FAQ
It all started back when I got very sick with Chronic Fatigue and almost died from it. It was not a naturally acquired caused but none the less, ill I became. The first book was inspired as I lay near death, contemplating the process that one's spirit must be able to use in order to exit their body. I had been ill to the point of dying for a very long time with no relief in sight and was very, very tired.
I suddenly saw the image that became the cover of the first book, Member Heal Thyself and I saw the title in white lettering floating in front of it and was impressed that I needed to write this book. I had no idea what it was supposed to be about or who it was to be written for. I couldn't understand how I could accomplish such a thing. My husband had to carry me out to the couch every morning so I could have a change of scenery during the day while he was gone to work. I was too weak to open our fridge or cupboard doors, let alone walk to them and I had become sensitive to every food nutrient including water and even the air. I couldn't sit up by myself. Was not able to hold a pencil in my hand. Electronics were also out of the question so I had no idea how to realize such a task.
Perhaps a couple, a few weeks passed in a complete daze until I felt the prompting to just start writing and that everything would be given to me what to write and what to change. I would have everything I needed. Five years later I finally finished the first book after many health challenges and struggles but each month and year that passed saw my own condition improving.
I thought that I was only going to be writing one book and that was it. At about my third book signing or so another person asked me when my next book was coming out. I always responded, "No, there's only just this one. One and done. That is all for me." As the words started automatically coming out of my mouth in response to her, I felt impressed that there were to be more books. I was shocked, a little excited, but also quite a bit horrified as an unexperienced author. It is a lot of work writing, editing, and publishing a book. Then there's all the marketing that goes on and events. There are lots of extreme ups and downs through the process.
A couple years after the first book launched I was impressed to go to a very special spot for me and to take along my notebook and a pencil. Not knowing what would happen, I went and sat in my car wondering what I was doing there as the place was all closed up for the day. After I had been there for a time and had gotten quite comfortable, thinking perhaps this would be a perfect day for a nap, I felt that it was time to start the second book. Only this time I saw no cover picture or title in my mind. I pondered upon this thought of what the second book should be and after a time when nothing came to me, I decided perhaps that the second book should be about the first resource in the resource section of the first book, "Member Heal Thyself".
I had people tell me they wished that the resources were more in depth. The first book is meant to be a beginner's primer of sorts. Basic and short to help people get started. Of course it made sense that the second one and beyond should be more detailed and more information. As I have been working on the second book, I have found that indeed, I had been led several years ago to the cover photo and then the title was given to me the day I started working on the second book. I'm not sure what the title to the third book will be yet but I do know the topic and I was led to find the photo for that around the time the first book was coming out as well.
I look forward to sharing them with you as I get them completed and I hope they will bring you great joy in your life as they have in mine.
While I originally thought there would only be one book, come to find out there are more books in the works, sign up for our newsletter or follow us on social media @RebeccaSheltonAuthor to keep up on the latest news and events
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Since I'm not an author by profession and training, I'd have to say, my writing process is a bit sporatic at best. I write when I'm feeling inspired to definitely and sometimes when I have a little more time on days I'll set that aside for quiet reflection and writing. I don't usually have a plan out in advance so far at least anyways.
The first book I was inspired to include three true stories, a little about the work I do, my testimony, and it needed to have a resource section. I felt impressed which three stories to include and the resources were given to me later on in the writing process once I was ready for them. I did a lot of researching with the first book and saved notes, which I lost during the process much to my devastation but felt I would find them again when the time was right. I didn't find them in time for the first book. But! I did find them in time for the second one which led me to knowing the order of events to include in the second book.
It has a definite message and I feel that the plots are not of my own design but that of a higher power beyond my understanding. There are layers to the books which I was shown right before I pushed the launch button for the first book. The more times you read them, the more you will discover the hidden gems of knowledge withing the pages. You can't just "read" the words on the pages. There are patterns and deeper levels of information leading to great wisdom there. It's up to you to find them if you are ready for them.
I like to write everything out on paper. I'm old school that way. I like the feel of the fibers and the lead traveling along the page. I can scribble notes and reread them and get new inspiration from the changes I've made along the way. I find it a lot easier to reference back to my paper handwritten copy for things. Then once I have things pretty much the way I want them, then I finally commit it to a word document on the computer and start running it through all the grammar checking programs and spelling, things like that. If you're one of the unfortunate ones I ask to read and reread it to find any additional errors, I might make you a little bit crazy with all the rereading but you can only catch so many of your own writing errors that spell check didn't catch.
Once I sold a few copies of the first book I finally got to the point where I could afford to pay an actual real editor. I'm excited for that opportunity to be able to give them the work and to have someone who specializes in these things to actually give things the spit and polish it deserves. The urgency of the message of the first book was so strong to hurry and get it out there for people to have access to too was way more important than worrying about a few typos and redundancies that I had it published before we got to professionally edit it. I don't regret it. It's helping people already. If I had published a different genre, I definitely wouldn't have done it this way but this was highly important.
I'm hoping that now I'm writing a little bit faster than the first time around I'll be able to get the rest of the books out a little bit faster...and edited. I put a lot of thought into each word that goes in and for the whole overall message. Words have power and meaning. And if you pay close attention, you'll see worlds without end.
Don't be afraid to start your book.
You don't have to be perfect at it and you don't have to know what you're doing even. There are so many workshops, apps, programs that can help you today. You can even self-publish now and that is the biggest trend right now in fact and there are lots of tools to help you do that too.
Find someone who has written or published a book or self-published who can mentor you as you go along. I was fortunate enough to have 2 different people who had self-published, published and/or written their own books help me through the process. I know I never would have made it through everything without their invaluable advice. I learned a lot of the same things from them both but also a few things different from each one of them.
Even if you don't have very much money, if you pace yourself, you'll eventually get there. I didn't have a red cent to my name when I first got started. If you have paper and something to write with, even if it's just a broken crayon or a working computer available to you and a flash drive...you can start writing your story!
Finally, write what you're passionate about. Passion is everything. People can tell if you have it and they can tell if you aren't passionate about your subject. It doesn't matter if it's a children's book or a college text book; if you love it, people can tell and it helps them find that if you can find a way to express it well on paper.
Best wishes on starting your own stories!
Absolutely, yes! Rebecca is more than happy to autograph one copy per customer per purchase. Just let us know who you would like the book made out to and if there is a personal message you'd prefer to have written in the book.
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Ooo...that's a good one...
I would have to say, overwhelmingly, not knowing what I am writing about. By that I mean maybe I know what the title is supposed to be like with my first book and I know what the cover image is but the rest I have no idea other than maybe a vague outline. Although the outline I was given was pretty genius in and of itself. It was just figuring out all the stuff in the middle that was a bit of a challenge especially since I was struggling with really bad brain fog when I was trying to write it at the time.
With the second book I ran into the same problem although in a different way. I had a set of reference material I wanted to use in it and I knew it was all in the right order, however, I wasn't sure what the specifics were. I knew it was going to be about water, about hydration but as far as HOW I was going to get there using the references and fitting the knowledge I wanted to also share was pretty tricky. When I started out the second book, I didn't know the title or the image even. That came along shortly after and as I worked on it, things became more and more clear to me how it was all going to fit together.
I guess other authors might say i'm a pantser as in the phrase "flying by the seat of your pants." But I don't know that you can say I'm truly a pantser because I do generally have at least some sort, albeit vague, outline of how to put it together or what it needs to have in it...at least, so far anyway...
When I hit these points of Kryptonite I like to take a step away from writing for a while to allow myself to gain some perspective. Sometimes I like to go do something new I don't usually do or have never tried, within reason... Other times just getting away and not thinking about it has been helpful. Then when I come back and look at everything again suddenly things make more sense and I feel like I now know more what to do...at least for this next step until I hit another patch of Kryptonite!
I think it's important to not be afraid of figuring out what your Kryptonite is though because once you know, you can figure out a way to work around it or at least work with it and turn it into an advantage for you. I used to be afraid of my writing Kryptonite but now I kind of look forward to it because after the climb I can see a whole new horizon I never knew existed before, and I love that.
Oh yes, definitely.
I mean I like my privacy as much as the next person does. Who wouldn't like to keep that aspect of their life cozy and comfy and of those they love. I stewed over it quite a bit with the first book but as it is directly tied in with the work I do as a board certified clinical massage therapist and bodyworker I knew that people would also want to be able to get in touch with me who were interested in what I do aside from writing books.
I eventually felt that it was not going to matter what name I wrote under and so I decided to go ahead and just put my name on it. I wrote it. I claim it. It's my work. Why not? Now if I was writing in another genre, I might think more about using one but for me in my situation I've decided it's just best if I'm out and open and honest with my work as I am in my other work too.
I think writing under a pseudonym is a decision that each writer has to make after considering all their own circumstances and situation. It's a big thing to decide from many writers.
Well, since finding out I was not meant to be just writing a one hit wonder but that there would be more books coming, I imagine you could say that I have at least...at least a dozen more coming just relating to the first book since there are twelve resources in that one to expound on. Who knows, after those I may hop onto a whole additional bunch of ideas of things I need to write about. I've been studying things out my whole life and watching people interact.
I have a few other ideas rolling around as well, if and when the time is right, to add to the mix that relate to some of my life experiences. They can offer people hope in other areas of their life as well I've been encouraged to write about that made people cry with amazement and joy, begging for it to be made into a movie. I just don't feel like the time is right for those to be written yet. Someday it will be. I'm sorry...to those of you who know which story I'm talking about...you're going to have to wait!
How many; do we ever really know? Do you ever stop writing once it's in your blood? I guess only time will tell.
That's a perfect question.
I actually do both. I never quit working and I love what I do. I actually was working as a clinical massage therapist before I ever thought I would actually write a book in my life. I'm so passionate about what I do, I want others to benefit from what I've learned and what I can offer whether it's in a session or through reading about things I have learned. I've found a lot of shortcuts and things that actually work and I think people need to know about them.
I think writing has added a whole new dimension to myself as a person and as a professional in my industry that I never would have imagined before. I cannot imagine my life without it now. If I wasn't a writer or working in my industry, I would probably become a geologist, a quantum physicist or a ballroom dance instructor or perhaps a sculptor. I have a great passion for those things as well. I would probably end up writing in any of those industries as well come to think of it...I think it's part of my life plan to learn and to grow. I love to help others.
Hmm...I'm still figuring that out.
The first one took me about five years to complete from start to finish, all things considered. The second one about half that time so either I'm getting better at it, learning how to do it faster, or maybe the third one will be even quicker? Who knows. Can I get back to you on that one?
What a great question! We'd love to have you apply. Just scroll down to the ARC Team application on the Home Page and fill in all the boxes with the appropriate responses. We'll look over your application and get back to you about it. If you are selected to participate all the instructions will be emailed to you at the email you provided. We look forward to hearing from you soon!


