Health and Wellness Interview with EDC Creations Founder
Paperback
Publisher: Harobed House
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0978789709
ISBN-13: 978-0978789701
H a r o b e d H o u s eTM
Edifying the World Thru WordsTM
5003 Willowbrook Drive, Post Office Box 9105
Columbus, Georgia 31908
1-866-561-1598 or 706-329-5530
Deborah was interview by Ella Curry of EDC Creations on Oct. 7, 2007. Our Health and Wellness Editor, Cheryl, pointed out that Deborah had an amazing story dealing with a silent killer disease, Primary Amyloidosis and that all of the SLS family and visitors needed to read her story.
As my client I was responsible to "brand" Deborah as a motivational speaker and author. This interview goes far beyond branding!
Following up with author and motivational speaker Deborah Slappey-Pitts we found out that Primary Amyloidosis is a rare disease. About two-thirds of patients with Amyloidosis have primary (where no specific cause or disease is related to the abnormal protein deposits), less than 5% have secondary (associated with another chronic disease, often in multiple Myeloma), less than 5% familial (inherited) and less than 5% have senile (occurring secondary to old age) Amyloidosis. In patients with Primary Amyloidosis, 95% are over the age of 40 and 66% are men.
Please read our in-depth interview with Deborah as she enlightens and motivates us with her story of grief, personal strength, and the ability to overcome life's tragedies. Through out the Holiday Season, Deborah will visit with book clubs in SLS tele-chats and in the SLS chatroom to discuss her new book, Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief. Contact Ella for more information at:
editor@edc-creations.com
Deborah's responses are in tangerine. With out further adieu I present to you Deborah Slappey-Pitts and her awe inspiring interview.
EDC: When did you know that you wanted to become an author? How did that come about?
As long as I can remember I had wanted to write. I started writing poetry when I was around 9 years old. I wrote my first recognized poem, entitled The Beginning and The End where I described the horrors of war. My English teacher praised my work.
EDC: I really like your title. Do you pick your titles first, then write the stories? Please explain.
I normally create my titles long before I begin to write the story. For example, I knew what I was going to title my first work, I Feel Okay nine years before I wrote it down on paper. I create an initial outline and then make adjustments as I write the story. My first inspirational fictional story will be entitled Mind Wars, of which I plan to debut sometime in 2009, Lord willing.
EDC: Please tell us about your journey to publication with your first book, I Feel Okay. How long did it take you to write the book?
My first book, I Feel Okay, was created out of the pain, agony, and grief of losing my husband of 21 years to a rare disease known as primary amyloidosis. The pain of losing Clyde spurred me to write his story so others could be educated about the devastating effects of the amyloid diseases.
It took me only three months to write the first draft. I was determined to finish it before my 50th birthday, and I did. I finished the book one month before my April 30th birthday.
EDC: Describe this new book, Shadow Living, for us and tell us all about it. Tell us something about the story that we can’t read on the cover.
Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief is a heart-warming story about my learning to live and survive during the first year after Clyde’s death. As I dealt with grief and grieving, I would sway back and forth into one or more stages of the grieving process. Others folks have decided to tell their story about grief and grieving. I decided to do it differently. I chronicle my story by highlighting the various stages of grieving—shock, denial, anger, fear, bargaining, depression and acknowledgement.
The reader will live my pain, feel my anxiety, and walk with me through my tumultuous pain and suffering as I long to live have my husband back with me—alive.
EDC: What makes Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief different from other books already written about grief, death of a spouse, and healing?
I had a very difficult time learning to live again after Clyde died. In I Feel Okay I describe our desperate attempt to find someone in the medical community to help him find a cure for the disease. I knew that time was ticking away and that Clyde was getting weaker as the days past, but we kept trying. We were so close and when he died suddenly, I spiraled into depression.
I describe the pain of grief—the anxiety, the depression, the shock and mayhem of losing my best friend to death. Readers truly feel what I’m feeling in every chapter of the book. I wrote Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief so others would be helped. During my first few years of grief, I didn’t find any suitable books about my actual pain—my remorse.
In the bookstores, I found only books that described how you should feel when you going through grief, but none captured the actual feelings of dying inside after you walk into the house, calling out your loved ones name, and deep inside you know your precious can’t answer you. He never will. That’s what I missed in the marketplace and that’s why I decided to write my story and dedicate it to grievers around the world—to let them know that they are not alone and you aren’t going crazy. Grief is real.
Millions of people, perhaps even billions of them around the world are suffering in dire pain—from unresolved grief and grieving. In Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief, I placed my life in full focus so others could learn and take note that if I could rise from the darkest days of sadness, so can they.
EDC: What’s the biggest compliment you’ve been given on this book?
Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief was officially released the first week of September, and what I’ve heard so far is that my story is moving and the reader feels my words, just as in my first book, I Feel Okay. To me, that is the best compliment I can ever receive. I want the reader to feel what I’m feeling. Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief might not be for everyone, but I tell you—if you or anyone you know has lost a loved one, this book is for you and them. You won’t be the same after you read my story of life, loss, depression, faith, and healing. You won’t ever be.
I never imagined the feedback that I would get from my first book, I Feel Okay. Of course, I had hoped people would embrace my work, but I had no idea that the response would be so overwhelming. And now with my second book, I’m reading great editorial and reader reviews. I’m very thankful that my stories are helping others.
EDC: As an author, what are some of the most important things you try to get across through your books? What is the primary message that readers should leave with?
My first two books have been inspirational and spiritually based. My focus is to give my reader the spiritual side to healing—to put their trust in God. No, you won’t ever forget your loved one, but with God’s strength and courage, you can learn to acknowledge your loved one’s physical being not being with you anymore, but his spirit lives on with his family.
My focus is to give my readers hope that one day life will be better again and that they are not alone in their grief. I’m standing very close to them to help them through those agonizing nights of screaming at the top of their lungs, praying for the pain to go away so you can go to sleep in quiet peace again. My books will provide hope in a weary land.
EDC: I’d love to know the specifics about your tour. Please give us some information about your upcoming appearances.
September 1, 2007
Queens Book Fair
The Jamaica Markets
Harvest Room
90-40 Jamaica Avenue
Jamaica, NY 11432
September 7-8, 2007
RAWSISTAZ Literary Event
Crowne Plaza Ravinia (Perimeter Center)
4355 Ashford Dunwoody
Atlanta, GA 30346
September 15, 2007
FSO (For Sisters Only) Event
Georgia Trade Center
Atlanta, GA
September 22, 2007
Church of Christ
3013 Cusseta Road
Columbus, GA 31909
October 13, 2007
"What Shall We Read?" Television Show
Infini Promoters
CAN TV
1637 E. 87th Street, #435
Chicago, IL 60617
October 20, 2007
Book Literary Extravaganza
Valdosta, GA
October 26-28, 2007
Cavalcade of Authors
Chicago, IL
November 24, 2007
Barnes and Noble, 2-4pm
Columbus, GA
January 2008
Writer’s Extravaganza
Columbus Public Library
Columbus, GA 31907
February 2, 2008
Oklahoma City Urban League Young Professionals
Celebration of African Americans Authors 2008
Oklahoma City, OK 73111
EDC: Did you chose your genre, or did your genre choose you?
Pretty much my genre chose me. Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief is a true story of my intimate account with grief and grieving. I describe grief as a real entity that must be reckoned with. It won’t ever go away, but you learn to cope with grief one day at a time.
EDC: How are you marketing Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief and your first book?
Well, as I’ve mentioned in my literary tour for the next three months, I will be attending numerous literary events across the country. And I won’t stop there. I have various direct marketing, internet—web seminars, virtual book tours, magazine, radio and television advertising, and visits to libraries and churches across the country.
I have a message to convey to my readers…and that message is to fight with all your might. Researchers are just beginning to understand the dire consequences of prolonged grief. Ladies and gentlemen, grief kills. It can kill you dead. The stress of living with loss can be crippling and in the end, it can kill you. I know what I’m talking about. I know.
For the public I would like to share that I have contracted with you and EDC Creations, to produce the branding of "Deborah Slappey Pitts" and my inspirational books. I even have produced my own imprints. For nonfiction, my imprint is Innisfree. For fiction, which I will debut some time in 2009, is Quiet Mist, and my self-help imprint rendition is Foresight.
EDC: What do you enjoy most besides reading and writing books?
Since writing I Feel Okay, I don’t get much opportunity to write poetry, which I had continued to do over the years. Now, pretty much, I’m writing books around the clock. And I love it with a passionate. I’m at home with my computer as I articulate words on paper to make a difference in our world of hate and love.
I also enjoy watching the history and travel channels. I enjoy learning about faraway places and imagine that one day I will visit Tahiti, Austria, and even perhaps Alaska one day. I want to live the rest of my life to the fullest—bringing thought-provoking literary work to the world so it can be enjoyed and taken seriously at the same time.
EDC: What kind of characters do you like to create?
So far all of my characters are true beings. I do plan to begin writing Christian fiction with my debut work in late 2009.
EDC: Do you plan to write another book in the next year?
My first two books have been true stories—autobiographical. My third book, Heart Warmers will be released in late 2008 and is both autobiographical and biographical about special moments while growing up with my family during the 60s and 70s.
EDC: Do you write the kind of stories that you like to read? Who are some of your favorite authors?
My first three books have all been true stories. But my fourth book will focus on some of the ills of society that we have to face—betrayal, racism, prejudice. I feel more comfortable about writing on social issues that impact society as a whole.
Some of my favorite authors are Pearl Cleage, Mayo Angelo, Michael Crichton, Dean Koontz.
I prefer to write in the Christian, inspirational-based, fiction, and nonfiction genre. I feel this is my calling to use my gift from God. My focus on family relationship and self-help writing is where I want to focus in the writing world.
EDC: Who is your target audience for your books? Who do you think will understand and gain insight through reading your book(s)?
Grief is universal and crosses all barriers. My inspirational books have gained the attention of young people and older adults as well. Because my stories focus on love and family relationships, my books appeal to a general audience.
EDC: What was the last book you read?
The last book that I read is by Ms. Gwynne Forster, Getting Some of Her Own. I read it as part of an online book club.
EDC: Please give us a preview of your next project including when it will be released.
As mentioned earlier, my next book, Heart Warmers, will be released in late summer 2008. Heart Warmers is a collection of short stories about my family growing up in the deep south. I must say some of the stories made me smile—some even made me laugh out loud, and even cry. Some of the chapters include “A Pea Picking Time, The Blackberry Special, Cucumber Days and others. After I Feel Okay and Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief, I felt I needed to smile.
I anticipate the release of my first inspirational-based fiction book in 2009—Mind Wars. As you can see… my writing focuses on spiritual and inspirational based nonfiction and fiction books and short stories. My overall mission is to provide the reader with thought-provoking, inspirational stories and topics that strive to make a positive difference and stimulate the reader’s view of significant topics that impact today’s society.
EDC: In your opinion, what is the absolute best thing about being a writer?
I have the opportunity to share my thoughts with the world and I pray that my words help others who are or have been in a similar situation that need words of comfort that will perhaps, soothe the pain. This is a great accomplishment for me—to help others in my writing.
EDC: What thoughts are going through your mind now that your second book has been released? Are you nervous about any aspects of your book releases (such as reviews, meeting fans, talking in front of an audience?)
I am thankful that I have written two books and not too far behind with completing a draft of my third. I am grateful to God that he has given me the gift of words and I pray that others are being helped through my words.
I don’t get nervous about reviews or meeting my fans. I pray that my words will edify, will ignite a positive influence with others and I hope that my reviews reflect this positive view.
I’m always humbled by talking in front of an audience about my books and I do respect their presence. I pray that my audience will welcome my words and it will be enlightening to them.
EDC: Tell us a little about your publishing journey. Did you have a manuscript that was submitted to several publishers?
Unlike other others, I didn’t submit my manuscript to several publishers—I chose to publish my second book under my own publishing company, Harobed House after I spoke with a particular Christian publishing company. I probably will consider other publishing options in the future, but for Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief I chose to publish it myself. I wanted to understand the publishing industry and I have learned much to taking control of my own literary work, publishing it through my own company.
EDC: What kind of research did you do, particularly in terms of the setting?
In my first book, I Feel Okay, I had much information about primary amyloidosois. As I already had done research on the disease, I used the materials in my book and obtained updated information from non-profit organizations such as NORD and from both leading research hospitals—Boston Medical Hospital and Mayo Clinic. I felt it was important to have the most updated information available about primary amyloidosis.
In Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief, I also completed extensive research on grief and grieving. I wanted to make sure that what I was feeling and experienced was validated by current research on the grieving process.
During my research I discovered that my feelings were pretty much in line with what the experts were reporting about the stages of the grieving process.
The experts discussed the stages of grief and how you should feel. I spoke from the heart—describing the world of grief from a widow’s perspective. I put a personal face to the grieving process and I believe this is why folks are embracing the book so positively.
EDC: For those who may not be familiar with your work, are there any other existing novels that are similar to your title?
None that I know of. Of course, there are several self-help books written by noted authors as I’ve mentioned earlier.
EDC: What do you love the most about your book?
I am very grateful that both of my books are helping others to come to term with loss, grief, and learning to heal. My books are inspirational, informational based and I want to be able to reach and help people in my writing. That’s what I love about what I do. It’s helping someone along this lonesome road that we call life.
EDC: When you write books, do you have certain objectives in mind?
As I mentioned earlier, my objective is to impart knowledge about a subject—whether it is about a disease or some other phenomenon—my goal is to leave the readers with useful information that they’re use at some point in their lives. I want to help others. That’s the bottom line.
EDC: What are some of the most difficult things you have to deal with in being an author?
I won’t say that these things are difficult. I prefer to use the word challenging. I’m learning to sharpen my time management skills. That is, I finish one work and then I promote it to my readers while at the same time I’m working on my next project. This can be very challenging, but I’m learning to focus on promoting during certain days of the week and writing my next project during certain days of the week. This has helped me to better manage my time better.
EDC: Would you ever publish an ebook?
I have an ebook for my first book, but not my second. I do plan to take advantage of the ebook phenomenon. I will be contacting you to help put the e-book online and to promote it.
EDC: What is my definition of success?
My definition of success is making a plan for your life and accomplishing what you set out to do, even in the midst of your mistakes. The important thing is to learn from your mistakes; change your direction as needed and still make your dream come true.
EDC: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
I speak with aspiring authors many times, and I urge them to keep writing their passionate stories and deliver them to a world audience who waits patiently for another inspirational word or entertaining thought. I tell them to continue to follow their heart, fulfill their dreams and don’t let anything stop them from writing from the heart because once you pen your first book there is no turning back.
I tell them to read everything about writing—wherever it’s available on the internet, brick-and-mortar stores, wherever there is a written word, read it. Keep reading and learning your craft. It will pay off now and in years to come.
Writing is a passion beyond words on a page. Writing is a fulfillment of dreams captured in a ship; set to sail onto distant shores. Writing is fulfillment times infinity. So, keep writing, keep dreaming, and keep seeing beyond what others don’t see. Don’t let anyone take your fingers from the keyboard or your pen from your fingers until you are satisfied with your work of art and reveal it to the world.
EDC: Deborah can you please tell us all the places your books are available.
Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief and I Feel Okay are available at fine bookstores worldwide and also at online venues to include Amazon.com, Waldenbooks, Borders, Books-a-Million, Target, Walmart, Overstock.com—pretty much everywhere on the Internet.
You can also access deborahslappeypitts.com for more information about Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief and I Feel Okay.
EDC: Thank you Deborah very much for your wonderful patronage, loyalty, and for your continued support of Sankofa Literary Society, by spreading the world about the devastating effects of the Amyloidosis diseases, and for bringing the grieving process out into the mainstream for discussion around the world.
Message from Deborah: A word of Thanks to my Readers…
Thank you, SLS family and all of my loyal readers, so much for your help with bringing the rare amyloid disease to the public. I’m humbled and grateful to all of you. Please visit my website for more information on this silent and deadly diseases, www.deborahslappeypitts.com.
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SLS Health and Healing Spotlight
Interview with Deborah Slappey-Pitts
Literary Award Recipient for Best Autobiography, I Feel Okay
Deborah Slappey-Pitts is the author of Booking Matters national best-seller and Infini literary award winner, I Feel Okay, a heart-wrenching account of love, loss, and inspiration. In this sequel, Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief, Pitts chronicles her painful journey through despair after her husband succumbs to the silent killer disease, primary amyloidosis
Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief is the enthralling sequel to I Feel Okay, Deborah Slappey Pitts’ debut bestseller. In Shadow Living…Paintings of Grief, the author shares her intimate story of grief and survival after her husband's death to a silent killer disease, primary amyloidosis.
Drawing from personal experiences of pain, depression, and unnerving despair, Pitts identifies the perplexing stages of grieving and shares her tale of faith and healing. Readers will discover the many stages of the grieving process and how to embrace the light of hope. It’s a must read—an unforgettable story; written with soul, candor, and love.
