Rachel Thompson

Erin Sands on #SelfPub, Inspiration & THE DUNES #AmReading #NonFiction

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Born in Cincinnati, Ohio and raised in the Bay Area of Northern California, Erin grew up with an innate love for dance, theatre and the written word. A graduate of Loyola Marymount University, Erin began her career in the arts as an actress and choreographer. After booking several notable roles in television and film, Erin began to use her gift of writing in blogs featuring political and social commentary, as well as developing content for theatrical use.

Although The Dunes, is a divine departure from Erin’s previous writings it is by far her most cherished work to date. “I wrote The Dunes initially as self therapy because I needed to release some painful experiences and disappointments from my past. I had this thirst to walk in the complete fullness of life with joy as my constant companion. I had no idea what effect it would have on other people. But when I saw people read it and be released from fears that had held them back for years…when I saw people forgive and be able to walk in the freedom forgiveness brings…when I saw people commit and serve and how those things opened up new opportunities in their life, I was just humbled. Humbled by the awesome power of God and humbled that I had been allowed to go along for the ride”.

When asked why she writes, Erin pauses and reflects on the truth of her heart. “I write because although I am only now beginning to truly love the process, I have always loved the outcome. Like a composer, words become my notes. I string them together in song eliciting the response of my reader, grafting a picture of my soul. Where besides the written word can you effect change so utterly and so succinctly? What besides the written word can pierce the universal collective mind? Everything begins with a thought, but it isn’t until that thought is articulated in written word and those words passed down can life changing movement happen. It must be written, it must be expressed on tablet, and when it is, we all become greater, whether the writing be genius or fatuity, it has evoked thought and debate. Why wouldn’t I want to be apart of that phenomenon? Why wouldn’t I want to share my story, give my testimony…add my paradigm to the mix? Whether it is a novel, a poem, an essay or an article, it is humanity visited. An insight into a new or sometimes shared truth. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God. And with that I live my life”.

What makes you happiest?
Moments spent with family and friends bring me the greatest joy. I recently went out of town to Las Vegas to celebrate my best friends birthday. It was a reunion of sorts, about twenty of us who have known each other for years and I enjoyed it immensely. After I came home I realized that I felt richer in an emotional and spiritual way and it was because I had spent time laughing and enjoying the company of friends. Those are the moments in life that mean the most to me, the moments spent surrounded by love, laughter and unconditional acceptance.

Why do you write?
 I write because although I am only now beginning to truly love the process, I have always loved the outcome. Like a composer, words become my notes. I string them together in song eliciting the response of my reader, grafting a picture of my soul. Where besides the written word can you effect change so utterly and so succinctly? What besides the written word can pierce the universal collective mind? Everything begins with a thought, but it isn’t until that thought is articulated in written word and those words passed down can life changing movement happen. It must be written, it must be expressed on tablet, and when it is, we all become greater, whether the writing be genius or fatuity, it has evoked thought and debate. Whether it is a novel, a poem, an essay or an article, it is humanity visited. An insight into a new or sometimes shared truth. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was God. And with that I live my life. http://bit.ly/1pwryZK

What writing are you most proud of?
 I am proud of all of the writing I have done because each topic required an earnest amount of soul searching. Whether it was political or social commentary or even theatrically based, it came from an authentic place. That said, The Dunes is by far my most cherished work to date and not primarily because of the writing, but because of the affect the writing has had in peoples lives. I share my journey in a very personal way in The Dunes and it seems to have resonated with readers. God used it to help bring about positive changes in other peoples lives and I will always be very humbled by that. http://bit.ly/1hxaOC1

What books did you love growing up?
 I loved the Beverly Cleary “Ramona the Brave” book series. I loved all of the “Ramona” books. They were an escape for me. As a child, I could relate to Ramona’s curiosity about life and her adventurous spirit.

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?
Each is equally challenging in different ways and requires ALL of you. When you are in the process of writing your book you are consistently rewriting and working on your manuscript to make it the best that it can be. When you have completed that process you are working with others like cover designers and interior designers to bring your vision to life. That aspect alone requires a great deal of patience and focus because you are bringing other people and their talents to the table to manifest the vision you have for your book. After your book actually becomes a “thing” and an entity, then a whole new journey begins about how to most effectively get the word out about your book and not only that but how to share with readers why your book and what you want to share with them is worth their time. So each element of the process is equally challenging but I am enjoying the journey immensely. http://bit.ly/1pwryZK

Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from my mother. She is the most remarkable woman I know. She is beautiful inside and out. She has a huge heart, a fierce wit and a pure joy for life and living every moment to the fullest. This year she celebrates her 65th birthday and she wants to go zip lining for her birthday. You don’t hear many 65year olds saying that. My mom is an awesome woman and she inspires me daily.

Tell us about your new book? What is it about and why did you write it?
I initially wrote The Dunes because I was journaling. I was going through a very tough time emotionally and I decided to turn what I was feeling into an allegory. I never intended for anyone else to read it. It was purely a creative form of self-therapy for me. After I was done writing it I put it away and did not look at it for years. Then one day I was going through an old box and I found it and read it. That same day, God put it on my heart to expand what I wrote and make it a book. I began to broaden the allegorical aspect of the story along with adding personal testimonies from my own life experiences that correlated with the direction the book was taking. I added a journal section and at the end of each journal section I added a “challenge” for the reader. I have always believed that it is one thing to make a life change in your heart and your mind but it doesn’t become real or a part of your life until you put it into practice; that is what the “challenge” section is all about. When I completed The Dunes, it contained seven chapters that I refer to as “Revelations” because that is what they were for me, revelations about life, joy, freedom and forgiveness. Each revelation begins with an allegory, followed by my personal testimony, then journal questions and finally a challenge for the reader. I had no idea if what I wrote would resonate with readers or have any affect outside of my personal life. I did know, however, that I was willing to put it to the test. I put an ad on Craigslist asking for strangers to read my book, answer the journal questions and do the challenges while I chronicled their journey on film. The results amazed me! I witnessed peoples lives literally transform. That was when I knew I had something special and that I had to get it published. http://bit.ly/U9LRSz

If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask?
I watched this program on television called Iconoclast. The concept was very interesting. They paired an icon with a newly famous, younger celebrity, who had found success in a completely different industry and filmed their conversation. What was unique about it was that both of them had something they could learn from each other. What was surprising about it was that they had more in common than anyone would have guessed. With that in mind, if I could invite anyone dead or alive to a dinner party I would invite former US president Abraham Lincoln, the musical artist Prince and Marilyn Monroe.

How do you feel about self-publishing?
I love that self-publishing is consistently growing and providing more opportunities for indie authors like myself. It is definitely a lot of hard work because you do not have the resources that I imagine comes with being backed by a big publishing house. What you do have, however, is independence, freedom of expression and the opportunity to execute the vision you have for your book uninterrupted. http://bit.ly/1pwryZK

Dune

If there was a journey that could masterfully change your life in seven revelations...would you take it? 

In life, sometimes the kernels of wisdom and the richness of revelation can be found in the most innocent of stories; and so it is with The Dunes. Join one man and one woman in an exquisitely simple yet remarkably profound journey as you discover with them that the mountain you must climb in order to live the abundant life of your dreams is located squarely within your heart. 

Illuminated in seven revelations; The Dunes carries the reader on a journey to not only examine the obstacles that are holding them back in life but to conquer and over come them as well. With each revelation The Dunes intimately calls on the reader as the journey companion to face a challenge…a dare if you will that requires an uncompromising commitment to change. In the family of faith-based self help books, The Dunes stands alone, simultaneously taking the reader from fiction to life and back again, equipped with a tailor made journal for the readers inner most secrets and reflections. The Dunes is part allegory, part testimony and part journal, but the best part is the healing it offers your heart. When you’re ready to step out of your comfort zone and step into the miracle of your life…The Dunes awaits. 

CAUTION: Readers of this book are subject to significant changes for the better. Side effects may include frequent smiling and enjoying life in every season.

Buy Now @ Amazon
Genre – Non-fiction
Rating – G
More details about the author
Connect with Erin Sands on Facebook & Twitter

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