Can
you tell us a bit about yourself?
Lucy Adkins: Always I have felt a strong connection to the
natural world, wanting to spend as much time in it as I can. Hiking and bird-watching
are two of my greatest joys, along with green and growing things, and I spend a
lot of time on my hands and knees in the garden. I live in Lincoln, Nebraska
with my husband, a bluegrass musician, and our Scottie dog, Misty. My son and
his family (including three fabulous grandchildren) live in Japan, and I am
eager for the pandemic restrictions to lessen so I can see them.
Becky Breed: My parents, avid readers, introduced me to
books before I could walk. We didn’t have a television until I was ten so
reading was my pleasure. I also spent a lot of time on a horse, looking for
adventure and taking care of my pet calves. I had a wild imagination. I’ve
always liked stories with a bang.
Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland
and Walter Farley’s Black Stallion
were two of them, and any writing assignment in school was a joy. Many years
later, I still like the same things I did as a child. I am the mother of two
daughters and four granddaughters. It gives me so much pleasure to watch how
they weave writing and creativity into their lives.
Where did you grow up?
Lucy Adkins: I grew up on a small farm in Nance County,
Nebraska—a spot almost in the very dead center of the United States.
Becky Breed: I had the pleasure of growing up on several
farms in southeastern Nebraska, land of corn, oats, and barley.
What is your fondest childhood memory?
Lucy Adkins: In addition to other farm animals, my family
raised sheep, and I loved taking care of the occasional “bottle lamb,”
attaching the black rubber nipple to a pop bottle filled with milk, and
watching the lamb on his “knees” sucking it down, his tail wagging like mad.
Becky Breed: One of my favorite childhood memories is being
on my grandmother’s farm, wading with my cousin in the creek and making
mischief. The pure delight of picking and eating as many red cherries as I
could was a guilty pleasure.
When
did you begin writing?
Lucy Adkins: Like many writers, I started writing as a young
child and continued through high school and college, then stopped for a long
time when I was raising my son. I started what I consider “writing seriously”
in my early forties.
Becky Breed: Early.
I just found some kindergarten school papers my mother saved and there was a
Mother’s Day card with “You r the bist
Mom!” written from me.
What
is this book about?
Lucy Adkins: The Fire
Inside: A Companion for the Creative Life is a book of encouragement and
inspiration inviting the reader to say yes to creativity, uncover sources of
inspiration, discover how the “magic” happens, and in so doing, choose to live
bigger lives. Its heart-opening short essays and anecdotes can be read
“straight through” or a little at a time to provide a daily source of
inspiration.
Becky Breed: The Fire Inside is about capturing the
wonder I felt as a kid. It’s about re-connecting as an adult to the spirit of
imagination, seeing new possibilities, not letting no get in the way of your creativity. Our book is about being awake
as if witnessing the world for the first time. And then finding how you can add
to the joy.
What inspired you to write it?
Lucy Adkins: So many times I have heard people say “I am not
creative” or “I don’t have a creative bone in my body.” I strongly disagree. I
believe that we all have within vast untapped reservoirs of creativity. And
when we recognize and begin to connect with that potential, it will be one of
our greatest delights. I want to share that message.
Becky Breed: I like books that give you a new perspective or
help you grow. Sometimes I see my friends shy away from their own creativity,
who think creating is only for “some people.” Or, they think they are too old,
or what they make is only “a little something.” I believe everyone is
inherently creative and there’s no limit to what individuals can do if they put
their minds and hands to work.
Who is your favorite author?
Lucy Adkins: I love Anita Shreve, Julia Cameron, Chris
Bohjalian, and Mary Oliver.
Becky Breed: Louise Erdrich
Where
can readers purchase a copy of your book?
Lucy Adkins and Becky Breed: The Fire Inside can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or
your favorite bookseller, and is available in paperback, ebook, or on audiotape.
It is Volume II of our “Essential Writing and Creativity Series.” While Volume
I in the series, Writing in Community,
centers around the magic of a generative writing group, and how you can write
more and better, shoulder to shoulder with other writers, The Fire Inside speaks not only to writers but to creative people
of all stripes, encouraging them to find and grow their passions. You can
follow the link to each book below:
The Fire Inside: https://amzn.to/39s2bai
Writing in Community: https://amzn.to/2ZiVtOi
Do you
have a website and/or blog where readers can find out more?
Lucy Adkins and Becky Breed: Our website, thewritingandcreativelife.com,
is an invitation to join the writing and creative communities. It offers posts
of inspiration and encouragement no matter whether you are just tiptoeing into
the artistic life, or someone who has
been writing and creating a long time. Inspiring writing/creativity exercises
accompany each post to help bring out the artist in you.
Do you have a video trailer to promote your
book? If yes, where can readers find it?
Lucy Adkins and Becky Breed: Go to our website,
thewritingandcreativelife.com, and you will find our trailer on the left side
of the Home page.
What is one piece of advice you would like to share
with aspiring authors everywhere?
Lucy Adkins: I always
encourage aspiring writers to read, read, read. Read not only in your own genre,
but biography, poetry, science, and history, whatever you can get your hands
on. Fill yourself with words, thoughts, and ideas, and they will come out in
your writing. Also, develop a practice of writing at least five days of the
week, and try to stick to it, even if some days you write for only fifteen or
twenty minutes. Then when you find yourself diverted from your practice (as you
will), forgive yourself, and begin anew.
Becky Breed: Do not give up! Believe in yourself, establish
a routine and keep writing.
What
is up next for you?
Lucy Adkins: I am currently working on a couple of novels, a
book of poetry, and am planning a third book for Becky’s and my “Essential
Writing and Creativity Series.” This third book, as yet unnamed will be a book
of proven writing exercises to help individuals (whether writing alone or in
their writing group) dig deep and unleash their full writing potential.
Becky Breed: I am a teacher at heart and enjoy working with
people. I plan on continuing offering workshops and readings, meeting other
writers and creatives, and learning more about this complex and, sometimes, infuriating
process of writing. I want to reach out and help others become all they can be.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Lucy Adkins: I
believe it is important to look for opportunities to say yes when it feeds your
soul. Too often we say no. We are busy; we doubt ourselves. But the universe
has amazing things to offer and keeps on inviting us to partake in it, and when
we say yes, the world will open in unbelievable ways.
Becky Breed: If you haven’t already, consider finding a
partner or a writing community to join. Being part of one keeps you motivated
and inspired. That has been true for me. It wasn’t until I joined a generative
writing group, meeting and writing with others on a regular basis, that my
writing really took off.
Posts
