Name: Marquita Herald
Book Title:
It’s Your Time Now: Powerful Strategies to Reimagine, Refresh or Reinvent Your Life at Any Age
Your book’s Amazon purchase link:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0061PU0SU
What is your book about?
It’s Your Time Now is about finding yourself at a crossroad. Sometimes change is thrust upon us by circumstances out of our control, and other times a trigger sparks an awareness that something in our life isn’t working or is missing entirely. But regardless of the source or nature of the change, a choice will always be required. Will you tenaciously cling to who you have always been and what you have always done, or will you embrace the opportunity to make this your turning point and commit to do the work to reinvent your life for the better? Will you be the passenger or the driver in your life journey?
Ultimately, It’s Your Time Now is about understanding that reinventing your life doesn’t mean rejecting all that you are, or creating change for the sake of change; it’s adding a new dimension by allowing yourself to fully embrace—possibly for the first time—the power you have to choose, to dream and explore, to determine the direction of your future, and to own your choices—no excuses, no regrets.
What inspired you to write your book?
My readers are always my greatest inspiration. They told me they “got” the importance of managing change and making intentional choices about their life; what they struggled with was how to going about doing it when you’re already an adult and up to your eyeballs in demanding relationships, commitments, and a lifetime of personal baggage. So, I wrote the book with that challenge in mind. In fact, I’ve just completed a major update that includes questions and simple exercises throughout the book to nudge readers into becoming more self-aware and intentional about their choices and the direction they want to take their life.
Can you describe your writing process?
I do quite a lot research before I ever begin writing. I read any news, articles, research, and clinical studies I can find to get a broad range of data and perspectives. I especially like to read reviews of other books on the subject to see what readers did or didn’t like, or felt was missing. Then I’ll write a few articles to see how my readers respond and to identify particular focus points and hot buttons.
Once I finally begin the book I’ll write a full rough draft without worrying about editing, and then go back and start breaking the content down by sections and fine-tuning the writing and flow. I prefer to write without external noise or distractions, so I often lose track of time; fortunately, my little dog Lucy periodically drags me back into reality for trips outside for some fresh air!
How did you come to do what you’re doing today?
I literally took the scenic route that included several reinventions. My first career was in travel industry sales and as I moved up the line in management, I began doing a lot of workshops and training. Loved the work but eventually tired of living on planes and in hotel rooms, so I took my background in business management and training and made the transition into life and small-business coaching. It didn’t take long to build up my client base, but living in Hawaii made it a challenge to provide the support and training when my clients were spread throughout the Islands. So I set up my first website and started providing online training and webinars. That eventually led to my third reinvention when I launched Emotionally Resilient Living and began focusing in earnest on my passion for the power of resilience and writing full-time.
Can you describe a typical day in your life?
For years my life revolved around suits, my briefcase and trusty planner, and rushing from one meeting to another or to catch a flight to somewhere in the world. So now that I’m writing full time, my “business” attire is usually a t-shirt and shorts and I prefer to keep life pretty low-key. An early riser by nature, I’m usually up by 3-4:00 a.m. The first couple of hours of the day are spent on research and following up on email. Once the sun comes up, I head to the park with my dog for a long walk and then I’ll spend the next few hours writing. In the afternoon, I normally work on activities related to my website or developing a new course. In the evening, I’m either out with friends or I read; in fact, I haven’t watched television in over two years.
What do you most enjoy about what you do?
Outside of the writing process itself, I love inspiring people to accept the power they have to create their own life experience. There is nothing that chokes me up faster than to hear from a reader who has found the courage to make an important change or been motivated to achieve a goal because of something they read in my blog or in one of my books.
Are there any people and/or books that have inspired you along your journey?
As far as writing, I really have to credit author/speaker Sam Horn. I enjoyed her books and saw her speak several times before getting to know Sam when I volunteered at several of the Maui Writer’s Conferences. We were chatting during a break one day when I wistfully uttered those oh-so-familiar words, “Someday I’d like to be a writer.” Sam just smiled, shook her head, and said “Marty, you already are a writer; you just have to figure out what you want to say to the world.” Her encouragement gave me just the nudge I needed to go from aspiring to published author one short year later.
Can you share something that people may be surprised to learn about you?
Outside of my varied professional background, I think people might be surprised to learn that for many years I danced hula. In fact, I once performed a solo at a private function for the guest speakers of the Maui Writer’s Conference and the audience included celebrity authors Jack Canfield, Mitch Albom, Mark Victor Hansen, John Saul, and so many others. It wasn’t my first public performance, but the prestigious audience made it both terrifying and thrilling.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on two very exciting projects. My next book is about personal boundaries and is scheduled to be published in May. It’s not a new subject, but there’s a lot of misunderstanding about the nature of boundaries, so it’s an area many people struggle with on a daily basis. I’m also about to return to coaching with the launch of my Pathways to Resilient Living Learning Center, which will feature online courses, webinars, and a membership program.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just to say thank you for this opportunity!
