Book Talk: Dyan Garris

Dyan Garris is the author of Money and Manifesting, a book that goes beyond The Secret to help people achieve success with manifestation. I’m pleased to welcome her for an interview here today. A

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you came to write this book?

“Money and Manifesting” was a natural consequence of the body of work that I’m finishing up building. I’m building a toolbox filled with tools that anyone, anywhere on their journey can pick up, find something that they resonate with, and then use as a platform for spiritual growth and change. I’m a psychic, teacher, energy worker, healer, lightworker, musician, and author. That is many words to say that at a core level I am a clairvoyant counselor. I help people move forward on the path.

There is a new-ish book out called “The Secret” that is about the same thing. It has become a phenomenon and has been featured on Oprah. What makes this book different?

“Money and Manifesting” picks up where “The Secret” left off. We have a lot of people out there trying to manifest with just the power of their minds and not understanding why that isn’t bringing them what they desire. The power of positive thinking and utilizing the laws of attraction are but one step in the process of manifesting. And it was important that the information contained in “The Secret,” which never was a secret, filter into mass consciousness and resonate as the truth. “The Secret” is a foundation. “Money and Manifesting” isn’t about the Law of Attraction. It’s about how to activate and integrate the power of creation rather than just think about it. If someone wants to tell Oprah that there is more, that would be fine. However, with or without Oprah, the principles in “Money and Manifesting” will also someday become as widely utilized as the basic principles in “The Secret,” because they are also true. If “The Secret” was the foundation, the information in “Money and Manifesting” can be used to build the house.

What’s your writing process and when’s your best writing time?

I write a Daily Channeled Message on my main website www.voiceoftheangels.com So, I’m always writing in the morning after prayer, meditation, and a long swim. As for the writing process, everything I write is channeled and co-created and that information flows continually if I’m open to it. I do find that the creative process of writing music flows better in the evening.

Who or what is your best source of inspiration or advice when writing?

I’ve counseled a lot of people over the course of my lifetime here. There is always inspiration in that and particularly if you are open to the reflection. Everything happens for a reason. So I like to take information and events and figure out what they mean in a “bigger picture” framework. Everything I write, both books and music, is channeled and co-created and just being open to that divine inspiration is completely joyful.

What’s the best advice you have received about writing or publishing?

I really wish someone had given me some advice. I’m sort of just walking on the path and seeing what happens next.

For much more information about Dyan Garris and Money
and Manifesting, visit
http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/Dyan+Garris for
complete tour details. To learn about the products
Dyan offers, visit her website -
www.voiceoftheangels.com. You can order your copy of
Money and Manifesting from her website or from
http://www.amazon.com/Money-Manifesting-Dyan-Garris/dp/0977614069

An extended interview will also be published tomorrow on the Reiki Voyager blog.

Book Talk: Earl Ofari Hutchinson

Book Talk returns this week with an interview with Earl Ofari Hutchinson, author of The Latino Challenge to Black America.

Welcome to Sharon’s Writing Lab, Earl. Can you tell us a bit about your book?

The Latino Challenge to Black America is a deep probe of the issues that have united and dived blacks, Hispanics and the nation. Issues such as gangs and prison violence, immigration, education battles, the Iraq war, racial stereotypes, and political disempowerment. It’s the first book to tackle in depth the tormenting issues of black and Latino relations.

This must be a hot topic. Can you put the main issues into context for us, briefly?

It’s one of the hottest, especially with the immigration wars raging in states and Congress. It refocuses the ethnic conflict from the age old black and white conflict to a broad based, reconfigured jockeying of the differing and competing ethnic groups for power and recognition in America.

What kind of reaction have you had so far from the different ethnic groups?

It’s been extremely positive. The book takes a balanced approach to the thorny issue of black and Latino relations. There is no finger pointing or blaming one side or the other. The book seeks to build bridges between blacks and Latinos and not polarize.

Did you have any challenges when researching and writing this book? How did you overcome them?

The book actually came out of a series of my syndicated op-ed columns on illegal immigration and its impact on African-Americans. It was fairly easy to expand the scope of the book into other public policy areas.

When and how do you write? What’s your process and when’s your best writing time?

Pick a subject of interest, do the research, formulate my opinion on it, and get busy writing. I bring total focus to my writing. No phone calls, TV, radio, outside conversations, total focus. The job is finished when it’s finished

Who or what is your best source of inspiration or advice when writing?

The world of issues and ideas

What’s the best advice you have received about writing or publishing?

Write write write there’s no other way

Tell us one thing about yourself that you haven’t yet revealed in an interview.

I love classical music.

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Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author, syndicated columnist, political analyst and commentator. He has been a frequent guest on Hannity and Colmes, The O’Reilly Factor, The Big Story, EXTRA, and numerous CNN News and Talk Shows. He was a regular commentator on CNBC’s The Dennis Miller Show.

He has been a guest on the Today Show, Dateline, The Lehrer Hour, and BET News, America’s Black Forum. He is a frequent commentator for the American Urban Broadcast Network and Ed Gordon’s News and Notes on NPR. He is a featured columnist for BlackNews.com,BlackAmericaWeb.com, and Alternet.org.

He is associate editor of New America Media. His op-ed columns appear in the Baltimore Sun, L.A. Times, Los Angeles Daily News, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Newsday, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the Christian Science Monitor, and other major newspapers.

Book Talk: Lisa Hurley Downer

Today, I’m happy to welcome Lisa Hurley Downer, a writer and performing artist who combines her passion for writing, music and performing. She’s also my sister and is about to publish her first book, Caribbean Love.

Hi Lisa, Welcome to Sharon’s Writing Lab. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hey Sharon. I am a writer and performance poet. I really enjoy being able to express both sides of my personality: the hermit and the “attention-seeker”, if you will.

What inspires your poetry?

I usually write when I am very moved about something – it expresses some extreme emotion. Most of my poems are about love in one way or another. Romantic love, (good and bad), love between sisters, love between friends, self-love, spiritual love…I am inspired by that search for or experience of connection.

There are times, though when I am in a playful mood and will just write for the joy of exploring a particular poetic form. I love haiku, for example. I am naturally a bit verbose, so I enjoy the discipline of limiting myself in order to achieve fullest expression.

I am also a songwriter, which of course feeds naturally into my poetry. Sometimes I hear a rhythm in my head and write a poem to the beat.

Tell us a bit about your book.

My book, Caribbean Love, is a poetry-novel that describes my love-journey through life. It starts with poems about the relationship between me and my Dad (serious “daddy issues”) in order to establish the foundation for all of my romantic missteps. Beats therapy, I guess. From there, it traces my passage from an unhealthy obsession with finding “the one”, through a process of self-discovery and self-acceptance, and finally achieving a healthy, happy relationship…with myself.

What makes it unique is that instead of merely including my poems, I also provide the back story and context for them, so that readers get immediate insight into the “why” of the work. I have read many poetry collections and loved the work, but always wondered where the author’s head (or heart) was at when writing. What were they going through? Why are rotting apples, or whatever, a recurring motif? By creating a framework on which the poems stand, I answer those questions and make it easier for readers to connect with the poetry.

Where did you come up with your title?

While the title is not yet final, I came up with Caribbean Love because it captures my theme (Love) and my origins, both of which are vitally important to me. It’s the title of one of my favourite poems as well, and captures a time of joy, self-acceptance and connection to family.

Do you have a favourite poem or series of poems from your book?

I recently started a blog, on which I’ve posted a few of my favourites. If I had to pick just one, though, it would probably be “The Feast”, because it crystallizes the moment when I see and accept the truth about the relationships I’ve been involved in, and the men I’ve attracted. More importantly, it is a warning to other women for what to look out for, or avoid. So it’s basically a “community service” poem. Most importantly, it has edge. Some love poems can be a bit too sappy. This one has a bite to it.

Are you planning more books?

Definitely! I have a book planned with my sister, who is an excellent writer and poet herself. We have written a few poems together, and actually wrote oodles of limericks together when were growing up. I am really looking forward to that project. I also have a stage play in the works, as well as a novel and another book of poetry. So it’s going to be a busy, but very creatively fulfilling time.

When and how do you write? What’s your process and when’s your best writing time?

I often get random snippets coming to me in the middle of the day, kind of out of nowhere. Sometimes I will see something on TV, read a book, or hear a song that touches me…and I’m off and running. So I can write at any time. However, my best writing time is between 2:00 and 6:00 a.m. I’ll just jump up out of bed with the words kind of rushing out of my head and my hand trying to keep up. These poems tend to be my most resonant and truthful. They often come out fully formed with little revising needed. It’s actually a beautiful, spiritual and intensely satisfying process.

Who or what is your best source of inspiration or advice when writing?

Life – either mine or my friends’. People do some crazy stuff to each other in the name of love.

What’s the best advice you have received about writing or publishing?

Two things. The first was from my Dad, who told me “Do not self-edit. Just write and get something down on the page.” That has really helped… Another poet also recently advised me to be true to my vision for my work and never, never waver from it.

Tell us one thing about yourself that you haven’t yet revealed in an interview.

Even though I am a performer and love being on stage, I have a very shy, quiet side.