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Written by JJ Barnes
I interviewed author Hyacinth Myers about her life, her creative process, and what inspired her to write her motivational book, 7 Steps To Overcoming Adversity And Transforming Your Life.
Tell me a bit about who you are.
I am a Creative mixed-heritage Woman first and foremost. A mother of two sons and a lover of service to community. I grew up on a notorious housing estate in Hackney London where we were expected to achieve nothing. I decided though a painfully shy and withdrawn child to defy the odds and not to be another statistic or stereotype. my escape was to write stories poetry paint or make things. I also decided at the age of 15 to become a voluntary community worker at my local adventure playground who worked with children ranging from the age of 5 to 15 years old.
I am a writer, qualified holistic therapist specialising in Reiki and Indian Head massage, keen photographer, artist, activist, entrepreneur and micro business owner. I am blessed to be the leader in my own life and do the things I love.
When did you first want to my book?
From as far back as I can remember I have always wanted to write my own book. I always said when I found my love of writing as a child at about the age of nine or ten that one day I would but wrote most of my work in secret. when myself mum and siblings left the family home to go into a women’s refuge I realised writing had been my way of stabilising my mental health as the oldest child. I only started to share my work publicly at the age of 21 with a close friend who convinced me to approach magazines publishers et cetera. whilst at university I was a freelance writer for a small journal so I used to get paid to write which was fantastic
When did you take a step to start writing?
When I was a very young child at about the age of nine or ten is when I would articulate my thoughts more clearly and began to notice my love of writing short stories mostly and poetry but also write avidly about my feelings and what was happening in my life at the present moment.
How long did it take you to complete your first book from the first idea to release?
My book 7 Steps to Overcoming Adversity and Transforming your Life was launched in late April 2019. I decided to go ahead writing it in April 2018. I started writing it in October 2018 and finished it by mid December 2018. the editing took longer and was finished by February 2019 and published in April 2019. I dedicated myself to writing a little bit everyday.
How long did it take you to complete your latest book from the first idea to release?
My latest book although it’s still not available to purchase at this time was written during the first lockdown last year in 2020. I decided to finally put all of my lifes work of poetry into a book with autobiographical pieces based on my life story and where I was at the time when I wrote those poems. As that work is still so personal I have shied away from publishing it but it should be available for release later on this month ( October 2021) as an ebook and as a paperback November/ December 2021.
Focusing on your latest release what made you write 7 Steps To Overcoming Adversity And Transforming Your Life?
I hadn’t realised how much the seven steps to overcoming adversity were embedded in my life. they have helped me to be able to live a full soul conscious life transforming the self I was before. I knew it would create change and promote a deeper personal questioning for the women as well as hold the space to allow growth of the reader. I also thought that it was about time I put some of my lessons in life, teachings and tools I have personally used to overcome any challenge or obstacle that you mayhave.
What were your biggest challenges with writing 7 Steps To Overcoming Adversity And Transforming Your Life?
For me my biggest challenge writing this book was about time, the age old issue of self doubt and who would want to read it and how I would set it out chapters (what to include) especially when you are talking about things you have learned over a whole period of 47 years.
What was your research process for 7 Steps To Overcoming Adversity And Transforming Your Life?
To tell the truth 95% of it was written from the heart and self knowledge. I didn’t want it to come across as heavily researched or bordering academic. it was the tools I found whilst navigating this journey we called life. I used some statistics throughout on facts that I may have needed to draw on but that was there they amounted to less than 5%.
How did you plan the structure of 7 Steps To Overcoming Adversity And Transforming Your Life?
I used the blueprint I had come across at a book boot camp from a Canadian mentor and publisher called Gerry Robert. I laid out my chapters on are laid those out in parts I could write about a small bites and it became really manageable. for this kind of book Because it was partly workbook as Well as book to read, It was easier to follow that structure.
Did you get support with editing, and how much editing did 7 Steps To Overcoming Adversity And Transforming Your Life need?
Against industry advice I actually edited the book myself. as a writer for decades unpublished for 27 years I felt completely confident. I have a number of friends who were also editors and publishers who said and encourage me to be able to do this job myself for this book. I wanted the book to be in my authentic voice. the Edison took about two months so it was five months total to write and edit and get published.
What is the first piece of writing advice you would give to anyone inspired to write a book?
The first piece of advice I would give anybody inspired to write a book is to spend time clarifying the structure and chapters as well as your target audience before writing. it saves so much time because it’s so easy to go off tangent and loose the readers focused as well as your own message when you don’t have clarity about what it is you would love to share.
Can you give me a hint about any further books you’re planning to write?
As I mentioned earlier I wrote and put together my lifetime of poetry so that will be published hopefully this month in October2021 and I’m writing my third book which is about becoming Aligned to your Spiritual Path and Purpose. All I can say is that my publisher is Balboa Press an imprint of Hay House so that will be a different experience for me as I have published and distributed my other work
And finally are you proud of your accomplishment? And was it worth the effort?
I am really proud of writing my book.I knew that once I got over the self doubt, I would be able to release the other books. I have ideas for four others that will be anthologies so others will have a voice too. For me it was definitely worth it hearing women and some men say it has transformed something in them or inspired them. It means my work is done with this book. The only thing I’m sad about is that when my National Book tour was meant to happen we went into our first lockdown so it had to be cancelled.
Pop all your book, website and social media links here so the readers can find you:
Website: https://hyacinthmyers.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/empower__7
Book Link: https://mailchi.mp/ad861ee2b679/nrh8mzus8o
Instagram: https://instagram.com/empower__7
Facebook: https://facebook.com/hyacinthjmyers
Newsletter Link: https://mailchi.mp/d881407a2cef/empower-7-sign-up-form
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