Deliah Lawrence's Blog, page 6

Women’s History Month’s Feature: Nora Ephron, Journalist, Writer, and Filmmaker

Hello booklovers! In celebration of Women’s History Month, I would like to present toyou, journalist, writer, and filmmaker, Nora Ephron.  After participating in a class action suitagainst Newsweek for sexual discrimination (the magazine told her theydidn’t hire women writers), she went on to enjoy a prolific career in journalismand screenwriting. She is best known for writing and directing romantic comedyfilms for which she received various accolades and awards (a British Academy FilmAward, nominations for three Academy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a Tony Award,and three Writers Guild of America Awards). 

Some of hernotable works include Silkwood (1983), Heartburn (1986), WhenHarry Met Sally (1989), Sleepless in Seattle (1993), You’ve GotMail (1998), Bewitched (2005), and Julia & Julia (2009). Shealso produced and co-authored plays: Imaginary Friends (2002) and Love,Loss, and What I Wore (2008). In 2013, Ephron received a posthumous TonyAward nomination for Best Play for Lucky Guy. She was definitely a trailblazer(1941 – 2012). Check out her quote about writing parts for women. #womenshistorymonth#journalist #writer #filmmaker #screenwriter #producer #director #romanticcomedyfilms#playwright #awardwinner #NoraEphron #vocalexpressions

Women’s History Month’s Feature: Rita Dove, Poet, Playwright, and Essayist

Hello booklovers! In celebration of Women’s History Month, I would like to present toyou, poet and essayist, Rita Dove. In 1987, she received the Pulitzer Prize forPoetry for Thomas and Beulah, a collection of poems loosely based on thelives of her maternal grandparents. In 1993, she was named United States Poet Laureateby the Library of Congress, a position she held until 1995. She has won severalawards and collaborated on many creative projects including a live reading atthe Lincoln Memorial, accompanied by John Williams’ music – a poem to StevenSpielberg’s documentary The Unfinished Journey. 

Some of her othernotable works include her play The Darker Face of the Earth that premieredat the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon in 1996 and premiered atthe Royal National Theatre in London in 1999; her poetry collections - SonataMulattica published in 2009 and Playlist for the Apocalypse publishedin 2021; and various short stories and essays. Check out her quote aboutbeing true to yourself. #womenshistorymonth #poet #poetry #PoetLaureate #literature#essayist #PulitzerPrizeforPoetry #playwright #creativewritingprofessor #RitaDove#vocalexpressions

A Review of Honeymoon for One by Lily Zante

This isthe first time I’m reading anything by Lily Zante and it won’t be the last.This novel serves up a dose of doubt, a spoonful of mistrust, and a heaping of findinglove again. 

So, let’smeet Ava Ramirez, an entrepreneur of an online kids store, reeling from hurtafter being ditched by Connor Beachcroft, her fiancé six weeks before theirValentine’s Day wedding. After the suppliers, dressmakers, caterers, and partyplanners are canceled she sets out for Verona, Italy - the honeymoondestination, the one thing she didn’t cancel. 

When Avaarrives at Verona airport, she finds out that her luggage didn’t arrive there. Onher way to speak to the Information Desk clerk, she crashes into Nico Cazale, whohappens to be carrying several hotel signs one of which says “Casa Adriana,”the elegant five-star luxury hotel where she’s staying. Unbeknownst to her,Nico is a billionaire hotelier who she mistakes for a driver. Nico is tickledby the situation and settles in his role as a driver and takes her to CasaAdriana, the hotel his family owns. 

ThroughoutAva’s stay, Nico offers to take her around to places off the beaten path: Montova,an industrial center with rows of factories and warehouses with smaller shopsand retail units and to Montagnano twenty miles away from Montova with sidestreets full of shops some of which sell eclectic pieces of jewelry. She enjoysthese trips, having lunches with Nico but gets confused after they share atender kiss, and he becomes abrupt and cold as he rushes off to a meeting. WhatAva didn’t realize is that Nico is dealing with his own drama: Silvia Azzaroneclaiming that he’s the father of her five-year-old daughter, Alessa. WhenSilvia confronts Ava at the hotel and shares this information, it furthercomplicates things between Nico and Ava, especially after Ava also learns whohe really is. 

Overall,this was a quick and charming read. I enjoyed the storyline, the pacing of thenovel, and the descriptions of the various places Ava went. It makes me want tovisit Verona. Anyway, as with any love story, there will always be somemisunderstandings and then the characters will find themselves back to eachother. In this case, Ava’s reaction was realistic based on her hurt and hermistrust of men. But love won over through Nico’s persistence in sharing thetruth with her. So, if you’re looking for a romantic love story that plays onyour emotions, then check out this novel. Two thumbs up! 

Rating: 4stars  

Some of myfavorite lines: 

“Are youjealous?” he asked cheekily, his eyes daring hers and at the same time his lipsbreaking out into a playful smile. He had taken his suit jacket off and wore awhite shirt underneath which made his olive skin look more tanned.

Ava almostlaughed out loud. “Jealous? Who, me?” She surveyed him with interest.“Certainly not.”

I hopeyou’re not flirting with me, she prayed, taking a sip of wine againbecause she needed to do something with her hands.

Nicorested his elbow on the table and placed his index finger across his chin. Ashe leaned in toward her, she suddenly caught sight of his Breitling watch. Itwas almost two o’clock. He smiled at her again, watching her, as he oftenseemed to do.

He isflirting with me. Ava took another sip of wine then realizedher glass was empty.

  

It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Kristin Paul, author of Drowning (pen name Katelin Maloney)

Author’s Bio:Kristin Paul is a two-time award-winning author addressing social issues thatimpact women. Her books extend beyond storytelling, creating a platform for dialogueand awareness surrounding the challenges faced by women. She has spoken tonumerous organizations about the difficulties women experience includingdomestic violence.  

Her booksare Drowning by Katelin Maloney and Freeing YourselfFinancially: A Woman’s Guide to Rebuilding Her Finances After Divorce. Sheis also a book publisher at Purple Ribbon Publishing.

Kristin Paul,also a passionate advocate for empowering young single working mothers, is theStrategic and Operations Administrator for the St. Joseph Neighborhood Centerin St. Augustine, Florida. With a Master's Degree in Finance, Kristin combinesher financial expertise with a heartfelt commitment to community service.  

DeliahLawrence: What inspired you to write your book?

KM: Theinspiration to publish my novel Drowning came from the desire to helpdomestic violence survivors; however, the idea of the story came from a dream. Idreamed the story one night and the story wouldn’t leave my mind. I wasn’t an author.I had never written a book or even an article. But I couldn’t shake the story.It haunted me. Eventually, I started writing the story down in a notebook.After seven notebooks, I had a very rough draft of a book! 

DL: How doyou overcome the challenges of writer’s block?

KM: Becausethe story had been a vivid dream and it stayed with me, I didn’t have thetypical writer’s block. When I would sit down to write, it was as if I waspressing “play” on a movie. The words just flowed. I was very lucky! 

DL: What is yourwriting process?

KM: OnceI had that very rough draft done, then the writing process became difficult. Withno writing experience, I wasn’t skilled in editing. When I edited Drowning,I worked for twenty-five minutes, then took a five-minute break, and repeatedthe process. I realized that I needed that discipline to make progress becauseediting was daunting to me. 

DL: What elementsdo you think make a compelling story?

KM: Ibelieve that a compelling story hinges on having an empathetic and relatable protagonist.Given that my protagonist endured domestic violence, it was important toportray her strength and resilience rather than weakness. Crafting her as alikable and empathetic character was crucial to ensuring that readers would beemotionally invested in her journey. 

DL: What obstaclesdid you encounter while writing this book?

KM: Aspreviously stated, I lacked experience in book writing and hadn't receivedformal training in creative writing, so there was a steep learning curve aheadof me. To address this, I enrolled in various workshops and classes, read bookson writing, and became a member of a critique group. Balancing the demands oflife was challenging, especially with two young sons and a full-time job at thetime. Consequently, there were multiple occasions when I had to set aside Drowningdue to my busy life. 

DL: What wasthe most valuable piece of writing advice you’ve ever been given?

KM: “Justpublish it!”  a friend said. I think thatI could have edited forever, but she convinced me that at some point I justneeded to publish the book. I had to ‘let go’. 

DL: What strategiesdo you use to successfully market your book(s)?

KM: Inwriting Drowning, I aimed to leverage the book as a platform to raiseawareness about domestic violence. To achieve this, I reached out to numerouswomen's groups, church organizations, colleges, and bookstores, volunteering togive presentations. Additionally, I specifically targeted book clubs as part ofmy outreach efforts. 

DL: What tipswould you give to aspiring writers?

KM: Don’tgive up. From the night I dreamed the story until the day I published it, tenyears went by. It doesn’t matter how long it takes to write, edit, and publish.There is no deadline. 

DL: Wouldyou like to share an excerpt from Drowning?

KM: Sure, here you go:

      Rebecca looked up at the sky. The cloudsparted and the bright sun strained her eyes. She shielded them with her lefthand. Her diamond sparkled in the sun. A spectrum of colors streaked throughthe sky. A faint glow appeared through the cloudless opening.

     The wet sand beneath her chilled her skin.It contrasted the sun’s rays soaking into her body. The breeze blew wisps ofhair into her face. She wiped the strands away, leaving gritty sand behind.

     Conflicting emotions warred inside her asthe glow slowly approached, until a sense of calm swept over her. She felt himbefore she saw his figure evolve from the light.

    “Daddy.”

    “Reba, I’m here to take your pain away.” Heheld out his hand and she took it. “It’s time. Come with me.”

    “I’ve needed you.”

   “I’m here now.” Her father looked at herwith teary eyes. “I love you more than life.”  

DL: Wherecan readers learn more about you and purchase your book(s)?

KM:Readers can get more information here:

Website: www.purpleribbonpublishing.comAmazon AuthorPage: http://tinyurl.com/yc2px238Facebook: FacebookBook Buy Links:https://www.amazon.com/Drowning-Katelin-Maloney-ebook/dp/B00Z7KJZK4

DL: Thanksso much for being here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting toknow you and your work.  

KM: Thankyou for interviewing me and learning about Drowning and my journey. 

It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Mary Muduuli, author of The Book Of Hope: How Women Rise Up, Take Charge and Win in Retirement

Author’sBio: Mary dedicated over four decades todevelopment economics, with pivotal roles at institutions like the World Bankand the African Development Bank. Her journey from Uganda to North America hasbeen marked by academic and professional pursuits​ and underscored by acommitment to ​grab opportunities, seek excellence and meaningfulcontributions​ to society. 

Now,in her golden years, she champions women's economic empowerment to achieve"Hope for a Better Future" for all younger living for theretired. ​She has authored two books in retirement, including The BookOf Hope (published) and Silver Linings (an audio), focusing on self-help, growth and success in a challengingworld. She received the 2023 Lynn Quille Award for Economic Empowerment,by the Focus On Women Magazine (USA). Mary helps women to find their purposeand navigate life with confidence, without feeling helpless and overwhelmed bythe crazy world and events in their lives.

 

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write​ your book?

Mary Muduuli: The observationsthroughout my career about the crazy world we live in today, full of fatalism(threats to life and property - some man-made like war, conflict, genocide,climate emergency and others natural like fires, droughts, hurricanes, floods,epidemics, etc.), sense of hopelessness to change liferealities;   

The injustices, torture,assault and inequalities particularly against women, rooted in a male dominatedworld, cultural norms, traditions and practices;

Achievements by womenaround the world, warriors working as agents of change, for themselves and toimpact others;

My strong belief thatwomen, based on women’s gifts and roles and society’s expectations, havecapability and a special calling to give “Hope for Better” to humanity; and

My own story, whichproved to me that it is possible to reduce stress, depression and hopelessnesswhen we follow certain strategies and use certain tools.    

​DL:What elements do you think make a compelling story?

MM:I believe the following elements make a compelling story:

Storyresonating with society's issues or realities.Realpeople life examples as part of your research.Offeringpractical strategies, tools and or solutions.Depictingwriter's own vulnerability, experience and achievements.Shortfor comfortable reading and contains a generous touch of humor. 

DL:What obstacles did you encounter while writing the book?

MM:I encountered the following obstacles while writing my book:

Gettingstarted and dealing with procrastination.Multitaskingand juggling family schedules, home chores and book writing.Contentresearch work and finding real people to interview for real life storiesand convincing them to be named.Prioritizingmaterials to include and aiming to perfect drafts.Findingfinancing. Complyingwith publisher's red tape and guidelines.Workingwith virtual editors.

DL:If you could choose a superpower, what would it be and why?

MM:Flight as a superpower because there are times when I want to travel the worldbut cannot due to time and financial constraints, but always wish I could justget there. I am well-travelled, been to over 40 countries, but there areparts of this world, especially in Latin America, Eastern Europe and AsiaI really wish to see in my life. 

DL:If you were hosting a dinner party, which three authors, present or past, wouldbe your dream guests and why?

MM:  1) Helen Keller – I am so fascinated by herability to write despite her disability. 2) Michelle Obama - She is such apowerful writer and so inspiring. 3) Wangari Maathai - Her African womanspirit and strong political activism, fighting for the environment isentertaining.

 

DL:What tips would you give to aspiring writers?

MM:I would give them the following tips:

Throwout ideas but settle for relevant audience(s), their pain/need and whatyou offer them.Determinetitle to keep you focused.Getstarted and keep going, do not procrastinate.Don'taim at perfecting drafts and create your own content.Makeyour book easy to read and illustrated.Determinehow to use the book for impacting society, as many will not read it.Decideon marketing strategy early. 

DL:What is your favorite line from a book?

MM:My favorite line by Dr. Maya Angelou:"No matter how miserable a hand we have been dealt, we have the power tocreate our own destinies and to determine our future." 

DL:What are three fun facts about yourself?

MM:1) I love listening to different types of music and dancing, sometimes bymyself. 2) I enjoy comedy and laughter very much. 3) I love cooking, oftenspicy, sometimes making up recipes on the fly, just as I make the dish. 

DL:What new projects are you currently working on?

MM:As an Executive Contributor, I write articles in the UKbased Rich Woman Magazine, Monday editions, in an effort to impact retirementstyles of its readers, championing the concept of "living younger." 

DL:Where can readers learn more about you?

MM:Readers can get more information here:

Mypage: https://www.thebookofhope.caAmazon(Kindle): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B098ZZSJZK?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420

Facebook:https://www.Facebook.com/Mary.Muduuli.7Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marymuduuli/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-c-muduuli-3285731a2/BookBuy Link:   http://tinyurl.com/2p9d3bwn

DL: Thanks so much for being here with us today. I knowmy readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.

MM: Thank you!

 

 

A Review of The Engagement Gift by Lauren Blakely

LaurenBlakely didn’t disappoint in this standalone novel about love, trust, andsexual fantasies. From the very beginning you can feel the heat flying off thepages between Lily Whiting, a sports reporter and Finn Nichols, a lawyer who’shealing from the death of his brother. They bond over sports and although theirschedules are hectic, they find the time to get to know each other deeply. 

Now that theyare engaged, there’s just one ultimate fantasy (a threesome) that Lily wants toindulge in but doesn’t know how to bring it up with Finn. When Finn sees her browsinghistory, he wonders why she didn’t say anything to him. Anyway, being obsessedwith her pleasure, he wants to fulfill her fantasy, but he needs to find theperfect person, someone trustworthy. So, he settles on his best friend, Jake.Of course, Jake is thrilled but wants reassurance this is really something Lilywants and that there are ground rules. What ensues afterwards is a night fullof heat and passion between the three of them making Lily grin like a “wicked angel.”Totally fulfilling her fantasy…her engagement gift from Finn. 

Overall,this was a quick, fun, and sexy read. I enjoyed the storyline, the pacing ofthe novel, and the sex scenes. The characters were likable and the dialogue wasrealistic. It was good to see partners who trust each other implicitly toinvite a third party into their relationship even for just one night. This wasa big ask and Jake was the perfect person who respected the love between Finnand Lily to make this happen. So, if you’re looking for a steamy read, thencheck out this novel. Two thumbs up! 

Rating: 4stars  

Some of myfavorite lines: 

I grabbedher arm, whispering, “They’re best friends. Would that be weird? For them?” Ihad to get her take. She was so smart and sharp. She’d know this. She’dunderstand it.

Kate’seyes glinted. “I don’t know. I guess that’s what you’d have to find out. But Idon’t think it’d be awkward for them if it’s what Finn wants for you. And I betit’s what he wants for you.”

I was a desperate woman now, focused on this brand-newoption. “How can you be so certain?” 

“Because Finn is obsessed with yourpleasure.”

  

It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Julie Federico author of Blackness is Creativeness

Author’s Bio: Julie Federico is an award-winningchildren’s service author who writes books that help parents keep their kidssafe.  She has written prevention books onchild abuse prevention, domestic violence prevention, school violenceprevention, race relations, and elementary friendships.  She takes difficult adult topics and breaksthem down in a friendly and non-threatening way that preschoolers cancomprehend.  

Julie believes knowledge is power and protecting your children is paramount.Her books are for readers 0-9 years old. All of her books are illustrated in awelcoming fish theme.  Two of her sevenbooks have been translated into Spanish.  

Julie is available for speaking engagements and loves to share thepowerful message of prevention.  www.juliefederico.com  and  juliefederico@gmail.com 

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book? 

Julie Federico: I have worked as a schoolcounselor for 30 years.  I see howdomestic violence and child abuse greatly affect children.  I have made it my life work to preventchildren from experiencing either of these life changing events. 

DL: How do you overcome the challenges of writer’s block? 

JF: When I have a block, I don’t go to mycomputer I write in my journal.  Ajournal is less threatening than a laptop. I just start writing and I do not re-read anything I wrote.  I do not edit anything.   I write a stream of consciousnessthought.  I don’t stop writing until mythoughts are finished.  I have learnedtoo many times that thoughts come only once; they do not reappear.  One has to compose these thoughts or they canbe lost forever in the noise of our minds. 

DL: What is your writing process? 

JF: I sit down and write all of my stories inone sitting.  Of course, my books aresmall so this is doable.  I think aboutwhat I am going to write for a long time before I write so the story is alreadywritten in my head.  I just transfer itfrom my mind to text.  When I startwriting I don’t stop.  Stopping createsdrama.  I just go with the theme. 

DL: What obstacles did you encounter while writing this book?

JF: Many. My own self was a big obstacle.  Ialmost talked myself out of it.  I wouldsay to myself, “You have no formal training in race relations.”  I have no training on race relations otherthan what I have lived and witnessed.  Iam not a race expert.  I was willing toput my fears aside to get this message out. I think it is a good one.  Formaltraining does not make one a race expert. Being aware and alert to problems does make one a semi expert.  The voices inside of my head werestrong.  I am glad they did not win. Raceis such a divisive topic I am very proud of myself that I completed this topic. 

DL: What was the most valuable piece of writing advice you’ve ever beengiven?

JF: I heard Alexandra Fuller give a booktalk.  She wrote, Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight: AnAfrican Childhood.  She said, “Write what you know.”  This was a huge gift to me. 

DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers? 

JF: Join a writer’s group.  So much synergy happens in these groups youwill learn a lot!  Don’t share your dreamof writing with everyone.  Not everyonewill be supportive, ignore these people, don't give them the animation to talkyou out of your goal.  You don’t have toknow everything to start.  You just needto start.  You can start today! 

DL: What are three fun facts about yourself? 

JF: 1. I had never met a vegan until I moved to Colorado.  2. I always see the glass as half full not halfempty.  3. Jerry Seinfeld is my soulmate! 

DL: Would you like to share an excerpt from Blackness is Creativeness?

JF: Sure, here you go: 

Because of unfair rules and ideas set by society, government, schools,police departments and the court system, black people and other people of colorhave been and are currently being mistreated. This is called discrimination.  Black and brown people have been mistreated just because of the color oftheir skin.  This is always wrong.  We are all the same on the inside, eventhough our skin colors may be different. Certain people should not have life privilege while others receivemistreatment just because of the color of their skin. This needs to change inour society. Remember, the only reason our outsides look different is becauseGod created us in a variety of beautiful skin tones. I think children can startto solve this pervasive problem easier than adults can. Children see theseproblems as solvable, children as not afraid to talk about race issues.Children by nature do not discriminate; this is why they are the perfect groupto help end this problem.  Adults canlearn a lot from you if they will stop and listen.  I want to empower you to begin the end ofdiscrimination in our country.  There isno greater work you could be doing.  I encourageyou to help end discrimination today and every day.  We need more acceptance of all races to makeour world a better place!  Would you liketo join me in this important work?  I amso happy you said, "Yes!" Together, we can end racial discrimination and make positivechanges.  

I struggled with the right words for this book, knowing I wouldencounter criticism for what I did not mention: Police brutality, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and institutionalincarceration, just to name a few.  Thiswas intentional, though.  As a child’sfirst book on race relations, I wanted to begin the conversation in an age-appropriatemanner. I wrote this book for preschoolers and elementary students.  Ideally, you will have many conversationswith your child about race over the years. These conversations will change as your child gets older. When we canteach a community of 2-year-olds to identify and define discrimination, we areonto significant societal change! My goal is to introduce the subject and getthe conversation started. 

DL: What new projects are you currently working on?  

JF: I have been so busy that I have not reallymarketed Blackness is Creativeness.  I want to start working on this as soon aspossible.  You are helping me by allowingme to be a part of your blog.  This isthe first blog featuring Blackness isCreativeness.  Thank you, thank you. 

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and purchase your book(s)?

JF: Readers can get more information here:

Website:    www.juliefederico.comAmazon Author Page:   Amazon.com: Julie K. Federico: books, biography, latestupdateFacebook:  (20+) FacebookInstagram:  AuthorJulie Federico (@julie_federico2) • Instagram photos and videosBook Buy Links:  www.juliefederico.com 

DL: Thanks so much for being here with ustoday. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.

JF: Thank you!

  

It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Erica Ginsberg, author of Creative Resilience

Author’s Bio: Erica Ginsberg has drawn oncreativity in a variety of different roles: writer, documentary filmmaker,story consultant, project manager, and social entrepreneur. She co-founded thedocumentary film organization Docs In Progress and served as its foundingexecutive director for more than a decade. She co-hosts The D-Word, apeer-to-peer global community for documentary professionals. 

In addition toworking in the arts, Erica has organized professional development study toursto the United States for mid-career professionals from around the world. Shehas a BA in international affairs and an MA in film and video. She finds joy intravel, painting, collage, reading, nature hikes, and spending time withfriends, family, and her dog, Lulu. 

Note: The most valuable piece of writing advice she has ever given is make bad stuff so you can get to good stuff. Really great advice for those of us who lean towards perfectionism.

 

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to writeyour book?

Erica Ginsberg: I have found joy in creativepursuits all my life – initially painting and later film, writing, and collage.I also have relied on creativity in my other work, whether putting togetherinternational exchanges or starting a nonprofit to help filmmakers find theirvoices as they develop their work. Through my experiences both with making artand helping other artists, I know that as fulfilling as making art is, it alsoinvolves a lot of challenges. I wrote Creative Resilience as a way toreflect on ways to navigate those challenges. 

 

DL: What is your writing process?

EG: While I know many writers swear by routinessuch as working for a set number of hours every day or committing to a certainnumber of words per week, I think it comes down to your temperament and whatelse is happening in your life. I have come to accept that I take a morezig-zag approach. I originally planned to write a new blog entry every monthbut soon realized that just wasn’t realistic for me. Sometimes I’ll write oneevery month or every other month. Sometimes I may go six months between them.That said, I think having forms of accountability are very helpful. 

When I waswriting the first draft of the book, I partnered with a colleague who was alsowriting a book. We committed to sharing a chapter of our respective books witheach other every week and kept it up without fail for six months. Some weeks,the work was really rough, but having the built-in deadline and a way to getimmediate feedback was really helpful. Happy to say both our books werecompleted and published.

 

DL: How do you overcome the challenges of writer’sblock?

EG: I prefer to think of creative blocks asobstacles to be navigated rather than overcome, similar to how a ship travelingfrom South America to Antarctica must go through the rough seas of the DrakePassage. If you anticipate the challenge, you may not be able to avoid italtogether, but you can be better prepared to survive it. I devote a wholechapter of the book to dealing with creative blocks: why they happen and sometools to help deal with them that I call GRITS which stands for Grace,Ritual/Routine, Idleness, Time, and Switching.

 

DL: What obstacles did you encounter while writingthis book?

EG: My first draft was promising, but ultimatelywas too short to be marketable. I didn’t want to be redundant just to addpages, so I set it down for a few months while I was busy with other aspects ofmy life. When I picked it up again, I realized there was quite a bit more tosay. I began working on four new chapters and interviewed more artists whoseexperiences were relevant to those themes. This was an example of how a blockcould be a blessing. Sometimes you just need to take a break so you can look atyour work in a new light. In reality, I was still working on the book while onthe break even though I wasn’t writing. So much of what goes into our writingis not the writing itself, but how we are observing the world, being inspiredby seemingly unrelated things, reading, musing, and reflecting.  

 

DL: What strategies do you use tosuccessfully market your book(s)?

 

EG: “Success” is another challenging term for mesince it can be measured in so many different kinds of ways. I think my mainstrategy has been to rely on advice I used to take when it came to nonprofitfundraising: the number one reason people donate to a cause is because someoneasked them. So much of marketing can feel like you are bombarding peopleshamelessly. Ultimately though, what I write about is intended to connect withand resonate with other people. If those people don’t know what I haveto offer them, they may be missing out on something that could be reallyhelpful. 

Gettingpast the discomfort of promotion, I keep a mailing list. It is small but mightyin the sense that I am less concerned with having thousands of subscribers thanhaving several hundred subscribers who actually open my emails, click on links,and engage with me and the content. I also use social media. Ever-changingalgorithms make some more effective than others. I’ve rediscovered LinkedInwhich has been really valuable for getting out my content while Facebook andX/Twitter are still necessary as earworms but seem on the surface to have lessengagement. 

After more than a year of being a silent Tik-Tok viewer, I startedcreating some content there as well. I don’t feel as confident with it yet, butthere is something magical about approaching it with a beginner’s mindset. I’veenjoyed talking with podcasters and bloggers like you to help the book reachnew potential audiences. I am also starting the process of getting the book outthrough in-person and virtual events: readings, panels, and workshops. It’s funto connect with readers or prospective readers face to face. 

DL: Whattips would you give to aspiring writers?

EG: Finish what you start, even if it isimperfect (and it will be!) Read as much as you can in the same genre, butdon’t limit yourself to only reading within your genre. Find community, whetherit is through a class, an organization, a club, a writing group, or a mentor. Ifyou don’t see what you need, build it yourself and you’d be surprised how manyothers will be happy to be a part of it. Community will help you improve, dealwith the challenges, and be there to cheer for each other as your work gets outinto the world beyond your brain, pad, or screen.

 

DL: What are three fun facts about yourself?

EG: 1. I love pugs. They are the comedians of the dog world. They canalso be needy and demanding, stubborn and noisy when they sleep. I still lovethem.

2. My happy place is in the desert…at least to visit. I am not sure Icould ever live there full-time.

3. When I was in elementary school, we had a field trip to ahospital. At the end of the visit, they gave us paper hats as a souvenir. Youcould have one for a doctor or one for a nurse. I was the only girl who stoodin line for the doctor hat. One boy told me I was in the wrong line. I said hewas mistaken. I was in the right line. Was this some big feminist statement?Did I have a dream of being a doctor when I grew up? Nope. I just liked the hatbetter because it had a light on it. That’s pretty much how I have approachedlife. Go for the hat with the light on it just because, no matter what anyoneelse is telling you. 

DL: Wouldyou like to share an excerpt from Creative Resilience?

EG: Sure, here you go:

Excerpt from a chapter called “Confidence Game”

 

While psychological studies vary, some have shown that as many as85 percent of those studied suffer from impostor syndrome at some point intheir lives. When I conducted a thoroughly unscientific survey of my friendsand colleagues about impostor syndrome, I was flooded with responses:

I get it, too. No idea if it is as profound as others, but it’s always waiting for me.

I experience it on a consistent basis. Have learned to push it away but it’s a struggle.

I definitely wrestle with the feelings; and it’s hard for me to imagine true creatives who don’t wrestle with them on some level.        

 

It’s simply a lack of confidence. One has to find a way to fight through it.      

The language struck me. Struggle. Wrestle. Fight. Waiting for me.Impostor syndrome was described as though it were a monster or criminal lurkingin the shadows. Confidence was viewed as something that could be missing orthat you must find somewhere…that is, if you didn’t get attacked by theimpostor-monster first.

 

Yet what if instead of thinking about confidence as something weseek to find, we thought about it as something always a part of us, but along aspectrum? At one end is arrogance and hubris (overconfidence), at the other endis excessive modesty and humility (under confidence).

These attitudes manifest in distinct ways when it comes toartistic practice.

 

On such a spectrum, too far to the side of overconfidence may showup as what could be called “artist exceptionalism,” an elevated sense ofself-importance and an attitude that you are special and your work is beyond criticism. Ego gratification can distractfrom substance and become unfulfilling— or even destructive—to the artist andtheir art. It may appear the overconfident artist needs no outside validation,but in reality, a ballooned sense of self can lead to a lot of hot air.

 

Being too far on the spectrum to the side of under confidence isseldom sustainable. It is normal for artists to have occasional doubts abouttheir talent or work, often expressed through self-deprecating humor, shyness,or reluctance to engage in self-promotion. At its extreme, though, underconfidence can be just as debilitating. If you create a “cloak of invisibility”around yourself and your art, not choosing to share your work or process withanyone else, you might dream that someday after you are gone, your talents willbe discovered and appreciated. But, if you are reading this book, you likelywant to find a way to make art both for yourself and for the appreciation ofothers in your lifetime. 

DL: What new projects areyou currently working on?

EG: Thereality is that the outreach for the book feels like a new project from writingit, so that is going to be my main focus in the coming year. Then I hope toreturn to a documentary film project I had started prior to the pandemic calledCalifornia USA about what the American Dream means to people from smalltown America who all live in cities called California.

DL: Wherecan readers learn more about you and purchase your book(s)?

 

EG: Readers can get more information here:

 

Website: http://www.ericaginsberg.com

 

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Erica-Ginsberg/author/B0CM6TPT43?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/resilientcreatives LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericaginsberg/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cinecitizen Blog: https://www.ericaginsberg.com/blog  Book Buy Links: They are all linked to from https://www.ericaginsberg.com/books

DL: Thanks so much for being here with us today. I know my readerswill enjoy getting to know you and your work.

EG: Thank you.

A Review of His Christmas Wish by Fiona Murphy

This isthe first time I’m reading anything by Fiona Murphy and it won’t be the last. Thisnovel captures the essence of Christmas: family, love, good deeds mixed in withsome romance, a few surprises, and a heartwarming ending.   

So, let’smeet Lydia Romano, a renowned and in demand sexy, sassy plus-sized stylist withmany rules that her clients adhere to like not contacting her before noon (it’son her business card that her hours are from noon to six). So, when she gets acall at six in the morning, she is furious and lashes out at the caller who laterturns out to be Decker Holt, the ruggedly handsome, overbearing, commanding, andpossessive billionaire. After apologizing to Decker for the way she answeredthe phone; Lydia agrees to style his sister, Juliet who is slated to attendvarious events with him over the holiday season. When Juliet decides not to gowith Decker, he tells Lydia that she has no choice but to attend in Juliet’splace. 

This iswhere the romance heats up. Decker is intrigued by Lydia and offers to donatemoney to her charity for each event she attends with him. However, he has a lotof demands – what she should wear, no showing of skin and her tattoos, etc.  When she defies him in the way she dresses forthe first event, she ends up embarrassing herself and is slapped with unkindwords by some of the women at the event. She is shaken but then follows hisinstructions for the next event. Thereafter, the two become inseparable: armsaround each other at events, deep conversations, tense moments, and intimatetrysts. 

Overall,this was a quick and fun read. I loved the pacing of the storyline, the themeof friends to lovers, the dialogue, the well-rounded characters and theiredginess, as well as their vulnerabilities. Despite Lydia and Decker bumpingheads a few times, there’s no denying their chemistry sizzles on the pages ofthis novel. Moreover, their backstories provide readers valuable insights into theirpersonalities and motivations. The ending was quite fitting for this genre andvery timely for the Christmas season with both their wishes coming true –heartwarming. So, here’s to reading another novel by Fiona Murphy. Two thumbsup! 

Rating: 4stars  

Some of myfavorite lines: 

Withoutremorse or hesitation, I make an offer I know she won’t be able to refuse. Ineed a date for six events over the next few weeks. I’ll donate ten thousanddollars for each date she attends with me to the struggling charity she isdevoted to.

Shecounters with twenty-five thousand each date and a whole lot of hate.

Deal. It'sa bargain, as far as I'm concerned. 

I have sixdates and her love of the magic of Christmas to get her to take a chance on themagic of us.   

      

It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with LaDonnia Cole, author of Growing Beyond The Gardens

Author’sBio: Bornon the South Side of Chicago, LaDonnia Cole is the youngest of two daughtersborn to high school sweethearts, Mr. Johnny Stevens and the late Ms. CarolynFay Cole. She is a survivor and overcomer, calling “Stateway Gardens” herchildhood home. Growing up in the Stateway Gardens “Housing Projects” is whereLaDonnia learned some of life’s most-valuable lessons. High moral standards,ethical values, the importance of education, cherishing family, and survivalskills are among those lessons LaDonnia uses as guiding principles in her life.

 

In GrowingBeyond The Gardens, she takes you on her journey from humble beginnings to becoming asuccessful entrepreneur and non-profit founder. Come along for the adventureand discover how you can overcome your toughest challenges while learning tolive your best life now.

 

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you towrite your book?

LaDonnia Cole: Myinspiration stems from my love for writing paired with the many trials andtribulations that I encountered throughout my life. I always knew I had aunique experience that was painful yet prepared me for the very purpose ofhelping others. I realized that my story could help someone else who is in asimilar situation, so I now have the courage and the strength to allow myselfto be vulnerable with the intent to inspire someone else.

 

DL: How do you handle writer’s block?

LD: In my opinion, writer's block is apart of the process. As a writer, outside influences and the hustle of everydaylife can cause a writer to lose their train of thought and focus. I have foundthat listening to instrumental jazz is soothing for me, it relaxes my mind andallows my thoughts to flow freely. 

In addition, if I need to take a break andrevisit my manuscript the next day then I do that as well. Finally, there areplenty of YouTube videos and documentaries that I find to be educational and thoughtprovoking which I watch at times and this too allow my thoughts to flow and Ican then write with a clear mind and focus my intent.

 

DL: What were some of the challengeswhen writing this book?

LD: During my writing process as Ireflected back on the details of the time periods that I share in my book, Irelived those moments and became emotional at times, which was a challenge.Also, when writing my memoir, the unthinkable happened to me. As I was nearingfifty-percent of completion and feeling excited about my book and relieved tofinally express the many things that I held on to for years, my mom passedaway. 

It was totally unexpected, and the grief hit me harder than I could haveever imagined. The challenge of losing my mom sent me on an emotional rollercoaster ride. By the Grace of God and my perseverance I was able to complete mymemoir which I am happy to have done as I continue to find healthy coping mechanismsand adjust to living my life without my mother's physical presence.

 

DL: Is there any particular author orbook that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

LD: Growing up as a teen the author thatinfluenced me the most was Sister Souljah. I credit Sister Souljah for opening my mind toreading because the very first book that I read willingly, that was not a classassignment from my instructor, was The Coldest Winter Ever by SisterSouljah. 

Reading this book was like watching a good movie that you don’t wantto walk away from. There were so many plot twists and dramas that kept meengaged, paired with the fact that I could relate to some of the characters asthey were similar to some people I knew at the time. After reading this book Iwas motivated to continue reading over the years. As I grew in life, Igravitated more towards non-fiction books and self-help books as an adult.

 

DL: What was the best writing adviceyou’ve ever been given?

LD: The best writing advice that I havebeen given thus far is to “just start writing”. At times we may have plans todo something, and it never happens so if you just start the process by keeping ajournal of events, or writing down your thoughts and experiences that you wishto write about in your book, or you can even create an outline covering yourideas and main points. These are various options to use for writing, but the keypoint is to start the process. You will go back and format and edit later, theimportant part is to get the story out, on paper. This is the best advice givento me and I now have a finished product.

 

DL: If you could choose a superpower,what would it be and why?

LD: The superpower I would choose to haveis the ability to time travel. I would love to see the lives of ancientcivilizations and compare it to the information we have then determine if whatis believed to be factual is true or false. I would also travel to the futureto satisfy my curiosity of what this world would look like one hundred plusyears from now, would society solve their socioeconomic problems or would theystill exist on a different scale. Finally, being able to see what thedevelopmental period was like in the early stages of music for artists in Motownrecords, the Harlem Renaissance Era, and much more. This superpower may beconnected to me being intrigued by history, but I think it would be cool totime travel.

 

DL: What tips would you give toaspiring writers?

LD: Find your target audience and speakdirectly to them. Some people may not get it, and that is completely okaybecause it simply means that it is not for them. Try not to be overly concernedwith finances, just do the work and the money will come. 

If you’re writing andthe work you produce is in the form of community outreach there are grants aswell as others who you could partner with. Find your niche, focus on yourtarget audience, and do the work and your writing will open doors and createopportunities that will propel you forward.

 

DL: What’s your favorite line from abook?

LD: “Trust in your own ability that youwere created in divine essence and all the gifts and talents you need tonavigate life, you already possess them.” GrowingBeyond The Gardens

(Chapter 3)

 

DL: What new projects are youcurrently working on?

LD: I have created a workbook to pair withmy memoir to aid my readers in their healing journey and provoke new ideas forself-help techniques. Furthermore, I founded a community outreach programcalled Tru Harmony Network where I assist teen moms with their essential needs.I accept cash donations and supplies for both mom and baby. For more details visitour website at www.truharmony35.com oremail truharmony35@gmail.com.

 

DL: Where can readers learn more aboutyou and purchase your book(s)?

LD: Please feel free to contact me forfurther discussion, collaborations, speaking engagements, podcast, or with anyquestions at the contact details below. Also click the link to Purchase yourcopy of Growing Beyond The Gardens andsupport Tru Harmony Network.

Purchase YourBook and Support: https://beyondthegardens.my.canva.site/

Linktr.ee: https://linktr.ee/legacy888

Website: https://truharmony35.com/

Email: truharmony35@gmail.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lady_d_35/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaDonnia1

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-c-49594a44/ 

DL: Thanks for being here with us today. Iknow my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.

LD: Thank you for your time and continuedsupport of my efforts to help those who need it most.