Tuesday 28 June 2016

Literature Tag: ☮Kathe Messina☮

Inspire. Create. Write.TM

Only those who Dare to fail greatly, can ever Achieve greatly ~R. Kennedy


This WednesdayWisdom, I have the privilege nay the extreme glory to introduce you to an unbelievable author that I've met along my journey. You should see this lady on twitter, I call her the Gratitude Queen as she never fails to ensure her engaging followers are promptly thanked for their participation in her tweets. She's blatantly honest, hilariously witty, intellectually snappy & confoundingly amazing.

Kathe Messina is the debut author of a heart-rending memoir, She’ll Awaken. She is an ESL teacher, a recent university graduate and an inductee in two international honor societies, but has also worked in the hospitality industry, made a career out of motherhood and homeschooling, and was a care-giver to her bed-ridden mother. She wrote She’ll Awaken amid a chaotic family life and getting her degree. She has always loved writing, but kept it to the whimsical and only among friends. Following a life-changing experience, she realized that others could benefit from her story and that it might be the only way to move on. A memoir was born. 

Her goals are fairly simple – to practice kindness, to pursue peace, and to write beautiful words. She has learned that there are words for everything, and that when well-chosen, they can help and even heal.
1. What is your all-time favorite book?
Catcher in the Rye – I love everything about this book and its themes.  I only wish Salinger’s estate wasn’t hoarding the Holden character.  I would LOVE to write a sequel, but not enough to get sued for it!!
2. According to you, which quote best describes you as a person?
            “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.” ~ John Lennon
3. What is your favourite English word, and why?
            “ubiquitous” – present, appearing, or found everywhere
This word feeds my devotion to my kids. Of course I can’t be everything to them or ‘fix’ everything for them either, but I’ll die trying.
4. What is your favorite word in your home language, and what does it mean?
English is my native tongue but German had a limited presence in the home. I’m partial to “liebchen” – one of a few names Dad had for me.
5. Being a blogger/author, what is the most difficult part about writing for you?
            #1. Time. As in all things, there is never enough to do what we want or need.
#2.  In writing my debut memoir, the most difficult thing was having to throw myself on the proverbial pyre to tell what needed to be told, to bare myself, and to do justice to the deep reflection.  I constantly asked myself, ‘How much is too much?’
#3.  In other writing, such as my (sleepy) blog, or on Twitter or Facebook, I don’t like it that I have to be careful about what I say on matters of opinion. Why? As my blog has more than once featured (http://wp.me/p5aByk-34) (http://wp.me/p5aByk-5d) there are people out there who don’t give a flying fu-la-la-la-la about whether they’ve offended ME!
6. What inspires you to write the most?
            #1.  I see myself as a teacher.  #2. Pain. 
No one likes it, but pain is what makes us who we are. The struggle against it refines us and, hopefully, reveals better versions of ourselves than the empty shells we might otherwise be if everything were easy.  If we have learned anything from our struggles, we ought to share it with others. This is why I write.

7. What is your favourite song?
            Tough to choose just one, but here goes … from 1977, Sentimental Lady ~ Bob Welch
8. What image/experience/memory do you instantly think of when hearing your favourite song?
I’m a child of the 70s so that song takes me back to summers back home, hanging out by the local pool with friends. I was born a sun junkie!
9. In how many languages can you write?
            Unless ‘dufus’ is a language, just English.
10. If you had to MAKE UP/INVENT one word, what would it be? And what would that word mean?
            Done it!  If anyone else claims to have invented this one, I am unaware.
            “Confuckulated”…yup…it ain’t pretty but it is perfect for when stuff is totally jacked up!
11. Make a sentence containing the following words: Three, Birds, Sauce, Hug, and Gay (as in happy)
A hug to the ear, and the sauce of life is the three-fold delight of birds singing - tuneful, winsome, and gay.
12. Assign your own meaning to the following made-up words:
Bugalhet – n. of or pertaining to annoyance from auditory input (e.g. His droning oratory was bugalhet to her ears)
Wiftigious – adj. something pleasant in an olfactory way (e.g. As he moved in to kiss her neck, he was caught by the wiftigious symphony of her hair and her perfume)
Doraning – v. the practice of vetting callers to one’s home through use of a peep-hole in the door (e.g. Her paranoia was evident in the incessant doraning every time her door-bell rang)
13. What word rhymes best with Sugar?
I’m going to say “her” in a poetic use …
            ‘C’mon, Baby, give Daddy some sugar’
            His words were cast to deliberately hook her. 
            (Stay tuned … an epic erotic series just blew into my melon!)
14. Sum up your experience of The Blog Tag in one rhyming sentence.
N/A – not yet a member
Doing this tag for AlfonsoWords, however, was a pleasure because, well … he’s such a doll!!
15. Who is your favourite character from a book? Why him/her?
Holden Caulfield of Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye is my favorite literary character.  He is me in the struggle to reconcile an idealized view of how people should be, with the phony behaviour they exhibit so reflexively.
16. Have you written any books? Tell us about it/them.
My debut memoir is about to drop (I know I’ve been saying that for what seems like a long-ass time, but I just couldn’t let this chunk of my heart and soul be rushed out until it was as perfect as I could control).
This is an account of my eleven-month relationship with a broken soul, ravaged by PTSD, but who presented as professional and romantic.  Our connection was so exciting, like a fairy-tale in many ways.  But as in all fairy tales, evil lurks, and there’s a lesson to be learned.


17. What would be the ultimate goal for you to achieve as a writer?
Anything I have ever written has been done with the compulsion to use the most beautiful words in the most artful way to convey the most touching meaning. Unfortunately, a situation has befallen me personally in which my writing needs to turn into income in the most urgent way. Nevertheless, I cannot betray my compulsion by throwing out a bunch of drivel just to make money. My ultimate goal is to overcome the personal situation by monetizing my writing, not exploiting it. After that, were I to put down my pen for all time, I could be satisfied.
18. Can you remember the moment you fell in love with words/literature? 
A precise moment, no, but I have vivid childhood recollections of Mother Goose Rhymes and other classics that my mother recited before I could read.  Here’s some TMI for you all … she would recite rhymes and stories while toilet-training me to pass the time while I was sitting ‘on the potty.’  Mom loved books, and gifts included books of well-loved classics as often as toys and clothes.  I remember my big brother reading to me, as well as learning to read myself in first grade. I devoured books from that time onward.
19. Do you have a good support structure while writing?
In terms of surroundings, yes.  My kids are older and don’t interrupt per se, although the confluence of schedules often makes extended writing time a challenge.  When I undertook writing the memoir, I confided in a very close friend who knew the story.  I needed his objectivity as I relived the events of that relationship.  He was my compass, and I am ever grateful.
20. Why is reading important to you?
There is nothing you can’t learn if you know how to read well. I believe this to be an axiom, and it was the driving force in homeschooling my children. One of the things of which I’m most proud is having taught my kids to read. I believe that reading is the infusion that makes us wielders of delightful words. When we open our mouths, we can build up or tear down. How can we communicate effectively, powerfully, and lovingly with our fellow man if we don’t take in the words necessary to do so? You simply can’t draw from a well having no water.
21. What is your most memorable childhood book?
            I have to name two – The Five Chinese Brothers & The Three Billy Goats Gruff
            These were stories I had read to me over and over.
OH! WAIT! I can’t forget my copy of Cat in the Hat. It had a huge mustard stain on the inside cover because I hid an unwanted ham sandwich in it. My brother has NEVER let me forget it!

Quick Fire
Poems or Quotes
Poems … love the artful arrangement of words

Rock or Pop
Classic Rock, actually … and Oldies

Handwriting or Typing
Typing … I’m super-fast at it and it is easier to share than handwriting

Biography or Novel
Biography hands down! Fascinated by real people and real situations whereas I’m so often disappointed by the direction of a fiction story.

Plotter or Pantser
Pantser and proud of it! I need words to flow, and a mechanized story just doesn’t do it for me

Traditional or Self Publishing
Self !! I could NEVER relinquish control of my words to anyone.

Reading alone or for Other People

I think both contribute to maximizing the learning potential of reading. Reading alone, whether for learning or entertainment, allows us to fully engage with content.  Reading FOR other people, whether that’s out loud for their benefit or reading what is popular with others or selected by others, provides a more limited opportunity to assimilate content but a greater social context in which to do so.  Nevertheless, I never read something just because it’s popular.  


Follow her Awesomeness!

If you're interested in taking part in The Blog Tag


~Be Kind to One Another~ Ellen Degeneres

69 comments:

  1. Love this. This looks to be an inspirational book. I'm sure it will touch many people. Great as always having insight on the minds of authors

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Benita! I hope the book's message resonates with many.

      Hopefully insight on MY mind doesn't lead to a 'nuts' conclusion hehehe.

      Delete
  2. An inspiring writer, and this is an inspiring interview!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So honored by your kind feedback, Michelle!

      Delete
  3. Another amazing interview. She looks so smart and well spoken, I'd really like to read something of her

    ReplyDelete
  4. Agree with Amy, it is another great interview! I’d like to read something of this author. Love how she said "There is nothing you can’t learn if you know how to read well”

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stay tuned, Amy and Eugenia. Between here and Twitter, there should be plenty of promo when the book is OUTTTTTT !!! Getting exciting.

      I have a few pieces on www.scriggler.com that you might like to check out in the meantime.

      Delete
  5. LOVE these types of posts - I love getting to know others on a deeper level - I love to see if we have similar interests - it's fascinating to me!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gigi ... hope I'm not way out in left field and that we share something similar.

      Delete
  6. I love these interviews, it is always fun to see what other writers are thinking - especially the made up words.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michelle ... The made-up words part was fun! It was tough to pick just one.

      Delete
  7. I enjoy reading inspirational books it gives me the sense of belongingness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Agnes ... Right? It helps to know that others struggle too!

      Delete
  8. She sounds like a very deep person who loves reflecting on experiences and life itself. I'm glad she enjoyed poems and listens to classic rock! That's awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Elizabeth ... Not sure how 'deep' I am but I value your kind feedback!

      Delete
  9. It's always nice to get to know writers, that's why I love reading their interviews. This was a fun session, she seems like a great person and she enjoys life as it is.

    ReplyDelete
  10. It's nice to meet writers that are also bloggers and get to know them on a more personal level, by reading interviews with them. It's nice to see what are their inspirations and how they keep themselves motivated to write.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanna ... I'm nowhere near the MAD blogger Enricoh is, but it's on my DO IT SOON list !!

      Delete
  11. Quite a great book. Nice interview too!

    ReplyDelete
  12. She sounds like a very interesting person basing from her answers, great interview! It's true, as crude as it may sound, pain is a real teacher and influencer. I hope you have more interviews like this!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Karla ... no worries about 'crude.' You're right about pain being an influencer and teacher.

      Delete
  13. I loved the interview! She seems to have it together and I wish her so much luck with her debut publish!

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a nice interview! I want to read her writings, she is a nice person and I hope her book too is nice!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nicole ... it shouldn't be much longer !!

      Delete
  15. I love these type of interviews. For some reason a Q&A really makes me feel like I am learning about someone and not just reading about them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christina ... I agree! These types of questions are revealing in an artful way but not intrusive. I enjoyed participating!

      Delete
  16. Question 3 was my favourite-- spoken like no one other than a mother. The fact you've accomplished so much while nurturing your children is truly a testament to your discipline and intelligence. I know it's always accompanied by a razor wit. If all of the above is any indication, your book will have to be a bestseller!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. DGGGGGGGG !!! Not sure about that "razor wit" sometimes, but we have some laughs, huh?

      Delete
  17. Those quick fired questions are so funny. Also those "make a sentence with these words" and "give these words a meaning"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Melanie ... I'm chuckling ... those parts took me the longest LOL! So much for my wit!!

      Delete
  18. Looking foward to reading the book!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love it when they engage and thank those who reply to their tweets. It makes things feel a bit more personal.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathy ... it's a lot of work to do that but I'm resolved to keep it up until I absolutely can't afford the time any more. The personal aspect is important to me, even though I have had to automate select functions.

      Delete
  20. Love this, a really nice interview. xx

    www.annanuttall.com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Kathe is a warm soul, and shows here her intellectual prowess. She's shown me nothing but kindness and support as I began the LiveYourNow journey and introduced me to Enricoh - who's gone on to become, as Kathe, a kind and wonderful friend.

    My blessings to you Kathe, and may your book be the unrivaled success that you deserve!!

    Richie :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Richieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ... a gracious soul and #TwitterMate !! You and Enricoh 😍😍 what can I say ?? I love your ambitious wishes (RHYMED!) but the success for me first lies in having had the guts to lay my soul bare. It's so not me. If the book went nowhere, I'd at least be able to say that I told a story that needed to be told ... that maybe one person thought twice before they did what I did.

      Thanks for jumping in here, Grounded One !

      Delete
  22. It is facinating to interview an author and learn from the experience.

    ReplyDelete
  23. This is a great message, Glad you made me inspired

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Berlin and Victoria! It's great how we can all inspire each other!

      Delete
  24. Confuckulated sounds cool and unique! Lols. Another talented individual to be admire of. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey 'Mommy' ... I hope I'm talented in much more than coming up with "confuckulated" LOLSSSSSSSSSSSS

      Delete
  25. This book and author sound very interesting. I already follow her on Twitter but want to read her book and get to know her work. She and I seem to have a lot in common so this is a great intro for me. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Best wishes from an Indie Author . She is a child of 70 s . And me of 50 s . Just published my first book on short stories : Journey from Guwahati to Machhiwara . For a change Book is in 13 countries , 102 libraries .

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hey there again, Kathe. I didn't remember that I'd already been to your guest blog, so I entered again. Now I know you even better than before. I hope our connection continues to grow and thank you for your loyal support over the past many months.

    ReplyDelete