My
journey includes figuring out how to talk to people about my books. The Sacred
Women’s Circle series has a strong spiritual element to each of the books and
the heat level (sensual, sexual scenes) varies dramatically.
Add
to that I was raised with the admonishment that talking about one’s self isn’t
attractive, tooting your own horn is vulgar, etc.
Oh,
and pricing? That has been a gigantic hurdle to overcome.
But
I’ve been working on these cultural barriers.
While
at the Desert Dreams Writers’ Conference I figured out how to talk about my
books in a different way.
What
would it be like to be in a place where you were unconditionally accepted,
unconditionally supported and unconditionally loved?
Take
a minute and seriously consider this question.
When
I asked this question of readers at the Reader Experience Event, I watched as
they went within, their eyes drifted closed, their gaze became unfocused, some
even sighed. What did they say?
“I’d
be dead.”
“Heaven.”
Or
a combination of the two.
Struck
by the reality that none of the people said “Oh, I have that XXX,” I initially
was shocked.
How
different would our lives be if we had that place of safety? That haven where
we are unconditionally accepted, supported and loved. I will admit it is not in
my life 24/7 but I have been places and experienced the profound sense of love
and safety that comes from being in a sacred space.
Upon
reflection I also realized another truth.
There
are sacred women’s circles and there are women’s circles. In both women come
together and engage in spiritual practices.
What’s
the difference?
In a sacred women’s circle there is unconditional acceptance,
unconditional support and unconditional love. And that is the foundation for
The Circle, the sacred women’s circle these seven women create.
If
you start with Lily:
The Dragon and The Great Horned Owl and
read each book, when you finish the series you’ll have the framework for
creating your own sacred women’s circle. You’ll have prayers, ideas for altars,
information about the Eight Sabbats or pagan high holy days. You’ll see how
having a strong spiritual practice and a sacred women’s circle supports each of
these women as they face the real life challenges that are part and parcel of
our daily lives.
I’d
love to hear your comments about unconditional acceptance, support and love.
Please share where, if any, you have these places in your life. And, equally
important, if you don’t, what would your life be like if you did?
Check back next week to learn more about the women in The Circle.
Follow Judith on Twitter:
@JudithAshley19
Check out Judith’s Windtree Press
author page.
You can also find Judith on FB!
No comments:
Post a Comment