Ordinary Girlz Book Reviews interviews this weeks feature author Teresa Morrow, author of Life Lessons from the Heart.
1) Tell us a little about your book, what it’s
about?
Teresa: my book Life Lessons from the Heart
chronicles lessons I learned from life experience. (Good and not so good) Such
as losing my mom at the age of six, a divorce from my daughter’s father, finding
true love with an African American man twenty years older than me and
discovering the love for myself which made all the
difference.
2) What genre is this current book, do you write in any other
genres?
Teresa: This book Life Lessons from the Heart is a
non fiction inspirational/ self help book. I am currently working on a fiction
book tentatively titled It All Comes Back To Love, which is considered
contemporary fiction, inspired by life events surrounding my journey falling in
love with my (now) husband.
3) When did you first decide you wanted to be a writer, at what
age?
Teresa: I started writing in junior high, mostly
poetry. Then my soul came back to writing in the last five years and I have been
loving it ever since.
4) Do you have a day job or do you write exclusively?
Teresa: Besides writing, I also help others through
life lessons coaching and consulting services
5) When did you start writing your first book?
Teresa: I started writing Life Lessons From The
Heart, last year in 2011, my fiction book that has not yet been released I
started five years ago.
6) How long does it take you to write a book?
Teresa: This is a great question, because it took
me less time to write the non fiction (of course it is a shorter book) than my
fiction. But I am learning what strategy of writing works for me, so I think the
next time I sit down to write a book it won’t take me more than six to eight
months…… hopefully
7) Do you have an outline when you write or do you just write and see
where it goes?
Teresa: That is where the previous question and
this one come together. I started my fiction book without an outline and that is
why I believe it took me longer. My non fiction I started with an outline and
the process went quicker.
What is your writing process like; do you have any weird quirks when
writing?
Teresa: I try to write everyday but that doesn’t
always happen. But I don’t fret over it. I allow my soul and inner guidance to
lead me when to write, and how much to write. The second part of your question
is a good one. At times I write better with music in the background. (80′s rock
especially) And other times, I really enjoy a quiet space, with a candle lit,
and a cup of green tea beside me.
9) What kind of research went into this book, tell me a little bit
about that process.
Teresa: Life Lessons from the Heart didn’t take
much research because it came from my own life experiences. However I did take
time to think about how I wanted the book to be laid out and how I wanted the
material to be presented to the reader.
10) What is the most interesting thing you learned about while writing
your books?
Teresa: Great question! One is I need to add more
to Life Lessons from the Heart. I am going to be doing an “extended” edition or
a “part 2” of Life Lessons from the Heart. I learned to trust my inner guidance
when writing.
11) What motivated you to tell this story?
Teresa: To share with others the lessons I’ve
learned in hopes to help them realize the beauty life has to offer and to allow
the reader to realize the beauty inside themselves that is waiting to be shared
with the world
12) How have you marketed this book?
Teresa: Marketing a book is an ongoing process
13) Do you have any other work out?
Teresa: No, not yet.
14) What projects are you working on now?
Teresa: I am working on expanding Life Lessons from
the Heart and also my first fiction book, It All Comes Back To
Love.
15) What has been your toughest criticism? What has been your best
compliment as an author?
Teresa: My toughest critics was that my thoughts in
the book where cut off to short (That is why I am planning on expanding the
book). And another was the book could have been edited better. Best compliment
was I have had a few readers of Life Lessons from the Heart has helped them move
forward. Another compliment was when they read the book; they felt like they
were talking to a caring friend.
16) What do you do when you’re not writing?
Teresa: I enjoy reading books such as Janet
Evanovich and Ed McBain (most writers are readers, ha!), watching TV &
movies such as Super Soul Sunday and Hallmark Channel, listening to music (my
taste range from the Eagles to Maroon 5 to UB40 to Carrie Underwood), cooking,
and exercise (love yoga and walking).
17) What do your friends and family think of your writing, have they
been supportive?
Teresa: My friends and family have been very
supportive. And another lesson that I learned is that even if they were not
supportive but it was part of my life purpose to write, then I would
write.
18) Do you hear from your reader much, what has the feed back been
like?
Teresa: The readers seem to enjoy the book. As I
mentioned above, one thing I have been told was it is good but they felt like
the thoughts were cut off too soon. But they felt that I truly care about others
and helping them realize the beauty of life.
19) What was your favorite book growing up?
Teresa: That is such a loaded question because I
read so many… however; I did truly enjoy Nancy Drew books and the Create Your
Own Adventure series.
20) Tea, coffee or hot chocolate
Teresa: Green tea all the way. Although a White
Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks comes in a close
second.
21) Cat or dog?
Teresa: I had dogs in the house growing
up.
22) Print book or e-reader which medium do you
prefer?
Teresa: I prefer an e-reader but I still like the
feel of a book in my hand too.
23) Worst fear
Teresa: Don’t like to think of life in terms of
fear. But I can say I feel the most uncomfortable when I am faced with something
unknown
and I feel that I can control it
somehow.
24) Greatest wish
Teresa: for everyone to realize their true worth
and to share it with others.
25) If your book was made into a movie what actors would you choose to
play the parts?
Teresa: I am thinking Morgan Freeman or maybe
Denzel Washington to play the male lead and maybe Ginnifer Goodwin or Anne
Hathaway to play the female lead. Not sure who might play the other characters.
Need more time to think about this question.
26) Glass half empty or half full?
Teresa: Definitely half full…you would be AMAZED at
how thinking positive can change your world.
27) Favorite color
Teresa: Turquoise blue
28) Favorite place
Teresa: Home
29) Light or Dark
Teresa: Light
30) Most embarrassing moment
Teresa: The one that comes to mind is when I was in
middle school I was running up the bleachers trying to be cool and I slipped and
hit the bridge of my nose on the edge. Everyone in the class laughed until they
realized I really hurt myself.
You can find out more about Teresa Morrow by checking out the following
links
Connect with her on twitter http://twitter.com/teresamorrow
Facebook http://facebook.com/teresaamorrow
LinkedIn http://linkedin.com/in/teresamorrow
http://teresamorrow.com.
Here is a brief description of the book Life lessons from the heart by
the author Teresa Morrow.
At times life is filled with disappointment, hardship and overwhelm. However, you also know life is a precious gift you have been given. It is in the times of hardship, disappointment and overwhelms, life lessons are offered and given to learn and grow from. In this book, Life Lessons from the Heart, the author shares her experiences of hard times and how she was able to work through them.
She tells how she became appreciative of even the toughest of times such
as the death of her mom, a divorce with the father of her child, getting
disowned by her father for dating a man of a different race, and her husband’s heart attack. The author reveals how she finds life’s beauty even when life throws in scary, sad or unfortunate events. She shares how she discovered that life is rich in community and saturated in love. She offers ways where you can go on to live a richer, happier and more fulfilled life that breeds from your true authentic self. This book shares stories and
insight on how to:
~realize the importance of celebrating who you are (just as you are now)~release the grip of having to be right and in control~end the feeling of self doubt~embrace and find time to do the things you love to do~and much more…
You can purchase a copy of her book Life Lessons from the Heart on
smashwords
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/204829
I want to Thank Teresa for taking the time to hang out with us and
answer all our questions.