alekhouse, From Louisville, Kentucky, 210 Fans, 61 Hubs, Joined 8 months ago
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Emohealer interviews Alekhouse
One coach asks questions of another
1) What an honor to interview such an accomplished and amazing woman. You are a retired educator with multiple degrees, a musician, gourmet cook, freelance writer and innkeeper at your own bed and breakfast. With all of your many accomplishments is there any one that stands out for you or means the most?
Well, that's a hard one. I guess I would have to say that they all have equal meaning to me. They all require creativity and each has given me the opportunity to tap into my creative side and strive for perfection; which of course is unattainable. But if I can come close I'm happy. All four areas have played a significant part in my life and have taken priority at one time or another. It is amazing to me how all the areas I've chosen to delve into for one reason or another, continually influence me in one way or another. One area you didn't mention was Art. I started out as an Art major with hopes of being a graphic artist. Since I've been an Innkeeper, my art experiences have enabled me to create a beautiful and authentic Victorian environment from scratch.
2) If you were to take a moment to look back on your life is there anything you would have done differently given the opportunity?
I wish I had not gotten married so many times and had spent that time developing my graphic art and photographic abilities. Instinctually, I have always gravitated toward activities and projects which require those abilities. I recently completed a two-year hard copy cookbook for the Bed and Breakfast Association of Kentucky and was not only able to use my editing and writing skills; but, my art training and bent as well. Even now, I work with graphics continually on line. I constructed my own website twice, which was quite a challenge artistically.
3) You are currently working on multiple projects to ensure your continued success and assisting others to achieve the same; women’s careers and success coaching, Eco-Business, and innkeepers business growth….Is there any one thing you could share with us to find the successes in today’s world and economy?
My advice is to stay positive. Successful, happy people are positive thinkers. If you find this difficult to do, you need to work on it; especially now while we are in a resession and people all around you are losing there jobs and you just may be next. It can be very scary. That's why staying positive is crucial. Your thoughts definitely affect how you view life. If you're coming from a negative place, you will undoubtedly respond to fear in a negative way. You may have exaggerated feelings of inadequacy, worries about your performance ability, about other people's reactions, or even about issues outside your control. You will then unconsciously seek out confirmation of those negative thoughts. Conversely, if your thoughts are positive, you'll seek out positive choices and expect positive results.
A person's reality is influenced by the degree to which he appoaches life positively or negatively. Negativity is reality to the negative thinker. His thoughts make it so. The positive thinker, on the other hand, may also see reality, but he sees it differently. He may not reject or ignore reality, thinking that just because he approaches life in a positive way, his problems will disappear. Instead, he may simply look at his problems in a different light. He will probably look for creative solutions and choose to act in positive ways.
4) With all of your writing venues you are already engaged in, what intrigued you most about HubPages?
The opportunitunity to try various styles and genres of writing and to improve my writing skills over time, with feedback from other writers. I was also drawn to the community. It is very helpful to work on a piece and then to be able to see it in published form and see the reaction to it almost immediately.
5) What do you like most about HubPages and do you have any suggestions for improvement?
I love the community and the forums. Despite the fact that people argue and disagree, I find getting to know others and learning about their interests and perspectives to be, not only interesting, but inspiring and informative.
6) Are there any particular Hubbers, Hubs, forums or topics you would like to highlight that have significance to you?
Two or three people, in particular, come to mind immediately. Besides impressing me with their talent and intelligence, they have been extremely supportive and helpful since I first joined HubPages. One person, Goldentoad, is now gone, but he was extremely instumental in my feeling at home here. Two others, who are still with us, are: cindyvine and Frieda Babbley. Both are brilliant and have been extremely supportive, having given me lots of feedback on many of my pieces. In addition, Denny Lyon, Emohealer, and Tom Cornett have also been quite communicative and supportive. This is not to say, there aren't others, too numerous to mention. I think hubbers are, for the most part, a very supportive group.
7) I understand you have some published works, could you share some of that with us?
Only a cookbook, which I mentioned above in #2 and some newspaper and magazine articles. I am not at all interested in writing a novel, or fiction for that matter. And I am not driven to make money writing. I guess you could say, I like the process of writing as much or more than getting to the end. I enjoy writing short pieces on a variety of topics. I think I would like to write my memoirs some day....more for my family and friends, rather than to publish.
8) What advice or tips would you have for new and aspiring writers?
The most important thing is to write every day. Decide on a given amount of time and stick to it. I write at least 5 hours every day and it really does make a difference. Try different formats until you find the one(s) that turn you on. You will know when that happens. Write articles, short stories, poetry, letters, biographical pieces, try a short memoir, start a blog and post regularly. Join a community like HubPages and learn from other writers. Read there stuff, reflect, communicate. And finally, but extremely important, read, read, read.
9) What would you say is the number one thing you could attribute to your many successes?
My positive attitude. Next would be my passion for learning new things and getting involved in life.
10) When you are just “getting away from it all”, what is it that you prefer most to do?
Read and write.
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