Every Day Spirit: A Daybook of Wisdom, Joy and Peace received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Mary Davis.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Every Day Spirit: A Daybook of Wisdom, Joy and Peace was published in December 2017. It is a daybook – with an entry for each calendar day – so I set my sights on getting it out before the end of the year.
What’s the book’s first line?
“Finding yourself on this path as a brand new year begins is no small coincidence.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
Every Day Spirit is a deep, rich offering of daily reflections, meditations, inspiring quotes, spiritual practices and prayers that fill your heart and feed your soul. With a page for each day of the year, this book becomes a companion and wise teacher that takes you on a spiritual journey of finding joy and gratitude in simple things, peace and comfort even in the midst of chaos, and a deeper love for others through kindness, compassion and service.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
I have always held a soft spot for the daybook format and chased this book in my heart for a decade. After the dissolution of my marriage, I found myself in an isolated cabin at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains for a year and a half of solitude. During that time, I collected stories and devotions, musings and lessons, practices and prayers that brought me from brokenness to wellness. These reflections became the roadmap that led the way from surviving to thriving.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
The loving guidance, humor and heart of this book will feed your soul, nourish your spirit and lead the way to a more joyful and meaningful life.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I have been a writer of songs, prose, journals and poetry all of my life. Writing has always been my way of processing the world.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
It is! Writing 366 short narratives was a new adventure for me and one that I worked diligently and lovingly on. I feel that I was put on earth to write this very book.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I am also a graphic artist and app designer. I make beautiful images with positive quotes and have turned them into an app of inspirational mobile wallpapers called Every Day Spirit Lock Screens.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
Between my blog and outside articles, I write for a few hours every day. When I was writing the book I got up at 6 and wrote for many hours every morning. Now, my writing time tends to unfold in the afternoons when my other duties of the day are accomplished.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
Doing everything yourself! Help! As soon as the book was done I had to flip into marketing mode, then put on my accounting hat, then make ads, and chase interviews. There are always a thousand things that could be done to insure that the book gets into the hands of everyone who would benefit from it.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Follow your heart. Believe in your truth. Be relentlessly on your own side. Visualize your success and be grateful that you have the honor of working hard for what you love deeply.
Is there something in particular that motivates you?
As I was writing, I had an underlying sense that if I could see my way through the fog of loss and change, disappointment and fragility, all of us could. I wanted to report back from the void that gratitude was actually possible in the midst of confusion. I wanted to find beauty in small things when I couldn’t find it in big things. And find it, I did. So what motivates me is the sharing of simple spiritual tools that can make all of our lives more peaceful and joyful.