Posted Wednesday, 10 October, 2018 by jorielov Influence Publishing Inc., Life Outside the Box, Marilyn R. Wilson, Real People | Real Lives series, The Wisdom of Listening 1 Comment

Good morning, dear hearts!
You might remember my conversation with Ms Wilson or my ruminations on behalf of her first release Life Outside the Box, Volume One – today, I have the joy of her guesting on Jorie Loves A Story with an insightful response about how she fleshed together her inspiring idea behind her latest release: The Wisdom of Listening.
I wanted to dig into the heart of how she organised the sequences of discloses within this release as it has a unique rhythm of disclosures – as I initially settled into reading the individual passages, I noted how they strike a hearty balance between a slice of memoir, a candor of conversationalism and the kind of insight you would expect from a woman whose dedicated her life to listening to others who tell their story with the hope of inspiring someone by the experience of hearing their story told.
It is quite true – when she encourages you to read the passages out of sequence from how their arranged – you can take it upon yourself to curate a bit of a personal experiment – which passages are drawing your eye towards them first? Which ones speak to you the most? Try it! You might be pleasantly surprised – as I knew I was as I was reading – I was automatically seeking out more of her own personal declarations – the pieces of this installment in her evolving series of Real People | Real Lives which takes on its own canon of originality with each book she writes – something which struck me as interesting as I was not expecting this to be the case.
Similar to reading anthologies – I took this edition to be of the same vein – a wanderlust of inspiration wherein you are never quite certain which piece or short will draw you into the folds of the message it has left behind for you to find. Each of these pieces curate their own fingerprint of insight into what Ms Wilson has gleamed as an interviewer but also, as an experiencer of life spent observing the keen awareness we all have within us to contemplate as we shift through our transitions – where memory and experience intermix and re-settle the thoughts as they once percolated to mind when inspiration alights within us.
I will be revealling my thoughts upon reading this book lateron this week [on Friday, the 12th] – for now, tuck yourself into this guest post and enjoy your favourite cuppa as you do! I hope you will find it an inspiring read and perhaps it will help you decide if her books are meant to become one of your #nextreads!

(Guest Post) The Wisdom of Listening
Subtitle: Pieces of Gold from a decade of interviewing and life
by Marilyn R. Wilson
The next time you're out in public, take a moment to look around you. Each and every person you see holds wisdom in their pockets--pieces of gold they've accumulated as they walked their own unique life journey.
Within these pages, Marilyn shares some of the many pieces of gold she has received over her decade-long career. They have been offered to her during interviews, through random encounters and while facing difficult challenges. The most important? We are each unique and exactly who we are meant to be.
Are you ready to dig for gold? All you need to do is be brave, be present in the moment and be open to the possibilities--then start a conversation.
Genres: Biography / Autobiography, Interviews & Conversations, Non-Fiction, Self-Improvement & Self-Actualisation Places to find the book:
Add to LibraryThing
ISBN: 9780995314726
Also by this author: Life Outside The Box: The Extraordinary Journeys of 10 Unique Individuals, Author Interview with Marilyn R. Wilson, The Wisdom of Listening
Published by Influence Publishing Inc.
on 28th May, 2018
Published by: Influence Publishing Inc. (@influencepub)
Formats Available: Paperback and Ebook
Converse via: #NonFiction & #RealPeopleRealLives
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Posted Wednesday, 10 October, 2018 by jorielov in Blog Tour Host, Indie Author, iRead Book Tours, Reader Submitted Guest Post (Topic) for Author
Posted Monday, 22 June, 2015 by jorielov Influence Publishing Inc., Life Outside the Box, Marilyn R. Wilson, Real People | Real Lives series 5 Comments

One of my true joys in life is keeping an eye on fashion – both the stylish trends of the industry itself and the full history of where style took residence in people’s lives simply by creating their own take on what they felt would work best with their bodies and spirits. I love watching Turner Classic Movies for this one reason (even though I typically lament it’s the solid story-telling and the emotional connections you get to the characters!), as a beautiful arc backwards into how fashion and the clothes people wore not only defined who they were as individuals but how clothes defined entire generations.
When I set down to write the questions for this interview, I kept it in mind to ask pertinent questions about the industry at large but also, to take the conversation to a personal side of reflection and insight that my readers would welcome seeing by today’s guest Marilyn R. Wilson who has started to write a serial collection of stories garnished out of her experiences and interviews with the people who have inspired her the most.

Real Stories about Real People to Entertain, Inspire and Challenge You.

Get inspired to step out of your box and into a world full of potential. From the corporate world, to the arts, to working with the disenfranchised – the message is clear. There is no such thing as a normal way to live your life and no one right solution to any problem. Selected from amongst over 100 interviews, the stories shared here open a window on the journeys of seven women and three men who have charted their own path, including Ruthie Davis – top U.S. luxury shoe designer and the winner of the 2014 AAFA Footwear Designer of the Year award – and Geir Ness whose perfume is a staple in Nordstrom, Disney World and on Disney Cruise Lines. Enjoy a glimpse behind the scenes into the unique ways these individuals chose to deal with life’s challenges and how they define success in their careers.

I can directly relate to ‘owning your own truth’ as far as your artistic light shining out of your soul via your choices in fashion. Clothes are intricately attached to the artistic fire of our spirit because clothes help define our spirit in an outward method of communicating a piece of who we are on the inside. I love how you previously conveyed in an interview (via Vancouver Fashion Week) about ‘defining your story in clothes’ as clothes can paint a story in a way words cannot. What do you hope your clothes are saying if if you were write a synopsis for their story?
Wilson responds: I think this one of the most interesting questions I’ve ever been asked. My hope is that my clothing would define my story as unique and that my decision to wear things that I loved regardless of what was dictated as currently “IN” by the fashion world would be an example of how I embrace life and success in a way that is meaningful to me alone. As my favorite garments are ones with their own story – I know or have interviewed the designer, the concept was truly inspiring, etc. – I hope they would also share how I choose to live my life the same way, by drawing in experiences that support my decision to embrace a life and definition of success that makes my heart sing. Read More

Posted Monday, 22 June, 2015 by jorielov in 20th Century, Art, Blog Tour Host, Fashion Industry, Indie Author, iRead Book Tours, Non-Fiction, Reader Submitted Author Interview, Vignettes of Real Life
Posted Monday, 22 June, 2015 by jorielov Influence Publishing Inc., Life Outside the Box, Marilyn R. Wilson, Real People | Real Lives series 2 Comments

Acquired Book By: I was approached by iRead Book Tours to host a non-fiction title “Life Outside the Box” and during their query I decided to start hosting regularly with iRead Book Tours and their companion hosting company Italy Book Tours as a direct result of how welcoming they are to book bloggers. I received a complimentary copy of “Life Outside the Box” direct from the publisher Influence Publishing Inc. in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
My curiosity was piqued:
I instantly *loved!* the premise of “Life Outside the Box” as it is a theme I can directly relate too inasmuch as I was keenly interested in reading the book! The main thread of the context that leapt out to me in such a stimulating way is the fact that ordinary people took a route in their lives that led them to achieve the extraordinary — little deviant paths towards choosing the creative avenue over the more traditional passageway has fascinated me for awhile, being a creative myself. Each of us who elects to create something out of nothing is by definition an artist. To find a collection of stories based off the interviews conducted in person by the writer who collected these stories together felt like a wicked good read to me!
It isn’t often you get to dig inside a person’s mind to understand how they went from here to there in their creative endeavours — to understand the mind of a creative economist from the inside out and thus, find threads of commonality as much as inspiration out of their journey! These are the types of real-life stories I love warming up too because they give such a well of insight into our shared and oft-times collaborative journey as we walk with a breath of creative light inside our footpaths!
Life Outside The Box: The Extraordinary Journeys of 10 Unique Individuals
by Marilyn R. Wilson
Source: Publisher via iRead Book Tours
Real Stories about Real People to Entertain, Inspire and Challenge You.
Get inspired to step out of your box and into a world full of potential. From the corporate world, to the arts, to working with the disenfranchised – the message is clear. There is no such thing as a normal way to live your life and no one right solution to any problem. Selected from amongst over 100 interviews, the stories shared here open a window on the journeys of seven women and three men who have charted their own path, including Ruthie Davis – top U.S. luxury shoe designer and the winner of the 2014 AAFA Footwear Designer of the Year award – and Geir Ness whose perfume is a staple in Nordstrom, Disney World and on Disney Cruise Lines. Enjoy a glimpse behind the scenes into the unique ways these individuals chose to deal with life's challenges and how they define success in their careers.
Genres: Anthology Collection of Short Stories and/or Essays, Non-Fiction, Art & Art History, Biography / Autobiography, Fashion Industry Places to find the book:
Borrow from a Public Library
Add to LibraryThing
Also by this author: Author Interview with Marilyn R. Wilson, (Guest Post) The Wisdom of Listening, The Wisdom of Listening
Series: ,
Published by Influence Publishing Inc.
on 1st February, 2015
Format: Paperback Edition
Pages: 236
Published by: Influence Publishing Inc. (@influencepub)
Available Formats: Paperback, Ebook
Converse via: #RealPeopleRealLives & #LifeOutsideTheBox
About Marilyn R. Wilson

Marilyn R. Wilson is a freelance writer and editor with a passion for interviewing. It all began in 2006 when she answered a Craigslist ad from a NY magazine asking for story submissions. Two were accepted. The first live interview was life changing and Wilson has never looked back. With over 150 interviews now behind her, the love of interviewing is still as strong as ever. Whether through a random encounter on the New York subway or via a “one-on-one” interview with an internationally recognized artist, the goal is the same—to share the unique journeys of inspiring individuals.
In 2007, this goal led the author to co-launch a successful, innovative magazine focused on professionals working in the fashion industry, paired with photography and illustrations by local artists. Now on staff at Raine Magazine (NY/Miami/LA), as well as freelancing for other publications, Wilson has taken her passion to a new audience with the release of her first book.
Website | Facebook
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Posted Monday, 22 June, 2015 by jorielov in 21st Century, Art, Blog Tour Host, Debut Author, Fashion Industry, Fly in the Ointment, Indie Author, iRead Book Tours, Non-Fiction, Vignettes of Real Life
Posted Tuesday, 9 June, 2015 by jorielov Influence Publishing Inc., Return to Food, Sherry Strong 2 Comments

Acquired Book By: I was approached by iRead Book Tours to host another non-fiction title “Life Outside the Box” (which is upcoming on 22nd of June) prior to finding “Return to Food”. I decided to start hosting regularly with iRead Book Tours and their companion hosting company Italy Book Tours as a direct result of how welcoming they are to book bloggers. I received a complimentary copy of “Return to Food” direct from the author Sherry Strong in exchange for an honest review. I did not receive compensation for my opinions or thoughts shared herein.
My initial interest in this author and book:
One of the best blessings to opening Return to Food was being greeted by the author’s own artwork on the illustrative plates which coordinate and cross-reference her messages throughout the book. My favourite illustrative plate is on page 3 which shows a portrait of a teenager and is talking about how teens can become unhealthy simply by the choices they are making in their diets. A fact I could relate to myself, as my school years were not my favourite years for eating as I found the time allotted for lunch was too rushed and only focused on getting us in/out of the cafeteria without any consideration for the time needed to consume the food we were eating. It was the first taste of the crazy rat-race of corporate America and the internal harried clock of the working man, because many professional careers do not allot a lot of time for meals much less for a persona life. Hence why this first illustration struck a chord with me, and I knew, having seen how she surrounded the graphic with words clarifying the key issues, that most of our downward spiral of unwellness due begin and start in childhood and/or adolescence.
The one thing I wanted to share as I was reading Return to Food is how I’ve never sought out a ‘diet’ per se but rather a lifestyle of eating that would allow my body to thrive in a way that was not co-dependent on foods which would only deplete my health and thereby, reduce the nutrition that I could have yielded if I had eaten foods differently. I have been on a quest for most of my life to source out the best way to balance food and the combinations of foods which would agree with my system. As for each person who is seeking a healthier lifestyle, we all have to remain mindful of what works for us and how to tap dance around allergies or other afflictions that make transitions a bit trickier than those who do not have them.
As I relay my experiences reading cookbooks inasmuch as hosting author guest features by the chefs or authors behind the books I am reading on healthy eats across the divide of where savoury and ambrosial meet each other in harmonic blissitude, I am hoping that perhaps something I am sharing about my own journey will resonate with other readers who are seeking a similar path. Underneath my blog posts are related posts which can give you a quick-step glimpse into where my wanderings as the Bookish Foodie have led me to go thus far along, inasmuch as you can scout out the cookbooks directly in either my Story Vault or my Publisher’s Story Vault (hint: scroll down to Cedar Fort’s imprint Front Table Books).
As you will find as you wind your way through my showcases on food, I have a penchant for whole foods, living foods, and a quirky attachment to gluten-free vegan baking! I personally love to eat vegan foods as much as I delight in the joy of fresh veg juicing with greens. A green smoothie to me is heavenly bliss and beet juice with a fusion of carrots, ginger, & other bits is a refreshing jolt of vitality. I don’t have to have a traditional plate of food in front of me to be happy because I have been on a journey towards living my inner truth of joy for over a decade now. I personally would love to become 100% vegetarian seeking out gluten-free and vegan compliments as often as I could. I love to eat by the seasons and I look forward to getting back to a simpler way of re-routing a food map which includes staples of must-haves that can co-relate and compliment other ingredients on a regular basis.
At the moment I’m an omnivore whose missing her herbivore days, but each of us is on a path that we must walk in order to get to where we’re going next. I don’t hide the fact I had to give up the herbivore lifestyle nor my quest to return back to where my own spirit thrived in the bliss of local farm fresh fruit and veg. I appreciate the dedication farmers are giving back to us as consumers, to where we can purchase fresh off the farm vegetables at farm stands and farmer’s markets or the new hybrid of the two: a you pick it yourself farm where your salad greens and your kohlrabi are practically kissing cousins! Laughs. Being able to find ways to understand the distance my food is travelling to my plate is important to me, especially in the world of Big-Ag and the propensity for creating fast food on a farm that is commercially produced in ways that I do not find ethical nor healthy.
For these reasons you can understand my interest in Return to Food
because I am already on a mission towards that end!
Return to Food: the life changing anti-diet
by Sherry Strong
Source: Author via iRead Book Tours
Chances are if you are feeling flat, fat and tired, or are experiencing chronic illness, you are not eating real food. If you want to bounce out of bed feeling fit and fabulous you must find out what is and isn't real food. This book challenges prescriptive approaches to diet, eating and food, with a revolutionary philosophical approach based on over 20 years of working with private clients. This approach has seen thousands of people develop a more pleasurable, healthier, and more sustainable eating lifestyle.
Genres: Cookery
Places to find the book:
Borrow from a Public Library
Add to LibraryThing
Also by this author:
Published by Influence Publishing Inc.
on 1st December, 2014
Format: Paperback
Pages: 220
Published by: Influence Publishing Inc. (@influencepub)
Available Formats: Paperback
with Illustrations by Sherry Strong
Converse via: #ReturnToFood, #heathlyeats, & #vegan
About Sherry Strong

Sherry Strong is a food philosopher, chef and nutritionist who has travelled around the globe to do diet and lifestyle makeovers, and has worked with celebrities, elite athletes, Fortune 500 CEOs, billionaires, and Jamie Oliver and his Fifteen Foundation. Sherry’s philosophies and simple strategies help people feel better and live their best life by developing a healthy relationship with food and their body. Sherry was the Victorian Chair of Nutrition Australia, the Melbourne Head of Slow Food, Curator and Co-Founder of the World Wellness Project Summit and founder of the Return to Food Academy where she teaches people to become Return to Food Coaches and Entrepreneurs.
Website | Facebook
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Posted Tuesday, 9 June, 2015 by jorielov in Blog Tour Host, Chefs and Sous Chefs, Content Note, Cookbook, Cookery, Fly in the Ointment, Indie Author, iRead Book Tours, Locavore, Reader Submitted Author Interview, The Bookish Foodie
Posted Monday, 8 June, 2015 by jorielov Influence Publishing Inc., Return to Food, Sherry Strong 8 Comments

I appreciate seeking out books on wellness and healthier approaches to holistic living inasmuch as I appreciate a wicked good health-conscience cookbook which enriches my spirit to find better ways of combing the foods I love to consume. When I first learnt about the Return to Food blog tour, I was quite happy to realise I could interview the author whilst providing my own thoughts on behalf of her book.
I took this opportunity to ask some pointed questions about curating a healthier lifestyle and the reasons behind why society as a whole might have altered their perception about the realities of health and their mindfulness of approaching wellness from a plant-centered and seasonal point of view. I have been an advocate for the locavore movement in my own community, as I appreciate the farmers who are bringing naturally grown fruit and veg to the farm stands. I appreciate knowing where the food is coming from and how the food is being produced at the farm itself. It is a wonderful way to become involved with the cycle of food and the process of how what we eat (and it’s effect on our health) is in-part derivative of the nutrients the foods may or may not be able to give us depending on how they are sourced.
Join me as I start-up a stimulating conversation with Ms Strong!

Chances are if you are feeling flat, fat and tired, or are experiencing chronic illness, you are not eating real food. If you want to bounce out of bed feeling fit and fabulous you must find out what is and isn’t real food. This book challenges prescriptive approaches to diet, eating and food, with a revolutionary philosophical approach based on over 20 years of working with private clients. This approach has seen thousands of people develop a more pleasurable, healthier, and more sustainable eating lifestyle.
Published by: Influence Publishing Inc. (@influencepub)
Add to Riffle | Public Library | Available Formats: Paperback
Converse via: #ReturnToFood, #heathlyeats, & #vegan

When I first started to read Return to Food what I appreciated the most about the layout of the pages is how it felt like I was reading a personal journal about health. I was curious how did you develop your beautiful hand-drawn illustrations as the style reminds me of art journalists who combine art and words to fuse together thoughts, hopes, dreams, and an articulate guide towards what is deeply personal to them at the moment of creating the journal. The illustrations are a beautiful compliment to the text. Did this style evolve solely out of the life journal for your friend?
Strong responds: Thank you Jorie, I love how beautifully you phrased that question, the illustrations are a deeply person evolution of the book. My best friend was moving to London in 2006, it was also her 40th birthday at the time and we had a policy of no gifts for a gifts sake or more specifically out of obligation. She had the most interesting childhood and life story so in a flash of inspiration I decided to buy a beautiful green cloth-bound book and illustrate her life story. It was the best gift I’ve ever given in my entire life. She was delighted with it and her husband who is a prolific children’s author and novelist suggested I take my philosophies and use the same type of illustrations to express them. From there they continued to evolve over the following 8 years to be more dramatic and carry the themes and they really seemed to take on a life of their own from there. Read More

Posted Monday, 8 June, 2015 by jorielov in Blog Tour Host, Chefs and Sous Chefs, Cookbook, Cookery, Indie Author, iRead Book Tours, Locavore, Reader Submitted Author Interview, The Bookish Foodie