Akirchner interviews Darlene Sabella
A retiree finds income and an emotional connection with the outside world through the written word
I haven’t
been on HubPages that long myself and am enjoying the interaction between all
the writers. I confess that mostly I end up reading people’s
writing when they leave a comment on one of my Hubs although other times, I do
randomly read other Hubs. With me, it is never a lack of interest –
it is usually a matter of time. That said, I discovered Darlene
Sabella’s Hubs when she started following my Hubs and left so many kind
comments. Darlene likes to tackle a lot of subjects so that got my
interest right away.
First off,
Darlene, thank you so much for being a follower and for all your kind
remarks. On a down day, sometimes someone’s sweet remark can make
all the difference and you start to believe yes indeed, you can still
write! And of course, thank you for participating in the interview!
When you
approached me for this interview I was very flattered I must admit. But
HubPages has become a home for me. My Hubber friends are exceptional, all supporting each other. It's really extraordinary.
You said
your most popular Hub so far has been Memories of the Hippie Days – I can see why as most of us all remember what those days were
like. What inspired you find to write this Hub? (I especially liked
the video you placed in your comment!)
Thank you for
asking, I have had, on the whole, an amazing life. As an elder person now,
I’m obligated to disclose my experiences that have shaped and impacted
my life. Native American cultures look up to the elder in their community
for wisdom and counsel. It dismays me that our nation does not regard
elders with any esteem.
The generations of Hippies is one of those moments in time which altered
my life. I have fond memories, and I want to write down my experiences before
I am too old to remember them. Furthermore, there are scores of us baby
boomers that glimpse back in their past and have the identical memories as I
do. We share a distinctive time and place in history, like Woodstock, that will
connect us forever.
I also
loved your I Am Profoundly Smitten with Einstein Hub and your Book Review: Anthony Adverse. Tell us more about why you
decided to write these 2 pieces – I notice that more and more Hubbers are
starting to write book reviews, which is a wonderful thing. Do you feel
that there is a need for us to be doing more of that?
Ideally, for each person, a book should be unique in some way to draw the reader into
something very special. Not like a “famous sports star,” which is boring. This book, Anthony Adverse, is history at a grand scale; it’s our roots, it is factual and authentic, and it’s not just a
book. It’s a treasure, and oh what a distinguished treasure I revealed
in this book. And, if others should want to do a book review, I hope they
check out my website and review my book, Flying Dreams.
Many women are engrossed in men for different reasons. Some women like their [posteriors], their dimples, the handsome looks, charming ways, or how much money they
have. I personally was a shoe person. I loved to see a man in great shoes;
yup, I know that is weird. However, with that said, I am compellingly attracted
to power. I am remaining candid here. But most of all, I adore intelligent
men, men that enjoy talking and are not anxious to go profoundly deep, you
know, entrenched in a concept, and then going further to its finite element. For
me, love does not start in the heart or body; its inception is the union of
mind. In the past I had a radio talk show and the first guest I requested
was a local retired physicist. What a impressive interview that was. My love
also extends to Stephen Hawkins: a super mind and a man so disabled his body does not move.
Your
profile mentions that you are from Colorado (loved your Pikes Peak Hub by the
way) and that you have written children’s book? That is really
incredible! The illustration on your website is adorable. Tell us
more about your writing career – have you written other things?
I never
wanted to be a writer. I aimed to reach success in the corporate world, the
“man’s world," a legacy to other women (long ago I was
the first female beer sales person in Southern California). My objective was
always to generate the same amount of income as my equal male co-workers. I
exerted myself relentlessly, and yet they made
twice as much as I did. That was back in the days of the “boy’s
network.”
Then,
during a vacation to Sedona, Arizona, I turn out to be inspired to write this
children’s book. My book rested in my computer for ten long years.
Accordingly, I went back to college to acquire a degree in English and arrived, suddenly, in love with writing. I completed editing my book and contacted a
publisher that is out of this world. All this was prepared during the eleven
years that I lived 10,000 feet up in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. History is
incredible; I can taste and feel it. Leaving the beach of southern California
was another life-altering episode for me. I fancy all the western states and
traveling was a zeal of mine. I sought after adventure all the time.
I write small short how-to articles for eHow. And now I am working on part two of Flying Dreams, my sequel to the first book.
I also
noticed that you wrote a Hub about publishing on other websites and some bad
experiences there - Beware of Writing Articles on Other Websites like
Factoidz – please share any advice you have on that score with us
all. What have your experiences been with other sites?
During my
time writing for Factoidz I in no way had any interaction with the other
writers, and your articles all have to be approved, and then they would rate
them. I must say I got many high-ranking articles. Over an extended period of
time I, on no account, made one cent. Thus I asked them to close my account so
I could move my articles over to HubPages. As I am sure you are all aware, your Hubs can not be located on any other site but HubPages.
Consequently, they
let me know they would be more than delighted to close my account, but they declined to delete or give me back my articles. They intended to keep them, since they produced income for them through ads. It was a
six month confrontation, which reached a fever pitch. This is why you will see
at the end of each of my articles all having a statement of copyright law. I
have not been writing for other sites anymore; I've found my home here at HubPages
and eHow.
I know
sometimes we put our heart and souls into our writing - what is YOUR favorite
Hub or Hubs that you have written and what made it/them your favorite?
Writing about
personal experience, even painful reminders of my childhood, [is important]. I believe it is
time to stop hiding the truth. For example, my father was a pedophile and
that is a deep family secret. We need to stop these secrets, and protect
the children. Parents that have guys they just met move in with them, stranger
babysitters, drugs, and lack of responsibility... my mom was drunk all the time,
honestly I never saw her sober. She did not protect me even when I went to her
about Dad. Listen to your children, protect your children, this world is
crazy.
The perfect
forum to express serious issue, heavy and deep issues is a great
responsibility, not just writing about silly stuff. Some people are victims
and we need to use our past experience to help others, which is what writing is
for me. A platform to each people, to see the truth of life, and to reach
them. I also write about other passions like saving the trees and animals. I spend several years with the Native Americans and spent most
of my time in their sweat lodges as the only white person.
I want to be
part of something bigger them me, I want to experience and taste life, and
share that passion. All of my Hubs are my favorites; they all express what
I have seen in this world. I have yet to write about my most serious and
damaging article about when I was kidnapped by a serial killer back in 1986. I
have never been the same, and it will be a hard Hub to write. I am gearing up
my courage.
As Shellie
asked of me, what is your inspiration for your Hubs? How do you make up
your mind to write about a subject? How do you go about putting together
your piece? This week for instance you did the Let’s Have
Some Fun: My Favorite Photos (which by the way were awesome) and then
you did the I’m extremely Apologetic But you’re Late! – among others. How do you switch between subjects and get your
ideas flowing?
My
inspiration is my experiences. I have had an adequate amount of time to have
had many journeys. I will take small breaks from writing and find
myself thinking deeply about something, and then I run to my computer and start
writing. I glimpsed at the TV last night, at Dateline or some news show
regarding the way the beef was treated before they were killed for use to eat
the beef, and the serious diseases they carry, and yet the FDA is not doing their
job and it is killing people. I had to turn the channel; my heart hurts deeply
when they show any animal in such pain and torture. Now this will trigger a
thought about something and off I go writing my Hub.
To begin
with, I have a passion for unique pictures and when I see one that I like, I
save it. I suspect I love to show this portion of me, which is not constantly
so serious. I am too deep and serious a person.
The Hub about
late people came into me because I abhor people that are late. I stood up
my therapist this week and I felt so bad, like I sinned or did an incredible
horrific thing. I am doing the 30 Hubs in 30 Days Challenge, and it has turned out
to be hard for me. I write when I get a thought, and in this challenge I am
forcing myself to write and so I contemplate and let my mind come up with what
Hub I should do next.
You also
write about some very serious subjects such as finding out your daughter have
breast cancer, euthanasia, bipolar disorder and diabetes – those are such
important issues and I applaud your writing about them. Is it hard for
you to write about things of this nature or do you feel it is a
‘release’ of sorts to write about these issues?
No, not a
release, it is imperative as a responsible author and writer to write on the
subject of facts and write about important issues that people are facing in
today’s world, the truth and nothing but the truth, and expose or comfort
people that are truly searching on the internet looking of help. I am
enormously serious about my Hubs; they need to produce an impact in some way. I
not only want to change or world, I need to. I am driven to, I want the light
to flow across the globe and to reach everyone’s heart, and maybe create
peace. I believe it should start with one person then two and so on.
What do
you enjoy most about being a Hubber on HubPages and where do you see yourself
going in the future? What would you like to see change, if anything, in
terms of your writing success?
It started
out for me as an income need. I am a retired senior on a limited income. So
my consideration was only on food and my needed prescription medications.
Somehow, all has changed, it is cathartic for me. This is my connection to the
world. I don’t depart from my home much; I am somewhat a hermit. Here and
now, it has become a campaign to reach those folks that need help on a deeper
level and to converge and influence them in a way that will help change them,
give them hope.
Again,
Darlene, thank you so much for taking the time to let me ask you all these
questions – and I wish you every success on HubPages and in life in
general. The subjects that you write about are very diversified and
interesting - I look forward to reading many, many more.
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