Your Work, Your Life, Your Way - 7 Steps to Work-Life Balance by Julie Cohen

What’s on your nightstand now? I’m in a non-fiction phase right now.  One Person/Multiple Careers  by Marci Alboher; Building a Home with My Husband by Rachel Simon; Various Illuminations of a Crazy World by Maira Kalman. 

When and why did you begin writing? I began writing when I knew I had something valuable to share.  I did not have a long held desire to be an author, and never imagined myself able to complete a book.  Once I started developing the concepts around the ‘7 Keys to Work-Life Balance’ the idea of the book and writing it became almost a given. 

Do you see writing as a career? Writing is not my career.  I see writing as a tool to complement my career and further serve my clients, my community and my audience.  I am a Career Coach who writes.

As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up? As a Career Coach now, you would think I would have a clear answer?!  I remember having many career aspirations as I grew up.  As a young child: ballerina, veterinarian, artist, doctor, teacher.  As college came nearer, I thought I would be an engineer or scientist of some-sort.  Through college and many different ‘majors’, possible careers included accountant, economist, actuary.  Once I discover my real ‘passion’ – my career path evolved into the helping professions – counselor, human resources professional and now a Career Coach.

Author Interview - Melonie Dodaro, MindBody FX Lifestyle

What’s on your nightstand now?

I’m currently reading Virus of the Mind. It’s a fascinating book, I’m really enjoying it!

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I always knew I wanted to write a book, I just didn’t know about what until I stumbled upon what I call the ‘missing link to weight loss’ – the mind-body connection. Once I learned that, I was clear on what I wanted to write about and will probably never write about anything other than that.

Favorite quote from a book?

My favorite quote is really a large part of the premise behind my book and my program, it is: “You become what you think about.” By Earl Nightingale

What inspired you to write your first book?

I grew up in an obese family and also struggled with my weight. I worked in the weight loss industry for over 10 years and once I found what I believe to be the missing link in weight management ‘ Your Mind’ my mission began to create a new approach to weight loss. I wanted to write a book that will help ends the vicious cycle of yo-yo dieting. I personally know what this is like and have worked with thousands of clients who struggled to find a solution that worked, one that eludes them in the weight loss industry currently, that’s what inspired me to write my book and my complete program.

What books have most influenced your life?

I have been influenced by many books and authors. Just a few are: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz, The Power of Intention by Wayne Dyer and The Law of Attraction by Ester and Jerry Hicks.

Writing the Divine, by Sara Wiseman

Q: When did you start writing, and what inspired you to write?

A: I started writing at about age 8. I was so shy as a kid—I would literally run and hide if anyone came to the house. Writing was a way to express myself without having to talk to anyone!

Q: Where do you write?

A: I write at an enormous old oak desk on my enclosed front porch, overlooking a view of the Willamette River that changes with the seasons. My desk came from an old record shop in Seattle about 30 years ago—it’s a colossal, well-worn thing with deep drawers. Last time I was in Seattle doing a workshop at East West, I noticed the record store is still there!

Q: What's the best thing about being a published author?

A: When you are confused about what your next step is, or when the road gets particularly challenging, you can pick up your book, feel the heft of it in your hand, and say “well, if I did this, I can do whatever’s next.”

Q: Who are some of your favorite authors?

A: I read so much fiction for so long, it’s not on my radar now. Mostly, I devour everything in my field. And I also have a soft spot for poetry: Rumi, Mary Oliver, David Whyte, Kenneth Rexroth.

Q: Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?

A: I love my readers, and I hear from them daily. They are a chatty, upbeat bunch! They’ve been utterly encouraging, commenting that they enjoy my humor and writing style, asking questions, and telling me their personal stories about how the book has been useful or even transformative in their lives. I am stunned by the open hearts of the people I am connecting with, and also how the Universe is arranging for us to meet from all points of the globe.

Q: What are your current projects?

A: Your Psychic Child will be out with Llewellyn in December 2010. I’m starting my third book soon.

Q: What do you like to do when you're not writing?

A: My work and schedule are so intense, I revel in downtime. I like to ride bikes, do some mellow kayaking, swim, hang out with my partner and kids, and take trips around the Pacific Northwest. I’m a west coast gal— I love the Pacific Ocean and Puget Sound.

Q: How did you come up with your title?

A: It was provided by my spirit guides. I don’t really argue back.

Q: Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

A: Anyone can have a direct connection with the Divine, and it will change your life. This kind of two-way communication with God/Universe/Source allows you to receive clear, specific guidance on your life’s path and purpose. No guru, priest, religion, teacher, rules, workshop, CD package, training or other is required.

Q: What’s the hardest part of writing a book?

A: The chair. Sometimes I write six hours a day—but I jump up and down from that chair so many times, it’s not even funny. Coming back to the chair, sitting down, and sticking to it is extremely challenging for me.

Q: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

A: I would include an audio CD of The 33 Lessons, read aloud. People ask for this all the time. I’m working on adding it to my website, now.

Lives of Passion, School of Hope

Kids get the message all too well. The pressure to achieve mounts like a frightening storm. Smart kids crack. Kids who don’t fit in simply give up. The Test takes over, and many young people are left out in the cold.

The pressure I feel to do well on the tests and get good grades is enormous. I think about it all the time. I have no life, and sometimes I feel completely alienated from what I am supposed to be learning. Meanwhile, the things that are really important to me, like my relationships with friends, family, and the world, seem to be considered totally unimportant.
–Debbie, a student in a conventional high school in Marin County, California