This Week’s Featured Author Interview is with Connie Howell!
Hi, Connie Howell, welcome to the Indie Publishing Group website.
Introduce yourself to us. Tell everyone who you are, where you’re from, what you enjoy doing, hobbies and interests.
My name is Connie Howell. I am originally from Lancashire in the North of England where I grew up and lived until leaving for Australia at the age of 24 years of age. I have lived in Sydney at various locations for forty five years. I currently live in the beautiful Blue Mountains area west of Sydney with my husband Walter. We love it here and have been part of the local community for over twenty years. Our children are adults with children of their own and even some of them have children.
I have been a reader all my life and though I used to read novels I rarely read them now. My preferred genre is non-fiction spirituality/self -empowerment and self-enlightenment. I particularly enjoy authors such as Wayne Dyer, Carolyn Myss, Greg Braden and the Ruiz brothers Don Miguel Jr and Jose Ruiz. .I occasionally read detective stories such as the Vera series by Ann Cleaves and I love the Alex Cross series by James Patterson.
When did you start writing and why?
I dabbled with writing poetry when I was in senior school in England but never outside of the classroom. I found throughout my life that I was able to express myself in the written word in more depth than I could verbally but I didn’t consider writing seriously until I was 65 years old and I self-published my first two books. The first Portable Snippets of Wisdom was a tiny book that I published on Kindle just to get a feel for writing and publishing. My second book Perfectly Imperfect, How to be Imperfect and Remain Lovable was self-published in 2014. In 2017 I self-published two books which are Walking Between Two Worlds, from the known to the unknown and Lifting the Veil, Raising Consciousness. It was not my intention to publish two in the same year but it happened all the same.
My writing is inspired and so even though my books feature my life experiences other aspects come through to me at different times thus I write when the inspiration hits and that can be weeks or months between sittings at my computer. I often scribble down my thoughts long hand then transfer them onto the computer as thoughts can come at the oddest times.
I began writing because I figured my experiences could help other people who are on a spiritual path and who have had troubled beginnings as children. I am passionate about offering insights into transforming a life of being a victim and the ensuing ramifications into a life of self-empowerment and happiness.
Which is your favorite book you have written and what gave you the idea for it?
Each of my books contain wisdom and inspiring ideas that even surprise me and with each book I have grown as a writer so if I had to choose which is my favorite I would go with my last book Lifting the Veil, Raising Consciousness. .It was a natural progression from my previous books to this one, the next step in what I have to offer the reader.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
All the titles of my books are inspired by my connection to the universal consciousness and the spirit world and Lifting the Veil was the next stage of my writing journey and what I have to offer to those that are drawn to read what I write.
Who helped you with the cover? Or did your design it yourself? What was your inspiration for your cover design?
I have a great team in Indiemosh that assist me with the self-publishing side. I get an idea for a cover and Ally Mosher Taylor creates the cover for me so it is a collaboration of my vision and her expertise in graphic design. Three of my books feature an owl on the cover as Owl is my main animal totem and it denotes wisdom and mystery.
What are some of the themes of your story?
The theme of all my books are self-empowerment through realizing that by changing your outlook and perceptions about life, you can change your reality. Through self-exploration into past issues and beliefs it is possible to change your life experience. I believe we should all be challenging some of the things that were programmed into us often by well-meaning parents and authority figures. By looking at our wounds we can transform them and grow and learn to let go of what hurt us and become stronger and happier.
What’s your process when you sit down and decide to start writing a book? What is your process, and do you have a system?
I often get the title of a new book without knowing what I will write, so it is often a mystery to me what will eventually be written and sometimes I just can’t imagine what will be said. As I mentioned before my writing is spasmodic. I can’t force it and if I try it never sounds right because it comes only from my conscious mind. When the inspiration comes to write my conscious mind takes a back seat and a greater wisdom can flow onto the page.
Who are some of your favorite characters and why?
I love the characters in Lord of the Rings especially Aragorn, Frodo and Gandalf. Each one steps into their true power as the stories progress and the courage they show inspires me and gives me hope to step into mine. I particularly enjoyed the movie versions as the language in the books is a little hard to get the mind and tongue round.
Who are some of your favorite authors?
Apart from the ones I mentioned earlier I enjoy Michael Singer, Alberto Villoldo, Dr. Joe Dispenza and Bruce Lipton.
Have you got anything you’re working on now?
Yes, I am working on my next book entitled Spirit Matters, Gateways to Healing and Higher consciousness. I have just begun work on it again after several months of starting it. This is how it goes with me and writing. The book continues looking into the spiritual path and some of the obstacles and struggles that could be encountered along the way.
If you could have any super powers what would they be?
Sometimes I would love to be invisible. Wouldn’t that be fun? I would also like to be able to transport myself to where ever I want with just a thought and intention.
If you could travel to any location in the world where would you go?
The only place left on my wish list to visit is Canada and the Rocky Mountains. Perhaps Alaska too,
Where do you hope to be in 5 years’ time?
I will be 75 years old in five years’ time. My hope would be that if my writing continues it reaches a wider audience. I write to share what I have learnt throughout my life in the hope that it is helpful to those that choose to expand their view of the innate power, wisdom and connection to spirit that we all have. Not all realize it but all we have to do is go within and be patient to find the answers we need.
Thanks so much for taking the time to do an author interview, Connie Howell! Take a minute and check Connie Howell out on the links below!
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