Reese's Book Club x Hello Sunshine discussion
Dear authors, what's your WHY?
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oooh, i like that, reading about "taboo subjects" like, ah, peanut butter and oyster sandwiches? kidding of course. My WHY isn't about taboo sharing. My raison d'etre as author/artist/Spirit activist is to share the magic of life, and what better way to do that than to explore how magic is an everyday occurrence. I don't mean pulling rabbits out of hats, or card tossings either. I mean to see that we are all connected, and INTER-connected in this swirling mass of ocean and land mass that really ought to have been named Ocean. Or, as Ursula leGuin called it "Earthsea." So my why is about interconnecting with and uplifting and being ONE with all I can be. And books is a good way to start.
Ok, your turn!
Oh, please ask me for a gift copy of The Bridge Tender if you like audiobooks. I'm happy to send you a freeeeee gift!
In Light,
teZa
check me out tezalord.com for more more moreThe Bridge Tender: A Contemporary Novel of Awakening Magical Realism
teZa wrote: "oooh, i like that, reading about "taboo subjects" like, ah, peanut butter and oyster sandwiches? kidding of course. My WHY isn't about taboo sharing. My raison d'etre as author/artist/Spirit activi..."What a wonderful WHY you have!! Thanks for sharing :)
That's such a great question! I think for me, my why changes depending on what I am writing. A few months ago, I published my first novel, Who Is Bobbie-Mae?
I decided to write this story because I wanted to explore the relationship between our “self” and our memories. I have always deeply felt that our life experiences are meant to help us learn and grow as human beings. Our memories, in a lot of ways, shape who we are, are an important part of our growth as human beings and how we see the world. On the other hand, I also believe that there is something else, something deeper that is constant and exists always, independently of our roles, experience and relationships.
The idea came to me when I was in my twenties. I had recently been through a breakup and started wondering, what if I forget? Who will be able to tell me about my life? Even if someone did, wouldn’t it be a different version than my own? How would that change who I am?
I hope that my readers will see themselves in Bobbie-Mae (my main character), her vulnerability and her strength, her love for her family and her husband. Her passion towards life. I hope it will help them have more tolerance and love towards people who are different from them. My three main characters are all unique, flawed, authentic, good human beings, and they embrace their differences. They have meaningful, fulfilling relationships that are mutually beneficial. They accept and bring out the best in each other.
I love how intentionally inspiring and hopeful you are! Great why!
because the only thing worse than apathy is death
I'll go first. My writing mission is to inspire empathy and understanding of different points of view through lightweight book club fiction. WHY? Polarization is killing healthy discourse on important topics, dividing friendships and families. My novels dare to tell stories about taboo topics, and then tell book club readers to discuss those topics in real life. The novel format serves as a humor-filled vehicle to consider hot-button topics from a fictional character's point of view, lowering the stakes dramatically and opening the door for empathy with another person's experience. Reading about taboo topics independently in the comfort of their own home gives the reader time to sort through their emotions and opinions calmly before a discussion (something people don't have time to do when uncle so-in-so brings up that topic at Thanksgiving). And the discussion itself is where the magic happens. Using the provided book club discussion questions in a casual living room setting with friends who have come specifically to discuss the book sets up a low-pressure scenario to have a civil conversation (something we are seriously lacking today).
Please share your why, I'd love to hear it! -Corinne <3