Grist Almighty! Inspirational new author interview

I am so excited to have met another woman who does what she loves.

Alice Grist.

She has just had her first book "The High Heeled Guide to Enlightenment" published and it really strikes a chord with me and I haven't even READ IT YET!

"In the modern age of high speed, high tech, high maintenance, Alice Grist brings us the warm and witty book, The High Heeled Guide to Enlightenment for women who are looking to connect to something other than their internet provider and gain an understanding of alternative spirituality.

This book provides spirituality for the sexy socialite, enlightenment for the lipgloss dependent and a crash course in serenity for the yummy mummy!

Veering between the wildly faddish and fashionable to the freakier and less familiar, the High Heeled Guide sheds a pink and intelligent spotlight upon a diverse collection of spiritual options that well suit the modern woman.

An intriguing, informative and hilarious read for any woman who knows deep in her worn down sole that there is more to life than cars, careers, kids and cocktails."

Alice's book is receiving much hype in the UK and I have no doubt this trend will continue internationally.

Here is my interview with Alice:

Tell me about yourself and why you wrote this book.

I was born the daughter of a vicar in Manchester UK.

My parents divorced and my mum moved in with her first gay partner.

My dad became a Wiccan.

I grew up with feminist leanings coming from both parents.

I studied Women’s studies at university.

Following uni my heart was broken by my first love and I moved far away from home.

I met my husband to be and ventured into a rock and roll kinda life, much, much fun, for many, many years!

I experimented with several versions of myself and then writing re-found me.

Writing teamed up with my personal spiritual interest and the book was conceived.

Since then I got married, bought chickens and continue to tap away at my keyboard!

I wrote the book because I had been unhappy, I had entirely lost track of who I was, who I wanted to be and what I wanted out of life.

I returned to my spiritual roots via Reiki and Buddhism.

I soon realized how hugely beneficial these things were to me.

It seemed suddenly natural to write a blog, the blog became an idea for a book within about 5 minutes!

I then continued my personal spiritual path, experimenting with a great number of spiritualities, healing techniques and divination and writing it all up in a fun, humorous and accessible way.

I wrote the book for me and as a tool to share all I have learned.

I believe spirituality can transform your life for the better, and I felt that was something young, modern women needed to know.

What challenges did you strike along the way towards having your book published?

Working full time whilst writing the book was a challenge, as well as trying to not become a recluse.

I think I went missing in action for a good few months!

However I needed to do that to get the book done, I’m glad I did.

What are your greatest joys from doing what you love?

The transformation in my own self has given me a lot of joy.

I was not happy prior to writing the book and setting off on my spiritual path, now I feel grateful and joyous most days.

I love the adventure of it also and the education that comes as part and parcel of research.

I love being a student of this great, crazy, spiritual universe!

What inspires you?

Nature is a big inspiration, it is so healing, peaceful and energizing.

Whether I am digging holes in the garden or taking a walk in the hills I always find nature reinvigorates me and gives me fresh ideas to work with.

Also other people’s devotion and commitment to their work is inspirational.

My mother was an inspiration in this respect, and my husband too.

My husband’s devotion to his music has given me a tremendous example of somebody working hard at what they love and continually doing so because it is part of their soul.

He certainly inspired me to find that quality in myself.

What was the turning point for you from writer to published author?

Any tips for the aspiring author?

It all happened so quickly.

I was at work when I found out that my book would be published.

I had only been writing the book for a few months and despite that I was not surprised.

I had complete conviction in the fact my book would be published since I had the idea of the book in the first place.

I was very lucky that this was the case, and I followed this up by continual positive thinking.

My advice to aspiring authors is to write what you believe, do so with passion, enjoy it and believe in yourself.

Can you be into clothes and fashion and 'stuff' and still be spiritual?

I don't believe that fashion and spirituality are mutually exclusive.

We live in a world that worships at the alter of consumerism, and to be spiritual you may have to question that and how it impacts on you, your ego and your general existence.

However I of course also realize we live on a modern planet and as human beings our nature is to pimp and preen.

I see no harm in that, we cannot all be Buddhist monks after all!

Spirituality can change your attitude to fashion, but it does not mean you have to be unfashionable!

Not by a long shot!

What advice would you give to a mother raising a child today?

One of the biggest keys for any woman who wants to be spiritual is the ability to know herself. Particularly to know herself very deeply so that she is in touch with her intuition and her essential higher self.

I imagine that having a child can be a big distraction to that because all of a sudden you have a little person who is wholly dependent upon you.

I would guess that under these circumstances it becomes easy to lose touch with yourself.

As such I believe it is important for any mother to keep in contact with her soul, for her own sake and for the sake of her young family.

Five minutes brief meditation a day would help her to remain clear and to listen to the little voice inside herself as opposed to all the little voices external to herself shouting ‘Mummy’!

What is next for you?

I’m writing a second book and exploring opportunities as they arise. It’s an exciting time!

How does it FEEL now you have your book out there for the world?

Was it everything you thought it would be?

It’s incredible. I never thought I would have written and published a book by the time I was 30. I still potter about in my day-to-day life and occasionally something will happen that reminds me of that achievement and the breath catches in my throat!

and lastly....

easy one

What is the meaning of life?

I actually answer this a little bit in the final chapter of my book, so I’m not going to give that one away!

However, one aspect of the meaning of life is to learn.

We are all here to learn our individual lessons.

Forgiveness, love, compassion and kindness are some of the key curriculum!

Thanks Alice - I like your philosophies and attitude and can't wait to read your fascinating book!

Any chance of a tarot reading to reveal if I am going to be a published author like you one day :=)

Need your help to start horsin' around town

Since I am always banging on about how I don't get up to much (outside cyberspace) in my one horse town..... I was thinking...

Perhaps you could make some suggestions to me about some wacky things I could get up to and then write about?

I acknowledge it is one thing to complain that where I live is "boring" but another to not at least try and liven things up for myself.

I thought you might be able to help.

I get inspired by a challenge.

And I have no-one besides Cowboy to brainstorm these things with so really need your input.

I am looking for things I could do or things I could show you about where I live.

I will then write about the outcomes complete with pictorials to prove them...

I don't mind, make them wacky, daring - silly, fun - encourage me to get out and let loose.... (do remember I have a baby)

Maybe there is something you want to know about my one-horse town, or maybe there is something quirky you'd like me to do - any challenge you can throw at me i will consider.

Now it is your turn to take the reigns

Go on

Giddy up!

* Truth be known Hay is small but there are at least 58 horses here

A woman who does what she loves

I'd like you to virtually meet a very inspiring lady...

Tania McCartney

I admit, she inspired me initially because she awarded me $100 Trenery (new range at Country Road) voucher for my poetry... but then I delved deeper.

This lady not only writes children's books but she is a columnist for Australian Women Online, an accomplished blogger AND has lived in exotic, amazing countries ... oh and she has children. (Yay more proof it can be done, it can be done!) She does what she loves and is darn good at it ... so today I got into her psyche and now I am waiting to see if anything rubs off...

What do you do and why do you love it?

I am a children’s author, bloggist, magazine writer, traveller, party-thrower, mango-eater and mum. I’ve been writing for over 25 years and have been both published and self-published in that time. I’ve written for several magazines including Time Out, beijingkids, City Weekend Beijing, Dolly magazine and Australian Parents. I currently write for Australian Women Online and spend every spare moment working on my children’s book series - the travel adventures of Riley.

Riley and the Sleeping Dragon: A Journey Around Beijing was published during our family’s time living in Beijing. I’m still thrilled by its success, which propelled me to start a series. The next book – Riley and the Dancing Lion: A Journey Around Hong Kong will be published in November 2009, and next year, Riley will be journeying to Sydney. I have had a blast creating these books because they combine my passion for photography, travel, history and… kids books. I never dreamt I’d write my own kids books. I have a new illustrator for book two, and am so excited about his work.

I love my work because I need it to survive – I live and breathe every drop. Having dreamt of being a self-sufficient writer since I was a tot, it feels quite surreal to have achieved this. Being able to couple writing with design, styling, photography and travel has just tipped things right over the edge into Happy Happy Joy Land and I’m truly living the dream. To be creative, self-styled and totally expressive, and call it work… well, just pinch me.

What obstacles have you had on the way to reaching this point?

The biggest obstacle anyone can face is self-doubt. I’ve struggled with this for so long, mainly at the hands of discouragement. It’s so easy to ‘give up’ if things don’t go according to plan, and I’ve done this many times, wasting many years.

It wasn’t until we moved to Beijing in 2005 that I finally found the chutzpah to charge on through the fear and refuse to let it defeat me. I turned 40 and I thought, okay – enough mucking around. Basically, every time an ‘obstacle’ appeared, I said “oh hello, obstacle” and just ploughed on through. There’s something to be said for refusing to give up. Every time I faced an obstacle and strategized ways through it, it fell away of its own weight. Every. Single. Time.

Where is the most amazing place you have lived and why?

The most amazing place I’ve lived is probably Paris. Only because it was during a watershed time for my own personal, inner workings (I don’t mean plumbing) and it’s also a pretty extraordinary place to feast the eyes (and tongue) upon. Everything there is beautiful; even the pothole covers. I’ve also lived in Beijing, London and almost every Australian state, and I can honestly say each and every place had its beauty and unique finds. London is quite extraordinary and I miss it terribly. Beijing has become part of my soul. I’m now trying to wangle a stint in Manhattan with a beach house on Martha’s Vineyard.

What are you inspired by?

I’m inspired by the everyday – small things like the weight of our pet rabbits in my hands, a tiny bronze Cambodian Buddha on my desk, a conversation with someone unexpected, the giggling of my kids, a particularly beautiful piece of patterned paper, a Vietnamese rice paper roll when it’s crunched between the teeth. Little things. They make me want to create.

Another inspiration is meeting people who are driven – not to the point of obsession but to the point of insatiable desire to do what they love – so much so, they don’t give up, they don’t let people down, they commit with every bone in their body and go out of their way to do things with dignity and excellence. These people are exceptionally rare.

I’m also big on aesthetics – photography, film, art, decorating and design – they all inspire me to do something innovative with my writing. And lastly, travel. Witnessing the dichotomy in sights and culture and beliefs and cuisine and language is enough to send anyone into a creative lather.

How do you inspire other women?

I hope I inspire women through my writing. I definitely write from the heart, in my own voice, with irreverence for how things ‘should’ be. I’m open and share my views and experience with both humour and candor, but refuse to revert to schlock or controversy.

I also like to research and share new or more interesting or more beautiful ways of doing things and seeing life. The older I get, the more impassioned I feel about seizing life and making it beautiful in the littlest of ways. Of finding appreciation and dedication and tenderness and calm.

I also hope I can inspire women by my commitment to follow my passion. I actually dislike this most common of phrases, but it really does coin things for me. Right Now has been a long-awaited time in my life, and if I can encourage anyone else to step off the Maybe platform and take the plunge – well, that would be a very fulfilling thing.

Describe your perfect day?

Early cuddles from the kids, a swim at Bondi icebergs pool or yoga on an endless lawn in the morning sun, a home-made Continental breakfast on our decking, an unexpected package in the mail, working on travel photo books with my daughter, watching my son play football, sushi lunch, Luna park and fairy floss with the kids, a late afternoon stroll through a farmer’s market anywhere in Italy, a BBQ dinner with friends, a Broadway show, writing late into the night, reading a décor magazine in bed with husband cuddles, instant sleep-when-head-hits-pillow.

Too ambitious?

If you could escape to anywhere and do anything what would it be?

Ubud. A bungalow with flowers and the sound of local prayers poking in through the windows. My camera and my laptop.

How do you juggle mamahood with pursuing your passions?

Very carefully. When I become impassioned by something, I throw myself in so deeply, I drown. Everything suffers, especially my health – so I have to watch this. My kids are very used to hearing “when I’ve finished this article, darling” but I’m really aware of minimizing the occurrence of this sentence wherever I can.

It sounds trite, but I cope by consistently attempting a tightrope balance. I’m getting better at it the older I get – but like most mums who want to work, I still struggle. I’m very aware of how fortunate I am to have such a supportive husband who goes out of his way to help and is so fantastic with the kids.

The other thing I do is regularly take reprieve from my tendency to be anal. Yes, sometimes I actually leave the floor unswept and let the ironing pile up into a Jabba-the-Hut creation in the corner. I’ve come a loooong way to be able to do this (and not hyperventilate).

How has becoming a Mother inspired you?

By giving me a sense of inner power that is totally borne of the love a mother feels for her offspring. I would do anything for my kids and feel insatiably driven to protect and nurture and uplift them. I feel compelled to be an example to them, to show them they can do anything if they dedicate themselves intently enough. I also feel impassioned to leave them with beautiful mementoes of their lives, and extraordinary memories. This passion constantly inspires me.

Greatest achievement?

Conquering fear and self-doubt. Showing my children how to do this. I think it’s an extraordinary life tool. I wouldn’t say I’ve completely mastered it, but I’m certainly slaying dragons.

Advice for others wanting to do what they love?

Understand that it’s a process that needs a modicum of planning and research, and a hell of a lot of drive. The moment you bat an eyelid at an obstacle, your setback will cost you time and energy. Don’t bat that eyelid. Obstacles will still challenge you, but stare them down and don’t stray. Be singular. And cliché of all clichés – just don’t give up. Remember that ‘success’ is dependent on your ability to get up and keep going after you fall.

Now, the sub-clause to the above statement is to be realistic and self-effacing. Don’t throw yourself in blindly and never ‘start big’. Start small and reinvest. Be willing to listen to criticism and advice from others. Look for feedback. Take the hint if it’s bad. It doesn’t mean you can’t follow the path of your passion, but be open to variations on a theme. Educate yourself. Research. Plan. Be proactive. For example, don’t call yourself a writer if you don’t write. Writers write.

Also, consistently search for every avenue you can to fuel your dream – even if it means you have to do it for nothing for a while. And it goes without saying that if you get a ‘no’, just ask the next person. Or do it yourself and tell yourself ‘yes’.

For more on Tania’s books, including stockists, visit www.taniamccartney.com. For inspiration on making parenthood and childhood memorable and beautiful, visit her blog at http://taniamccartney.blogspot.com. For those interested in kids books and literature, visit Tania’s Kids Book Review at http://kids-book-review.blogspot.com/.

If there is an inspirational lady you think I should talk to (yourself included) don't be a stranger now...