Author Interview/Giveaway - The Gifted Ones by Lisa Vaughn

Describe your book in five words or less.

Honest. Raw. Courageous. Thought-provoking. Healing.

How did the ideas for your books come to you?

Actually the whole premise of my book started as a healing process after my mothers' death. Realizing I surprisingly had a lot of 'unfinished business' with her, and held a fair amount of anger...even after thirty plus years! So this memoir was a must for me - to put it all down in black and white, and have it stare back at me so I could make sense of it all...and through my writings, I did just that. The light bulb came on and I saw her in a different light, which allowed me to forgive and move on...finally!

The flip side is, I also needed to understand my actions (and reactions) at the time, and understand/forgive the other main character in the story, Selina.
So short answer would be, its a book about my journey of healing and acceptance...for myself, my lover and my family.

What is the hardest part of writing for you? What's the easiest?

The hardest part was getting my raw feelings to translate to the reader. To paint a picture of my world at the time, and put it in a chronological order that made sense, but was also entertaining and engaging to a stranger.

The easiest part? Since the story is non-fiction, it was practically already written for me! I just had to figure out how to depict it in words.

What's next for you? Are you currently working on or have plans for future projects?

I'm an artist from birth, so I'm always working on some form of 'self-expression'. This project just happened to be in the medium of a memoir. Who knows what's in my future...if I feel I have another story in me or message worthy of print, I would definitely take it on!

Why did you choose to write for specific genre?

I think the genre was picked for me! I couldn't fathom making it non-fiction based on my life experiences. There was no question for me, from the start it was always meant to be a memoir...if for nothing else, to force myself out from behind the shadows and stand up for what is right...put a voice behind the message. And like they say...truth is always stranger than fiction!

What's it like hearing that readers are eagerly awaiting your book's release date?

Since I self-published, I don't think that was/is the case. But I would of course be thrilled if it were! I'm on the road of self-promotion, and I hope to one day touch as many people as I can, spreading my message of the importance of acceptance and non-judgment when it comes to the gay issue. It is 2011, after all! Isn't it time?

What is one question that you've always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?

Now that your book is completed and out there for all to see, what do you look forward to the most?

I think the first time I see a stranger reading my book in public (airplane, mall, doctor's office) I am absolutely going to lose it! And hopefully in a cool, dignified way! I'm sure every emotion will flood my body at once! But I know I won't be able to resist going up to them and asking...”So, watcha reading? You like it?” And then depending on the answer, I'll either introduce myself or run!

What was your road to publications like?

Well like most independent artist, I tried my luck at sending queries to agents...with no luck. I was of course bummed out, but believed enough in my project that I just couldn't give up. Then one day it dawned on me...I've never in my life taken the conventional route to anything, so why start now? That's when I discovered self-publishing...and the rest is history! Remember, there's always more than one way to skin a cat!



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Author Bio:



Lisa Vaughn, a self-proclaimed artist/hippie-chick, has taken her creative voice to a new level, in a brand new medium. Her debut memoir, 'The Gifted Ones', contains a strong message that she feels the world needs to hear, especially in our current state where“hate” is all too familiar. Everyone has a story...this just happens to be hers.

Lisa grew up in the Midwest, in a small town in Indiana. She moved to Florida in 1989, and never looked back. She currently resides in Sarasota county, along with her husband and four cats, where she continues to work on miscellaneous projects, creating her vision of self-expression through her art.


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Giveaway:

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