Traveling a Road with Love, Faith and Guts - Aspiring Author, Writer, Blogger, Singer Pat Garcia Shares Her Story

Today, I broke from the normal, to share a story of  an aspiring writer's story.  Maybe, if you have made it into the publishing world, you have forgotten the journey.  Maybe, is you are still dreaming of getting there, this story will inspire you to hang on to your dreams and not to give up on yourself or your work.  Today, is the story of Pat Garcia. 

Tell us about yourself and your journey.

Born in Blythe, Georgia, to Moses and Elizabeth Ealy Pierce, I am Patricia Anne Pierce-Garcia Schaack, Pen Name, Pat Garcia. I was raised in Keysville, Georgia, which was the home of my father.  There, we lived in a house, which burned down some years ago. 

My father and mother moved us to Augusta, Georgia when I was five years old in a small suburb called Terrace Manor. It was here that I began to stretch my imagination and began to write, even before I knew how to spell the words. 

 

I started school at the age of five and will never forget my first day of school.  My parents had bought me a brown paper school tablet that they had hoped would last me for a couple of weeks.  However, I was so impressed with my first day of school and that I would learn how to write that I sat next to my mother as she was attending to my baby sister and began to write a story, which took every sheet of paper I had. My mother was upset at the waste of paper, but I was so happy that I had written my first story.  No one could understand it, but I did, and I cornered everyone  and made them listen to my story.

At the age of eight, I decided to start my own newspaper for Terrace Manor. At that time, I wanted to be the first black publication for our area. I wrote every article by hand and completed about five copies to sell.  Surprisingly, the adult people around us bought it and smile at my ingenuity, but my father thought differently.  One of the neighbors had bragged about how creative I was and showed him the paper.  That evening my bottom was sore from the whipping I had received.  That ended my newspaper, but not my dream.

My dream of writing was often deferred by circumstances and other people's opinions. It took me years to finally let the stories, the articles, and the books that have been brooding in me over years began to live and breathe in my life. 

Two people unknowingly helped me release those desires within me. The first person is Melinda Pierce, one of my sisters. Five years ago, when we were visiting Augusta, Georgia, she asked me why I had never written a book. I remember looking at her strangely, wanting to know her reason for asking me such a question. She answered me by saying, "I always thought you were going to be a writer.  You have always had a love for words and have always read like a starving woman in need of bread and water. I just wanted to know why you never wrote your book."  Her keen insight at that time was a heavenly knock on my door from above, and I will be forever grateful for that.

The second person is an old school friend whom my husband and I visited on our last trip to the United States in 2010.  He lives in Atlanta, Georgia and we were very fortunate to spend five days and four nights with them.  Again, I was confronted with the question of writing, but this time, Walter, my old school friend, was not so charming and courteous when he asked the question.  He came out and asked me very plainly when was I going to bring out my first book because it was about time. I looked at him and said I would start very soon.  That was three years ago and since then I have written the first novel, and it is sitting by a publisher in the United Kingdom, waiting on a yes or no, and I am hoping that it will be yes.  Not only that, I am hoping that I will win my first literary prize for this book because it is in a contest.  Outside of that, I have a short story that has been accepted by a Canadian Online Publisher and will be released soon. 

There are many firsts in my life.  I was the first Afro-American to graduate from the George P. Butler High School in 1967.  We were two Afro-Americans in the Senior Class. My name came first and so, I was the first.

I graduated from Augusta College, now Augusta State University, in the summer of 1972.  It took me a long time to become disciplined so that I could make it through this university, but I did.

Soon afterwards, I left Augusta, heading to Ft. Leonard wood, Missouri, where my first husband was stationed.

There are a lot of other firsts in my life, which could fill a book, events such as my entering into the United States Army. I was the first female in our entire family that became a soldier.  There I finally learned how to discipline myself and strive for higher goals. I was stationed in California, before I volunteered to come to Germany.

I have seen and been in about 32 of the states within the U. S. and have also been in some small parts of Canada, and I have traveled throughout Europe and have gotten to know countries like France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Austria, Switzerland,  Belgium, Holland and many more.

 I was privileged to be in Germany in 1989 and actually saw the Wall separating Berlin come down. That was an exciting event in the life of all Germans and for me as an American to see that really happen was a miracle.

Other than writing, I have begun to build up a foundation in the music scene. I sing and travel to jazz clubs, auditoriums and churches throughout Europe with my band and give concerts.  My repertoire is mixed and so our audience is composed of all ages and that is a wonderful thing.

Writing and singing are my heart and I look forward to sharing my heart with the people who hear me sing and who read my books.

What is it that you wish to achieve in your writing?

I write fiction and non-fiction.

Non-Fiction

In the area of non-fiction, I started writing professionally for Wikipedia U.K., in the United Kingdom, which has now been taken over by Overblog Europe.

I have approximately eighty articles, which were published at Wikipedia U.K.  After they were taken over by Overblog, I became an Overblog writer, in October of last year, under their pay per click system and have geared the blog to Health and Fitness topics.  You may find some of my Overblog articles at www.patgarcia.co.uk under my pen name, Pat Garcia, and the title of the blog is Garcia's Views on Body, Soul and Spirit, and visits to my page and clicking on the like button is much appreciated.  

I write under a pen name because at the time that I first started singing in Europe I was still using my first husband's name. His last name was Garcia and I liked it so I had it legally put into my passport and went on stage as Pat Garcia. That name has stuck and so I write under that name also.

During the Iraq War, I started my first official blog, The blog went out to a company of soldiers who were stationed in Iraq and Egypt, and it also went to several people who live in the Augusta, Georgia.  The blog actually got started through one of the members of the First Baptist Church of Keysville, Georgia, who is now also a Pastor, Barbara Campbell.  She lives in Keysville, Georgia with her husband, William Campbell.  I had been sending her and some others an inspirational word every week per email and she asked me if she could pass the email on to her son who was stationed in Iraq.  From that one request, I reached a company of soldiers in Iraq and one in Egypt for an entire year.  It was beautiful to wake up every morning knowing that I had to meet a deadline for my article to go out on Monday morning. I received post from the soldiers saying they looked forward to their Monday morning word from my inspirational blog.  The title of the blog is Wind, Rain, Winding Roads & Sunshine, the By-Ways of Life and can be found at www.patgarciaschaack.com.

About three years ago, I decided to start another blog, which actually went live last year and is still in development.  It is called Quiet Times and can be found on my website www.pgs-patgarciaschaack.com.  Quiet Times is a blog over the excerpts in my journal.  I have been maintaining a journal for years and want to pass along the wisdom that I have gained from the experiences that I have written in my journal. 

Four months ago, I started my two WordPress Blogs.  They are also unique in that one deals with Apple Products for Beginners.  I am an Apple Fan, but unfortunately find that most people shy away from Apple products, because of having to learn how to use the equipment.  So, I started a blog named Garcia Talks about the How To's of the iPhone, iPad, MacBook and Other Apple Products for the Non-Technical user. You may find that blog at: http://garciaanddigitaltechnology.com.

The second blog is my baby blog and I love it, because it talks about women whose acts were unknown but yet they were champions. So I have started a blog named Walk On and I am writing a series called The Champions That Walked Among us.

You may find this series at: http://garciaandwalkon.wordpress.com.

At the end of April this year, I started writing as feature contributor for 24Savvy which is own by Brandbuilding Communications in New York City.  The owner is Valerie Donati McIntyre.  I write one to two articles per month under my pen name, Pat Garcia. My articles are featured at www.24Savvy.com

I had the pleasure of having my first literary article published by the American Diversity Report on the April 2^nd this year.  It is a pleasure to work for Ms. Deborah Levine, and I look forward to writing for her again.  You may find my article, Returning to the Old Southern Landmarks at: http://www.americandiversityreport.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=185:returning-to-the-old-southern-landmarks-&catid=2:in-the-south&Itemid=3.

Fiction

Writing fiction has taken some time to grow in me, but the characters for my series have been living inside of me since 1993.  Whereas with non-fiction, I was writing speeches and different papers since I was a child, with fiction I started out by reading.  I am a voracious reader and had the opportunity in my senior year to have an English teacher who introduced me to the world of mystery. My first book, she gave me. It was a reward for babysitting for her and the title was The Detective by Roderick Thorpe.  I love that book. Thorpe drew me into his world quickly.  Afterwards, I discovered, Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart, Phyllis Whitney, Daphne DuMaurier, Georgette Heyer, Agatha Christie and Dorothy Sayers and I have read every book they wrote.

Attending Augusta College, now Augusta State University, my favorite English professor was Dr. Martha Fivash, who left the university and went into law.  I lost track of her, in 1978 or 1979. She was my lawyer for my divorce. She introduced me to the world of the Bronte Sisters, Edna Saint Vincent Millay and The Ballard of the Harp Weaver, which I learned by memory and George Elliot, Charles Dickens and the poetry of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, T.S. Elliot, E.E. Cummings and many of the poets of England such as Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Tennyson, Lord Bryan and many more.

My genre in fiction is inspirational, multicultural romantic suspense.  I am a romantic at heart and have always dreamed of writing the types of books, which not only have the element of romance, but also suspense and the main characters are people who believe in God.  It has taken me two year, three months and twenty-four days to write my first book in a series named The Mansion.  The first book is sitting at the publisher because I submitted it into a writing contest in England and I hope that I win. If so, the first book will be on its way.  There are seven books in this series.  These were the characters that were born in me and carried under my breast since 1993.

The titles of the books in The Mansion series are:

Book 1 – A Time To Love

Book 2 – Daniel The Beloved

Book 3 – A Time Of Peace

Book 4 – Everything Must Change

Book 5 – More Than Conquerors

Book 6 – You'll Never Walk Alone

Book 7 – Going Home

I love the people I write about. They talk to me and usually guide me through the dialogue. It is amazing for me because they become so real.  I had a group of twenty readers read my first book that I entered into the novel writing contest and each person could relate to the book and identify with it. In fact, many had an aha effect!

So, yes I love my characters and enjoy working with them.

I also have a short story that will soon be published by a Canadian Publisher, Alexandra Brown, on her Online Publishing Site, Romantic Shorts.  I have the accepted, but the day of publication is not yet known.

Last year, I participated in the NaMoWri Novel week but did not complete it. I will participate in it again this year and try to write another novel within a month. The one that I started last year, I am in the middle of completing. 

My rhythm for writing is crazy.  I am an early morning person, so I am usually up around five or five-thirty AM. I am in my office around six-thirty and after my meditation of 45 minutes to an hour, where I write in my journal, read my Bible and communicate with God, I start writing.  I write about three to four hours and then do my office paperwork and take a two hour break at five PM.  At nine I am back in my office and I work until until one AM and then go to bed.  I usually sleep four hours per night. That I must have if I want to function properly.   

There are times though when I write the whole night through.  I catch about two hours of sleep, because the characters are talking to me and they yearn to come out. I don't push them away. So I sit at my computer and I write until everything that is within me is out. That could last a day or two and naturally I am totally wiped out afterwards, but to read what I have written is so fulfilling because it is at times like those that words are written that have Spirit in them.  Those are the kind of books that I want to write.

I have four projects going on at the moment. 

1. I would like to enter a novel into the American Writer's Award
2. I want to get the first chapter of my online novel up and going on my website.  I haven't done it yet because I am thinking about opening up a separate book website or emerging it with new blog website that deals entirely with fiction.  I am still looking into it.
3. I am preparing another article to submit to American Diversity Report.
4. And I am getting ready to submit articles to two or three magazines that I would love to work for.
5. My calendar is blocked for the month of November for the NaMoWri month. 
6. I have four books outside of the series that I have started and they are not finished because I am not in the third rewrite and editing of Daniel The Beloved, which is the second book in The Mansion series.

If anyone were to tell me they wanted to be a writer, I would tell them to start reading and start writing.  It has been very helpful that I love to read and that I love to read most genres.  I enjoy reading nonfiction and consider it relaxing to take the time and relax with a book, for example about Einstein's theory of relativity or some theory in physics.  I enjoy reading the classics, or reading about church history.  Most of all, I enjoy reading the Bible and I read it the first thing in the morning, every day because it is life for me. 

The second thing I would recommend any writer is to find your own voice.  I didn't start writing until I found my voice. Finding your voice and writing with your own voice is what attracts others to your writing. 

Finally, I would recommend that they find out what is the best place for them to write.  I am a person who needs absolute peace and quiet when I write.  I don't even want to hear a kettle boiling unless I am taking a break.  Therefore, my schedule often is out of whack because the quietest time of the day in my home is at night and I let the night tempt me into staying up and writing until the sun has risen high in the sky.  There are very few people who understand the need that a writer has for quietness.  I have learned not to try and explain it to them, just go away and find a place where I am alone and can write in peace without any interruptions. 

When I am not writing, I am singing. I sing professionally and I love it.  The heart has a right and left ventricle.  So is it with me, one half of my heart belongs to writing and the other half to music.  They take second and third place in my life, with my faith in God having first place. Everything follows.

My Made It moments have just begun. 

Feature writer for 24Savvy, first literary article published at American Diversity Report, feature blogger for Wikipedia U.K. that is now taken over by Overblog are only small steps. My hope is to see my first novel and my first short story published very soon. 

Marsha Maurer Has a New Book Released, Whatever is Lovely

Marsha Maurer is the author of With Healing Wings, A Fragrant Fullness, and In the Garden, which won the Georgia Author of the Year Award in 2000 for Inspirational Nonfiction.  The author has taught English, literature, and writing at colleges and universities in the United States and Europe.  Whatever is Lovely, her latest book, recounts experiences from her travel, entertaining, homemaking, gardening, wardrobe design, and life with her husband, all with grace and refinement.

Tell us about your newest book. 

I am excited about the release of my fourth book, Whatever is Lovely: Design for an Elegant Spirit.  The book emerges from my observation that a woman often spends more time selecting a perfect pair of shoes than considering the inner qualities she wishes to shape.  As a result, the person a woman has become may not resemble the person she had hoped she would be.  Whatever is Lovely provides a total make-over—within any woman's reach.  Principles of design for improving homes, gardens, and wardrobes are translated into spiritual virtues to enhance living and relationships.  

 Whatever is Lovely contains personal reflections, Bible passages, quotations, and photographs to inspire the reader to cultivate beauty, grace, and harmony as she fashions the individual she dreams of becoming.  Whatever is Lovely offers transformation within and without.  

The women we admire seem to approach style, family, career, home, relationships, and spirit as one seamless whole.  Their inner and outer beauty is one.  We aspire to order our own multifaceted lives with such grace.  Often, however, our self-improvement efforts in one area do not relate to the rest of our busy lives.   Whatever is Lovely identifies timeless principles of spiritual design and offers life-changing suggestions for cultivating a singular elegance.

 This is a book of style for the spirit, to infuse everyday living with passion, imagination, and joy; with simplicity, balance, and peace.  Whatever is Lovely invites women to pause to inventory their hearts and to make discerning choices in designing the admirable women they desire to become.

Whatever is Lovely is available in hardcover and in e-book formats at retailers and at

http://www.amazon.com/Whatever-Is-Lovely-Marsha-Maurer/dp/0983557160/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1331241384&sr=1-1

and

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Whatever-is-lovely?store=book&keyword=Whatever+is+lovely

·       ISBN-10: 0983557160

·       ISBN-13: 978-0983557166  

Whatever is Lovely is subtitled Design for an Elegant Spirit.  How do you define elegance? 

In my view, elegance comprises grace, ease, beauty, and regard for others.  To me it means living ones’ life as a spiritually-grounded cohesive whole.  Elegance might be defined as grace of the spirit. 

How does designing home, garden, and wardrobe relate to designing a woman’s character? 

The principles of artistic design which apply to creating an interesting décor or a wardrobe that suits one’s personality also apply to designing the spiritual qualities or virtues by which we live.  A few of the design principles found in Whatever is Lovely include balance, comfort, harmony, and simplicity.  Balance in a room, for example, is the sense of proportion that gives a room the appearance of a cohesive whole.  Spiritual balance means establishing a sense of proportion in our lives, focused on essential matters of the heart.   Women tend to be designing creatures; we create business plans and dinner parties.  Whatever is Lovely gives attention to designing our best selves.   

Why is the subject of Whatever is Lovely so important? 

The virtues and choices which women cultivate, or disregard, are the most impressive models for nurturing the character and behavior of their families and, ultimately, of society.  The devolution of our society can be traced to an erosion of essential spiritual virtues.  It is critical that we learn to consciously cultivate these vital qualities, which inform all our decisions. 

Who would be interested in reading Whatever is Lovely? 

Whatever is Lovely appeals to a wide range of women’s interests—fashion, food, decorating, gardening, family, intellect, travel, and spirituality. Perfect for today’s economy, its practical advice helps women simplify their lives while focusing on essential matters of the spirit.  The book is appropriate for women of all ages—an inspiring gift for mothers, graduates, brides, co-workers, family, friends, or oneself. 

What were the challenges of producing Whatever is Lovely? 

One of the challenges of writing and constructing Whatever is Lovely was creating a cohesive whole.  Selecting the principles of design which most clearly relate to spiritual qualities, matching text to quotations from Scripture and other writers throughout history, relating personal stories, and selecting photographs to convey the virtues required considerable time, but the project was a labor of love.   

What were the satisfactions of writing and designing Whatever is Lovely?

My previous three books were published by traditional publishers, who bore the expense of production but also controlled the appearance of the book.  Because this book was custom published, I was fully engaged in design choices from start to finish.  I am delighted when readers tell me how much they connect with the insights, savor the beautiful photographs, and enjoy the humorous and poignant stories. 

What do you hope women will discover in the pages of Whatever is Lovely?

Albert Einstein said, “Make your choices lovely ones.”  Readers of Whatever is Lovely will discover how to cultivate a spirit that helps them make their own lovely choices.

Note from Sylvia: You can visit my other blog at: http://love-faith-and-guts.blogspot.com/that features a preview to my new book, Traveling a Rocky Road with Love, Faith and Guts.

Nanci Rainey Shares Her Story about the Genesis of Her Book, Just One More Day in the Driver’s Seat

I, Nanci Rainey, raised four wonderful children in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. I was fortunate enough to witness their first words, first steps and falls. I was there to hold them in my arms and wipe their tears. My children were my world and I marveled at their beauty and innocence. After losing my son, Billy, my world changed forever. I was left with a hole in my heart never to be healed. A grandmother of two of the most amazing children, I was given a chance to marvel at the beauty and innocence of a second generation. After ten years of struggling through the world of grief, I had back surgery that left me paralyzed from the waist down. I am now looking at the world through different eyes and realize we will all have challenges and adversity in our lives, it is up to ourselves how we respond to those challenges. I was given a chance to meet some of the most wonderful young adults with spinal cord injuries from gunshot wounds and stabbings and encouraged them to accept the challenge of a life altering injury, working hard at rehabilitation side by side, acknowledging they are not alone. I now volunteer at the rehabilitation hospital where I am able to listen and motivate others to think positive, to believe and to accept the good. 

What is the Genre of your book? 

My book is a Memoir.  Most of the writing I do is based on life changing events and the people who have crossed my path along this journey.  believe people come into our lives for a reason, and how we react with others shapes our lives.  

Why did you choose genre? 

I had a story to tell and it was a life event, a tragic path I had journeyed through.  I started with a daily journal of my son’s medical treatment. There was so much information thrown at us at once and neither my son nor I wanted to chance anything to memory. Initially the story was written more like a diary of medical information for others with DSRCT . I didn’t want to limit my audience, therefore it became a story. 

  How is it different? 

Writing memoirs is much different than writing fiction. With a memoir, the cast of characters are already developed, as is the setting and plot. There is an actual event or life-changing moment in the story that was not created from one’s imagination; it happened, it WAS. 

Can you tell us more about your book and where we may find it? 

  I have published only one book,  “Just One More Day in the Driver’s Seat”, released February 21, 2012.   

   Synopsis: 

My story captures the spirit of my son, Billy, stricken with cancer at the age of 18 and his courage and strength during the battle.  The type of cancer Billy had is called DSRCT (desmoplastic small round cell tumor), which was and still is quite rare.  There is no cure and the    survival rate for five years is only 15%; most of the young adults stricken with DSRCT end their battle around two years after diagnosis. The story is sad, yet it is real. There is no fluff about cancer.  It is my hope to raise awareness of DSRCT and generate funding for more research. A portion of the proceeds of my book will be presented to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for their research studies in DSRCT protocol.  My book is available thru the publisher: www.tatepublishing.com;   www.barnesandnoble.com; and www.amazon.com . 

                You can also read more about “Just One More Day in the Driver’s Seat;   and information on DSRCT at    www.nancirainey.tateauthor.com . 

When did you decide to write the book? 

 My story began the moment my son was diagnosed. I started a daily journal of procedures, medications, visitors, vital signs, etc. We were faced  with a monster that could (and did) destroy lives.  I wasn’t leaving anything to memory while under the influence of stress and sleep deprivation. The journal was both informative as well as therapeutic and at times it came in quite handy for the doctors looking for past test results, etc. (oh yes, I had copies of them as well). It was a joke amongst the staff and physicians that I was writing a book, but eventually, my son asked me to write the book and it is in his honor the story was written. 

When did you begin writing and who inspired you? 

I began writing while still in elementary school. I was intrigued with books and it was my passion to read and write.  I started writing poetry, as most young teenagers do, but eventually I started writing short stories in school. I can remember one particular teacher, Ms. O’Breeza, encouraged me to continue my writing, saying it was a talent not to be hidden.  

Do you have a writing schedule? 

My writing schedule fluctuates. I usually get ideas or start writing in my head while I am relaxed in the tub or driving in the car. I would have to try to recreate the though shortly after it comes to me and write it down. Not everything comes in order and when I review all my thought and paragraphs scribbled, I sit at the computer in my room and type, usually in the afternoon and early evening. Just One More Day in the Driver’s Seat was completed while I was a patient in a rehabilitation hospital for a spinal cord injury. I had already been under contract with my publisher and there were still empty chapters. During my six month stay at Magee Rehab, I managed to complete the book, with the help of a speech therapist. (As a result of my spinal cord injury, I developed chemical meningitis and had some word retrieval and memory loss.) 

When do you do when you are not writing? 

Currently I volunteer at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital two days a week. I try to give back a little bit of hope to those experiencing similar injuries and emotions. After a spinal cord injury, one is fearful how they will be able to function in the “able” world despite their disability and Magee offers hope through their physical and occupational therapists. I try to show others how important attitude is and positive thinking. I use myself as an example of one who is trying to accomplish all I can regardless of my disability. 

Do you have any new writing projects in the works or planned? 

I am currently at the scribbling stages of a new story, one of overcoming challenges and hurdles. Since the release of Just One More Day in the Driver’s Seat, I have been working with my marketing advisor and publisher on getting my story out there.  Marketing and selling the book takes more time than I ever imagined. I have to put serious writing on hold at this time. 

What are your "Made it  Moments? 

The birth of each of my children were “Made It” moments in my life as well as each of their graduations. I am also blessed to have been able to witness the birth of my grandchildren, another “Made It” for me.  I “Made It” when I was able to take my family to Denver, Colorado and celebrate “World Youth Day” with Pope John Paul II.  While at Magee, “I Made It” when I was able to take my first step with braces and assistance.  The publishing of Just One More Day in the Driver’s Seat has been my most recent “Made It” moment. 

What advice would give someone who wants to write or a beginning writer? 

My advice to anyone who is inspired to write is to just write, write, write. When you write, your story nor your thoughts are always in order; just write the words as they come and set aside another time for formulating these sentences and paragraphs. I had the Epilogue of my book completed prior to completing several chapters.  Be prepared to edit.  There are times editing can be dangerous, as you can edit too much. After you edit one section, move on, don’t dwell on what you already edited.  If it doesn’t feel right the next time you read it, then you can change it. 

    Never give up! There is always hope

    and a reason to believe.

Note from Sylvia: You can visit my other blog at: http://love-faith-and-guts.blogspot.com/that features a preview to my new book, Traveling a Rocky Road with Love, Faith and Guts.

Top 100 Best-selling List Author, Marie-claire Kuja, Shares Her Story about Her Book, False Labels

 Tell us about yourself, Marie-claire.

I am a mother of two boys, a blogger, a nurse, a speaker an aspiring podcaster and the author of the false label series. I am originally from the African country of Cameroon and reside in New York City.

Tell us about the genre of your work.

It cuts across all ages and gender. My short stories are of a mixed genre, and falls into the categories of  non-fiction Self-Help/ Self-Esteem/Advice & How-to/ Mind, Body & spirit/Teens/Religion & Spirituality , Meditation/women/devotional.

Why did you choose this genre?

I didn’t choose the genre I write in, rather it chose me because I write out of personal experiences, which was  based on the difficulties I faced growing up, and also on the stories of other girls around me. . Most of my writing is centered on women's issues because  I realized when we are faced with certain crisis, we just settle or give-up, or hide those things. We all have trials and tribulations in life but the challenge is not to hide them but to share, because while sharing, you in turn inspire and empower others to know that it’s ok to share those things we all go through.

 If you don’t have a test, you won’t have a testimony

This genre gives me the opportunity to share and testify all the good things God has done for me and in turn empower every woman or young girl to do the same.

There are thirteen short stories in the book and it actually cuts across all the genres I, mentioned above. I think by restricting myself to a particular genre it limits my work. I believe a story should be good enough to stand above any classification.   

How is writing in the genre you write, different than other genre?

It is different, because  among many other things, the book encourages the reader to always embrace their own stories joyfully, completely and with pride, to answer only to the name God calls them instead of what people call them. They also are true stories most of which had to do with personal experiences.

Can you tell us more about your book?

This is my first published book, but I have written and published articles in an online magazine called Ezine:

Five Secrets on How To Thrive in Recession

Finance: Personal Finance • Published: May 28, 2009

Safeguarding Your Mind

Health and Fitness: Emotional Freedom Technique • Published: March 5, 2009

Your Relationship With You (A Woman of Virtue)

Women’s Interests • Published: March 5, 2009

Even in the Midst of Crisis - Keys to Thriving in Crisis

Self Improvement: Personal Growth • Published: February 17, 2009

The Mango Tree

Self Improvement: Empowerment • Published: February 16, 2009

Teen Pregnancy and How To Reclaim Your Life

Home and Family: Pregnancy • Published: February 12, 2009

Give a short description of this book:

 The book False Labels, teaches us to stop being at war with ourselves, stop dwelling on the past and focus on the future. We are reminded to be thankful to God and celebrate our uniqueness. False Labels further encourages everyone to embrace their own stories joyfully, completely and with pride. Among other things, the reader will learn how important it is to be an original of his or herself instead of an imitation or a look-a-like of someone else.  They will also learn what to do when others call them false names, how to deal with bullies, and to believe that God can use them right where they are, exactly the way they are, use their tongue to build and not to destroy; instead, use their one and only life to impact others and always live by the words of the golden rule “Do unto others what you want them do unto you”.

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Title: False Labels: Don’t Let People Label You: 13 Uplifting Short Stories OF Inspiration, Hope, Encouragement and Empowerment

ISBN: 9780985022693 for print (published on Feb;6^th 2012)

         9780985022617 for the kindle version (published on Jan 17, 2012)

http://www.amazon.com/False-Labels-Inspiration-Encouragement-ebook/dp/B006YSDENC/

 http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/false-labels-marie-claire-kuja/1108479715?ean=2940014072878&itm=1&usri=false+labels.

Please include your website www.falselabelseries.com

 Can you give us a synopsis of this book/s?

As children and adults, plenty of us are still trapped inside identities we never asked for, because throughout life people are constantly putting us down with derogatory words. It’s just like they are sticking a label on us. Too short, too old, too tall, too slow, too many mistakes, not talented enough, can never amount to anything, can never do anything right etc. These stories we hear are from the beliefs, attitudes, assumptions and labels that have been bestowed upon us by our scolding parents, our uptight teachers, and our rejecting friends. Unfortunately, negative and demeaning words impact our lives and deliver a crushing blow to our fragile sense of self worth. They leave a lasting scar.

 But how can we combat this? How can we empower our spirits and minds and the generation to come?

False labels which transcends age and gender is packed with inspirational stories which encourage personal empowerment, self esteem and spiritual growth. False labels addresses the virtually universal pain that we are never good enough. Every man, woman, boy or girl is encouraged to embrace their own story joyfully, completely and with pride. In False labels we are further reminded that it is possible to always be exactly who we are and its perfect to bring our own special brand of joy and charm into the world.

False Labels further encourages us:

To believe that we are not who people call us but what God created us to be.

We have the power to choose and believe in our own stories

To believe that God created us for a divine purpose.

That everyone is unique in their own right,

To use our words to build and not to destroy

To be ourselves instead of an imitation of someone else

 To celebrate our uniqueness

 And to believe that there are much better truth if we look beyond false labels.

Where do you get your ideas for writing?

I get my ideas from real life things that happen to people around me.

What is your favorite thing about your book?

The book is written in a very unique style with some words to ponder and a prayer at the end of each story. That is my favorite because it kind of leaves the reader with something to hold on to.

Why and when did you begin writing?

I started writing in 2005 as an act of self cleansing and healing. I was hurting so much but because there was no one to talk to, I turned to writing as a way of venting those feelings. I started writing in my journal. And whenever I felt down and read from my journal, it felt so uplifting. It was amazing how my own words became an inspiration to me. Later that year a school mate had picked up my journal, read it and started tearing up. When asked why, she said that was exactly her life. Then I knew I was not alone. I was not the only one feeling as if the world was closing up on me. Then came the need to have a strong voice in other to share this with other people who are still trapped in their past.

 Is there any one person who had a big influence on you or encouraged you to write?

Yes, Myself. As a matter of fact, lots of family members and friend only knew I wrote a book on the day the kindle version was published. My reason was that I did not want to be discouraged.

What is your writing schedule?  What atmosphere do you need to write?

I don’t have a set schedule or atmosphere for writing. I work at night and get so tired when I come home in the morning, so what I do is I write just a page or two in the afternoon when I am awake. I also scribble something during my break time at work whenever ideas come to my mind.

What projects are you working on now, or plan for the future?

I am working on the next book in the series which will be out in just a few months from now. I am also in the process of starting a foundation. I am also starting podcast interviews this March and hope to be in speaking in churches, school workshops and conferences.

What kind of advice or tips do you have for someone who wants to write and be published?

I have already been asked this question so many times. My take on this is that you don’t need to allocate time else you might end just writing the book in your head. Commit to writing at least a page a day if you are so busy. And nowadays there is no reason not to write and get published. There are so many opportunities especially with self publishing taking over. I believe that everyone has a story, something that only you have to offer the world, something that can change someone else’s life.

Are there any other comments, advice or tips that you would give to beginning writers?

Do a lot of research on your topic. Ask question especially to established authors. Don’t procrastinate, just write at least a page a day.

What do you do when you are not writing?

I go to my regular job as a nurse. I also find some time to blog.

Include anything else you may wish to add.

We are all blessed with something, “That Something” which can change the lives of so many.

Don’t underestimate whatever your contribution can be to your community or the world. God has given us something and we all have it in our hands. It could be your talents or skills, ideas, knowledge, education, money and so forth. what are you doing with it?

Regardless of whatever your challenges might have been, you are not alone and not a write –off.

You matter and can make a difference.

What “Made It” moments have you experienced in life?

Even though I have a lot of made it moments, this book is one of the biggest one for me. When I started writing, I had told myself that I didn’t just want to write anything in the name of a book but something that will change someone’s life. I have had emails from people I don’t even know telling me how my book has inspired them. This also is a “made it” moment for me, because it makes me know that truly I am valuable and have something to offer the world. It also makes me finally feel that I am not just existing but living. Also, when my book made the Amazon top 100 best-selling list within just two weeks of release. 

Note from Sylvia: You can visit my other blog at: http://love-faith-and-guts.blogspot.com/that features a preview to my new book, Traveling a Rocky Road with Love, Faith and Guts.