourself inspired to write if you do not do so already.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
When I was in grade 12 in secondary school, and not doing very well by the way, some of my more academically successful friends entered a contest to write the best story for our yearbook. I decided to write a story too, but was so insecure that I never put my name on my story. I won, but when the story was printed and the award given in the assembly it was announced that the author was unknown. This accomplished two things. First my self-esteem increased about my writing ability, and secondly I decided to risk rejection in future to stand for what I believed in.
When did you first start writing?
I never intended to be a writer. I have kept a journal all my life and my first degree was in English and Psychology in University, but my marks were never super. For years I taught spiritual courses, conducted a therapy practice specializing in spiritual transformation, and worked as a management consultant. Then, one day in my early thirties when I was meditating, I heard clearly that I had to go into retreat for three months and write a book. What topic, I asked? We will tell you at the time, I was told. Obedient to Spirit I complied and wrote my first book called Decoding Destiny: Keys to Mankind's Spiritual Evolution. The 5000 copies were sold out and, after I had taught the information in it for 20 years, I rewrote this book as Decoding Your Destiny: Keys to Humanity's Spiritual Transformation. I wrote my first book because Spirit wanted it and I write books to this day for the same reason.
What is your writing process?
Although my two books, Summer with the Leprechauns and Pilgrimage with the Leprechauns, read like novels, they are actually non-fiction, as are all my books. Because I write facts I need quiet and concentration for weeks at a time when I write. I need to focus on what I think of as my highest truth. The way I can most help my readers. I love humor, and especially dark Irish humor, but underneath I always see a point of deep learning and transformation and I want to help my readers to enjoy both the laugh and the learning.
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
There were two stories I read as a teenager that deeply impacted me. The first was Laurens van der Post's People of the Kalahari, about the bushman of the Kalahari Desert in Africa. The second was People of the Deer by Canadian writer Farley Mowat. Both of these peoples were going extinct and I felt called, even as a young person, to do something to help. I wrote to both of these authors to ask what I could do. Neither wrote back to me and now I answer all emails from my readers because I know how important it is to communicate with anyone who is moved enough by my books to write.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I still love reading paper books; however, I feel that more and more we will be moving towards eBooks. I work a great deal with the etheric realm—a higher frequency where our thoughts create our reality. The internet, web, cell phones all use the ethers and this is the next stage in our evolution so I am using eBooks to communicate in the ethers.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
My greatest joy when writing is discovering a deeper level of knowing myself and then joyfully offering my 'ah ha' to my reader.
What is the topic of your last book?
My latest book is Manifest Your Soul's Purpose. It gives readers the spiritual tools to balance their personal and soul goals and to manifest them successfully in the world. Many spiritual people have difficulty manifesting material abundance and I give techniques in this book to do this. I was born a mystic who communicated with beings in other realms and yet I have worked all my life in the real world as a management consultant and psychotherapist. We can be spiritual and still be successful in this world.
Are you writing another book currently?
I am writing two books currently: Hybrids and Uncage Your Heart. I am teaching courses in these subjects and feel very inspired by what is emerging.
What do your fans mean to you?
It takes me about two years to write a book from start to finish, and I do it because I feel others might benefit from what I am writing. Readers are my friends. I talk to them as I write. I laugh at what they will laugh at. I am warmed by them writing appreciative and caring words to me about my books. Thank you so much, readers.
