Author Name:
Diane Riis
Book Title:
Midnight Pages: A Mystical Workbook for Writers, Insomniacs and Night Owls
Website URL:
Link to book page on Amazon:
Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/DianeRiis.Author
https://www.earthandsoulpublishing.com
What is your book about?
Midnight Pages is a workbook with creative writing practices to take the place of morning pages – a reprieve for night lovers who can’t get up to the discipline of writing at 5:00am. It’s a magic view of the night, as a place of archetypes, signs and other-worldly messengers that can be channeled through automatic writing and creative visualization. It’s making your sleeplessness not just okay, but a creative act.
What inspired you to write your book?
My own insomnia inspired me! I was reading about how science is starting to define autism, depression and schizophrenia, among other things as something other than just diagnoses. They are alternative ways the brain works and the systems our society has in place doesn’t have a way to help people express in these alternatives. It occurred to me, what if insomnia isn’t just a disorder? Upon researching the topic, I found eight straight hours of sleep has never been the norm, throughout human history. And, the dire warnings about how bad insomnia is for us, might be over-stated. I embraced my insomnia and have now written two book in the night. Though come to think of it, a previous one was written late at night as well.
If you have a business related to your book, tell us about it:
I am an author’s coach and I help women get over their blocks – all of which come from some form of self-judgement about who and how we are. So, insomnia might just be another way you’re “different.” And there’s nothing wrong with that! Mine it for gold, be your different self, and consider the night a blessing to you, a writer who would otherwise have to cram your work into the regular daylight hours like the Muggles do.
What is a typical day like for you?
HA! I am up half the night, writing the midnight pages that other people wake up at five to write in the form of daily morning pages! Actually, I also get up at 5:30 because I have a boy who has to get on the school bus at the insane hour of 6:21am. Three seasons of the year I go out to our small flower farm after time meditating (sometimes also called “reading email.”) I talk to clients, try to get onto social media, though I recently had an epiphany and handed that grueling task over to my twenty-something VA! I don’t try to write much in the day, it really doesn’t work. I handle business, make dinner and at night return to my Harry Potter office to write and ruminate on writing.
What do you most enjoy about what you do?
Making my own schedule! Knowing that if I miss something I can make it up in my own time. If I need to sleep in the day, I know a good four hour writing sprint in the wee-hours will dispel any guilt and the best seasons are the ones divided between being outside in the garden and being locked in the office, channeling wonderful inspired words for my next book.
What are some favorite books you’d recommend to our readers?
I love the old Julia Cameron books about creativity and Joseph Campbell’s everything to spark the imagination though right now am reading his book about Goddesses. I read Rumi for inspiration as well, and Walt Whitman.
What advice do you have to offer our readers?
You do YOU!! If you think for one second that “discipline” should feel bad, stop. Discipline as I define it is being in service of something you love. Think of the word disciple. Who or what would you follow no matter what it cost you, happily, willingly, joyfully? Do that.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I am a former minister and now a witch.
What’s next for you?
My Belly Witch Cozy Mystery series for women who need a book to escape into so they can feel at home among intuitive friends.
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