What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write True Stories of an Urban Shaman?
For me, writing has been a lifelong journey. I never set out to write a book originally. I was on a learning and awakening journey, and every time I learned something I never wanted to forget, I wrote it out, printed it and threw it into a folder. One day, the folder was around two-hundred pages long and I realized I had a book in my hands. From that day on, I would open a word document and write consecutively knowing it was intended to be a book. I just never stopped. That branched out into creative writing and fiction as well. It’s all an outlet of expression.
This book was a catalogue of my life, expressing the ups and downs, the questions about life, the struggles with my attitudes and reconciling them with my healing work and life. It’s a raw and real look into my life so you can see that what you feel and go through is what we all go through. We often try to make things seem better than they are. This book doesn’t hide behind the bushes, it’s up front and true. I always say you must love all parts of yourself to truly love yourself. That means even when you are negative. Even Yin Yang has a “shady side of the tree.” My inspiration is always to share, so you can learn from my experience and be a little ahead of the game.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of True Stories of an Urban Shaman, what would they be?
Probably something titled, “Sneaky Grandma” or some Pirate Song. Life is about being quirky and full of surprises with people and journeys. My life soundtrack would be like my life, vast, unpredictable, and fun-loving!
What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I love fiction thrillers most; anything ghostly, haunting, paranormal, scary, but not gory. I love reading and writing fiction thrillers and have one I just released as well called,” 1377 Rikoppe Lane.” I love non-fiction too. I have read so much non-fiction over the years and I love reading about mystical, mysterious things that make us question our reality. Like books on true reincarnation stories, near death stories, or questions of time travel, astral travel, other worldly beings and so on. There are just so many stories and things to know. Books are amazing!
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
The Authorized Biography of Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek Creator (Trekkie: Next Generation), 599 pages, been getting through it for two years. Alfred Hitchcock Presents: My Favorites In Suspense (got it at a vintage shop), The Ghostly Grounds: Murder & Breakfast, by Sophie Love.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
When I was healing a woman on the table and I called in any spirit healer that wanted to come in to help, and a tall African Bush Medicine Man came in from the Congo, with a feather staff, dressed with a large leaf covering his bottom half, a headdress, and told me how my clients energy was running, and showed me how to use my sacred tools “properly,” to run along her energy path. It was also funny to me that this little old white lady had an African Spirit Guide from the Congo (so many past lives…we could have been anyone). When I told her about him she didn’t seem surprised, almost like on a cellular level she already knew him or something. Amazing!
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I have to have music that matches the mood of what I am writing. I like to write in places that stimulate a creative spark to get me going or even visit places with a certain feel or vibe and then when I go home, I transfer that feeling onto the page. I need a space clear of clutter, and not to be bothered if I am on a roll at a crucial point.
Oh, and my cat seems to think I need her walking across my keyboard at the absolutely wrong time as part of my process! LOL
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
Yes, "You Have Nothing to Lose," & "You Got This."
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
To love & accept themselves, every single part, including the part they are least proud of, or the part that makes mistakes or gets angry sometimes. I would say to them, "it’s ok to be human and imperfect." Art happens in the mistakes; and you ARE art baby!
