The next author in our Summer of Indie lineup is author and free-lance artist Lisa Vaughn. We had the pleasure of interviewing Lisa Vaughn, and found out a lot about her and the piece she wished to share with Summer of Indie readers: her memoir The Gifted Ones, which she described as, "A true story of resilience that sends a strong message of acceptance and the power of love - told in a raw, honest, format, much like talking to an old friend."After hearing this intruiging premise, we asked author Lisa Vaughn for a more detailed synopsis of what readers could expect from her memoir:
Have
you ever been so in love that your daily breath depended upon another? Have you ever been pushed to unfathomable limits to defend your beliefs?
Have you ever been made to feel like the underbelly of society?
Have you ever been thirteen?
Well I have...and this is my story.
Lisa was conservatively raised in a Catholic family in no-where middle America, where excitement is scarce and dreams are for sleeping. Little did she know, at age thirteen, she would suddenly find herself on a totally different path.
Through an unlikely chance meeting of a fellow classmate, she's surprisingly mesmerized, almost consumed, to befriend a girl who is obviously from the other side of the tracks...the cool side. Lisa does whatever she has to just to be accepted into this small club of coolness. Little did she realize, she was signing up for a lot more than social status. The two best friends find themselves innocently taking their relationship to a foreign level neither had experienced or saw coming.
A rollercoaster ride littered with choices and challenges Lisa never fathomed facing, especially in no-where middle America. She will find out what she is made of as she faces the consequences and struggles that come along with going against the grain.
Throughout their six year relationship, you will witness a touching story of human nature at it's best...and at it's worst. Showing just how far the human spirit can be challenged and pushed to a point where your “fight or flight” instincts naturally kick in. Struggling just to survive in a world where you are not like everyone else, but at the same time you really are. The daily struggles- both internal and external- are exhausting, yet necessary in their quest for one simple human need....love.
Finally breaking through all constraints that hold them back, reaching levels of one-ness that few actually obtain in a lifetime with their partner...only to find once they've reached that special place, it's not quite the right fit...for one of them, at least.
This contemporary story will lead the reader through highs and lows, giving insight to the every day challenges of the socially unaccepted, which will no doubt leave them rooting for the underdog. A true story of human resilience and the power of love...plain and simple.
Available in print, kindle & all ebook versions
Paperback: 282 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace (April 19, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1456506234
ISBN-13: 978-1456506230
Amazon: Kindle & Print
http://www.amazon.com/Gifted-Ones-Lisa-Vaughn/dp/1456506234/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317765323&sr=8-1
Smashwords: All ebook versions
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/71414
After finding out more about her book, we asked Lisa Vaughn a few follow up questions about herself and her work:
Q: Can you tell us more about your book?
Q: You mentioned that you are a free-lance artist, could you tell us more about what motivated you to start writing?
A: My memoir actually started out as a healing tool, helping me deal with my mother's death in 2005. I was surprised to find I had a lot of unfinished business with her, plus a few other people in my life. So what started out as a way to vent pent up anger that I had held inside for thirty plus years, eventually turned into an eye-opening journey for not only me, but for everyone to absorb and learn from.
Q: In your book, who is your favorite character?
A: Well since my book is non-fiction, I'd have to say my fave "character" has to be the person that influenced the six year journey of which I write about in the first place, and that would be my first love, Selina.
Q: Who are some of your favorite authors?
A: I'm an 'indie' girl at heart, always have been, always will be! In movies and books alike. So of course my fave authors are the unknowns, but soon-to-be-up-and-comers! I've read so many fantastic reads in the never-ending world of indies, just too many to count or list! (for fear of leaving someone out, mainly)
Q: Do you have any advice for new writers?
A: Write what you know, and write from your soul. Be real, honest, and raw - even if it's ugly or painful. The readers will sense your honesty and fall into your words with you.
Q: What's next for you (in your writing)?
A: I'm actually working on a second memoir, entitled 'Beautiful Freak', hopefully to be pubbed later this year - aiming for summertime.
Q: Can you tell us three interesting facts you'd like your readers to know?
A:
1. I'm actually an artist, and I view my memoir, The Gifted Ones, as just
another art project in a different medium.
2. I'm a self-proclaimed 'hippie-chick' that digs color, the beach, and expressing myself through my art. I love projects that make people think, opening their minds as a result.
3. I dig cats, am a Leo, and hope to come back as a big, fat, lazy feline next time.
2. I'm a self-proclaimed 'hippie-chick' that digs color, the beach, and expressing myself through my art. I love projects that make people think, opening their minds as a result.
3. I dig cats, am a Leo, and hope to come back as a big, fat, lazy feline next time.
Lisa currently resides in Florida along with her loving husband and four cats, where she continues to create her visions of self-expression.
You can find Lisa Vaughn online at her blog: http://www.thegiftedonesmemoir.blogspot.com
Her Facebook Author Page:http://www.Facebook.com/thegiftedones
Or her Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/thegiftedones
A beautiful story of love, hope & strength! I could not put it down! Looking forward to "Beautiful Freak."
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