Author Bio:
Donna DeVane uses story telling to get to the depths of wisdom and personal empowerment. She shares through her books in much the same way as her radio shows, with humor, insight and charisma. Like a steel magnolia, she teaches the reader to be honest and responsible in order to move from just surviving into thriving. Her teaching provides real solutions to real people living real lives. There is nothing fake or fluffy about her. Her wit and style of communication leaves the reader feeling like they’ve known her forever. Whether she’s teaching chakra healing or secrets to living a happy life, she always includes exercises to help the reader make it real and apply it to every day living. No pie in the sky promises, just real, honest, information, inspiration and motivation so that the reader moves forward in power to live a life worth celebration.
What inspires you to write?
My inspiration for writing comes from living my life. Since childhood I wanted to know “why”. Why are people sad, why do people struggle, why is life so hard for so many? These questions have been a quest motivating me to seek answers within through study, mediation and sitting in the silence. Each answer has been applied in a real life way. Having answers is of no help unless it’s applied and lived daily. Being raised in a Baptist church I never understood the lame answers for suffering given by the preachers so I decided to do my own research. The result was to move from the limits of religion into the freedom of wisdom. There is no value in knowledge, no matter if it’s from religion or the “new age” unless it’s lived and shown to actually work. The proof of the teaching is in the living of it. Rather than being bound to beliefs I decided on ideas which are more more easily released when life shows me there is a better way.
Loving to talk about these concepts led to writing, teaching, healing work and radio. I write because it is like breathing. To share the excitement of new ideas thrills me in the living of them and again in the sharing, especially when someone creates change in their own life.
Tell us about your writing process.
I only begin typing when I have something to say. Each book results from living the information that ends up on the paper or digital display. I may play around with the concepts for months or years before actually typing them for others to read. I also enjoy sharing these concepts on my radio shows which allows me to let the wisdom flow without thinking about it. That expands my understanding and eventually results in enough insights that I feel led to begin the writing process. I only write when I feel inspired to do so. Rarely do I even know what the name of the next chapter will be. Sometimes I will have three or four words and play with that for months before feeling the urge to write about it.
I go to sleep each night with these words or ideas and dream with them. Eventually a book is written.
What advice would you give other writers?
Write. Write often. Even if you are not writing on a book or blog, write. In order to be a writer, one must write.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
My first book, “A Journey Back To Self” was published after much promoting from my students. The book is actually a teaching guide to bring healing and balance to mind/body/spirit through chakra work, meditation and release of limiting beliefs. I had no idea of what I was doing, but published it anyway. Not understanding the software to self publish it was not formatted perfectly. I learned a bit more about it with each book. I’ve never been one to wait until I have all the ideas before acting. When the inspiration hits, move. I figure it out on the move.
Being self published gives the writer so much freedom. I started with Kindle and now have print, and audio. There are so many people giving help on places like YouTube that anyone can do a pretty good job first time out. When I started there wasn’t a lot of information about how. If you need help, get help. Don’t get bogged down in the editing and publishing aspect. Either let it be fun or find someone who enjoys the work and pay them or barter with them.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
The future of book publishing is brilliant. In 2011 digital books outsold print books for the first time ever. While I write for digital I also still enjoy print and audio. For the writer who covers every option the more opportunity you have to share with others. We are in a wonderful phase of human evolution where knowledge is once again greatly prized. Share with others and watch how it enhances your life as well as the lives of others.
What genres do you write?
spirituality, self help, new age, meditation, healing, crystals
What formats are your books in?
Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Donna DeVane Home Page Link
Link To Donna DeVane Page On Amazon
Link to Author Page on other site
Your Social Media Links
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorDonnaDeVane
http://www.twitter.com/RealDonnaDeVane
