Sage Nestler's Blog, page 13

NEW Scentsy Fall/Winter Catalog STARTS NOW

Happy Saturday, Everyone!

I hope you are having a great start to your weekend. I just wanted to let you know that today is August 1, which means that our Fall/Winter catalog at Scentsy has officially begun! All of our Fall/Winter exclusive scents are now available, which means that pumpkin season is officially upon us.

We also have an exclusive Winnie the Pooh collection that I just adore!

[image error] Winnie the Pooh Hunny Pot Warmer & Hundred Acre Woods Scent Bar

How cute is this warmer?! It will warm any of our Scentsy bars, so you can purchase as many as you want in all of your favorite scents.

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[image error] Winnie the Pooh Scentsy Buddies

Our Scentsy buddies come with your choice of scent pack and provide a multi-sensory relaxing experience! I am a bit obsessed with these guys, so I can attest that they are well worth the money if you struggle with stress, anxiety, or depression.

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Below are my top 3 Fall/Winter 2020 scents for your perusal

Cozy Cardigan

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Okay, I can’t talk up this scent enough! It literally smells and feels like Fall is giving you a hug. If you are seeking a cozy, relaxing scent, then Cozy Cardigan is your go to.

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Autumn Sunset

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Autumn Sunset is by far the ultimate Fall fragrance! It smells just like falling leaves mixed with harvest fruits and vegetables. I highly recommend this scent if you are a Fall fiend like me!

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Almond Croissant

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There is nothing more soothing than the smell of a fresh croissant, and Almond Croissant brings the bakery straight to your home! If you love the sweet smell of pastries, then this is the perfect scent for you.

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Feel free to peruse my site and check out all of our new scents! Now is the perfect time to stock up your reading room with fresh Fall scents.



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Book Review: The Magnolia That Bloomed Unseen by Ray Smith

Rating: 5/5



Synopsis:

“You’ve seen the woman in the photo. The woman screaming . . .”

So begins the story of Molly Valle, who at forty-eight thinks she knows all that life has to offer a single, middle-aged woman—namely, men’s dismissal and disrespect. But when handsome activist John Pressman arrives in her Mississippi hometown, he challenges her self-doubt along with nearly everything else in her world. Soon, Molly discovers a strength and beauty she never knew she had—and a love so powerful, it can overcome the most tragic of consequences.

The Magnolia That Bloomed Unseen is a love story, an adventure novel, and a self-realization journey. It reignites the truth that many women—and men—have unconsciously extinguished: you are special and worthy of love, and it’s never too late to make your dreams come true.

Quick Take

The Magnolia That Bloomed Unseen is an unexpected Southern delight with a romance that goes down as smooth as sweet tea. You don’t want to miss this treasure!

Tell Me More

I am a sucker for any novel that features a Southern storyline, so I knew from the get go that The Magnolia That Bloomed Unseen was right down my alley. However, this beautiful novel came to mean so much more to me, and I am proud to announce that it has made it on my Top Ten Books of All Time list – which is quite a feat. I haven’t read a book this delectable in quite some time, and I am honored to share it with you.

The Magnolia That Bloomed Unseen by Ray Smith is largely about love and realizing that there is no age limit on one’s dreams coming true. The novel follows Molly Valle, a forty eight year old woman who has been disrespected by men and has given up on love…that is, until she meets John Pressman, an activist who challenges her view on life, love, and most importantly, herself. While this novel is a romance, it also features adventure elements and forces the reader to experience self-realization along with Molly. I feel changed after reading this gorgeous novel, and I am so thankful to Ray Smith for sharing his imagination with me.

The novel begins with a rather angry and bitter Molly Valle, but as one reads on they witness the slow unfolding – or blooming – of this special woman. I couldn’t help but empathize with Molly and encourage her as I saw a lot of myself in her. Smith’s descriptions made Molly so realistic that it was hard for me to keep reminding myself that I was reading fiction. I adored seeing Molly re-open herself to love and find the happiness she so deserved.

Ray Smith’s writing was poetic and flowed from each page like magic. His character development was flawless and reminiscent of the classics. I can see The Magnolia That Bloomed Unseen easily becoming a treasured classic for years to come. It has earned my respect in so many ways.

If you are a fan of Southern romances with a twist of self-realization and adventure, then you simply must pick up The Magnolia That Bloomed Unseen. It is one of the most beautiful novels I have ever read, and it is bound to leave you changed. Enjoy!

Scentsy Gift Bags with Two Surprise Books

Hello, Everyone!

I am excited to announce that I am creating and offering for your pleasure Scentsy & Book Gift Bags!

Each bag includes 1 room spray, 1 scent circle, and 1 travel tin in your choice of scent(s). The gift bag also includes two surprise books to compliment your chosen scents, all for the flat rate of $20. You have the choice of any of our Fall/Winter 2020 scents, so check out the photos below to choose your favorite(s)!

Check out through the payment button below and comment on this post with your chosen scent(s) or email me at peachykeenreviews@gmail.com to pre-order. These surprise bags will ship in August!

Your purchase helps me to earn a living wage from my small business – thank you so much!

$20.00 Contribution

(I personally recommend our Cozy Cardigan and Christmas Cottage fragrances! They are absolutely delicious.)

Much love,

Ashley

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Interview with Brain Health Expert, Aneesh Chaudhry

Hello, Everyone!

I hope you are having a lovely week! I am excited to share with you my interview with Brain Health Expert, Aneesh Chaudhry. He shared with me some great tips for maintaining our mental health with everything going on in our world, and I hope his interview helps you as much as it helped me.

Much love,

Ashley

ABOUT ANEESH CHAUDHRY

Aneesh Chaudhry is the founder of SoulPhysio Lifestyle, a brain health clinic and integrative healthcare network that specializes in treatments that combine both Eastern and Western Medical techniques. Chaudhry holds a bachelor’s degree in Neuropsychology from Wright State University and a personal training license through the Cooper Institute.

In addition, he holds a number of other mental and physical health
certifications including accreditation as a Reiki Master, a Mind-Body
Specialist, a Brain Health Coach, and a Performance Nutrition Specialist.
Chaudhry is on track to be a licensed Ayurvedic and Integrative Medicine
Practitioner in 2022 and following this, he plans to pursue a PhD in Physiology and Health.

For More Information, Visit:  www.soulphysiolifestyle.com

An Interview with Aneesh

1) What are your tips for protecting our  mental health  following the  COVID-19  pandemic?

Most importantly, our health and wellbeing needs to be our number one priority above all else in life. Making our health a priority is the first step towards making changes to improve our wellbeing. Just the act of prioritizing wellness and scheduling it into our daily routine has a positive effect on our mental health. Most people are used to keeping some kind of schedule or to do list to stay organized on a daily basis. Activities such as going for a walk, going to the gym, cooking food, and meditating all need to be prioritized and scheduled along with all of our other tasks. Taking action towards improving our health daily, no matter how small, creates positive changes in the brain that will ultimately lead to us reaching our goals and making wellness a lifestyle.

2) What are some signs we should look for to determine if  COVID-19  has impacted our  mental health ?

COVID-19 has been a significant and traumatic event for everybody in their own unique ways. The brain processes and holds onto this trauma, which has an adverse effect on how we are able to function on a daily basis. For example, one fear most people have amidst the pandemic is going out in public and catching the virus. This has resulted from the Stay at Home Order and the heightened awareness that everybody has had during this prolonged period of time.

A major sign that this is affecting us in a negative way is when we are still in fear of being in public places after it has been deemed safe to be out in public
again. One major change that will benefit all of us going forward is to adhere
to safety recommendations, but do not live in a state of fear around leaving
the house and being a part of society again. This constant fear creates stress
in the mind and body that has a negative impact on our health over the long
run.

3) What are some tips that we can try at home to improve our mental and physical health during this time?

Two of the most important activities that will have a profound impact on physical and mental health that can be done at home are exercise and meditation. Exercise can take the form of any type of movement including walking, running, yoga, body weight exercises, pilates, and more. Our body is a great form of resistance when utilized in a safe way. We do not need a gym filled with equipment in order to engage our body to reap the immense benefits of exercise. It is very important that we aim to get 20–30 minutes of movement per day at a minimum.

Meditation can be thought of as the equivalent to lifting weights for the brain. There is a lot of research that shows that meditation increases blood flow to the brain helping to create the growth of new brain tissue. There are many different types of meditation out in the world today, which can be very overwhelming. For a complete beginner, a simple meditation practice involves finding a quiet room and sitting upright with the eyes closed for 5 minutes at a time. This will be very difficult as the mind wanders to all kinds of different thoughts. The key is to use the breath as an anchor and focal point to bring the attention back to as the mind wanders. Practice makes perfect!!

4) What are some activities we can do with kids to improve their mental and physical health?

Children are ultimately a direct mirror of the behavior exuded by their parents. Having a conscious awareness of one’s own health is going to have a very strong impact on our kids. Making wellness a family activity increases incentive and accountability for parents to make healthy changes as well. This can be as simple as going for a walk daily with our children and spending a few minutes a day to explain to them the significance of how going for a walk impacts their health in a positive way.

Another great way to make wellness a family activity is through cooking a meal together as a family, and then sitting down together to eat after cooking without any devices at the table. Having kids do simple tasks such as stirring food on a pot, chopping veggies, retrieving items from the fridge, and reading the recipes are all easy ways to get them involved. This then creates a positive
association in their brain about the importance of cooking healthy meals and
eating together as a family.

5) What are your five tips for boosting brain health?

1. Brain Healthy Nutrition– Cooking fresh food daily based in fresh
fruits and vegetables to help nourish the body and give it sustainable
energy.

2. Meditation– Daily meditation increases blood flow to the brain to
help spark the growth of new brain tissue. Who doesn’t want a bigger and more
active brain?!

3. Movement– Move your body for 20–30 minutes a day minimum. Regular
movement increases circulation and helps rid the body of unnecessary toxins
that cause inflammation, which is the basis of many different chronic diseases.

4. Journaling– This is a great tool to help process emotions and
create awareness around negative thoughts that wreak havoc on the mind.
Consistent negative thoughts typically have some underlying cause, which can be addressed via journaling.

5. Community– We are a byproduct of those we surround ourselves with.
It is important to keep people around us that value their health, care for our
health and wellbeing, and we can call on in times of need.

How to Use Your ‘Borderline Rage’ to Fight Racism

Rage has always been the most dreaded symptom I experience from borderline personality disorder (BPD). It tends to come out the strongest when I’m extremely passionate about something, and the current events involving the murder of George Floyd have really been affecting me. The George Floyd murder ignited my BPD rage, and it has been burning off and on for days. My rage has kept me fired up and has made it hard to function, but the one good thing is that I can use it to act and make positive change.

If you are experiencing BPD rage, or any form of rage during this time, consider the following actions to positively channel your anger. Just remember to only do what feels right to you! And please stay safe.

1. Protest (with care)

Now, if you fear that your rage may make you violent or increase your chances of becoming violent, joining a protest may not be the ideal course of action for your safety and the safety of others. However, many protests during the day have been peaceful throughout the country and joining one of these protests may be a positive way to use your anger to initiate change. Just be aware of any danger going on around you, and stay vigilant.

You can also protest from your home by supporting organizations that fight for black rights. Visit this link to discover various black rights organizations and how you can support them.

2. Read (educate yourself!)

There is always so much more we can learn about racism, privilege and power. To help with this, there are a plethora of awesome books on the market by black authors that provide great insight. I highly suggest “How to Be an Anti-Racist” by Ibram X. Kendi.

By educating yourself you can improve your understanding and ability to fight oppression. Being a strong and appropriate ally for black rights is the ultimate goal, and reading human rights books written by black authors is a wonderful way to increase your understanding and improve your ability to support.

Other notable books include:

“Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race” by Reni Eddo-Lodge“So You Want to Talk About Race” by Ijeoma Oluo



3. Listen (podcasts are key)

We are so lucky to live in a world where just about anyone can go online and post a podcast for the world to hear — especially the ability to make the podcast unfiltered. One of my favorite podcasts is called “Pod for the Cause.” In their podcast, they discuss all aspects of civil rights, and they actively work to fight hate and bias. Listening to podcasts is another excellent way to educate yourself as well, while expanding your awareness of diverse populations.

Other notable podcasts include:

Lynching in AmericaIntersectionality Matters with Kimberle CrenshawThe #GroundingsPodcastCode SwitchJustice in America

Want to take your podcast journey to the next level? Make your own podcast! You can use websites such as Anchor.fm to quickly and easily create and load your podcasts for free. Creating a podcast is a wonderful way to find your voice and fight for civil rights and increase awareness.

4. Watch (Netflix is awesome)

There are a bunch of awesome documentaries and television shows on Netflix that address privilege, oppression and power, including “Dear White People” and “13th” — a documentary about the unfair way black individuals are treated by our justice system. You can easily look up civil rights documentaries online and find out what is available to watch on Netflix or other streaming services. This is a great form of media to consume that will captivate you and help you manage your rage while increasing your awareness.

5. Discuss (forums are everywhere)

The online world is an excellent place to discuss what you are feeling with others — but be careful if you come across individuals who may be belligerent or hateful. Discuss what you are feeling with care and use “I statements.” There are numerous mental health and civil rights groups on Facebook and Reddit that are good places to find support and actively discuss how we can make a change in the world. Look up these groups online to find the group that is right for you.

Hang in there! Borderline personality disorder rage can be so frustrating and hard to handle, but if you can learn how to turn that rage into positive action, it can become a welcome tool for you. Feeling intense emotions may seem like a burden a lot of the time, but they can be so powerful when addressed correctly. I believe in you! Stay safe!

The Type of Horror that Helps Me Take Control of My Anxiety

For as long as I can remember, I have struggled with anxiety. I grew up as an anxious child and I have struggled with severe “worrying” my entire life. I have been on and off various anxiety medications and have participated in just about every form of therapy and exercise designed to help relieve anxiety.

But nothing has helped me to manage, and take control of, my anxiety more than the horror genre.

When I was younger, I was terrified of anything having to do with horror or Halloween, but as I have grown older I discovered how those intense feelings of fear and unease that horror movies, books and series brings provides me with an outlet to take control of my anxiety. Most of the time, I feel like my anxiety controls me by taking over my body with intense shaking, a rapid heartbeat, uncontrollable, worrying thoughts, and a shortness of breath. But, when I watch a horror movie or series, or read a horror book, I am looking my anxiety in the face and saying, “I am not afraid of you.”

Staying in my body and being in the present moment is one of the things that I struggle with the most with my anxiety because my thoughts take me out of body and catapult me into the past or the future; but the horror genre captivates my attention and forces me to stay present. While it elicits the same anxiety symptoms that I try to avoid normally, it is a unique experience because I am welcoming those symptoms. I am allowing myself to experience them in a way that lets me release my tension and welcomes the endorphins to overwhelm my body.

However, I do have to be careful of what type of horror I consume due to my post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anything to do with sexual assault or animal and child abuse will put me over the edge and does not provide a safe space for releasing anxiety. This is why I stick with supernatural horror or horror that is not as realistic because it transports me to another world and doesn’t trigger my panic.

While horror movies provide two hours or so of anxiety experience and relief, horror books and series are a different form of outlet. Because it takes me longer to read books or watch a series than watch a movie, I am able to build up my anxiety and experience a greater sense of release by the end because of the anticipation. Horror literature is beautiful in that authors have to provide imagery to create fear in the reader, and if the author is good at their craft, the book will become all-consuming. When I read horror, I don’t have the mental space to let my thoughts consume me because my mind is fully captivated. This is why horror is my favorite genre to prescribe as a bibliotherapist — a therapist who uses books and reading as therapeutic tools.

My top 10 favorite books, TV shows, and movies for releasing anxiety in a safe environment are:

“A Haunting in Connecticut” (Movie).
“The Conjuring” Series (Movies).
“The Curse of La Llorona” (Movie).
The “Annabelle” Series. (Movies).
The “Child’s Play” Series (Movies).
“My Best Friend’s Exorcism” by Grady Hendrix (Book).
“The Merciless” by Danielle Vega (Book).
“The Haunted” by Danielle Vega (Book).
“The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson (Book).
“The Haunting of Hill House” (Series on Netflix).

If you struggle with anxiety, I challenge you to find a form of horror that is safe and creates a space for you to experience your anxiety and release it. You deserve to control your anxiety, rather than having it control you.

What would you add? Let me know in the comments below.

REVIEW: Scentsy Satin Black Warmer + Black Raspberry Vanilla Wax

Happy Thursday, Everyone!

I hope you are having a great day. I am excited to share with you today my review of the Scentsy Classic Satin Black Warmer and Black Raspberry Vanilla Wax bar. In my previous post I discussed how I am collaborating with Scentsy to bring you exclusive bibliotherapy (book therapy) packages that include the healing power of their fragrances! In preparation for this I am testing their various products to include in my bibliotherapy services, and I am excited to share my review with you.

The Classic Satin Black Warmer is one of our original and lower end warmers, but it is gorgeous and I highly recommend it for you if you are planning on purchasing any of my bibliotherapy packages. It provides the coziest reading environment, and it will be excellent to melt your wax bars in!

I hope you enjoy!

Much love,

Ashley

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To start, I enjoyed the durable packaging that my Classic Satin Black Warmer came in, as well as it’s simplistic design. I was impressed with the small business feel it presented as well as its artistic notes.

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Upon opening the box I was met with this adorable quote from one of Scentsy’s creators, Heidi. It really helped to set the mood and make the unboxing feel personal and handmade. I am always impressed with the small details that are included in Scentsy products because of how personal they make the products feel.

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The warmer itself was much larger than I originally anticipated, and it is heavy! I was very impressed with how well made it was and I adore the little lights that make heart reflections when the warmer is turned on. After leaving the warmer on for less than fifteen minutes my entire room was filled with fragrance, and it created such a relaxing, reading atmosphere. I am completely addicted to having it on at all times!

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The first bar that I tried from Scentsy was their Black Raspberry Vanilla bar. Its fragrance is soft and fruity with a hint of warmth. I love how cozy it makes my reading space, almost like the smell of something baking in the oven.

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The bar itself is split up into different cubes, and you can break off however many cubes you want to warm while saving the rest. This makes the bar last a lot longer as two to three cubes is more than enough to melt at one time.

Conclusion

These items are only a small selection of what we have to offer, but as I said, the Classic Satin Black Warmer is the perfect starter warmer for you if you are interested in my bibliotherapy packages. All of my bibliotherapy packages will come with their own wax bar, so you will be able to melt and enjoy all of them with this warmer as you read. The Black Raspberry Vanilla bar is also a great starter bar because its scent is soft and simple. I hope you enjoyed my review, and be sure to check out my website to explore all we have to offer!

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NEW Scentsy x Bibliotherapy Apothecary Collaboration

Hello, Everyone!

I am excited to announce that I am partnering with Scentsy to bring you exclusive bibliotherapy (book therapy) packages and fragrance products that are paired with various books to create a fully immersive reading experience! Each package will include a different book, a Scentsy fragrance product, and an exclusive guide on how to practice self-guided bibliotherapy.

While these packages aren’t available yet, meanwhile, when you purchase any item on my Scentsy website I will send you a list of recommended books to read based on the scents you choose. All of our wax bars and warmers provide an excellent, comforting environment for reading, and I highly suggest any of our wax bars and warmers for your reading space.

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Stay tuned for updates!

Ashley

Book Review: The Billionaire’s Secret by Ravina Hilliard

Serena Aisling has made it to the top as a high-powered executive all on her own merit. No thanks to her millionaire father who’d abandoned her at birth to be raised single-handedly by her mother. She has come a long way, so she’ll be damned if she allows him to have a hand in her career by dangling the CEO position of the Mäkelä Group in her face.

When Serena’s company coincidentally assigns her to spearhead a revolutionizing project run by the same corporation, she ends up working alongside the innovator himself—tech guru, Matias Mäkelä. The savvy, self-made millionaire is moody, ill-tempered, arrogant, and a giant thorn in her side, yet she can’t deny that he’s irresistibly handsome and stunningly
delicious.

A malicious traitor very close to Matias is divulging company secrets, and they must work together to uncover and shut them down before it’s too late.
When Serena uncovers the culprit, fearing Matias will not believe her, she keeps the discovery to herself and acts on her own, landing herself in hot waters with Matias. Waters so hot and flaming that she ends up tangled in his sheets, intoxicated with a desire that threatens to engulf her in an uncontrollable fireball of ecstatic delights.

As untold discoveries, secrets, and schemes unravel, Serena and Matias find themselves on a wild and unending tide of colliding together before being ripped apart again.

Will their feelings for each other be enough to survive the diabolical intrigue that threatens their very lives? Or will they crash and burn?

Rating



5/5



Quick Take

The Billionaire’s Secret is a high stakes, intense romance that provides the reader with lust, intrigue, and one powerful heroine. You won’t be able to put this one down!

Tell Me More

The Billionaire’s Secret is an intriguing suspense romance that follows power woman Serena Aisling as she is forced to team up with Matias Mäkelä, the tech guru of a company that her corporation has chosen to team up with on a new project. As often happens, Serena isn’t fond of Matias to begin with due to his arrogant attitude; but she soon finds herself attracted to him. As the stakes get higher and Serena works with Matias to shut down a traitor who is divulging company secrets, sparks fly and Serena finds herself in a hot and steamy relationship with a man she once despised.

One thing that I loved about The Billionaire’s Secret is that while it included hot and steamy romance, the intrigue and suspense kept me turning the pages. Ravina Hilliard created a multi-faceted story with complex characters while providing the reader with erotic moments that were drool worthy. I found myself becoming invested in each of the characters, and they soon consumed my thoughts. Hilliard has the ability to construct realistic characters that come alive with each word that she writes, and that is a talent not all authors possess. Reading Hilliard’s work is a delight, and she has become one of my new favorite romance authors.

However, some readers might consider Hilliard’s work to be up and down regarding the relationship between Serena and Matias. While they do have their ups and downs – sometimes they hate each other, sometimes they are all over each other – I found that their ups and downs created sexual tension that added to the erotic moments of the story.

If you are looking for a romance full of suspense and intrigue, look no further than The Billionaire’s Secret. Ravina Hilliard is a master storyteller, and she knows how to incorporate lust with suspense and adventure in the most beautiful way. You are in for a treat.

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Interview with Former New York Times Journalist, Lisa Luciano

ABOUT LISA LUCIANO

Former New York Times sports reporter, Lisa Luciano has a unique perspective into the icy world of competitive figure skating, which she writes about in her debut novel, The Chosen Ones. The book won multiple awards in advance of its release in May 2020 including Best Sports Fiction in the NYC Big Books Competition. Luciano was also a television producer and director who received national recognition for excellence in educational programming. A teacher with 40 years of experience, Luciano taught English, TV Production, Technology, and Digital Literacy and most recently worked as a Library Media Specialist. She currently resides in Connecticut.

For more Information Visit:

Lisa Luciano Books

Author Lisa Luciano’s official website where she shares information about her books, her life, and the truth.


http://www.lisalucianobooks.com

1) What motivated you to write The Chosen Ones?

I was motivated to write The Chosen Ones as a result of my work for the NY Times from 1991–1994 when figure skating was at its peak of popularity. In the course of my investigations I discovered there were many issues in the sport. Judges from various countries were colluding and trading their votes and deciding on the winners before the competitions took place. At the time, professional figure skaters were not allowed to represent their countries in the Olympics when athletes in other sports had done so for years because of a power struggle over money. And that was just the tip of the iceberg.

The articles were prompting change and being read by a worldwide audience. That’s when suddenly I was told my services were no longer needed. I could draw only one conclusion — the truth was making the people and organizations I was criticizing uncomfortable.

My journalistic platform had been silenced, but not my pen. That’s when I decided to write a novel based on the behind the scenes reality of figure skating which would offer a panoramic view of a world that was dealing with not only systemic corruption, but homophobia, sexual abuse, eating disorders, depression, substance abuse, the use of illegal performance enhancing methods and more. There were so many issues I still wanted to address that I felt a novel was the best way to tell the whole story.

2) Why did you choose to make your novel fiction instead of a non-fiction book about the secrets of the figure skating world?

My background was journalism and I had already had a non-fiction book published, but after my experience of being exiled not only by the NY Times, but a major figure skating publication that I was also writing for, I was concerned I might have difficulty securing a publisher due to the fear of possible lawsuits. Much of what was going on in figure skating was well known in inner circles, but had no paper trail and would have been hard to prove which would have been necessary for a non-fiction book. I also would not have been comfortable writing what could be falsely accused of being hearsay or rumors. Writing fiction would take that excuse off the table for those who didn’t want me revealing their secrets.

I felt the truth was too important to have it dismissed, so I tried to find the best of both worlds by writing a hybrid story that can be considered creative non-fiction or realistic fiction. Most of the events in the story are inspired by real skaters and situations and were used to tell essential truths about the sport. Ironically, since the book was written, many of the things portrayed in what was a fictional series of events have actually happened in real life.

3) When did you realize that you first wanted to be a writer?

I remember it vividly. There were two events that made me realize that writing was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I was a junior in high school and had just finished reading a book for English class. When given the choice, I read mostly non-fiction about sports as I was a gymnast at the time. In fact, I had been recruited by two of the top coaches for the women’s U.S. Gymnastics team to train with them for a possible shot at making the Olympic team until a back injury ended that dream. So there I was, reading inspiring stories about great athletes and teams, when something occurred to me that changed the course of my life. I thought, if it feels this good to read a book, what must it feel like to write one?

That prompted me to take a journalism course. Unknown to me, the teacher took a project I had written and submitted it to a national writing contest which I won. The prize was to spend the summer being mentored by journalists and fiction writers. The positive feedback I received from them gave me the confidence to then go on to study journalism in college and to pursue a career as a writer.

4) Did you enjoy writing for the New York Times?

Writing for the NY Times was as Dickens said, the best of times and the worst of times. The freedom I was given to dig my teeth into the corruption of a sport I loved and had hoped to help get back on course was amazing. But with it came a tremendous sense of responsibility. After my first article about professional skaters being banned from Olympic competition, the rule was changed. That’s when I understood how important the role of a journalist was and that I had an unprecedented opportunity to make a difference by simply telling the truth. Ultimately, it was that very thing that led to me being shunned by the newspaper, but it also made me realize the power of writing and validated the work I had done. So despite how things ended, I will always be grateful for the opportunity that any writer would dream of and it motivated me to change course and resulted in The Chosen Ones which is a book I’m very proud of.

5) What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

I like to write first thing in the morning and/or later in the day when it is quiet and I don’t have to think about who or what is on my phone waiting for me. I remember reading advice from another writer saying you should approach your writing the way to do any other job. Set a schedule. Stick to it. Unfortunately, a schedule doesn’t always work for me. As John Lennon said, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans”. But generally, I get up and check for messages from my publisher, publicist, website and social media. I then read the news from different online sites. That sometimes gives me ideas for future blogs or books. I then start writing.

I tend to lose myself in the writing so it’s not unusual for me to go non-stop for hours, even skipping meals. I literally lose track of time. But that’s when I know I’m in a good place. Eventually, my body sends me a message that I need a break, so I stop and do necessary tasks around the house, then in the afternoon or evening I pick up where I left off. Every writer’s process is different, but that’s what works for me.

6) What do you hope readers will get out of The Chosen Ones?

I hope readers will realize that while sports are exciting for the fans, there are sometimes dramatic and tragic situations going on behind the scenes. Athletes experience pressure and stress on a level most of us can’t fathom and hopefully this story is a warning to everyone of the consequences for both young and older competitors. We need to help and protect them. Unchecked, corruption runs wild and taints what should be a fair and honest competition and it shouldn’t be accepted by or tolerated by the fans. Finally, while dreams don’t always come true, if we try we can find happiness in our lives by not letting someone else define us and just being who we are.

7) What is your advice for aspiring authors?

Find truth. Learn your craft. Take the advice of others who are on the same path. Use your strengths, but acknowledge and work on your weaknesses. Never settle or get complacent. Your words have power. Use them responsibly. If you are a journalist, tell the truth because your readers deserve it, not because you know you can make someone think or believe what you do. If you’re writing a poem, a short story, a book or a screenplay, find an essential truth and make sure you include it while you’re trying to tell an exciting story or offer a thought-provoking idea. That’s what your audience will respond to.

And, seek your own personal truth. Don’t become a writer because you like the idea of waking up when you want, walking around all day in your pajamas, having no boss to answer to and thinking you will make millions of dollars for sitting at your computer. Know that there will be constant challenges to you and your work. There will be more rejections than affirmations. Absorb the criticism and learn from it. Write because from your heart and soul, you have to. And as they said during the American Revolution, stay the course. I wish you true satisfaction in your career and the best of luck.

Keep Up with Lisa

· Instagram: @lisalucianobooks

· Twitter: @LisaLuciano888

· Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-luciano-39875a74/

· Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53296616-the-chosen-ones

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