Irene Watson Book Spotlight and Author Interview

Paperback: 248 pages
Publisher: Loving Healing Press (July 16, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1932690670
ISBN-13: 978-1932690675


Book Synopsis:


Irene Watson's pretentious life could go no further until she faced her past. Her moving and inspiring memoir begins at the end, in a recovery center, where she has gone to understand a childhood fraught with abuse, guilt, and uncertainty.


Two distinct parts of the book look at abusive child rearing and the process of recovery years later. This story shows change, growth, and forgiveness are possible. It gives hope and freedom to those accepting the past and re-writing life scripts that have been passed down for generations. It's never too late to change your life, never too late to heal.


I was extremely fortunate to be able to ask Irene some questions about herself and the book. Here goes:


How did you come to the point in your life where you decided to write "The Sitting Swing"?


I’m pretty much a classic author – I knew I had a story to share. After being in recovery for a number of years and seeing that people parallel to my life, I decided to write my story so readers can look at themselves and know there is hope and freedom from past negative experiences.


Could you describe your relationship with your parents, and whether they ever saw the pain you were in?


The relationship with my mother now is okay. My father passed away this past spring. However, it only became “okay” after I decided to divorce my self from them and re-write my life scripts. I no longer have them influence my thoughts, behaviors, and actions.


Who is the most influential person in your life, and why?


It would be Margie, my best friend as a child. I write about her in “The Sitting Swing: Finding Wisdom to Know the Difference.” She was the only stable thing in my life growing up and I dedicate my stability as a child to her.


What are your greatest fears?


Right now? (Laughs) One of the things I “worked” on and still am is fear. Although I’m to a point in my life I can turn fear into love, I still have to be conscious every moment that I don’t get tied up in fear and allow myself to wallow in something that is virtually non-existent.


What do you hope to accomplish with this book?


My biggest hope is to have readers find healing within themselves after reading my book. So far, from the reports I get I’ve succeeded.


What is the greatest gift life has given you?


Ahhh, what a great question. At this moment I am so grateful for my life as it is now. I love what I’m doing, how I feel, my family and friendships, and most of all my connection to a Higher Power. That is such a gift to me.


How did you feel after "The Sitting Swing" was completed? Any regrets?


Oh my goodness, no regrets at all! In fact, I felt I peeled another layer of the onion because while I was writing the book, I was also releasing more of my “stuff.”


What is the greatest feeling in the world?


Hummm….wow. At this moment I would say happiness. At one time in my life I wasn’t happy at all, and it lasted for a long time. Now I am truly happy.


Have you always wanted to be a writer, or did you aspire to be something else growing up?


Oh, sure, as I child I remember wanting to write. I tried several articles for a newspaper but got rejected. Feeling defeated I gave up trying until I started writing my book. In the meantime my life took me on many career paths and experiences.


Are you currently working on anything?


I am working as a co-editor putting together a book about publishing. Aside from that I’m concentrating on my book review and author publicity service as well as being active in the Higher Power Foundation, Inc. We give scholarships to people needing financial assistance in attending spiritual life-transforming workshops or retreats.


About the author:

Irene Watson, author of award winning The Sitting Swing, was born and raised in a tiny hamlet of Reno in the northern area of the province of Alberta in Canada. It was a farming community, mostly settled by immigrants from Russia, Ukraine and Poland during the early 1900s.

Two books that had the deepest impact were Change me into Zeus’s Daughter by Barbara Robinette Moss, and, Lost and Found by Babette Hughes. Reading both books inspired Irene to write about her own life’s journey, from growing up in a semi- abusive home to finally accepting that experience as a path to a spiritual understanding of life. She now shares her story in The Sitting Swing.

Irene is the Managing Editor of Reader Views, where avid readers can find reviews of recently published books as well as read interviews with authors. Her team of reviewers carefully reads each book and posts their honest opinion.

Irene received her Bachelor of Liberal Studies, Summa Cum Laude, in Psychology from Saint Edward's University in Austin and her Master of Arts, with honors, in Liberal Studies: Psychology, from Regis University in Denver.

Today, Irene lives beside Barton Creek in Austin, Texas with her husband Robert of 42 years, and their Pomeranian, Tafton; their calico cat from a rescue shelter, Patches; and their cockatiel, Clement.


THE SITTING SWING VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR '08 will officially begin on September 2, '08 and end on September 26, '08. You can visit Irene's tour stops at www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com in September to find out more about her and her new book!

As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author with a recent release or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available. The winner will be announced on our main blog at www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.wordpress.com on September 26!

Irene's virtual book tour is being brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion and choreographed by Dorothy Thompson.