Viral Storytelling with The Story Lady, Ronda Del Boccio

Over the past few months I have seen a lot of author interviews, but I have never seen a series that delves into the inner life of the author.

So I created it myself!  Introducing…InnerSpace Author Interviews, where you will get to know the author behind the book.  If you have a book in print and would like to be featured here, please register at this link.  When you sign up for your application, you will also receive a book marketing tip of the week.

I will share my own innerspace with you to begin this regular series of interviews.  I am Ronda Del Boccio, The Story Lady of Storyation.com.  My book is an inspirational self help littel green book suitable for your nightstand, car or bathroom.  Bonnie Tesh is my co-author, and the book is  called I’ll Push You Steer: The Definitive Guide to Stumbling Through Life with Blinders On.

Bonnie Tesh, a cancer survivor, and Ronda Del Boccio, legally blind, are a couple of award-winning authors who discovered they have something unique, something that helps them keep a positive attitude no matter what happens to them. I’ll Push, You Steer: The Definitive Guide to Stumbling Through Life With Blinders On, contains stories about their struggles (they call them speed bumps) and how they manage to deal with them by maintaining a sense of humor and a positive attitude.

“People get into a rut and let their minds get stuck on worry and doubt,” Del Boccio said. The authors teach a simple technique in the book and at live events on how to get out of your rut and into your new groove.

“We share a lot of ourselves and our personal stories in the book and presentations. I both laugh and cry when I read the book, and I wrote half of it,” Tesh explained. The authors are available for speaking engagements. They are spontaneous; every event is different. They can be outrageously funny one minute, tearful the next, but always trying to help their audience move toward a brighter place.  “I’ll Push You Steer provides techniques that will allow people to transform their lives by developing a new perspective. The book is injected with a double-dose of inspiration as it is co-authored by [Ronda] Del Boccio and Bonnie Tesh—two women with disabilities who happily share their can-do approach to life despite their ‘limitations’ and personal tragedies.” —DPP Store 7/25/06 media release You can check out our book trailer, a video reader review, and our television appearance on YouTube, our website as well as on the Faith with Attitude page on this blog.  Interestingly, I - the blind one - am the techy one who does our videos. Something else significant is that a Methodist pastor named  Rev. Norman Ramsey wrote us a song.  He has a wonderful gift, and we would love for you to visit his website and buy his music - and tell all your friends who would enjoy it to do the same.

Do you set writing goals and write them down?

Yes I do write down goals, but I am always open to adaptation as necessary.

Do you set goals for your physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of your life with specific action steps and deadlines?

I’m a bit lax on the physical side, but I do spend time in reflection each day to improve myself emotionally and spiritually, and I am always reading and/or learning something to keep things interesting and to keep growing.  Now I’m starting to pay more attention to the physical aspect as well.

 Check out the reviews and pick up your own copy of the book at Amazon.com or from your favorite bookstore. Please come back Jan. 7 when I interview Anita Jackson about her book Rekindle the Magic in Your Relationship: Making Love Work.  Join me every Friday starting January 11 for InnerSpace LIVE! Author Interviews on Blog Talk Radio. If you are an author with a book in print and want to be featured here or on the BTR Live show, please visit this link to receive your application.

What aspects of your own life are woven into your book?

There are stories about things I have faced as a visually impaired person in the book.  My positive attitude, humor and faith that everything works out for the best if you give it a chance are all part of the book.

How do you spark your creativity?

Heck with sparks — My creativity is on fire!  I trust my subconscious to provide inspiration and it always does.  I do not believe in writer’s block.  I write down any ideas or anything I think might be good to weave into a story, and when something pops up in my mind with the sense that it will work, I trust that it will.  And I’m never led astray.

How do you relax?

I love to pet and play with my animals, to watch movies, to read, and to enjoy nature.  My pets are my cats Tica and Trippy, the two roosters, Smoker and Dartanion, and my beautiful guide dog Molly, who shares the cover with Bonnie and me.  I live in the country, so there are always crows and birds and bunnies and other critters to provide enjoyment.

What do you enjoy doing with friends?

I enjoy talking, playing games, watching movies, and sharing a meal.

What quality do you most desire to develop in yourself as a person?

I need to develop the quality to share my belief in people without being intimidating.  I know that I am a strong woman, and sometimes this gets in the way.

What themes and/or issues predominate in your work?

Can-do, good attitude, humor, joy in life, going for your dream, and being a healing/beneficial presence in the world are themes that come out through my stories.

What is better about your life now than it was 5 years ago?

I live in a cute little house in the woods, so I love where I live.  For me it is my own little piece of heaven.  I also love the work I am doing as a writer and authoring coach.

What was the most important lesson you learned about yourself as a person during the writing of your book?

I learned that I can collaborate successfully with a friend and still have a friend in the end.  Bonnie is a wonderful person and a terrific writer, and it is great to have a successful writing partnership.

Be sure to keep coming back for more InnerSpace Author Interviews.

I’ll be interviewing authors LIVE starting with Dyan Garris January 18 at 11 AM EST on InnerSpace Live Author Interviews on Blog Talk Radio

AUTHORS with books in print!  Free book promotion - You can be featured here on this blog too.  InnerSpace Author Interviews Application

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