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”.
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
It’s
funny but writing a book sharing your experiences and insights about
overcoming self-doubt and fear in no way exempts from moments of
self-doubts and fear in your own. I think it is something that on one
level or another, as long as you are growing and challenging yourself,
you will sometimes encounter. I do think the difference will be how you
deal with it. Hopefully with grace, class and a very introspective
insight into your triggers. Nowadays when those feelings come up for me I
face them head on. I take a minute to truly examine what it is that is
making me feel that way. Is it irrational? Is it motivated by an
experience from my past? Is it blocking me from fully experiencing life?
When I locate the source of my feelings, I pray about it and do it
anyway. I do “it” whatever “it” is in spite of any fear or trepidation.
If I am feeling insecure, I do it anyway. If I am feeling scared about
the outcome, I do it anyway. I determined long ago that although I may
not be able to control my feelings, I do however, have control over my
actions and I do “it” afraid. http://bit.ly/U9LRSz
What scares you the most?
The
thing that scares me the most is not doing all that I feel that God has
placed on my heart to do, like travelling and experiencing different
cultures and learning new languages. I have been to 4 different
countries and I am currently learning two different languages (Spanish
and Sign-language) but there is so much more I want to learn and there
is so much more I want to see. Not taking the opportunity in life to do
those things scares me. The idea of reaching the end of my life and to
not have fully explored the profound beauty of this earth would deeply
sadden me.
What motivates you to write?
I
am motivated by passion. If there is a topic that I feel passionate
about politically or socially I write about it. If a story pops into my
mind, I turn it into a script, a play or a short story. I am very
motivated by the “moment”. 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 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. I knew that I had something very real
on my hands and I knew that I needed to get it published. That’s the
beauty of writing. To be able to share an experience or make someone
smile or laugh just because they can identify with what you have written
is motivating in and of itself. http://bit.ly/U9LRSz
What are you most proud of in your personal life?
In
my personal life I am most proud of my relationships. I have been
blessed to exist in a community of family and friends that truly cherish
and appreciate each other. We celebrate life, God and each other. This
is by design. You have to seek people out of like mind and like
interests, who enjoy life, value peace and will challenge you to be
better. I have made an active choice to surround myself with those types
of people. My life is low on drama and high on fun, love, laughter and
enlightenment.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
I
am a United States citizen and I reside in Southern California. I love
my country and my state so there is no place else I would rather live.
That said, I also LOVE to travel. I love learning about other cultures
and experiencing different traditions. This year I went to Mexico with
my husband and learned all about the Mayan culture and explored the
Mayan ruins. Those are the things that make life worthwhile to me.
Seeing other parts of the world and learning and experiencing the
history behind different civilizations and cultures.
If you could study any subject at a university what would you pick?
The book that I am reading right now is: Guns, Germs and Steel…the fates of human societies by
Jared Diamond. I love history. I love to read about political and the
history behind the cultural development of different people throughout
the world. I have a Bachelors degree in Dance and Theatre but I am
definitely going to pursue getting a second degree in history because I
find cultural archaeology extremely interesting.
What is your favorite quote, by whom, and why?
As
I embarked on my self-publishing journey I also embarked on a journey
of inspired quotes. Before I published my book, I would literally just
take the time to meditate about life and write down my thoughts in the
form of quotes. I put my quotes on top of a picturesque background and
began posting them on Facebook and Twitter. The response has been out of
this world! So as of today, although I enjoy many quotes by the likes
of Maya Angelou and others, my favorite quotes are my own. One that
really struck a cord with people was: What has procrastination ever done for you that makes you remain so loyal to it? http://bit.ly/1qWII4t
Who designed the cover?
Derek
Murphy of CreativIndie designed my book cover. The great thing about
Derek is that he is willing to work with you until you get your cover
design exactly the way you like it. The book cover is one of the most
important aspects of your book. It needs to say everything in a glance.
It gives the reader a glimpse into your story and your vision as well as
what you want to share with them. I am not going to lie; getting your
cover just right can be a challenging journey. Derek and I went through
several revisions before I was satisfied. The process really helps you
to become more acutely aware of what you are trying to deliver to your
reader. It is your first “hello” and it is important. I was very happy
with my cover design in the end. I think it is a perfect articulation of
the journey aspect of The Dunes as well as the beauty and the
transformative nature of that journey.
What was the hardest part about writing this book?
The
two most difficult parts of writing The Dunes were the allegory
sections in the first and second revelations and the Commentary section.
The allegory section of The Dunes tells the story of two characters: The One and The Other. Although, as the story unfolds the reader quickly learns that The One and The Other represent
a man and a woman, I chose not to reveal which was which until the very
end of the second revelation. I did this because I did not want the
reader to identify with the character simply because they shared the
same gender identity. I wanted the reader to identify with the character
in which they shared the same fear paradigm. So for the first two
chapters you do not know which character is the woman and which
character is the man. You just know each of the characters challenges
and fears. Still…it is incredibly hard to write without pronouns. I was
relieved when I got to the third revelation and I could write more
freely. Writing the commentary section of The Dunes was challenging
because I had to be very transparent and share some very personal
experiences from my life. But I knew that there was no way that I could
ask readers to take this very introspective journey if I wasn’t willing
to do the same in return. http://bit.ly/1hxaOC1
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.
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
Website www.thedunesbook.com
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