Thursday, August 7, 2014

20 Questions with Tara Edin, author of 'Moonflower: A Memoir of Healing'






Tara is an incest, rape and sexual assault survivor, a teacher, a wife, a mother, a Reiki master, and an author.
As a rape and sexual assault survivor, who struggled for many years, yet came out on the bright side, one of Tara’s goals is to help fellow survivors feel less alone, less crazy, and more inspired.
Tara spent much of her life feeling “wrong” and being quiet due to some very tough circumstances that shook her to the core. After a spiritual awakening on one of her darkest nights, Tara began to embrace her own power to transform past trials into dreams come true.
Writing her story has helped Tara retrieve her voice and find additional creative outlets. Publishing her book has simply made her story available to those who may benefit from it.
These days, Tara puts most of her energy into raising her two children, enhancing her creative life, and living her best life ever. But because she is a Survivor, Tara will always walk a healing path—healing for herself and for others.
For More Information
About the Book:

Blooming was her Birthright. Darkness the Unexpected Catalyst.

Tara is an incest, rape and sexual abuse survivor, who suffered from PTSD for many years
but was misdiagnosed with mental illnesses instead. This took her down a near-fatal path ultimately ending in an accident, which nearly claimed her life at age 29. Most only know the abridged version of the story, yet the real story holds many truths and miracles that must be shared. With a second lease on life, Tara faces the sexual abuse and betrayal from her younger years with support from a compassionate zen therapist. Tara begins to recreate her life with a new spirituality that feeds her soul and encompasses her painful past, giving life to the love that has always been her birthright. With lucid prose and powerful poetry, Tara details her soul’s transformation from darkness to light, offering her readers the gifts of honesty, empathy, and empowerment.

Moonflower is Part Memoir, Part Self-Help & Part Spiritual Odyssey.
Rape, incest and sexual assault are unspoken controversial topics that still fester behind closed doors in the 21st century as survivors are still being told to “Get over it,” or worse, “It didn’t even happen.” It takes years to heal from such life-altering, traumatic experiences, and many survivors are doing this work alone. There is a great need for testimonies from those who have emerged from their ordeals stronger.
This revealing story uncovers the aftermath of abuse that often leads to unstable relationships, repeated abuse, and mental or physical disease. Although Moonflower covers difficult topics such as emotional and sexual abuse, the author sifts through these experiences to offer her readers the gifts and lessons that can be drawn from such setbacks.

There is no cookie-cutter journey to healing, but there is great power in sharing our stories. Moonflower exhibits the power of the self and spirit in the healing process. It stretches beyond what may be considered a “normal” path and braves a non-traditional spiritual road to wellness, inspiring others to broaden their perspectives of the healing experience. Readers will be inspired by Tara’s fiery spirit and deep reflective soul, cheering her on as she finds her way back to herself.

For More Information

  • Moonflower: A Memoir of Healing is available at Amazon.
  • Pick up your copy at Barnes & Noble.
  • Watch the book trailer at YouTube.
  • Discuss this book at PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads.

1. Are you a morning writer or a night writer?
I’m definitely a night writer and have done my best work after 10:00pm.

2. Do you outline or are you a pantster?
I am more of a pantster and go with whatever comes to me. One thought can spark an entire chapter. When a random sentence pops into my head, I ride that wave as long as I can, sometimes just writing impressions and feelings or images. Then I go back and organize the material. For example, I wrote much of my book over several years, stuffing my writing in folders or recording it in journals and on my computer, so it was simply a matter of outlining what I already had. Once I knew the title Moonflower, I outlined the five parts (Reflection, The Descent, Grounded, Growing, and Blooming) and added the chapters to fit each part.

3. Which comes first – plot or character?
The “what” and the “who” are so inextricably connected. It’s kind of a conundrum to me, but I tend to favor character, since the characters’ decisions and feelings truly carry the plot.

4. Noise or quiet when working on your manuscript?
If it’s daytime, I usually have some sort of noise in the background (music, the TV downstairs, my children playing). At night, it’s just the tapping of my keyboard, the ticking clock on the wall, and sometimes some yoga/relaxation music.

5. Favorite TV show?
The Real Housewives of OC is my weekly TV fix.

6. Favorite type of music?
I like all kinds of music. Some of my favorite artists are Jewel, Tori Amos, Cold Play, Christina Aguilera, Imagine Dragons, Paul Cardall, Sting, and Sarah Mclaughlin.

7. Favorite craft besides writing?
I love designing jewelry with crystals, pearls, gemstones and even ribbon. I also get very into designing cupcakes/cakes for my kids’ holiday and birthday parties.

8. Do you play a musical instrument?
I sing in my car.

9. Single or married?
I’ve been happily married for five years.

10. Children or no?
I have two children ages 5 and 2. They’ve given my life new meaning and have made me a better person. I’m more patient, more time efficient, and more driven.

11. Pets?
At the moment, we have a blue beta fish. Once my little one is out of diapers, we can look into adding a furry friend to the family.

12. Favorite place to write?
I write in my office. It’s where my computer is. My desk is surrounded by some of my favorite things: my children’s drawings, family photos, my pens, my lily and citrus aromatherapy candle and my favorite angel picture.

13. Favorite restaurant?
Roy’s is one of my favorite restaurants. My husband and I have celebrated many happy occasions there. My hubby says I go there for the chocolate soufflĂ©. He is mostly right, but they have excellent tapas and seafood, too.

14. Do you work outside the home?

Yes, I teach English at a local public school. 

15. What was the name of the last movie you saw?
In the theater, it was Divergent. At home, lately it’s been Frozen.

16. Favorite outdoor activity?
I love hiking near the beach. Being by the ocean always re-energizes me. 

17. Pet peeve?
When people are superficial.

18. Your goal in life?
I have many life goals, but one that stands out is to raise my children into happy, loving, independent adults. 

19. Your most exciting moment?
Becoming a mother was most exciting time in my life (both times).

20. The love of your life?
My family is the love of my life.

No comments:

Post a Comment