Inspired Spotlight with Author & Publisher Marion Witte, Wise Woman Collection: Courage of the Soul

I had the pleasure of speaking with author and publisher Marion Witte, about her latest project of her Wise Woman Collection, Courage of the Soul.

Please share about your background (where you were born, where you grew up, siblings/family dynamic, career background, where you live now, etc.)

I was born and raised on the prairies of North Dakota in the 1950s. Our farm was situated in a remote location, and the environment was cold and sterile and my family was highly dysfunctional. I detail my journey through a childhood of abuse, alcoholism and abandonment to adult recovery in Little Madhouse on the Prairie: A True-Life Story of Overcoming Abuse and Healing the Spirit. My hope in relaying the story of my life is to open readers’ eyes to the long-term effects of negative childhood experiences.

What inspired you to begin writing?
I began writing poetry as a small child as a way to escape into another world. In high school and college I used writing as a form of creative expression. As an adult, my writing became a therapeutic technique, and now it is a means of educating and informing.

When did you begin your writing journey?

I began my professional writing career three years ago, when my memoir, Little Madhouse on the Prairie: A True-Life Story of Overcoming Abuse and Healing the Spirit, was published.

What inspired you to write this book?

I was inspired to write this book as I pondered the idea that it takes a tremendous amount of courage to live a human life. Each of us is a warrior, taking a personal heroic journey, facing the challenges presented to us along the way. I wanted to create a vehicle for everyday people to share their stories of overcoming the obstacles that life presents.

Please share about ‘Wise Woman Collection: Courage of the Soul’.

Wise Woman Collection-Courage of the Soul is a book that chronicles the life-changing events of ordinary people who found their measure of courage, and through their will and determination they have not only survived their circumstances, but they persevered. And having persevered, they triumphed. In Courage of the Soul, the reader will find a connection between the narrated stories and their own life experiences. In reality, the stories of each of us are the stories of all of us. And in our own unique way, each of us has met life’s challenges by taking the journey required to unearth the courage of our own soul.

How did you decide to publish this book? Why?

I decided to publish Courage of the Soul as the first book in The Wise Woman Collection, a series of books is devoted to education, inspiration and transformation through the sharing of stories and wisdom. The Collection is based on the philosophy of the Dalai Lama that the planet desperately needs more peacemakers and storytellers.

What is the best advice you have received about writing?
Just do it!

What is your advice to beginning writers?
Just do it!

Most writers are readers. What books are on your “to-read” list?
Oddly enough, The Shoes of the Fisherman.

Where can readers find out more about you and your book?
You can read more about Wise Woman Collection-Courage of the Soul, and the other books in the collection, at Wise Woman Collection

Marion’s personal blog is MarionWitte.com, The Angel Heart Foundation and its sister sites, Next Generation Parenting and Brave New Leaders, can be accessed at Angel Heart Foundation.

Question for fun sake—what was your favorite inspirational quote and why?
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” – Walt Disney. I like this quote because Disney also showed us you could do it while also having fun.