Spooky Cookbook Author Bridget Thoreson Talks Recipes & Writing

Our October author is Bridget Thoreson.

Bridget Thoreson is a writer and booklover based in Brooklyn, New York. Her other books include XOXO: A Cocktail Book and consulting for Are You My Wine? Clearly, Bridget is very interested in drinking, eating, and pop culture.

If you’d like to purchase a copy of The Unofficial Hocus Pocus Cookbook, you can find it here.

Tell us a little about your writing journey. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I always knew that I wanted to work with books and for a long time I thought I wanted to be a writer. Then, I started my career in books and the desire became more focused on helping other people write books.

Then, a couple of years ago my first book project came along, XOXO, A Cocktail Book: An Unofficial Gossip Girl Fan Book and I had so much fun writing that, the bug was reawakened!

What inspired you to put together your book The Unofficial Hocus Pocus Cookbook?

The film is all the inspiration I needed! I’ve always been a huge fan. But, the timing was inspired by the exciting news that, after almost 30 years, a sequel is coming out!

How did you choose the recipes to include? And do you have a favorite?

The recipes are all either based on people or events in the movie, or are classic fall comfort foods. Hocus Pocus is a Halloween film, but I didn't want to just make it about ghoulish Halloween foods like peeled grape eyeballs. I also wanted to capture the vibe of Salem at Halloween. So there are a lot of hearty stews and seasonal flavors.

My favorite recipe to eat is the Dead Man's Chungs (crab cake balls with a delicious remoulade sauce). I'm from Maryland, so crab cakes are always high on my list! I love baking, so the Brown Butter Boooook Blondies are another favorite.

What was the process like putting together a cookbook?

It definitely required a lot of organization. Since the cookbook's theme is a movie rather than a food category, I wanted to put a wide range of things in there--breakfast through dinner, drinks, sweets, etc.--and to organize it based on the movie themes.

I needed to make sure I had enough side dishes vs. entrees and enough alcoholic beverages vs. virgin ones. I also had to make sure each section had a good mix. So organization was key.

Describe your creative process.

My creative process changes depending on the project I'm working on. In general, I definitely do best when I have some space from the project. I suffer from blank page syndrome, so often what I'll do is a mind dump on the page--half-ideas, words, random notes--so that there's something there I can pull from and get the ideas flowing.

Then, I will step away, sometimes for days, and let those ideas bake. I'll think about it when I'm watching TV, or driving, or just laying on my bed staring at the ceiling. But I take the pressure of the document off. A lot of the best things I've written I wrote in my head first before I typed the words out.

What’s your biggest hope for this cookbook?

My biggest hope is that other members of the Hocus Pocus fan club will read it and get a chuckle out of the headnotes, or see a reference to a classic line they forgot about.

Or maybe use it as an excuse to watch the movie again, and introduce someone new to it!

What was your biggest writing obstacle and how you did you overcome it?

Blank page syndrome! It's hard to start such a big project. I didn't even start writing until I had a full brainstorming document of recipe ideas, important events and references, random phrases, etc. so I had something to pull from when I got stuck or needed inspiration.

What is the part of your published work or writing process you are most proud of?

Of this book, the parts I'm most proud of are the headnotes I wrote in verse. Each recipe has an introduction that relates to the movie. There are a couple I wrote in the same rhythm as the Sanderson Sisters' spells - that was very difficult to match the rhyming scheme and also have it make sense to the recipe, so I'm very proud of those!

Do you have any plans for another book or writing project? If so, could you tell us about them?

No set plans as of yet, but I’m always open to new projects and have my eyes open for them!

What motivates you to keep writing?

Fun projects on topics I’m passionate about!

What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?

You don’t have to be published to be a writer. If you’ve written anything and want to be a writer, you are one. Identity is a huge part of our behavior, so if you identify as a writer, you will act like a writer.

If you’d like to purchase a copy of The Unofficial Hocus Pocus Cookbook, you can find it here.

So You Want to Write a Book? Author Corey Rosen Has Some Advice (& Inspiration)

Our September author is Corey Rosen

Corey Rosen is an Emmy-award winning writer, actor, and storytelling teacher. He has hosted 105 live events for The Moth, The Moth StorySlam, and GrandSlams.

Rosen has been featured on The Moth Radio Hour, Backfence PDX and “The Finch Files” and “The B-Sider” podcasts. He is an on-air personality for Alice Radio’s “The Sarah and Vinnie Show,” the #1-rated commercial morning show in the San Francisco area.

A performer at BATS Improv, he is also a head writer at Tippett Studio. When not writing or performing, Corey works as a visual effects artist and executive producer. He is credited in movies including “Mission: Impossible,” several “Star Wars” films, and “Disney’s A Christmas Carol.” He has taught at NYU and Academy of Art University, written for Comedy Central, Jim Henson Productions, and Lucasfilm, and directed television commercials and Emmy award-winning short films.

If you’d like to purchase a copy of Corey’s book Your Story, Well Told, you can find it here.

Tell us a little about your writing journey. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

My first writing was for the screen. I made short films and developed and wrote screenplays for Lucasfilm and other animation studios. It wasn't until recently that I found I had a book “in me.” Once I had that spark, it took off and the process was delightful.

Was there a certain point you remember where you felt empowered to call yourself a writer? Or have you always felt like you were a writer?

I think a lot of people call themselves “a writer” that don’t do much or any writing. I think those people are not writers. They are waiters!  I was a waiter for a long time. It feels good to be a writer, now. I highly suggest it!

Your book, Your Story, Well Told, is a guide for storytelling, and you draw a lot on improvisational theatre. What inspired you to take your theatre talents and turn it into a book about stories?

I’m fascinated by the intersection of these two “forms” - Storytelling (especially non-fiction spoken word storytelling) and Improvisation (creating something from nothing). Improvisation is the craft of using what’s right in front of us. Wanting what you have, rather than having what you want. The book emerged from this, as it’s how I craft stories (for myself and others). Using what’s right in front of me, and building on that.

A common blunder many storytellers face is their own rigid adherence to the words they are using - memorizing it like it’s a monologue. When you are improvising, there is no script so you can freely express yourself however it emerges. With storytelling, you can harness that energy and relate your story while staying present in the space where you are telling it.

My book is a guide for everyone who has a story to tell to harness this kind of energy to bring their stories to life in an authentic and relatable way - never feeling stilted or over-scripted.

The book has some excellent (& relatable!) stories from your own life. How did you choose which examples to use to highlight the story concepts throughout the book?

Thank you!  When I started writing the book, I had just been punched in the face by another kid’s mom while dropping my child off at elementary school. Since I was embarking on writing a book about storytelling, it made sense to me to start the book with a story - and that one was so raw and real in my life at the time that it emerged. 

Other stories in the book (my own and those of my friends, students, and colleagues) were chosen to help illustrate the concepts and principles I explore throughout the book. Among them are some REALLY GREAT stories and also some that (as I discuss throughout) are “broken birds” in need of repair. 

I find it really interesting to analyze flawed stories using my own “yes, and” critique methods - looking at what IS working in the story and building on that to make the story stronger. 

I love that there are so many fun and interesting exercises! Where did the exercises come from (did you create them, borrow them, adapt them, etc.) & do you have a favorite?

I’m a performer and trainer. I believe in active learning, learning by doing. It’s one thing to read a tip or how-to in a book (or in a lecture) but it’s another to do the thing - to try something (out loud or on paper) to synthesize the learning. By using play, we remove the cognitive barriers or pressures to “do it right.” 

So a game like “That reminds me of the time” (in my book) makes a game out of recalling memories - which in turn can become source material for stories that the reader might not have considered before! Many storytellers feel like they have to tell “the big” stories. The games and exercises throughout the book are designed to find the small moments and to help us shape them into stories worth telling.  

I did invent several of the exercises. Others come from the world of Applied Improvisation, which has a great and very active community of trainers and practitioners who freely share our games with each other.  

Describe your writing and/or creative process.

I start with an outline or syllabus. I outline what I want (generally) to talk about or happen in a given chapter (or scene, for creative writing). When doing the writing itself, I try to get it out fast and without correction or editing. A Vomit Draft (something I discuss in the book as well) - where the quality is less important than the experience of telling (or writing) it down. 

As a performer, I also like to try things out loud. When I started writing, I was overwhelmed by the blank page or blinking cursor. But if I am speaking my story out loud, it comes out (for me) more naturally and without these barriers. Sometimes I will record myself or tell my story to someone that is close to me (a family member or friend). 

When I feel more confident in the story and want to try it on someone else I’ll take a risk and tell it to a stranger. One of my favorite “test audiences” is the drivers of Lyft or Uber! I’ll ask them, “can I tell you a story?” Nobody has ever said no!

You have quite a diverse set of writing and storytelling experiences! Is there one type of activity that you find the most fun? The most challenging?

I get to host “The Moth,” which is a storytelling podcast and radio show. We have live shows in a variety of cities. I love these forums because they draw out people of all kinds, every demographic, gender-identity, ethnicity, you name it. 

In a single night’s show, you might have a college student, an 80-year-old hippy, and a formerly incarcerated individual all sharing a stage, telling their own stories. The whole room feels connected and alive by the end of the show.  

What was your biggest writing obstacle and how did you overcome it?

I feel like repetition and routine is the best antidote to writers “block.” It’s easy to not do something, even something you want to do, if you don’t make time for it. This could apply to exercise, your diet, or any other ambition. 

By setting aside time to write, I wrote. And the more I wrote, the more I wrote. It stops being a job or a chore. It’s waiting to come out. You just have to let it. 

What is the part of your published work or writing process you’re most proud of?

When I submitted the final edited version of the manuscript, and got a case of books in the mail, I was ecstatic. It never really felt real until that moment. Then I told EVERYONE I know about it, in every way I could. And people started buying the book and sharing pictures of themselves with my book! It’s a wonderful feeling to have completed this project and I love hearing the stories that people are telling after reading it!

Do you have any plans for another book or writing project in the near future? If so, could you tell us about it? 

Yes!  I am midway through a follow up book right now. It’s the next phase of the same subject that “Your Story, Well Told” covers. This one uses specific examples of stories that people have to tell in their lives, like eulogies, acceptance speeches, and roasts, with guidance (and examples) of how to tell them, well!

What motivates you to keep writing?

It’s a routine and a pleasure to write. On days I don’t write, I get mad at myself. Every time I write, I feel good. So that feeling keeps me writing!

What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?

You are FULL of stories. If you don’t know what to write about, read the first chapter of my book. It will give you tools to inspire you and start you on your way!

Purchase a copy of Corey’s book, Your Story, Well Told here.

Historical Fiction Author Jean Perry Discusses Research, Writing, & Perseverance

Our August author is Jean Perry.

Jean Perry has a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from New York University and a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), a retired elementary school teacher, and former reporter for the New York Daily News. Mozay of Pepperwick is historical fiction, loosely based on the story her aunt told her about her grandfather.

If you’d like to purchase a copy of Mozay of Pepperwick, you can find it here.

Tell us a little about your writing journey.

My writing journey began when, at age 9, I wrote a poem titled “My Rosary.” My sister said she didn’t believe I wrote it. But my mother, a secretary, typed it up. I gave it to a nun who was beyond pleased and shared with her Sisters.

Your book, Mozay of Pepperwick, is based loosely on the story your aunt told you about your grandfather – wow! How did you decide to take that story and turn it into a book?

After Alex Haley’s book and the television version of ROOTS, there was a mad dash to learn one’s ancestry. I questioned my Aunt Ann who told me my grandfather was chosen to be a valet and companion to a planter’s son and so received seven years of schooling.

She said, “He said he often knew the answers when his charge did not.”

The story grew from there. Attending a family reunion in South Carolina led me to return to do research in the University of South Carolina’s Caroliniana Library. If you go to my Mozay of Pepperwick page on Facebook, you will see the man upon whom I based the Mozay character - my grandfather, Moses Perry.

An aside – how thrilling it was to find his name mentioned in a book on the very first day I visited that library. Elloree Home I Love is also on my Mozay of Pepperwick page. A photograph shows many of my relatives including my father Nathaniel when he was about age two.

Kind of in that same vein, I’m curious: when you began writing, how did it feel knowing that much of it was true? Especially that someone in your not-too-distant family experienced the (or similar) people and places, and being a slave?

I admire my ancestors for living the best lives they could during slavery and segregation – doing the best they could with what they had.

Mozay’s voice is defined and articulate, but still relatable as you hear what he’s thinking. His voice is one of the reasons you want to know more about his life! How did you develop his voice?

I grew up in the ‘40’s and 50’s, eras where children did not speak unless spoken to. That gave me a high degree of listening comprehension. So my ear linked to the part of my brain that writes down what my own voice says.  I did not consciously aim to develop a voice.

I listen to myself and write down what God delivers. I experience this process as a download. I have to write fast and sloppy to get it down. I can compose on the computer but for more difficult, personal content I go long-hand.

Slavery and freedom are two main themes throughout the novel. How did you balance talking about some of the darker realities of slavery Mozay (and the other characters) experienced with the novel being middle grade?

It’s in the Middle Grade category, but to me its upper Middle Grade and up. I’ve had many positive responses from adults who’ve read the book.

Since the advent of Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games many adults started reading Young Adult books, and I just read somewhere that adults are choosing to listen to Middle Grade audio books. They are relatively short and easy to follow which, I guess, makes good company in the car.

What was your research process for the book? Since it’s based on real people and places, did that help your research?

I went to Columbia, South Carolina to the Caroliniana Library, the UCLA Library, and the USC Library. I researched online. One prompt led to another and I realized I could research forever, so I started confining my research to material I would use in the story.

If readers want to know more about Mozay, Pepperwick Plantation, or the other people and places in the book, do you have a good starting point of where they can look?

The book is historical fiction so there’s no Mozay and no Pepperwick. Readers interested in the life of slaves in 1850s South Carolina can use the resources in the References section of the book.

For those who want to visit plantations, South Carolina and other southern states offer tours. Research the state of your choice, using the prompt “tour plantations.”

Describe your writing and/or creative process.

Sit down and write. Buy a journal, keep it in the same place so you can find it, and jot down thoughts when they come to you. You don’t need complete sentences, or perfect grammar or spelling – just jot down whatever comes to mind.

Also use clippings or print outs from online research. Dissect books you like to learn about setting, timeline, protagonist, and antagonist. Figure out who wants what. Why? And who’s blocking them from reaching their goal?  What happens at the climax? At the crisis? At the resolution?

What was your biggest writing obstacle and how did you overcome it?

Procrastination was a big block for me. Once you start to write regularly, you build up a momentum that overcomes, or at least challenges, procrastination.

What is the part of your published work or writing process you’re most proud of?

Perseverance and momentum got me over the finish line. Oh, and saying no to perfection. That comes when you delete your “darlings” those beautiful sentences that add nothing to plot.

Do you have any new writing projects in the works? If so, would you tell us a little about them?

Yes, I have a draft, but I learned so much in writing and finishing Mozay of Pepperwick, that it isn’t very useful. Instead, I’m getting to know my lead character better and paying more attention to writing a plot outline that’s true to the story, while leaving room for my surprise downloads that occur without warning.

What’s the biggest piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?

Read! These books have helped me tremendously:

• The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron

• The Plot Whisperer & The Plot Whisperer Workbook by Martha Alderson

• On Writing by Stephen King

• This Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Moseley

• Second Sight by Cheryl B. Klein

What would you say to someone who’s thinking about telling a story that’s near and dear to them, but isn’t quite sure they can do it?

You will never know your strengths and limitations until you try. So go forward and don’t stop until you have a fist draft. Do not keep returning to the beginning and fixing it.

It’s likely you won’t know what you’re writing until you finish. Once you have a draft, then read, consider joining a writers group, and take writing classes.

If you would like to purchase Jean Perry’s book, Mozay of Pepperwick, you can find a copy here.

If you know an author (or of an author) you would love to read an interview with, email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com or submit a suggestion here.

Multi-Talented Author Holly Huntress Talks Books, Inspiration, & Beating Imposter Syndrome

Our July author is Holly Huntress.

Holly Huntress is a self-published author. She has written five books and has two currently published on Amazon. The first book, Haunting Memories, is currently unavailable because it is being revamped in preparation for a sequel! In the meantime, her Broken Angel series is available, with the third and final book Forsaken Angel, being released August 2nd. 

If you would like to purchase Holly’s book, Broken Angel, you can find a copy here.

Tell us a little about your writing journey.

I started writing formally my sophomore year of high school. It was after I read the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer that I realized I wanted to write my own book. I never really thought it would go anywhere, but it was something I enjoyed and helped me to escape the real world. 

I didn’t end up self-publishing until college, I believe it was my junior or senior year. I used the Barnes and Noble publishing site, but have since switched to Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing. 

After college, I spent a lot of time wondering what I wanted to do with my English degree, and realizing it was a hard field to get into with little to no experience, so I did what I knew best - I turned to writing.

Was there a certain point you remember where you felt empowered to call yourself a writer? Or have you always felt like you were a writer?

It took me a while to call myself a writer, but more specifically an author. Even after I had self-published Haunting Memories, I called myself an “aspiring author,” which is crazy because I had already written and published a book - what more did I need to do? Once I started connecting with other authors on social media, I came to realize that I was holding myself back. 

For me, I felt I wasn’t a “real” author because I hadn’t been traditionally published. So, seeing all these other self-published authors on social media and realizing I wasn’t alone in not being able to become traditionally published made me understand that self-publishing is just as valid. 

It wasn’t until last year that I was finally able to say “I’m an author” instead of aspiring or want-to-be. 

Where did the idea or inspiration for Haunting Memories come from?

As the first book I wrote, a lot of the inspiration came from my life. I started the book in high school, so the setting is based on the town I lived in, and the people I went to school with. Obviously the premise of the book was something I made up, and I don’t know what exactly drew me to the idea of a murder mystery, but it just kind of flowed out of me. My uncle was a police officer at the time so I asked him about some of the logistics of an investigation, so that was interesting to learn about. 

The original Haunting Memories I wrote was from only the main character, Zac’s perspective. I added in later the perspective of the murder victim leading up to the day of her death. What spurred this decision was that I had started writing another book very similar to Haunting Memories and realized I was just writing the other perspective that HM had been missing. It’s interesting how as we write, the shape of our story can drastically change.

Your book, Haunting Memories, is a murder mystery, but also deals with memory loss and love. How did it feel to write about such serious topics from younger perspectives?

It was a lot of fun. For some reason I’ve always been drawn to talking about more difficult topics, even in high school when I began writing HM. I think having started the book so young, it helped me to write from that age perspective more accurately. I wrote as I wished my high school experience could have been (minus the murder). 

That’s also part of the reason why I’m in the process of re-editing it now, though, because my writing skills have grown so much over time, that HM doesn’t quite match the quality I’ve come to expect from my own writing.

The book has several prominent voices for different main characters, which is something I love in books. How did you balance writing through the various unique voices? Did you enjoy writing one character’s sections more than the others?

Honestly, I loved writing from both perspectives, which isn’t always the case for me. From the moment I began writing, I never hesitated when it came to writing a male main character. For some reason, it just seemed natural, even though I’ve obviously never lived that experience. 

When it came to writing Alana’s side of the story, it was harder simply because I knew her fate, it’s the whole point of the book. Every chapter I wrote brought her closer to that fate, and there were some moments where I wanted to change the ending and let her live - but that wasn’t the story I was writing. Sometimes, we don’t have a choice in the matter. 

As for being able to go between the voices, it wasn’t much of an issue for me, since I wrote Zac’s story first. I hadn’t planned on adding in Alana’s perspective, but it really rounded out the book and made it so much better.

Describe your writing and/or creative process. 

Whenever I have an idea for a story, I do an unorganized info dump in a notebook, just to make sure I remember the idea as it was when it first came to me. Then I try to flesh it out a bit. I start with looking at the main characters, then I move on to the plot and setting. Sometimes I know where I want the story to go, sometimes I don’t. I like to have some idea though, because I like to write books in a series and being able to connect them together is really important. 

After that initial part, I just write. I am someone who likes to write in order, I don’t skip around too much. However, if I get really stuck on a certain scene, I’ll skip it if there is something I’m really excited to write that comes after. It helps keep me moving along. Sometimes I fall into writing slumps where I don’t work on my book for a month or longer, and it’s hard to break out of that. When I do, it’s like coming home to my characters.

What was your biggest writing obstacle and how did you overcome it?

Definitely imposter syndrome. I STILL have a hard time hyping up my own books. There's a part of me that doesn’t want people to read my books because I don’t want them to not like the stories. I’m not afraid of bad reviews, just that people will think less of me if they don’t like my writing. 

I’m slowly overcoming this fear, and it definitely helps that I see improvements in my own writing since I wrote my first book. Being able to see that for myself makes me realize that I am a good writer! (It makes me cringe to say that - I should be able to say it loud and proud! Someday!)

What is the part of your published work or writing process you are most proud of?

Putting myself out there and self-publishing. Also, starting to put myself out there in the form of marketing my books. I never thought I’d be comfortable making videos and sharing them with the world, but I do it all the time now!

Do you have any new writing projects in the works? If so, would you tell us a little about them?

Yes, and I am super excited about them all! I mentioned earlier that I’m working on a sequel to Haunting Memories, but I'm also working on a new high fantasy series. I have the first book done - it just needs to be edited and then sent to beta readers. 

I also have a dark fiction book (possibly another series) that I started where the main character is male again, so I’m excited to be back writing in that field.

What do you want the world to know about you as an author?

I’m not a genre specific author. Even though I write mostly fantasy at the moment, I write whatever strikes me at the time. Fantasy is a lot of fun, but I keep having the urge to go back to teen romance/fiction. I never know what I’ll write next!

What’s the biggest piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?

Don’t let fear hold you back. This goes with every part of the writing process. Starting to write, continuing to write, putting your book out in the world, marketing your book, etc. 

Someone out there will love your writing. Don’t write because you have to, do it because you love it. Otherwise, it’s no fun and you’ll resent it after a while. 

What would you say to someone who’s thinking about writing a book, but isn’t quite sure if they can?

You can do it! It’s so much fun once you sit down and start writing. All of the logistic stuff comes later - so don’t worry about it while you write. Just have fun and start writing. 

There are so many awesome people who can support you now, thanks to social media. Get on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, or TikTok - wherever you feel comfortable - and start connecting! I have met so many great people this way and that’s also how I find my beta readers and editors. 

If you would like to purchase Holly Huntress’s book, Broken Angel, you can find a copy here.

If you would like to purchase Holly’s book, Condemned Angel, you can find a copy here.

If you would like to purchase Holly’s book, Forsaken Angel, you can find a copy here.

If you know an author (or of an author) you would love to read an interview with, email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com or submit a suggestion here.

Let Them Speak: Author Harriet Marsden Discusses Women, Power, & What’s Holding You Back

Our June author is Harriet Marsden.

Harriet Marsden is a freelance journalist and editor. Previously a subeditor at The Times, she now works for a variety of publications, including The Independent, HuffPost, the Guardian, and Foreign Policy. Harriet can often be heard on the radio at stupid o’clock, reviewing the news and mocking politicians. She is also a feminist commentator and contributing author to DK’s The Feminism Book.

Hobbies include reading, swimming, and Broadway musicals (she can do all the raps from Hamilton). Harriet has a bachelor’s in languages from the University of Cambridge and a master’s in international journalism from City University, London. She lives in South London with a cat, two birds, and innumerable plants.

Harriet can be found tweeting at @harriet1marsden

Want to buy Harriet’s book, Don’t Lose Your Head? Get it here.

Tell us a little about your writing journey.

Ever since I can remember, I’ve loved to read and write. More than anything else, I love books and words and people’s stories on a page. It’s the physical embodiment of humanity. Of course, when I got a little older and realized that it paid like sh*t, I became a journalist instead. Which didn’t pay any better, in fairness, but at least it gave me an excuse to be a nosy drunken gossip.

I’ve personally always been fascinated by King Henry VIII & all his wives! But I’d never heard of a telling from the women’s perspective (I had to Google Six). How did you decide to write a book from the ladies’ perspective – was it inspired purely by the musical? Or was there other inspiration as well?

I owe a massive amount to bestselling British historical fiction writer, Philippa Gregory. I read The Other Boleyn Girl when it came out about 20 years ago and it completely opened my eyes to a whole new Tudor perspective. I’ve been hooked on the wives of Henry VIII and their stories ever since and read all her books multiple times. Add a show stopping musical like Six to 20 years of committed feminism and there you have it! I want the women of history to finally have their say. The men had the stage for long enough.

I want the women of history to finally have their say.

Each of the women has a distinct voice in the book. How did you develop those voices?

It’s partly linguistic – Catherine of Aragon was a Spanish native speaker who originally spoke to her husband in French and Latin, a child of Holy War, while Anne Boleyn was determined to be flirtatiously French and modern. Anna of Cleves barely spoke a word of English when she was brought to Henry, and Katherine Howard was an almost illiterate young girl with limited vocabulary.

Catherine Parr was a proud Northern woman who used lots of wonderful little phrases from her upbringing, alongside the high religious imagery of a deeply spiritual scholar. Jane Seymour was harder to pin down, as so little was written about her while she was alive and so much was informed by her deification after she died. And how much of her reportedly meek, placid speech was a deliberate attempt to counteract Anne’s Gallic temper?

But a lot is known about each woman’s style: her fashion choices, her religious inclination, her interests. As I got to know them a bit, I tried to imagine how they’d look at the world, and how they might tell their stories. But ultimately, there’s a lot of guesswork. You do as much research as you can to find the facts, and then you have to use your imagination.

I love the pieces throughout the book that aren’t text: the profiles, the Did You Know sections, and the sassy snippets almost like a text message! What was your process for finding and including those in the book?

I decided early on to give each queen a profile, a bit like a dating app bio, with the basic facts to guide the reader and to contextualise them in the chronology. I thought they’d be the easiest bit to write. I was horribly mistaken on that front. In many cases, historians disagreed on names, dates, even spellings – and there’s so much we’ll never know for sure. So I tried, wherever possible, to base the bullet-points on where there was most consensus. But the profiles were an absolute headache.

I tried to imagine how they’d look at the world, and how they might tell their stories.

The ‘Did You Know’ trivia sections are made up of titbits that I discovered about each woman as I researched their lives and legacies but couldn’t otherwise fit into the stories of their marriages. Those are the bits that I would text my friends about.

The snippets of interruption came later – when I realized that so many of their stories overlapped in real life. I needed to find a way of communicating that while still letting each queen have the mic in turn. Those were fun to write because I could let my inner bitch run riot.

You say in the Forward that Anna of Cleves who’s your “favorite” queen – was she also your favorite section of the book to write?

The opposite, if anything! We know relatively little about her, and what we do know is so twisted by the poisonous briefing against her by Henry’s team. Plus, from what we do know it seemed that she lived her best life out of the spotlight, after Henry. That’s great for her – not so great for historians.

Everything you need to know about Henry, what he was and what he became – and why - you can learn from the transition from Catherine to Anne.

My favourite section to write was Catherine of Aragon’s; that’s where the meat of the story is. Everything you need to know about Henry, what he was and what he became – and why - you can learn from the transition from Catherine to Anne. Remember they were married for the best part of a quarter century – and Catherine was a great ruler and queen in her own right.

Describe your writing and/or creative process.

I read a lot, I think a lot about what I’ve read, I draft sentences and phrases in my head while I’m doing something that physically stops me from writing, like running or swimming or taking a shower. I make notes on my phone while on the Tube.

Then after I’ve procrastinated beyond all possible comprehension, I sit down and bash bits out in long, intense stretches of coffee haze and biscuit crumbs. For the last bit, my best friend moved in with me and made sure I ate and washed. He has requested that I do not write a book again.

As you note, this isn’t a history book, but there is A LOT of history involved! What was the research process like & how did you translate that into so many (funny & witty) voices?

There are several modern historians, for example Lady Antonia Fraser and Alison Weir, who have basically read everything in existence about the Tudors and have written impeccable, meticulous anthologies. I leaned very heavily on those. So, they did all the work. That’s my research tip – identify the best authors and the best texts, and then read those.

That’s my research tip – identify the best authors and the best texts, and then read those.

I also had to read quite a lot of the male historians with a pinch of salt the size of Texas – particularly David Starkey. But ultimately, I just tried to immerse myself in the whole Tudor world – lot of historical fiction, lots of Philippa Gregory, lots of looking at paintings and royal palaces and thinking about stomachers. What did people eat? What did they wear? What were their day-to-day lives actually like? Most importantly, who was shagging who?

What was your biggest writing obstacle and how did you overcome it?

It’s almost… fear of the computer. Like genuinely, the fear of sitting down at my desk or laptop and actually cracking on. Procrastination verging on phobia. I get around that by easing myself into the writing process, with notes and texts and tweets – anything that I can do without opening my laptop.

Also, reading! The more you read, the more your brain wakes up. I also don’t try to impose much structure – if I feel like writing late at night, or first thing in the morning, or on the train, that’s when I do it. Go with your gut. Plus, coffee. I’ve rarely met a writer who wasn’t basically a caffeinated wreck.

What is the part of your published work or writing process you are most proud of?

When my friends and family received their copy of the book and read the acknowledgment section. When I could put down in print, for posterity, how much they mean to me and how much of what I do is entirely down to them. That I wouldn’t write a word without them. That was the best moment.

When my friends and family received their copy of the book and read the acknowledgment section.

I would write ten more books just for that feeling. Also, when I read reviews from people who I’ve never met, sometimes thousands of miles away, who say they enjoyed the book and that it gave them a whole new perspective or interest. Getting messages from readers is a total delight.

Do you have any new writing projects in the works? If so, would you tell us a little about them?

Yes, but you’ll have to wait and see because my editor will go bananas.

What’s the biggest piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?

This might sound counterintuitive, but you do not have to be a so-called “good writer” – whatever that means – to be a published one. Sometimes all you need is a good story and an open-mind – and a shit-hot editor.

You do not have to be a so-called “good writer” – whatever that means – to be a published one.

Good writing is very subjective, and there are all sorts of different styles and tastes and audiences. Also, writing can be a solitary hellscape, so surround yourself with good people and ask them for help. You don’t have to do it alone.

What would you say to someone who’s thinking about writing a book, but isn’t quite sure if they can?

Anyone can write a book. Absolutely anyone. Even if you’re illiterate, you can dictate one. There is nothing stopping you – except yourself. Think you don’t have time? Write a sentence a day on the commute. Don’t have an idea? Write about something that interested you, or something you dreamt about, or saw in the street.

Don’t think anyone will want to read it? Self-publish – your family will read any old crap if it has your name on it. And every time you think you can’t, just remember the worst book you ever read. That absolutely steaming pile of baloney that should never have been published. If that prick can get an advance, so can you.

Every time you think you can’t, just remember the worst book you ever read. That absolutely steaming pile of baloney that should never have been published. If that prick can get an advance, so can you.

If you would like to purchase Harriet Marsden’s Book, Don’t Lose Your Head , you can find a copy here.

If you know an author (or of an author) you would love to read an interview with, email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com or submit a suggestion through the contact page!

Want to Write a Book? CEO Jerry Rollins Says This is a Must

NOTE: This blog contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Our May guest is Jerry Rollins.

Jerry Rollins has experienced life’s up and downs in the dual arenas of professional hockey and business. After retiring from the world of sports, this former World Hockey Association defenseman catapulted into the world of business.

He is currently the CEO of Sage Executive Group, a peer advisory group which mentors business executives, guiding them to become the best in their fields. Jerry is passionate about leadership and sharing his knowledge with up and coming companies.

Tell us a little about your writing journey.

I have always been a voracious reader but not a good writer. I felt it was something challenging to accomplish.

Your history playing professional hockey is very interesting! And then you gradually transitioned into the business world. What made you decide to write a book?

After coaching many executives for years, many of them felt my story and learnings could be beneficial to others and they suggested I do so.

Your book, Enforcer to Entrepreneur talks about many important aspects of business.  Could you talk a little about how you chose what topics to include?

I had hundreds of files with many different subjects. I used a mapping process to put them all on a board and then group them. I decided about 10 chapters would be a good number.

I enjoyed the fact that you explained the business terms rather than assuming your audience knows what they mean – for instance what a SWOT analysis is and why companies should do them. What would you tell new business owners who want to keep learning and growing their business speak?

In sports and business I believed that hanging with great people and constantly challenging yourself to get better and improve we’re important. Complacency is dangerous in business and sports.

There’s lots of sage advice interspersed throughout the book. What would you say is your favorite piece of advice when you advise businesses & leadership teams?

Win with class and lose with dignity.

Describe your writing and/or creative process.

I recognized that writing was skill where I needed some support so I hired a writing coach to mentor me and a publisher to guide me through the rest of the process.

Because of your history with hockey, you focus a lot on the “winning” aspects of business, which makes sense. After all, most of us in the business world want to be successful and make money! But I am wondering what are your thoughts on the people & general happiness aspects of business? After all, people are what make a business.

Happy employees = happy customers = winning business. I felt my employees were everything and by building great teams and working hard on culture we were able to get good results.

Life balance and caring about your people is not cliché, it’s how you win.

What was your biggest writing obstacle and how did you overcome it?

By having daily and weekly goals I kept myself focused and did not become frustrated. When I faltered (which happened often) I got back to my daily discipline.

What is the part of your published work or writing process you are most proud of?

I have received notes from people who read the book, telling me it inspired them to achieve and believe they could achieve more.

What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?

Hire a writing coach/mentor.

What’s the best advice someone has given you about business?

Whales only get harpooned when they rise to the surface. This means to be in control of your public persona and not let your ego get out of control with success.

What’s your favorite part about business now that you have years of experience to think back on?

Developing people.

I still participate in a Facebook page of fellow employees form one of my companies from 20 years ago. They were like family and maintain contact and friendships decades later.

If you would like to purchase Jerry Rollins’ book, Enforcer to Entrepreneur , you can find a copy here.

If you know an author (or of an author) you would love to read an interview with, email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com or submit a suggestion through the contact page!

Interview with an Author: Alexandra Franzen

NOTE: This blog contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Our April author is Alexandra Franzen.

Alexandra Franzen is a writer, consultant, and entrepreneur based in Hawaii.

Her sixth book is The Checklist Book: Set Realistic Goals, Celebrate Tiny Wins, Reduce Stress and Overwhelm, and Feel Calmer Every Day. Other books include You’re Going to Survive and So This Is the End: A Love Story.

She has written articles for Time, Forbes, Newsweek, The Huffington Post, and Lifehacker. Her work has been mentioned in The New York Times Small Business Blog, The Atlantic, The Los Angeles Times, and Inc.

She writes about a wide range of topics: life, love, death, grief, unplugging from technology, creativity, focus, productivity, simplicity, time–and how we spend it.

She is the founder of the Tiny Press, a publishing imprint specializing in very short books–100 pages or less. Tiny Press books include Say It Now by Sherry Richert-Belul (#1 Amazon New Release), Wishwork by Alexa Fischer (featured on Good Morning America), and Your Next Level Life by Karen Arrington (nominated for 2020 NAACP Image Awards, Outstanding Instructional Literary Work).

If you would like to purchase Alexandra’s book, The Checklist Book, you can find a copy here.

Tell us a little about your writing journey. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

When I was a little kid, I had big clunky braces, bad eyesight, big glasses, and pretty severe asthma. I was also incredibly shy. Let’s just say, I was not drawn to sports and athletics! Haha. I loved quieter pursuits.

I loved going to the school library, reading, writing, and making up stories. I made my first “book” when I was about 7 or 8 years old—it was about flying unicorns, and I stapled it together in my dad’s office.

I’ve always loved the power of language.

I’ve always loved the power of language. To me, it’s incredible how you can have such an emotional impact on someone’s life just by saying the right words in the right order. Just one sentence can shift someone’s whole day.

I ended up majoring in English in college. My first job after graduation was at a media/radio broadcasting company. Later, I decided to jump into self-employment. I started my own company specializing in writing, publishing, and marketing services, and that’s what I’ve been doing for the last 11 years.

Was there a certain point you remember where you felt empowered to call yourself a writer? Or have you always felt like you were a writer?

I still remember the very first time I got paid—actual, real money—for a writing project. It was back in college. I got a part-time job working at the university magazine.

At my school, the magazine got distributed weekly to about 20,000 students, professors, and folks in the local community, so getting published in the magazine felt like a big deal to me. It was exciting and also nerve-racking, knowing that thousands of people were going to read (and potentially criticize and judge) my writing every single week.

I remember feeling so much anxiety the night before my very first article got published.

Would people like what I wrote? What if they hate it? What if the editor fires me? Aiiyeedsfgisofgsgskfjgf.

I rushed to grab a copy the next morning. I still remember the rush of excitement I felt, seeing my name in print…in an actual magazine! It sent sparkles all through my body and I was grinning so hard my cheeks hurt.

That was the first moment when something clicked and I realized:

Huh, maybe this is a real ‘thing’ that I can do. Maybe writing can actually be my career path.

Your book, The Checklist Book, talks about your checklist method, The Franzen method. Could you talk a little about how and why you developed your own method?

You know how some people have a daily journaling practice, or a daily meditation practice? I have a daily checklist practice. It’s a daily ritual that keeps me feeling organized, calm, and powerful in this crazy chaotic world.

Every evening, I make a checklist for the next day. So, if it’s Thursday evening, that’s when I make my checklist for Friday. That way, when I wake up on Friday morning, my checklist for the day is already ready, done, sorted out ahead of time. Kind of like setting up your coffee maker the night before—it just feels so good! Like a little gift to your future self.

As I am making my checklist, I ask myself:

• What’s my main intention for tomorrow?

• What are the highest priority things that need to get done?

• How could I make tomorrow feel calm, peaceful, and joyful?

• What are some sweet, simple little ‘moments’ that I want to experience tomorrow?

My daily checklist includes things I want to accomplish (“finish the proposal and send it to Rachel”), and also, things I want to experience (“take a moment to enjoy your coffee and look at the dawn sky”).

It’s really important to include both—things you want to do, and things you want to experience, savor, and feel. To me, that’s the secret to creating a fulfilling and emotionally rich day. Often, we focus too much on the doing-doing-doing and we forget to just live.

I’ve been making a daily checklist for years, and I’ve come up with my own format and approach for doing it.

A couple years ago, I started showing my daily checklists to other people and the reaction was so interesting. Many people were like, “Show me how to make one.” “I want to do this, too.” “Can you make a template for me that looks like yours?”

That’s when I realized, almost accidentally,

Oh, I guess I have a unique way of making checklists. I have a ‘method’ that I could teach to other folks, and I didn’t even realize it!

There are 4 chapters of fun and interesting info before readers learn about the daily checklist. Tell us a little about your philosophy on how knowing yourself on an intimate personal level can help you make more effective check lists?

When you type out a checklist for your day, what you’re doing is setting a clear intention for your day.

You’re deciding, “These are my highest priorities. This is how I intend to spend my time. This is how I want my life to feel,” and you’re putting those intentions in writing—in a list format.

So, in order to make an excellent checklist, first, you need to know yourself deeply. You need to know your values and what you care strongly about.

When you type out a checklist for your day, what you’re doing is setting a clear intention for your day.

That’s why I start The Checklist Book with an exploration of some deep questions, like, “What does living a ‘good life’ mean to you?”

For instance, if you decide, “For me, living a good life means making a positive impact on my client’s lives, and it means laughing and playing with my kids, and it means connecting with nature,” then, you can plan your day accordingly and make a checklist that includes the things that matter most to you.

This isn’t complicated stuff. It’s pretty simple. Consider what matters strongly to you. Then, plan your day accordingly. It’s simple yet difficult, because often, we forget to slow down and actually do it. By creating a daily checklist habit, this gives you an opportunity to do this every day.

Describe your writing and/or creative process.

I’ve written around six books so far, some fiction, and some non-fiction. With each book, I usually start with a central question or idea that intrigues me.

For example: “What if you knew that you only had 24 hours to live? What would you do with your time?” That’s the central question that inspired me to write my novel, So This Is the End: A Love Story.

Or, an idea, like, “Making a daily checklist will change your life.”

Once I’ve got a clear question or idea, then I build out the book from there.

I always start with an outline, which is usually one page or less. It’s basically just a list (yes, huge shocking surprise, I love lists, haha!) of the main points I want to cover in the book.

I always start with an outline, which is usually one page or less. It’s basically just a list (yes, huge shocking surprise, I love lists, haha!)

Then I block out time to write. For me, blocking out 5 to 7 days is usually what I need in order to make serious progress on a book manuscript. I can usually pour out a first draft in that amount of time, and then refine from there. Of course, it depends on the book. Some books require research, interviewing, and gathering materials before the actual writing begins. And some don’t. Every project unfolds differently.

Ideally, I like to go somewhere—check myself into a hotel, or an Airbnb, somewhere where I can completely concentrate without all the distractions back at home.

Sometimes, I don’t have this luxury, so I need to just work with whatever I’ve got! For instance, I wrote most of The Checklist Book on my bedroom floor with my laptop, sitting cross-legged, using a low wooden bench as my temporary “desk.” I planted myself there because it was blazingly hot, and I wanted to be directly under a ceiling fan.

What was your biggest writing obstacle and how did you overcome it?

My biggest obstacle has been learning how to deal with criticism from readers and from complete strangers online.

I’m a very tender-hearted person. I feel things deeply. And, I deeply want to “do a good job” and make a positive impact on people’s lives. So, when I occasionally see a book review that says, “waste of money” or “not worthy of purchase” (these are actual things that have been posted online about my books) wow, it hurts. It rattles my confidence. Even if there are 48 positive reviews and only 2 negative ones, it’s the negatives ones that I fixate upon and replay in my head.

Over time, I’ve had to learn how to handle criticism gracefully and move on without letting it drag me down. I’m still learning. It does get easier over time.

What motivates you to keep writing?

Impact and connection with readers. I’m motivated by a desire to make an impact on people’s lives, in any way, big or small.

I’m motivated by a desire to make an impact on people’s lives, in any way, big or small.

When I get an email from someone saying, “Your book really helped me”…or…“Look, I used your book and I made a checklist!”…or…“I’ve been having a hard time lately, and the message you shared was just what I needed to hear”…whenever I get a note like that, it moves me deeply, and I feel motivated to keep writing.

What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?

 Often, I hear people say things like, “I am not a ‘real writer’ because I only write blog posts.” Or, “I only write a newsletter.” Or, “I only write children’s books.” “I only write short poems.” And so on.

You might feel like, somehow, your writing doesn’t matter and it’s not important. Like somehow, your project isn’t “big enough” to be worthy of praise and recognition.

Your style is valid and important and powerful.

Please remember tiny projects can create a big ripple effect. One blog post can touch thousands of lives. One 5-line poem can change someone’s whole day. A lovely children’s story can bring a family together at bedtime.

There are so many different kinds of writing projects. Not everyone feels called to write an 800-page novel and that’s okay! Do the projects that call to you.

Just like there are thousands of styles of music, there are thousands of styles of writing. There is room for your style. Your style is valid and important and powerful.

If you feel completely overwhelmed and you’re struggling to start—or finish—a writing project, have you considered making a checklist? It might help.

If you would like to purchase Alexandra Franzen’s book, The Checklist Book, you can find a copy here.

If you know an author (or of an author) you would love to read an interview with, email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com or submit a suggestion here.

Interview with an Author: June Cotner

Our March guest is June Cotner.

June Cotner is a publishing consultant and the author of 36 books, including the bestselling Graces and Wedding Blessings. Collectively, her books have sold more than one million copies and have earned praise in many national publications including USA Today, Better Homes & Gardens and more. June has appeared on national television and radio programs as well as local television including "New Day Northwest" and "AM Northwest" to promote her other titles. Through Book Proposal Services, she continues to evaluate nonfiction book proposals and analyzes concepts for books.

If you would like to purchase June’s book, Hey! It’s Your Day, you can find a copy here.

Tell us a little about your writing journey. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

My writing journey started off with writing poetry in high school. However, it wasn’t until I was 32 that I began working on a book that became The Home Design Handbook: The Essential Planning Guide for Building, Buying, or Remodeling a Home. I tried submitting this book to publishers on my own and I later learned that to sell a book I would need a literary agent and a book proposal. I met New York agent Denise Marcil in 1990 at the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Conference and she loved the book. It was published in 1992 by Henry Holt and it went into 12 printings.

Was there a certain point you remember where you felt empowered to call yourself a writer? Or have you always felt like you were a writer?

When I learned that a major New York publisher was going to publish my first book, I was thrilled, and definitely felt like a writer! I came to discover that I love creating book proposals because I enjoy making the best possible “case” why a publisher should publish my book.

Your book, Hey! It’s Your Day! Is full of quotes and affirmations. What inspired you to write the book?

I’ve been a quote collector since I was 14. After The Home Design Handbook was published, my agent discovered that I loved collecting graces to say around the dinner table. She suggested the book would be stronger if I created a call for submissions from both published and unpublished writers. I now have 800 writers who contribute to my books. In 1994 Graces was published by HarperOne and it went on to sell 250,000 copies.

I’ve been a quote collector since I was 14.

I created 34 anthologies after Graces, but in the back of my mind, I knew I wanted to create a book of favorite quotes. I kept gathering quotes over 25 years while my other books continued to be published. When I felt I had “the best of the best” quotes, I wrote a proposal for HEY! IT’S YOUR DAY and my agent submitted it to Brenda Knight at Mango Publishing.

Because the book has so many snippets of advice and uplifting ideas from so many people, it must have been a fun and interesting research process. Can you tell us a little about how you chose the quotes that were included?

I wanted quotes that would be both relatable and uplifting for readers. The research process went on for 25 years. I wanted some of the quotes to be recognizable to readers and other quotes that were not. Also, one of my long-time assistants, who is in her early 30s, rated all of the possible quotes for the book. It was helpful to get a younger person’s perspective.

The quotes are broken up into sections, or chapters, based on themes. Why did you choose to separate the book in this way, and how did you determine where to place them in the book?

There are over 800 quotes in HEY! IT’S YOUR DAY and I started with an unmanageable number. As favorite quotes filtered to the top, I asked myself “What is the main theme of each quote?” From those questions the sections evolved.

Describe your writing and/or creative process.

My most creative time is what I call my “Morning Coffee Time.” Before I dive into work for the day, I eat my breakfast and while I’m having my coffee, I work on whatever pleases me. Often it will be a book proposal for a future book.

I also hike with my dog at the end of the day. Being out in nature refreshes my spirit.

I also hike with my dog at the end of the day. Being out in nature refreshes my spirit.

You have many other published books and have sold over a million books worldwide – that’s incredible! How does this book compare to your others, and do you have a specific type or genre of book that you usually write?

My usual genre would be anthologies such as House Blessings and Family Celebrations. I created a prompted journal for Chronicle Books called Say a Little Prayer. I also created We Are Women: Celebrating Our Wit and Grit, co-authored with Barb Mayer. It combines vintage photos of women paired with inspirational and sometimes humorous quotes.

What was your biggest writing obstacle and how did you overcome it?

The biggest obstacle today is that most of my books are gift books and due to the pandemic, people aren’t shopping in brick-and-mortar stores where they would find gift books like mine. Fortunately, HEY! IT’S YOUR DAY is a self-help book in addition to being a gift book, so it’s still finding an audience. I was thrilled to see my book in the Reference section at my local Barnes & Noble store.

What is the part of your published work or writing process you are most proud of?

For HEY! IT’S YOUR DAY, writing chapter essays was a new endeavor for me. It was suggested by the publisher and I like how it all came together.

Do you have any plans for another book or writing project in the near future? If so, could you tell us about it? 

When I think of a new book idea, I create a binder. I have at least 25 binders in my home. I’m also co-authoring a number of anthologies with writer and poet Nancy Tupper Ling and she has about 35 binders in her home for our co-authored projects. Our children’s book, For Every Little Thing: Poems and Prayers to Celebrate the Day will be published in September by Eerdmans.

When I think of a new book idea, I create a binder. I have at least 25 binders in my home.

What motivates you to keep writing?

I never lack for motivation. I enjoy working on multiple projects at the same time that are in different stages of development, such as pre-proposal, proposal, final manuscript, marketing plan, and then publication!

 What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?

I think it’s really satisfying to write and submit Letters to the Editor of your local newspaper. Notice what’s happening in the news and see if you can offer a new insight or twist on what was reported in the paper. This activity gives you a quick way to get instantly published (if your letter is published). Once it appears, share your article on Facebook and Twitter. And then start thinking about your next article!

If you would like to purchase June Cotner’s book, Hey! It’s Your Day, you can find a copy here.

If you know an author (or of an author) you would love to read an interview with, email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com or submit a suggestion through the contact page!

Interview with an Author: Robin Wilson

Our February guest is Robin Wilson.

Robin Wilson launched Robin Wilson Home in 2000 and created a conglomerate that covers eco-design, licensed products, interior design and real estate development. Her brand has generated over $82 million in wholesale revenue from sales of cabinetry and textiles. She became the first Black woman with a line of hypoallergenic textiles sold nationwide at Bed Bath & Beyond now in Wal-Mart, among other retailers. Her book, CLEAN DESIGN: Wellness for your Lifestyle was #1 on Amazon and focused on the eco-friendly design and hypoallergenic products for consumers. 

She has worked on interior design for the White House Fellows, specifically during the Obama administration. And on the Harlem offices of resident Bill Clinton. She recently furnished the famous Esalen Retreat with eco- based luxury room textiles, products and furniture. INC magazine included Robin in their 2020 Top 100 Female Founders. Robin is an Ambassador to the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America.

If you would like to purchase Robin’s book, Clean Design: Wellness for your Lifestyle, you can find a copy here.

Tell us a little about your writing journey. Have you always wanted to be a writer? 

A: After college, I created a bucket list, and writing a book was on the list. Now that I have written two award-winning tomes, it is clear that there is something to making your intentions clear so that you can realize your dreams. My parents told me that I was an early reader, and books have always been a friend, allowing escape and relaxation.

“ I have always believed in working with young people who are trying to build their professional book and to learn what it takes to be designers. Now, conversely, I did not go to design school. I have not been professionally trained as a designer. I have traveled, however, many, many places in the world, and I have a very good eye. What I’m really great at though, is project management. ”

— Robin Wilson

Was there a certain point you remember where you felt empowered to call yourself a writer? Or have you always felt like you were a writer?

What a great question! I wrote stories as a child, and my mom kept many of them and bound them in a scrapbook. As the editor of the junior high school newspaper and a frequent contributor to print publications ever since that time, I have never called myself a writer, but upon reflection, I guess that it is clear that I have a message to share. It is interesting that when I look at the process of writing, it is challenging only because I have so much to say – and then the blank page looms, as one tries to figure out the opening line. From that moment, it flows, but there are always multiple edits and revisions – and I am always my harshest critic. After my second book, CLEAN DESIGN: Wellness for your Lifestyle (Greenleaf, 2015) was published, it ranked #1 on Amazon and Kindle. The book started winning awards, it was the first time that I really gave myself permission to be an author!

You have a successful brand, Robin Wilson Home, which is sold in retail stores like Bed, Bath, & Beyond. What inspired you to channel your lifestyle brand into a book?

My eponymous Robin Wilson Home brand was the 2nd Black brand sold in stores nationwide at Bed Bath & Beyond after the legendary B. Smith collection. Currently, we are in the process of launching our new brand, CLEAN DESIGN HOME™ which is focused on consumers interested in hypoallergenic, wellness, and sustainable products. Stay tuned for stores and online platforms where the brand will be sold! I was a new mother when I wrote the book, CLEAN DESIGN, because it was important to share simple tips for maintaining a healthy living environment room-by-room. You should use the book as a reference, as it will be repetitive if you read it cover-to-cover and there is information both about interior and exterior allergic triggers.

“I became a mom, I think that’s a simple answer. I know that so many of us who suffer as I do from allergies, and asthma, have to search for information. One day I said ‘I’m going to write a primer.’ When you read the book, it’s not like The Joy of Cooking. You’re not going to read chapter one all the way to the end. If you have a nursery, you’re going to read the nursery chapter. If you have a kitchen issue, you’re going to read the kitchen chapter. That’s how I tried to set up the book. The key for me is to recognize that one in four people suffer from asthma or allergies - that’s 16 million Americans. ”

— Robin Wilson

Your book, Clean Design, has fabulous snippets of standard design protocols and simple tips that readers can start using today. How did you narrow down which information to include & where to place it?

I had a great editorial team and they kept telling me to narrow it down to the top-level information. Had everything been added to the book, it would have been 500 pages. One thing a good editor will tell you is there is always room to do another book.

The book itself is beautiful and clean – much like your brand and decorating tips! Could you tell us a little about what went into the design process of the book?

Until you write a book, you may not know that there are people who actually do book layout – and that there is an art to this type of design work. For example, each chapter start page has the same look and feel in the CLEAN DESIGN book. When you work with a good book editor and layout designer, your book will feel cohesive. And it makes it easier for the author to determine what is missing. Working with a team makes you feel a bit more secure so that you can focus on the words. All of the images in the book are from my portfolio of work, so it was also challenging to select from thousands of images.

Describe your writing and/or creative process.

Write whenever you can for at least 30 minutes. The first few minutes allow you to settle into your zone, and then the words flow. Just write. You can edit later – and my rule was one week of writing and one hour of editing. It gives you permission to move forward.

“One of the books that I was very influenced by was Malcolm Gladwell, The Tipping Point.”

— Robin Wilson

Your design & cleaning strategies are not just allergen- and asthma-reducing, but also eco-friendly. How did the environmental factor become such a significant part of your brand?

I have a lifelong personal medical journey with asthma and allergies. Thankfully, my parents selected a holistic pediatrician who had a mantra, “…raise a strong child, or raise a child on strong medicine…” and his viewpoint was that diet, environment, allergic triggers, and exercise were the four keys to be aware of on a wellness journey. So, that meant the shag carpet went out, and hardwood/tile and rugs came into my childhood home. And we shopped at the early iteration of Whole Foods in Austin, Texas which is my hometown.

What was your biggest writing obstacle and how did you overcome it?

When writing CLEAN DESIGN, I was a new mother and my writing time became narrowed to the time when she took naps and went to bed early.

What is the part of your published work or writing process you are most proud of?

I am most proud of the fact that the book sold, and the national book tour audiences and corporate sponsors (Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams and FLOR) showed me that there was strong interest in the topic from a broad consumer demographic.

Do you have any plans for another book or writing project? If so, could you tell us about them?

I am mulling a new book right now, but just need some extra time in my daily schedule.

What motivates you to keep writing?

Writing is a wonderful opportunity to share your thoughts and expertise, and most people have at least one book that they could write about themselves or a subject in which they have an interest.

“We kept the things we thought were simple tips and tricks that people can use on a day-to-day basis. I think that’s the most important thing to know, is that wellness is simple steps. Your home, your style - they’re simple steps. You know, if you look at an Instagram photo, and you’re like, ‘Oh, my house has to look like that tomorrow,’ you’ll be sorely disappointed unless you spend a lot of money to hire a professional to make that happen. But, if you took a simple step, it could be just painting the wall today, and then getting the chairs and floor coverings the next year. Then, your accessories over time.”

— Robin Wilson

What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?

Just write. Every single day. Set aside 10-30 minutes to just add to the stories that you start. Within a year, you will have something that you can edit – and maybe it will be a short story, or a screenplay or a non-fiction book. You will be surprised at how a daily practice can yield a focused manuscript.

If you would like to purchase Robin Wilsons’s book, CLEAN DESIGN, you can find a copy here.

If you know an author (or of an author) you would love to read an interview with, email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com or submit a suggestion here.

“It is as simple as choosing a path”

— Mira Nair

Interview with an Author: Jarnell Stokes & Howard Flamm

Our surprise February guests are Jarnell Stokes & Howard Flamm. We were excited not just to talk about this awesome book, but also to highlight Jarnell & Howard for National Children’s Authors & Illustrators Week!   

Jarnell Stokes grew up in the inner city of Memphis. He experienced many failures before changing his mindset to achieve the success he has since high school and becoming a professional basketball player. In his personal life, he focuses on developing healthy habits for his mind, body, and soul. He has expanded his athletic success and this philosophy into building a health and consciousness-based business he named Stoked. 

Howard Flamm has been engaged in the creative arts for many years. He has worked as a stand-up comedian, commercial & television actor, screenwriter, and film producer. He is known for his feature film release Shut Up and Kiss Me. As a natural health practitioner, Howard also operates wellness centers in the West where he’s helped transform many lives. He is most gratified by this opportunity to light the path for patients to reverse chronic disease. Howard believes that life is a journey, not a destination.4

Jarnell & Howard share a dream of helping kids find success in sports and life.

If you would like to purchase Jarnell & Howard’s book, Wings to Fly, you can find a copy here. 

Tell us a little about your writing journey. Have you always wanted to be a writer? 

Jarnell (J): It started in the NBA as a blog writer. My mom always told me that I had the imagination of a writer, but the engine of an athlete. 

Howard (H): I’ve been writing for 20 years. I wrote the screenplay for the feature film Shut Up & Kiss Me in 2005. Jarnell brought a championship mentality as a professional athlete to the book project and we’ve started writing several more future projects.

Was there a certain point you remember where you felt empowered to call yourself a writer? Or have you always felt like you were a writer?

J: Personally, I think everyone has the ability to be a writer at any level and create content that could positively impact and last for lifetimes. Storytelling is a skill that brings fulfillment.

H: It has ALWAYS been either a wish, or an active pursuit dating back to childhood.

Your book, Wings to Fly, has an amazing message and does a great job of speaking to children who may not be confident in themselves. What inspired you to write the book?

J: As a kid, I did not have much charisma and skill. No one could’ve convinced me that I would be where I am today. I believe I owe many guardian angels for this. 

H: The initial impetus was a quote from Michael Jordan- in his autobiography- showing humility and not being afraid of failure.

Since there are two of you, what was it like to collaborate on Wings to Fly? How did you work together to create the uplifting tone & message throughout the book?

J: Working with Howard has brought tremendous joy. He’s such a brilliant and open mind! He was my health advisor before business partner, so we were already used to hanging out often.

H: Well, it actually came very naturally with the chemistry that we had. We started by just bouncing ideas off each other.

Describe your writing and/or creative processes.

J: I like to go places where I can escape reality and enter a new world full of positive outcomes.

H: Well, we first came up with an overall concept. After we have the concept, we develop smaller scenes that help to build the story. Sometimes they’re even done out of order, as inspiration occurs. By storyboarding the pages - often on notecards - we start to get the beginnings of a completed “book idea.” Then it becomes almost ready for the illustrator! 

Never, ever let anybody tell you that you can’t do something.

- Howard Flamm

The book won a Purple Dragonfly Book Award and is going to be adapted into a movie and a TV serial – that’s incredible! Could you speak to how that came about and what it means that your message will be so widely shared and accessible?

J: Keeping this disclosed for confidentiality purposes. We can let you know when we’re able to share news.

H: From the beginning, we thought that the message was very much universal and that we would be able to pursue other platforms. We really do feel quite blessed to expand the media presence surrounding this story.

What was your biggest writing obstacle and how did you overcome it?

J: Improving for God, and not personal gain. No one sees the hours spent on the craft.

What is the part of your published work or writing process you are most proud of?

J: My first blog “A Painstaking Transformation” that received over 100k+ views and “Wings to Fly”. 

H: The opportunity to positively impact kids.

What motivates you to keep writing?

J: My best guess is that tingly feeling within.

H: It becomes such a great way to express yourself and winds up becoming a necessary outlet to feel that “creative buzz.”

What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?

J: Life is simple. Input = Output. Grow your mind, body, soul, and skills and let the chips fall where they may. In the game of life, you train your hardest for that chance, but nothing’s guaranteed except that tingly feeling within.

H: Never, ever let anybody tell you that you can’t do something. Writing & creating should first come from the heart, from pure passion.

Grow your mind, body, soul, and skills and let the chips fall where they may. - Jarnell Stokes

If you would like to purchase Jarnell Stokes’s & Howard Flamm’s book, Wings to Fly, you can find a copy here.

If you know an author (or of an author) you would love to read an interview with, email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com or submit a suggestion through the contact page!