The Voices: A Guest Post by Karen Helene Walker
Karen Helene Walker is a new friend of mine, so I'm excited to introduce her to everyone! She's here today to promote her new book, The Wishing Steps, which is available now! You can order it here. She's here to talk about something most writers can relate to--the voices in her head.
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The Voices
by Karen Helene Walker
Thank you, Stephanie, for hosting me today.
I’ve always had voices in my head. For many years, they tortured me with their negativity. I had to learn to sort out those negative voices from the voice of wisdom that is my Higher Self. I was comfortable with all of that. Until I went on vacation to Scotland and Ireland in 2009 and a voice I’d never heard before from inside of me said, “Tell my story.” I wasn’t sure exactly what I heard, so I said, “Sorry, I’m on vacation.” But the voice came again while in Ireland. Once more, I ignored it. But when I got home, I couldn’t forget what I’d heard and began to explore who or what this voice was and what story it wanted me to tell.
I’ve always imagined that fiction writers must have many voices inside their heads. The voice of the Muse or God or whatever it is that brings an author the idea for a story. Then there are the voices of the different characters. I didn’t hear the voices of my characters inside my head. It was more that I felt what they wanted to say and wrote that down. But I wonder whether some writers do hear their characters speak in a voice different from the author’s own voice. Do share in comments if you have thoughts on this, please.
If a writer does hear their character talking, how do you turn that off? How do you live your life while some character is living inside your head living theirs? It’s mind-boggling. Over the years, my negative voices quieted down considerably and more and more, it’s the voice of wisdom I hear. I’ve also learned that when the negative voice does come, I can shift it quickly by turning my energy and attention to the voice of wisdom.
Ironically, that is one of the themes in The Wishing Steps. Turning from what I call the Dark Side, to the Light of the Goddess. Here is the scoop on the story:
Blurb:
Three Women and a Single Story That Unites Them Across the Millennia
“Totally engrossing. A must-read for today’s wise woman!” Rev. Kathleen McKern Verigin, minister/priestess
Brighid, Ashleen and Megan: Bound through time by a curious light, a mysterious voice and a call they dare not ignore. Yet in obeying this strange force, the women must face soul-searing trials that call into question everything they know and believe — about themselves and about the world around them.
“Guaranteed to inspire you to a deeper level of spirituality and a new appreciation for Goddess.”Rev. Clara Z. Alexander
Bio:
Karen Helene Walker is a widely published essayist and author of the 2009 memoir, Following the Whispers. When she isn’t writing, you will often find Karen performing in nursing homes and retirement communities as part of the Sugartime or Sophisticated Ladies musical groups, traveling with her husband of 20 years, Gary, or relaxing with a good book at their home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Visit the author’s website at www.karenhelenewalker.com
Contact info:
Blog | Website | Facebook | Amazon
-----------------------------------------------------------
The Voices
by Karen Helene Walker
Thank you, Stephanie, for hosting me today.
I’ve always had voices in my head. For many years, they tortured me with their negativity. I had to learn to sort out those negative voices from the voice of wisdom that is my Higher Self. I was comfortable with all of that. Until I went on vacation to Scotland and Ireland in 2009 and a voice I’d never heard before from inside of me said, “Tell my story.” I wasn’t sure exactly what I heard, so I said, “Sorry, I’m on vacation.” But the voice came again while in Ireland. Once more, I ignored it. But when I got home, I couldn’t forget what I’d heard and began to explore who or what this voice was and what story it wanted me to tell.
I’ve always imagined that fiction writers must have many voices inside their heads. The voice of the Muse or God or whatever it is that brings an author the idea for a story. Then there are the voices of the different characters. I didn’t hear the voices of my characters inside my head. It was more that I felt what they wanted to say and wrote that down. But I wonder whether some writers do hear their characters speak in a voice different from the author’s own voice. Do share in comments if you have thoughts on this, please.
If a writer does hear their character talking, how do you turn that off? How do you live your life while some character is living inside your head living theirs? It’s mind-boggling. Over the years, my negative voices quieted down considerably and more and more, it’s the voice of wisdom I hear. I’ve also learned that when the negative voice does come, I can shift it quickly by turning my energy and attention to the voice of wisdom.
Ironically, that is one of the themes in The Wishing Steps. Turning from what I call the Dark Side, to the Light of the Goddess. Here is the scoop on the story:
Blurb:
Three Women and a Single Story That Unites Them Across the Millennia
“Totally engrossing. A must-read for today’s wise woman!” Rev. Kathleen McKern Verigin, minister/priestess
Brighid, Ashleen and Megan: Bound through time by a curious light, a mysterious voice and a call they dare not ignore. Yet in obeying this strange force, the women must face soul-searing trials that call into question everything they know and believe — about themselves and about the world around them.
“Guaranteed to inspire you to a deeper level of spirituality and a new appreciation for Goddess.”Rev. Clara Z. Alexander
Bio:
Karen Helene Walker is a widely published essayist and author of the 2009 memoir, Following the Whispers. When she isn’t writing, you will often find Karen performing in nursing homes and retirement communities as part of the Sugartime or Sophisticated Ladies musical groups, traveling with her husband of 20 years, Gary, or relaxing with a good book at their home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Visit the author’s website at www.karenhelenewalker.com
Contact info:
Blog | Website | Facebook | Amazon
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