All About Johanna Mosca
In this weeks blog, Johanna Mosca ends with what is by far one of the most insightful lines I’ve ever read (No peeking!). Read on to discover how she has transformed her joy and passion of cultivating contentment into a lifestyle she lives and helps and encourages her audience to live. Thanks for the insightful interview, Johanna.
What genres of writing are your books?
Both of my published books—YogaLife: 10 Steps to Freedom and Cultivate Contentment: Ancient Wisdom for Thriving in Today’s World– are in the self-help/personal growth genre.
What first attracted you to this/these genres?
I think my whole adult life has been about personal growth—attending transformational workshops and reading all the uplifting literature I could find. I have found the wisdom of ancient yoga philosophers to be the most valuable guide. It teaches us to face the challenges of today’s world, manage our human reactions and achieve the balance of being true to ourselves as well as responsible to others. As I learned to apply this wisdom in my life, I became passionate about sharing it with others. The first book, YogaLife , just flowed to me while camping on Mt. Shasta one summer. The second book, Cultivate Contentment: Using Ancient Wisdom to Thrive in Today’s World, took seven years to adapt the principles to my life and write and re-write the content. As the saying goes, “Sometimes the book writes you.” The writing had me integrate the sages’ teaching in my own life more fully.
How did you hear about RLSD and how has that organization played a role in your success?
I learned about RLSD at a meeting of the Publishers and Writers of San Diego and was immediately interested in volunteering. I was welcomed by Karla Olson at brainstorming sessions with a group of bright writers, and we became the steering committee to help launch Karla’s vision of San Diego writers and readers personally connecting.
Through my association with RLSD and PWSD, I was able to get support in the publishing process. I was given a lead to just the right publisher and publicist. Karla gave me great feedback that led me to create a new book cover. It was very inspiring to rub shoulders with and pick the brains of such a group of talented writers. And, it was a very empowering experience to help launch the first RLSD gathering on Nov. 14, 2009 and personally share about my book with interested San Diego readers.
What are you working on now?
I am writing a series of vignettes about my experiences leading transformational yoga and hiking retreats in Sedona, AZ. The heroine is a youthful, can’t-believe-I’m-on-medicare woman who is a cross between Mother Theresa and a Hells Angel Valhalla. Yes, it will be autobiographical fiction based on some of my retreat experiences with permission from clients whose stories are featured with a lot of embellishment. It will be our life-enhancing, southwestern, new age adventure–kind of in the vein of the successful soap opera “Northern Exposure.” I am also writing a little handbook about ways to experience Sedona’s vortex energy called The Vortex Voice.
Any upcoming events where people can hear you speak and meet you?
I have created a retreat center at the edge of Sedona, where I am leading monthly Cultivate Contentment Retreats with yoga and hiking. On July 10-11, I am bringing one of my workshops to north San Diego County. Based on the principles in my book, it is a two-day workshop called “Contentment Overnight.” This playful venue is a lively, interactive gathering which will help participants reflect, release and renew. For details, please visit my website www.cultivatecontentment.com
What guidance or lessons learned can you offer other prospective writers?
First, I would tell prospective writers to not do it alone. Join wonderful groups like RLSD and PWSD to get support with the writing, publishing and marketing processes. There is so much to learn and so many experts who have gone through the trials and tribulations all writers experience. Secondly, have patience and keep stepping back from your writing. As I shared earlier, some books seem almost channeled and others take seven years of re-visiting and revising. Third, open up to input from others wherever possible so you can see what you might be blind to, e.g. the book cover I improved upon after feedback. And, lastly, pick your words as if you are choosing tomatoes.
Here are a couple of Web sites where you can find more information about Johanna, her writings, and her schedule:
Thanks for reading, now start writing.
Erick Pettersen
SEO Bridges – Focused SEO content and social media marketing.
