What are two of your favorite books?
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley is my favorite novel. I love the magic because I don’t have to suspend my disbelief, and I enjoy King Arthur stories.
Also, The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield is an amazing true story. The spirituality he experienced and wrote about then, described in ancient scrolls, is still alive now, and growing.
What is the first novel you ever read cover to cover in one sitting?
The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller. I remember sitting on the porch at my boyfriend’s house. The sun started to set and Sandy, his mom, turned the porch light on for me. She brought me a beverage as well. She was a wonderful lady.
What is the first thing you ever wrote?
When I was six years old I wrote a poem to my aunt. I still remember it today.
The first story I ever wrote was about a deer hunting expedition. A mother wanted her daughter to experience the thrill of the hunt. The daughter, who had prided herself on being like her mother, learned that she was her own person.
What is your writing process?
Many times ideas come to me while I’m driving. I think this is because we can go into a trance while we drive. Then, I speak the ideas into a voice recorder or jot them down at a stop light. I assemble notes all over the floor and stare at them or rearrange them until it’s time to write.
Mornings are the best time, with coffee. Outdoors is optimal, weather permitting. I generally only use the keyboard after the first draft is written. Sometimes I start with a rough outline, other times I dive right into it. The maximum amount of time I spend writing in one day is six hours. Sometimes it will seem like only half an hour passed when I’m three hours into it. Other times I’m sitting still for twenty minutes while my brain is rearranging and feeling things out, but I don’t notice the time at all when that happens.
How do you choose a subject matter?
In general, it flows as I write. It can come from things that bring me joy. I like to share things I see that many others do not. Also, my subject matter can come from something I’m curious about and want to explore by writing about it. This gets me, and hopefully my readers, thinking.
On a larger scale, subject matter can come from life lessons. I believe that sharing one’s experiences, especially those which ultimately change one’s life in some way, can make a great story that helps others. The experience can be a resurrections of sorts, or an awakening. It could also be something more simple like a new perspective on a specific subject.
My hope is not only to entertain, but to inspire others and give them insight. This is why I enjoy reading.
Last question. What makes your writing unique.
Most of my fictional works can be read by all ages. Also, I strive not to feed people’s pain bodies, but to feed their light.
Celia’s Bio:
While at the University of Wisconsin—Waukesha, I served as the literary magazine editor. I earned my Bachelor’s of Arts degree in English from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay. Since then, I have continued to write.
After self-publishing two poetry books (under a different pseudonym) I wrote a middle-grade novel which is sold many ebook sites. It is titled The Guardian of the Well. After that The Bard of Wild Rose (also available at Smashwords and other retailers), was published—a novel for young adults and older. I have recently completed a short story collection: A-Z Bedtime Stories. It was written for ages 8-80.
All my writings include a mix of fantasy, spiritualism, and love. Thank you for reading.
Where else to find Celia Blake online: Pinterest
Thanks for reading!
Love,
Tracy
