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| Debbie Austin |
Tell your readers a little about yourself, where you grew up, where you
live now, where you went to school, etc. Let them get to know the personal you.
I currently live
within the Adirondack Park in Long Lake, NY, with my husband Keith and my blue
heeler Remington (Remi). I have one son who is engaged to be married. Garrett
and Cierra currently live in California. Raising my son has made me more loving
and trusting than I really am. I adore my children and my husband.
I had a tumultuous
childhood. We moved a great deal up and down the East Coast. Most time is spent
in New Jersey, where a lot of our family and friends are from. Life has
dispersed us far and wide. And with that, as time passes, there are losses. My
mom was lost to us in 2020.
Over the course of my
career, I have taught in many capacities, both in the classroom and within a
corporate setting. I have always found myself writing; there was poetry as a
young girl, journaling continuously. A few years ago, I started a blog to encourage
and uplift those around me. Get to know her better at www.heartuplifted.com. As
an author, I like my readers to be able to dig deeper.
I love gardening and
flowers! Just recently, it has been that I turned the corner into being a
nurturer rather than a plant killer. I press flowers and make floral designs. I
love creating with natural materials. There is art in everything and everywhere:
from a tablescape to landscape, from assembling graphic elements to illustrate
a page or pie crust cut outs, we pour a piece of ourselves into everything we
do. Our very own expression.
What inspired you to author this book?
My loss is no greater than another’s, nor is
my compassion to reach out. I see the struggle and wanted to offer an offering
that, in some way, may be a helpful tool to engage deeper-level conversations
for children about grief, changes, and loss.
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Where did you get the inspiration for your book’s cover?
I see the cover as running toward hope.
Running toward God. Running toward others to help. And Ellie, the main
character seems happy depicted here, it is keeping our heart uplifted.
Who has been the most significant influence on you personally and as a
writer?
The Lord, I feel honored that he has given me
a gift to paint with words of sorts. My favorite quote is from Rabbi Herschel,
“Words create worlds.” That is inspired. And within Heart Uplifted a world has
been created, an escape or opportunity to discover. I write out of devotion to
what the Lord teaches me. It helps me grow as a person to become better.
What were the struggles or obstacles you had to overcome to get this
book written?
The process has been
daunting. And there was a huge learning curve. I had missteps. But that is how
we learn. I am sure it still could be improved. I started out working with
someone and never expected to be on my own; it is bittersweet. However, I had
to keep moving the project forward throughout the process. It was costly. When
you believe in something and can not let go of it in your heart, follow that
lead. So here it is.
Tell your readers about your book.
Families who share in
my book Heart Uplifted may find hope. It subtly challenges one to change
perspective. The ultimate goal is to engage children in conversation to help
them heal after loss or while they are grieving life changes. The enchanting
illustrations set the stage for discovery within its pages, sometimes canceling
out the noise of the world and pausing for a moment to realign our perspective
with truth.
Ellie is the main
character. Her name means beloved. She is anonymous, so she can be anyone with
any emotional expression. She helps several woodland friends with a particular
problem and realizes that in helping each of them, she is helping herself.
Who is your target audience, and why?
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Families with
children dealing with any kind of loss or change.
If you were going to give one reason for anyone looking at your book to
read, why should they buy it?
It is beautiful, read it through, and it just
might change your perspective.
What do you consider your greatest success in life?
My family means everything to me.
What one unique thing sets you apart from other writers in your genre?
I have no idea what I am doing, but I am
doing it, anyway. I am adventurous and a risk-taker, I guess.
How do you overcome writer’s block?
I go for a walk in the woods or sit by the
lake. Just reflecting on all the beauty that surrounds me fills me to
overflowing.
What is one piece of advice do you have for new authors?
Perseverance, if you have a story to tell.
Tell it! Be who you are and don’t let anyone discourage you.
What is next for you in your writing career?
Well, I think Ellie might be the star of
other stories and the other characters within this book could have their
history told.
Tell your readers anything else you want to share.
If I had to share a summation of my life, I would reference Ephesians 3:20, "Now to Him who can do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." It is a fantastic journey, and I look forward to tomorrow.
Thank you for considering my work. I hope it helps.
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FOLLOW THE AUTHOR
Link to Purchase book https://store.bookbaby.com/book/heart-uplifted1
Facebook Link https://www.facebook.com/heartuplifted
Author website Link: www.heartuplifted.com
