Ingrid Hall's Blog, page 42

Haunting Halloween Reading: Ghosts and other Supernatural Guests by PJ Hodge

Reblogged from The Haunted Palace:

Finally the first installment of the Freaky Folktales Collection!

I have been a keen follower of PJ Hodge's excellent website Freaky Folktales for some time now.  Many a lunch hour at work has been whiled away with some deliciously creepy offering from the Freaky Folktales Vaults - and I have been impatiently waiting for the collection to be published - and here it is - just in time for Halloween!

Read more… 436 more words

Check out Lenora's fab review!

Interview with Richard A. Lester

Morning Richard, Sorry I am late! Tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hi Ingrid, well, I live in Memphis, Tennessee where I was born and raised. I come from an independent film background, having directed my own film, as well as worked on shorts for others.

So, I am guessing writing is not your full time career then?

At this point, it is unfortunately not. I also work a full time job, as well as have my own videography business. I mainly film focus groups and mock trials.

It’s a wonder you have any time for writing! What is the worst job that you have ever done, and why?

I was once a receiving manager for a home furnishing store. The hours were early and long. It was also extremely tedious. My mind starts to go nuts if not occupied for long periods of time. I imagine that is a trait common to writers!

Definitely, boredom is our worst enemy! How would you think your parents would describe your book? Does this differ from how you would describe it?

Oh, my poor parents! They would describe it as “that crazy book my son wrote.” They are very decent working class people who don’t usually understand the projects I work on. They are always supportive, no matter how outlandish my films or books are. I really appreciate that about them.

I am sure they love you for who you are! What Genre is your work – Do you have any plans to work outside of it?

My short stories and my newest novel, The Check Out, are rooted in satire and pulp fiction. There are elements of exploitation thrown in there, as well. The Check Out is a thriller, which is a bit different. My next novel, however, will be completely different. It is going to be much darker, more literary, and dramatic.

Yes, we have The Check Out on our list, pending review! So tell me, what inspired you to write your first book?

I worked at a grocery store and I would get bored. I kept imaging crazy events that could liven up a work day. I molded that into the basic story and kind of went from there. I was also frustrated by all the writing that had went into scripts that I couldn’t get filmed. I figured a novel would be easier to put together than a movie, since I didn’t have to hire a cast or crew.

Writing novels is definitely enough, the mind boggles at the concept of film making! Do you have a structure when you are writing, and if so what?

When I am writing, I schedule specific times to do it. With a fluctuating work schedule, those times may change, but I definitely block out a two hour period to work. I try to write about 3 times a week, if not more. Any longer than two hours, and I feel like I’m on autopilot. I also like to leave room for ideas to come during the week.

Two to three hours at a time is good and yes, you do have to let the ideas simply settle in between writing sessions sometimes, otherwise you just end up with a load of gobbledygook! Which was your favourite character to write, and why?

As terrible as he is in the book, I guess my favorite character is Larry. He is a worthless human being, so it was kind of fun to explore the worst aspects of a personality without having to commit those aspects to my own. All of my characters were interesting to write,and I have favorite chapters or scenes of theirs. There is one character that I liked enough to explore in my next book. I’ll leave the reader to figure out which one.

I am intrigued! What are you reading at the moment, and why?

I just finished a book about George Romero and the Night of the Living Dead series. I found it on clearance at the local bookstore and snatched it up. Really great book! I loved reading it, and figured it would make a great post for my blog during October.

Meat eater or Vegetarian?

I have been a vegetarian for nearly 20 years, now. I am not militant about it, as I feel it is a personal choice. I’m so laid back about it, that most people either don’t know, or forget, about that I don’t eat meat.

Left or right and why? 

My political leanings are a can of worms! I believe that most people in America and probably the world, want to earn a decent living, send their children to good schools, and feel safe in their daily lives. I think both political parties have polarized people in a very unhealthy way. If there was a way for people to get together, without all the talking points and rhetoric, we could find a happy medium.

That sounds extremely sensible to me, but so unlikely to happen! What is your favourite movie and why?

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. I’m a huge David Lynch fan, and this movie just works on every level to me. The first half hour is a dark comedy. The latter portion is an emotional ringer. It’s not a film that I watch very often, but when I’m in the mood for it, it’s amazing. I also can’t recommend it for everyone, since you’ve got to watch 30 hours of the television show beforehand. If you’re willing to put in the time, though, I think you’d be very rewarded.

Do you have an opinion on life after death, and if so what?

I’m an atheist. I think we get one go around on this Earth and it’s our duty to make that journey the best it can be for everyone we know.

What do you have in the pipeline?

I’ve got a short story that I’m finishing up. I’m going to be giving that away to people who subscribe to my mailing list. After promoting The Check Out for a couple of months, I’m going to jump into my next book. I’ve started some preliminary research, and I’m eager to dig deeper.

Sounds good! Where would you like to be in 5 year time?

I’d love to be a full time writer. At the very least, I’d like to be a full time videographer and write on the side. Worst case scenario, I won’t make any money on my books at all, but I’ll continue to write. It’s just so easy to get the pieces out there nowadays that I will keep doing.

Self Publishing has definitely made it easier to get your material out there, the problem I find, is marketing it! What advice would you give your 18 year old self?

DON’T GET THAT DISCOVER CARD!!!!! I’m still paying that debt off.

Been there, done that, bought the T Shirt! It has been an absolute pleasure interviewing you today Mister Lester and I am looking forward to reading The Check Out!

You can catch up with Richard by clicking the following links:

http://www.richardalester.com

http://www.facebook.com/richarda.lesterauthor

http://twitter.com/ralesterauthor

http://www.onthepageblog.com/

Review of Wunder Book 1 The Approach by A. R Von

A.R Von was born in New York and is married with two teenage sons. She is the author of the “Wunder” series…

Wunder Book 1 The Approach is a short and extremely gripping story which left me in tears! It introduces us to Wunder, a teenage girl born into a world which has been overtaken by zombies.   I am not particularly a fan of short stories however this one had me hooked from the word go.  It is beautifully paced and successfully captures the three key elements to the story: The heartbreaking back story as to how Wunder became to be part zombie.   Her scorching first time sexual encounter and finally her introduction to the one person that has been missing from her life…

There are a couple of issues with tense that the author would be wise to iron out, however other than that it was extremely well written and with it’s vividly described tales of zombie encounters and it’s steamy erotic content this series is sure to appeal to Young/New Adult readers. I will definitely be finishing the series as I am hooked!

You can find the author at:

http://www.dreamzofdragons.blogspot.com

 

The Feminist world of Vicki Matthews: Interview and Review of The Goddess Letters

Hi everyone,

It’s rare that I will run an interview with an author and a review of their book at the same time however Vicki Matthews has tapped into something that resonates deeply with me in her award winning book The Goddess Letters and I feel that it it would be simply rude not to!

INTERVIEW WITH VICKI MATTHEWS

Hi Vicki, lovely to meet you! Your book was the winner at the 2013 New York Book Festival and a finalist in the National Indie Excellence Awards, you must be overjoyed!   Is writing your full time career?

No, I actually have a full time job and a part time natural health  practice.  But I’ve always wanted to write, so finally took a sabbatical a few years ago to write The Goddess Letters.  I hope to make writing my  full time career eventually.

Yes, I can “see” you in natural health, it kind of fits!  What is the worst job that you have ever done, and why?

Actually, I’ve really liked most of the jobs  I’ve had.  Probably my least favorite was working in the complaint department of a newspaper while in high school.  It’s amazing how upset people get over not receiving their newspaper!

I worked in the complaints department for an insurance company many moons ago and I literally went home every night with a headache…If you could have written any other book by any other author, what would it be, and why? 

Hmmm.  Probably The Di Vinci Code.  Not because it was such a huge seller, although that  would be nice.  Mostly because Dan Brown did a great job of introducing factual information in a compelling manner.  That’s what I tried to do with The Goddess Letters. 

There is indeed a lot of fact woven into your book! What Genre is your work – Do you have any plans to work outside of it?

On the surface, The Goddess Letters is a romance, but I think of it as Visionary Fiction and am really proud to have been named a FINALIST in the Indie National Excellence Awards for Visionary Fiction (I placed for New Age Fiction, too).  I suspect  I will be in Visionary Fiction for some time because I really enjoy writing fiction with a message.  But Romance is nice, too.  I did win the New York Book Festival for Romance, so it’s been good to me as a   category.

I don’t actually think the romance element is the over-arching theme of your book.  It’s there, certainly and there’s plenty of angst, but for me, it’s the deeper themes which really stand out, but more of that later!! What inspired you to write your first book? 

This is my first book and I was inspired by a desire to help shift the patterns in our world that concern me, like a lack of environmental sustainability , cultural inequality, and a blind acceptance of patriarchal values.  I wanted to point out that we are missing a crucial balance in our world; the balance between head and heart (head usually wins).  To do that, I decided to offer my thoughts in a balanced way, so wrote a romance full of ideas so as to engage both the heart and the head. 

Do you ever get ideas at random moments, and if so how do you hang onto them?

Yes, I get ideas at any moment, and have become a passionate note-taker.   I jot notes down all the time, especially in the middle of the night or on napkins at restaurants! 

Do you have an opinion on life after death, and if so what?

I  absolutely believe in the continuance of the soul after   transition.  I believe in reincarnations, too; it seems like an awful waste to have only one time to learn about an Earth existence.  I believe we come here to learn and to help others.  So it’s great to have lots of chances to do that.

Yes, I could tell that by your book! London, Paris or New York and why?

New York: short flight from Chicago, great theatre and cultural activities, and good friends to visit.

The Goddess Letters is set primarily in Chicago, isn’t it?  What do you have in the pipeline?

Two books.  One is a nonfiction discussion of using an ancient model to understand and work with relationships.  The other is fiction about a   parallel world that helps guide our culture toward balance.

I am looking forward to reading them! What inspired you to be a writer?

A n overwhelming passion for communication and sharing ideas.

Do you write poetry or short stories as well?  If so what?

Yes, both.  I actually had my first poem published when  I was 11 years old.  I have a collection of short stories partially completed and on the back-burner at the moment. 

If you only had 60 seconds remaining on this planet, what would you say, and who would you say it to?

I  would say how much I love my family and friends and what a joy it has been to walk the planet with them this time around. 

Well, on that note I think it’s time for my review of The Goddess Letters…

THE GODDESS LETTERS BY VICKI MATTHEWS

Written in first person and somewhat surprisingly told through the eyes of “Rob” The Goddess Letters is a love story spanning several decades and would have worked perfectly well had it simply been a love story…

First up, those of you who have read many of my reviews will know that I have a leaning and preference towards stories that are written in first person as opposed to third because I feel that first person narrative is the best way to get into a character’s head.  So I was excited when I first started reading this book and intrigued that it was also being told from the male point of view.  That excitement if I am totally honest, soon gave way to frustration as I couldn’t, in the beginning connect with Rob.  It seemed (initially at least) that it was blatantly a female writer attempting to get into a male head and not quite succeeding.   I was also ranting to myself that surely this would have been SO much better had it been told through the eyes of Selina, seeing as Selina was the one having all of the dreams and the visions and I found myself mentally berating the author for wasting such a golden opportunity!

HOWEVER and thankfully there is a however, by the time I got mid-way through the book, I started to realise that what the author had done was actually quite clever.  Selina WOULD have been the logical choice, however by writing through the eyes of Rob, Vicki Matthews was fully able to explore the issues which define this book to spectacular effect.

Let me back track a little…Selina who by the end of the novel is a world famous Hollywood actress has been having these dreams, these nightmares since her college days with Rob.  Without giving too much away they involve a sinister Atlantean (ish) character called Jacobi who is hell bent on preserving the Patriarchal society which he has created and which Selina, an ardent feminist has been railing against and attempting to change. I loved her interactions with Danu, the Celtic Goddess and also liked Rob’s strong non-religious beliefs as they were the perfect vehicle for the author to explore the controversial issues around why the bible was “really” written, something that I have touched briefly upon in my own novel.  I also thought that his marriage to Becca whilst seriously flawed and passionless was realistically portrayed.

I did feel that there was at times a distance in the writing that I wish hadn’t been there and Selena’s dreams whilst clearly described were a little too clinical and just weren’t interactive enough for me.  I wanted to be “there” at “that” stoning.  I wanted to see it, watch it, feel the emotion and break my heart over it.

Overall, this is a well told story, dealing with the struggles and injustices that women have been experiencing since the beginning of time.  We do, like it or not still live in a patriarchal society and I would recommend that people read the book and reflect upon whether or not there are changes that they can make…

A Day in the life of Christy Castle (C. Kennedy’s Omorphi Blog Tour)

 

Afternoon everyone,

Check this FABULOUS day in the life of…

Omorphi by C. Kennedy from Harmony Ink Press

Blurb:

High school senior Michael Sattler leads a charmed life. He’s a star athlete, has great friends, and parents who love him just the way he is. What’s missing from his life is a boyfriend. That’s a problem because he’s out only to his parents and best friend. When Michael accidentally bumps into Christy Castle at school, his life changes in ways he never imagined. Christy is Michael’s dream guy: smart, pretty, and sexy. But nothing could have prepared Michael for what being Christy’s boyfriend would entail.

Christy needs to heal after years of abuse and knows he needs help to do it. After the death of his notorious father, he leaves his native Greece and settles in upstate New York. Alone, afraid, and left without a voice, Christy hides the myriad scars of his abuse. He desperately wants to be loved and when he meets Michael, he dares to hope that day has arrived. When one of Michael’s team-mates becomes an enemy and an abuser from Christy’s past seeks to return him to a life of slavery, only Michael and Christy’s combined strength and unwavering determination can save them from the violence that threatens to destroy their future together.

Purchase Omorphi from   Harmony Ink Press    Amazon    Barnes & Noble   ARe/OmniLit

A Day in the Life of Christy Castle before Michael

Christy looked at the paper cup containing his medication. It sat in the same place on the breakfast tray every morning. He hated that he had to take medication and, as much as he valued food, he lost his appetite every time he saw the pills. They reminded him of before, of what they did to him. He hated them with the white-hot fury of a thousand suns. He hated the pills even more for reminding him of them. He spent every moment of his pathetic existence fighting not to think about them, not to remember them, not to let them assault his mind as they’d assaulted him—fighting the fear. The fear that one day at least one of them would come for him. To take him back. Back to… before. He struck out sending the tray crashing to the polished tongue-and-groove floor, the food landing with a soft splat. He squeezed his eyes closed, pressed the heels of his hands to his lids, and concentrated. Go away. Leave me alone, he silently begged his vivid memories.

When the memories slowly faded, he stared at the food lying lifelessly on the floor. The crumpled pancakes reminded him of himself, of the way he imagined he looked when they made him sleep on the floor. He shouldn’t have wasted the food. Food was important. He bent, righted the plate, and scooped the pancakes, eggs, and bacon onto it with his hands. He set the plate on the granite counter and stared down at the spilled orange juice, scattered pills, and upside down tray. He couldn’t save the juice and wouldn’t save the medication. He stood and went to shower.

Freshly showered, he shaved carefully. He liked the feeling of being clean, of having no hair on his face. They had always left him dirty… before. He shivered at the memory of sleeping in his own filth and his stomach growled reminding him that he hadn’t eaten yet. He rinsed and dried his face, and went to the closet.

He carefully placed a scarf around his neck to hide the scar that bisected his neck from ear to ear. Another reminder of… before. He reached for a small, round mirror and turned. Holding it up, he checked his reflection in the wall mirror behind him. The back of his long, white-blond curls looked good today, not too frizzy. He turned back, set the small round mirror on the counter, and reached for a small, glass jar. Removing the decorative cap, he dipped his finger in the watermelon-flavored gloss and expertly laced his lips. This gloss was his favorite, not only in flavor, but also in clarity. It made him feel pretty all while it was hardly noticeable.

He closed the jar and set it on the counter next to the others of more distinct color, and opened the drawer beneath the counter. Three-by-five spiral notepads and pens filled the drawer. Writing and hand gestures were his only methods of communication now, after what they did to him in the before. He thought of the pads and pens as soldiers who would write to the death for him. He contemplated for a moment before choosing a blue pad and pen. His blue soldiers would match the scarf he wore today. It was important that things matched, that they were symmetrical. When things were organized and neat, his mind worked better. He could focus on the here and now and know they were his possessions and no one else’s. Continue reading here

 About Cody:

 Raised on the mean streets and back lots of Hollywood by a Yoda-look-alike grandfather, Cody Kennedy doesn’t conform, doesn’t fit in, is epic awkward and lives to perfect a deep-seated oppositional defiance disorder. In a constant state of fascination with the trivial, Cody contemplates such weighty questions as: If time and space are curved, then where do all the straight people come from? When not writing, Cody can be found taming waves on western shores, pondering the nutritional value of sunsets, appreciating the much maligned dandelion, unhooking guide ropes from stanchions, and marveling at all things ordinary.

Cody’s Blog    Facebook    Goodreads    Twitter @CodyKAuthor   Cody’s Free Read Fairy

 

To make things even more exciting, a new contest will begin on October 21st on The Novel Approach Reviews Blog to win an ebook copy of Cody’s novella, Safe, due out October 24th from Harmony Ink Press!

Get ready to read and win!

Review of Hidden by Lucy Flood

Lucy Flood was born in Melbourne, Australia and Hidden is her first novel.

Set in Australia and Bali, Hidden is the story of Kate Ryan, a woman who has spent years hiding from her psychopathic first husband, and whose second husband has recently died in mysterious circumstances.  The book opens with two violent chapters, in which first of all an unknown man awakes from a beating only to find himself tied up and entombed and then Kate is subject to horrific attack which leaves her with appalling and life threatening injuries.  Whilst hooked, I was a little perturbed as I found the author’s style initially a little clunky and I thought I was going to be in for a difficult read.

It took me a long while to really start feeling any empathy for Kate which disappointed me as I felt that because of everything that she had been through, I should have been with her from the word go and I think this book would have been much better and gripping if written in first person rather than third. There are also a few typos and undeniable issues with grammar and tense: Sometimes the author switches mid scene between past and present and the book definitely needs a thorough edit.

That said, much as the flaws bugged me I was intrigued enough by the plot and the story line to continue reading. There are plenty of hooks and there is a big twist near the end that I really didn’t see coming.  I was also pleasantly surprised because although I hadn’t gone for the most obvious suspect, I was totally wrong in my assumption as to who the baddie really was and much as I struggled to connect with Kate at the beginning, by the end I was completely on her side and wishing her well.

Lucy Flood clearly has story telling ability and is a good novelist in the making, I would simply urge her to ensure that her future works are fully edited so that any glitches can be ironed out prior to publication.

Hidden is available by clicking the following link:

http://www.amazon.com/Hidden-ebook/dp/B00EK7QMC4

Meet the Author: Ingrid Hall and Her Alter-ego, Luna Ballantyne

Reblogged from Susan Finlay Writes:

I’d like to introduce you to the seventy-second interviewee in my ‘Meet the Author’ series. She is Ingrid Hall who also writes as Luna Ballantyne.

Hi, Ingrid! Welcome to Susan Finlay Writes blog site. Can you tell us a bit about your background as a writer?

Hi Susan, thanks for having me! I have loved writing ever since I was a child sitting on top of (or sometimes underneath) the kitchen table scribbling away whatever thoughts came into my head.

Read more… 1,353 more words

Thanks to Susan Finlay for this wonderful interview!

Interview with Reiki Master Johannes Verheijden

Hi Johannes, lovely to meet a fellow sensitive soul! Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you work with spirit?

Well, I have been working with several kinds of energy for as long as I can remember, but I am sorry to disappoint you by saying that I do not work with spirit. I am a psychic reader and do see entities around people sometimes, but hardly ever relate to them. I am an aura reader/healer, practice different types of massage. I have been a Reiki Master ever since 1998 and specialised in distant healing. I am married and have three kids. My shoe size is 7,5 and I love to eat Indian food, I play guitar and sing in an Irish folk band and love to make up children’s stories . I am initiator of the World Reiki Wave to which nearly ten thousand Reiki practitioners join in for the next Wave on the 21st of December.

Reiki is one of those things that I have always managed to try but never actually made time to do! For those people that are new to the concept, Reiki (Pronounced Ray Key) originates from Japan and is a none physical form of healing energy delivered by specialist practitioners… Do you practice as a Reiki Master full time or do you have another job as well?

I work as a Governance Coordinator Care for a advocacy association for people with physical disabilities in the Netherlands for three days in a week and the other days I am busy healing, reading, sending etc..

The Netherlands is the most beautiful country!  We stayed in Zuidlaren up in the North last year and a fabulous time.  It was nice getting right off the beaten track! What is the worst job that you have ever done, and why?

My worst job was in a factory where I had to make little holes in a metal plate all day. Never again LOL. It taught me to respect the people that are doing it every day though!

Can’t be any worse than packing sausages in a factory! Who inspires you, Johannes?

Many people do. Gandhi and Buddha are favourites for sure! It is not as much that people inspire me, but the many things the people do and the effect that it has. The things they say and the timing in which they say it. The great Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev for instance once said he would never go back to Russia, but he did in the end and when he was confronted by journalists he said: “So, I lied” Brilliant, not only because he puts in place the various journalists, but puts the whole concept of telling the truth into perspective! That inspires me..

So are you lying to me now Johannes???? Ha Ha!!! When did you first discover your gift?

Is it a gift..? Not always by far! I have been highly sensitive for as long as I can remember and at times it overwhelmed me how much energy, unfinished business and misery people carry along for years. It hangs around them as a cloud and they simply refuse to see it. Even when walking through the streets their emotions spread like radiant waves. People would do good to be less attached to their emotions, feelings, dependency and “poor me” thoughts, but take up their problems and address them.

I am absolutely certain that not only is it a gift but that it is one that you should treasure! What do you do to switch off from spirit?

Nothing really, I just shut myself off from energy coming from others. Close “my other eyes, ears, heart” with which I see, hear and feel the colours and emotions around and inside of people. There are times that I cannot stand to “know” what physical problems people have or think to have and sort of shut off myself for the outside world.

Yeah, anyone that is even remotely sensitive needs to learn to protect themselves from negative energy…Do you have a spirit guide, if so tell us about them?

I have one called Yessel who was as kind as to present himself about ten years ago and with the help of a medium told me many things about myself that filled in the blanks that had been there for many years. He even was as kind as to call me a playful waterfall.He is there when I need him, but he never imposes.

Do you have any messages that you would like to share now?

Stop looking outside for something that is inside of you.

Sound advice! What is your favourite tarot deck to work with and why?

The golden oldie Rider Waite is still my favourite deck, for it holds all what is to be disclosed.

I prefer Diana Cooper’s Angel cards…How do you deliver bad news

Gently but truthful.

Do you ever get a negative reaction to what you do?

I don’t actually. Responses to my work are positive to very positive. Of course people are not always happy with what I have to tell them, but nine out of ten they come back to me after a while and tell me that I was right, but it was too confronting for them… I am rather straight to the point and do not like to sweet talk much if I feel that someone needs to be confronted with the truth. People not always can handle the truth, but over the years I got out of the habit to withhold information that I get from a person.

The truth always hurts! What is your favourite movie and why?

Peter Brook’s Mahabarata, a nine hour film version of the Indian epic Mahabharata from 1989. This wonderful version of the most beautiful story which has everything a story should have.

What plans for the future do you have?

Hahaha, plans for the future..? I do not even know what I will be doing tomorrow!

I love how some people can float through their lives like that…I am sure it’s an art form that I have yet to learn! What is your earliest childhood memory?

That would be me climbing up the toilet pot in order to turn on the light of the toilet.. I think I was about 3, 4..?

If you only had 60 seconds remaining on this planet, what would you say, and who would you say it to?

I would not say anything, but just enjoy the last minute of life in quietness, knowing I had a rich full life with many wonderful experiences and even more beautiful people, not too many regrets and with a huge grin on my face knowing I am going home

Johannes, I feel better simply for interviewing you! Johannes Verheijden can be found at:

https://www.facebook.com/johannes.verheijden

 

Review of The History of Veggies: An Ed the Dragon Book by Mary Lee

Mary Lee is the author of numerous children’s books, including Why? Because I Love You and Big Girl Potty…I was drawn to The History of Veggies when I saw it advertised during a free kindle promotion on Facebook and downloaded it out of curiosity.  

I have to say I am so jealous! Jealous, that the author has been able to come up with such a great idea and jealous because other parents are getting the privilege of sharing this book with their under fives, when my kids are way to old to appreciate it!

Everyone knows how difficult it can be to get children to eat their five fruit and vegetables each day and this adorable little book is not only beautifully illustrated but it also successfully proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that vegetables are COOL!  But you already knew that right?  The story is told from the viewpoint of a pocket sized dragon called Ed and it’s not long before young readers are sailing across the ocean with Ed in search of treasure, where they happen across a magical kingdom called Veggtopia.

The book is educational, visually stimulating and is the most effective learning tool that I have seen aimed at encouraging children of a very young age to try and enjoy their vegetables.

I would have no hesitation buying this book as a present…

You can find out more about the author and her work at  http://maryleekids.blogspot.co.uk/

       

Interview with Valerie Gilbert

Hi Valerie, so sorry that I am running a little late, let’s get straight down to business…Tell us a little bit about yourself!

Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining me here! Ingrid, thank you for having me! I am a native New Yorker, a somewhat paradoxical lass in that I’m private, quiet, retiring (and nature loving) and a huge loudmouth! I am ardently enthusiastic about Spirit and the Mysteries, and passionate about the healing of the planet. I believe in being loud about the right topics. Important things. I hate chit chat (unless it’s witty and brilliant). I believe that healing and growing myself is the best way to help the planet and everyone on it. I am an actress and performer, but more so a writer now, something I never aspired to, but which came to me quite organically.

Yes, you certainly have more than a hint of the theatrical about you and I am equally passionate about spirit, so perhaps we have found in each other a kindred spirit! Is writing your full time career?

I am happy to say that it is. That and recording audio books. When I was pursuing an acting career I worked myriad corporate jobs that tied me to a schedule and lifestyle that wasn’t me. At the time, it felt a necessary “evil” but now, in retrospect, I see the beauty of the experiences I had in finance, fashion, and publishing. This time of the Ascension demands that we move mountains to create happier lives for ourselves, especially in the workplace. When I lost my last corporate job five years ago, I was determined not to go back into the coalmines. I received unemployment for longer than usual (made possible by the recession) I took roommates. I lived off of savings. I went to a temp agency one day, in a fit of desperation (never a good motivation) I left with a big smile on my face. The money was so low that it was a no brainer to walk away. Crappy work for crappy pay? No thank you! It gave me the courage (and the joy) to stick with my convictions, and to know, as in “know”, from the centre of my being, that I was on the right track in not doing what I didn’t “want” to do. I write about this in RAVING VIOLET’s “The Law of Bananas”, a playful chapter that explores my application of the law of attraction to right livelihood. I read recently in a channeled message that we are now to “plerk”, play + work. We were meant to be happy. We were meant to be free! It is up to us to figure out how to maneuver that for ourselves. As I kept that which I didn’t want at bay, even through scary times with no income, I made room for all the good that is coming in now (years later, I might add) in spades. The changes we seek are often incremental, arriving over time. Do I believe they can also be huge and immediate? Yes! When we open our minds and change our beliefs, we open our lives to brilliant possibilities. There’s no need to “slog through” anymore. We depart “survival” and enter “thrive”.

Ah, I love your attitude and I am with you in so many respects, however when you have children to support there does have to be an element of doing the stuff that you don’t want to do just to make sure they have food in their bellies and clothes on their backs… I am intrigued…What is the worst job that you have ever done, and why?

I love this question. Any work I did in the financial industry baffled me, and I got a fair share of it being a temp in New York City. I free-lanced with Citibank for over a year, and felt stunned, day after day “what am I doing in a BANK?” Now, you must know now, I’m ALL for money, I think it’s fantastic. It’s energy. It’s options. That’s all it is. Just like fire and water are resources, so is cash, credit, what have you. Money is no more “materialistic” than an apple. There’s a freedom of expression that money affords us in 3D, and I’m happy to enjoy it. It’s been amazing to see what I could do without money, which I’ve done for long periods of time, too. You get creative in different ways when you’re dealing with no resources, vs. an abundance of resources. Neither experience is better than the other. I was very resistant when I took a temp job at a broker-dealer that had just been bought by insurance giant AIG, right after 9/11. I hated the rules, the atmosphere, and what was valued by the company (lies & cheating, all while keeping up appearances”). I hate that bullshit. So, I was the agitator posting “recycle” signs all over the place (the waste of paper there was EGREGIOUS. I think they went through a forest a day) I printed out important documents on recycled paper (I mean with stuff typed on the other side!). I put up “don’t wear fur” posters in my cubicle. I wore a baseball cap to keep out the new bright fluorescent lights, which got me in trouble with HR for breaking the dress code. I told them the lights gave me headaches and stormed off. I took care of myself and agitated. I enjoy challenging the status quo. I reported malfeasance, cheating on expense reports and what appeared to be out and out embezzling. The parties involved got promoted. It was an atmosphere of “”anything goes” (for some, at least). There was a plethora of wonderful people, too. Had they all been creepy types, I couldn’t have stayed. I quit that job to work at a personal growth joint in the woods, seeming relief, but that turned out to be horrid, too, for very different reasons. When I started to say “NO!” to things that offended my being, I made room for the big YES that my life is turning into.

I so want to get drunk with you! I think you could keep me entertained for a lifetime! If you could have written any other book by any other author, what would it be, and why?

Oh my goodness, I wouldn’t want to be anyone else, so why would I want credit for their thoughts? There are books I admire, but I’m happy to let them have theirs, and me have mine. Admiring other people is wonderful.

How would you think your parents would describe your book? Does this differ from how you would describe it?

That’s an interesting question since my parents both died when I was young. I believe that they are proud as heck of me and would describe RAVING VIOLET, as VERY VALERIE. Outspoken, truthful, irreverent, provocative and playful. It’s who I’ve always been, but have consciously grown myself to be more of. My parents didn’t curse (nor did they drink) and I love to do both. One of my dad’s 94-year-old friends (with whom I got recently got back in touch with after decades) said, “I hope you don’t drop the f-bomb in your next book.” I told him it wasn’t likely I’d stop since speaking bluntly is my style. I enjoy being uncensored. I hate holier than thou stuff. Most of it puts me to sleep. However, a good channeled reading, even curse free, never bores. You can’t hide a powerful message. Most new age stuff is pabulum. Regurgitated, generic baby food. I live in this world, and I express myself thusly, as an urban creature with spiritual eyes. I have one foot tap dancing in two worlds.

I too, see myself as constantly walking with one foot in both worlds…What Genre is your work – Do you have any plans to work outside of it?

My publisher decided on non-fiction humor, as opposed to memoir, and I’m pleased with that nomenclature. RAVING VIOLET is a compilation of short stories. The theme is personal growth and spirituality, but the raw material comes from my sex life, my social life, my thoughts, and dreams. I have never been a fan of fiction, with the exception of Narnia and Tolkien as a kid. I prefer memoirs and documentary films. Yes, there are some brilliant movies (“The Matrix”, for starters) and books. However, I find that truth is way stranger than fiction. Nothing is more interesting than real life. That’s why we’re here! Not to escape, but to delve. My second book, MEMORIES, DREAMS, and DEFLECTIONS: My Odyssey Through Emotional Indigestion, is another anthology of true, short stories, coming out later this year. For now, my life, my vision, and my truth are providing perfect grist for my story-churning mill.

What inspired you to write your first book?

I never set out to be a writer. That being said, I’m a writer. Despite being on a humor magazine (for which I did not write) in college, my proclivity for LONG emails and fondness for letter writing, it wasn’t until someone asked me to co-write a comedic screenplay with her that I discovered I was a writer. All I knew was that I was funny. To combine humor with my writing skills, dramatic flair, metaphysical curiosity and spiritual passion, is, I believe, my gift. Much spiritual fare remains a snoozefest, I’m afraid. I crave action, energy, fun and joy, so I create it for myself with my vision. Having done one woman shows and dabbled in stand up comedy (both of which I resisted forever, despite being encouraged repeatedly by others to do them), it dawned on me eventually that I was creating content. That I was writing. One or two people told me to blog, which I also resisted because I find so many blogs to be self-indulgent and meaningless. I didn’t want to read theirs, why would they want to read mine? Well, now I know why. I write about stuff that I’m passionate about. Philosophical stuff. Moral stuff. Ethical stuff. And always with a huge side order of irreverence and humor. That’s what makes me different. I focus on the bigger picture, while playing with the trivial. When I finally took the plunge and started a blog (Spirit led me to the right time and space) everything fell into place in about five minutes. The topic, the material, and the site, pulled together like iron shavings on a magnet. When you’re on the right track, that’s how stuff flows. From the blog, the book was a no brainer. The stars were aligned. The book practically materialized before my eyes. As did the publisher. Easy as one two three. I had a book contract within six months of starting my blog. That’s right alignment, right livelihood. And “plerking”. In a word.

I do think that things happen for a reason at the right time, I am not sure if it is down to the stars being aligned or just a greater force at play…Do you read for pleasure or out of habit?

Both. Sometimes I have to remind myself to read. Since I read almost exclusively inspirational material, it requires a somewhat zen and focused state of mind. And what I read then deepens that, gives me peace, makes me happy, inspires me. I got rid of my TV four years ago, and that has dramatically changed my life. On occasion I have read fiction (like I finally read The DaVinci Code and couldn’t put it down) and even non-fiction (like Patricia Cori’s channeled books, or Lynn Andrews’ books) that are page-turners for me. That’s a very cool feeling. Being “on the edge” of your couch”. Alone. With a book. That’s the power of STORY.

What are you reading at the moment, and why?

I inevitably read several books at once, up to ten. Of course, when it’s a page-turner, it’s one and only one. My primary staple is the monthly Sedona Journal of Emergence, a compilation of (mostly) channeled readings, which I consider to be my bible. I am re-reading Barbara Marciniak’s channeled books, right now, “Earth”. There’s always an energetic reason why I’m called to read, or re-read something.

I find that I am reading several books at any one time more often than I used to…Are you a meat eater or vegetarian?

Sigh. Both. I veered toward vegetarianism when I was young, and was veggie for years at a stretch. I adore vegetarian, and even vegan food. I also crave heavy protein, which includes some meat. This will, perhaps change over time, as I’ve been told we will want less as our light bodies emerge. We are becoming less dense. However, until then, I can’t eat soy (I have huge fibroid tumors, and soy likely contributed to them) and I endeavor to buy only organic dairy products, and meats that are antibiotic free, free-range, humanely raised, yada yada. I am a huge animal lover so I feel the conflict at times. What is great is that I am eating many more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains than I ever have, as are many people. This is a step in the right direction for all of us.

Left or right and why?

Both! Great question! Thank you for this! It is so symbolic. My father, a talented artist, engineer and designer, was ambidextrous, and could write his first and last names simultaneously, starting from a single, central point (he wrote his first name backwards, and his last name forwards). Now, that’s talent! I’ve been encouraging myself for years to use my left hand more, to “balance things out” since I’m a rightie. I received my first invitation to do so when I broke my right arm at 9, and had to learn to write with my left. Great experience. In attempting to balance the whole of us, male, female, right, left, I believe challenging ourselves to work the “unworked” parts of our bodies can help with the “unworked” parts of our spirit. Even if we feel like “Upper Class Twits Of The Year” as we do so.

“Twits” that is such a British word! What is your favourite movie and why?

I’m loving all these questions, thank you very much! It’s imperative that we become experts on ourselves, and ask ourselves questions, so we don’t fall into rote thoughts or behaviors. I get to cheat, since I already mentioned one above, but I’ll pick 1968’s “The Producers” since it’s such good clean (dirty) fun. The later version was sanitized, and I won’t see it. It represents the New York City I grew up in. Filthy, dirty and disgusting, but peppered with the most brilliant characters and genius. Mel Brooks totally captures the era, the city, in the way that Norman Lear did with NY in the 70’s with “All in the Family”. There is something wonderfully divine in embracing human imperfections and quirks. If you can love a bigot (Archie Bunker) and laugh at Hitler (Producers), damn, you’ve got a great sense of humor. Now, that’s power! It means something to me, too, that my parents adored “The Producers” and saw it right before my father died in a plane crash in 1968. (My father was born in Germany and bombed it while an American pilot in WWII.) I must also mention here the remarkable (and scary!) documentary, “Bloodline” (2008) about the Divine Feminine, and the real story behind “The DaVinci Code”. There are many truths due to come out, regarding the church, the government, and our true human origins. This is the time of Disclosure, Authenticity, and Transparency. We must all do our parts to uphold that platform.

Do you have an opinion on life after death, and if so what?

Hell, yeah! I think it’s a party over there! I think it’s amazing, like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, and that the cooler, and clearer you are before you transition, the more fun you can have right away. As with life here, we limit ourselves by our beliefs. I believe that same gorgeous world is available to us here now, through the clarity of our hearts and minds. We can catch glimpses through meditation, and by living in our hearts. We transform the world when we do so. The guys and gals who’ve done the work live in a state of bliss 24/7. Sounds like fun to me! I believe in reincarnation and karma, that we are multi-dimensional and inter-dimensional, and that what we perceive (and seem to be) is simply the tip of the iceberg. Bottom line? Lighten up. Angels fly because they take themselves so lightly. The more we are able to unload our baggage, heal our wounds, look at, resolve and release the past, the more we are able to create, and live, Heaven On Earth. Here. Now. Get the party started early!

That is a lovely concept! London, Paris or New York and why?

Well, I’m sick to death of New York, having lived here my entire life. However, I’ve never wanted to live in another country. In the country, yes. I adore London (I studied acting there as a teenager) and Paris. I’m quite sure I’ve had several French lives. I now get to quote the divine Diana Vreeland (just watched a riveting docu on the iconoclast) who grew up in England, and while an Anglophile, said, “The best thing about London is Paris.” I’ll take ‘em both. I’m greedy.

What do you have in the pipeline?

I already mentioned my second book, MEMORIES, DREAMS AND DEFLECTIONS, coming out later this year. I’m writing my third book, as yet untitled, another compilation of short, true stories. I’m always working on my blog. That is, when there’s a story to be told. Otherwise, why bother? I hate filler. I’m also really enjoying recording audio books for other authors, which lets me express the actress in me. It’s a very particular art form. Since I produce the books myself, I am the editor, director and producer in addition to the talent. My learning curve is way up there right now, and I’m loving it! New skills. New skills! Keeps the mind in top form.

Where would you like to be in 5 year time?

I would like to be married, but I’ve been saying this for several decades now. Spirit has promised me a mate. I’m sort of tired of asking “when”. That quest has been my holy grail. In the meanwhile, I’ve become this incredibly self-sufficient, happy, creative person who is proud of her work, and her life alone. A fountain now bubbles within, creatively and emotionally. I know that’s an accomplishment I was meant to achieve.  I suspect I will teach someday. My acting experience, humor, and passion for Spirit will serve this venture well. It’s what I share in my writing. I’m good in person, being rather animated. I suspect the teaching will come to pass, organically, as my writing did. I hope to be living in the country not only then, but soon. I’ve served my time in cement city.

If you only had 60 seconds remaining on this planet, what would you say, and who would you say it to?

Cute! Nothing. I’d savor the peace, silence and knowing of that moment of transition, gather my energies, breathe, smile and let go. I don’t hold anything back now. If there’s a chapter (or ten) left unfinished when I pass, I’ll pick it up when I return. It’s a “never-ending” story, you know. Scratch that, I’ll blurt, “Beam me up, Scotty!”

What advice would you give your 18 year old self?

Aah. First instinct, nothing, since she got me here. Second instinct: “Trust yourself. Trust that everything will work out, no matter how sucky and hard it may be. Know that you are beautiful, and loved, and special. And NO, you are not normal. You’re not a regular teenager, not an “average” human. Your eyes are in the stars. Keep them there, even as you stumble on sharp rocks. It’s a hard journey. You’re up to it. You will survive. You will thrive. You will surmount.

Where was your best ever bucket and spade holiday, and why?

Hmm…are we talking “bucket list” or “beach”?  I’m not much of a beach person being very fair of skin, and very sensitive to the heat. Some of my favorite travel moments were the few hours (literally) I spent on Mykonos and on Capri. I was on a tour, and of all things, it was decided that these Elysian spots merited but a few minutes. Wrong!

Definitely beach holiday and NOT bucket list LOL – Valerie, you have totally entertained me! I promise I will review Raving Violet when I get a chance! 

RAVING VIOLET is available in print, e-book and audio (recorded by Valerie) from Amazon, Audible, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, KOBO, SmashWords, Sony Reader Store, AllRomanceBooks.com, and Black Opal Books.

You can find Valerie at http://ravingvioletvalerie.blogspot.com/