Wise Women Wednesday: Lara Zielin
Q. Who are you? What is your background?
A. Hello! I am a published author, editor, and the founder of Author Your Life. I got my start writing young-adult novels, and then switched over to writing romance under the name Kim Amos. Stories have always been my passion, and the thread that stitches together my soul is woven together with the power of words and writing.
My latest nonfiction book is called Author Your Life, and it’s is about using the power of putting pen to paper to create the life you want. I am from Wisconsin but I currently live in Michigan with my husband and dog. My life’s goal is pretty much to eat all the cheese.
Q. What is your work?
A. My work is helping people use writing to connect to their heart to feel empowered to make change and get un-stuck. Specifically, I encourage people to write in the third person and in the future. So instead of saying, “I want to enjoy life and eat more chocolate,” it would be “Lara enjoys her life and eats more chocolate.” Writing ourselves like characters in our own stories has the power to change our thinking and break old patterns of behavior. It’s a powerful change to traditional journaling and writing!
Q. What is one project you are excited to be working on right now?
A. I am working on a virtual summit where I’ve invited 21 speakers to come and talk about the power of writing and stories. The summit is called “AUTHOR YOUR LIFE: How to Use the Power of Writing to Kick Fear in the Teeth, Send Obstacles Packing, and Create the Life You Want.” It launches August 15th and I’m so excited!
Q. What is one thing you've done recently that's scared you and took courage, but you're glad you did?
A. I recently signed up for a business program that feels like expensive tuition for a year of school. This stretched me in huge ways! My husband and I are both entrepreneurs and our income is very … variable. A few years ago, we mortgaged much of our life when my husband launched his dream business of owning an ice cream store (which is basically the happiest place on earth), and to take on more debt for my business felt incredibly scary. But in my heart, I just felt so strongly that this was the training I needed. So I went for it. Every month, I’m putting this money on credit cards with no guarantee I’ll make it back. But I know it’s a leap of faith and it will all be okay. I know this is what I need, and I’m proud of myself for stretching and trusting the universe that this is all going to work out.
Q. What is the work you most want to be doing and are you doing it? If not, why not? What's stopping you?
A. Yes! I finally found my way with Author Your Life. This is my truest, highest calling and I’m beyond grateful to be doing it.
Q.What would you tell your high school or college self?
A. “YOU’RE THE ONE.” I didn’t know how badass I was back then. I kept looking to other people and waiting for someone to be the leader. Turns out, I was the leader the whole time. I was the cool one, the interesting one, the unafraid one. I just didn’t know it.
Q. What's one piece of advice or motto you love and use in your daily life that you would like to share with my sweet readers?
A. When we write about ourselves in the third person, it fools our brain into believing it a bit more. This is called cognitive distance, and it’s a really effective tool when we’re trying to change our thinking or patterns of behavior. The #1 thing I always write is “Lara loves herself.” It sounds so simple, but writing this sentence has helped me defeat what I call my Garbage Person – i.e. the voice that tells me I’m dumb, I’m fat, people don’t like me, I shouldn’t try things, etc. Try writing “[Your Name] loves herself” at least once each day and then put your hand on your heart and try to feel that love for yourself.
Q. What keeps you creating when you don't feel like it?
A. The bone-deep belief that what I’m doing goes beyond me – it’s part of something bigger.
Q. Anything else you'd like to share?
A. My dog’s name is Muenster, like the cheese! She is nine pounds of pure delight.
Q. What's your favorite yoga pose?
A. I don’t really do much yoga. So … Child’s Pose? Also the “I’m So Good at Yoga” song from the show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend gives me great joy.
Q. How do you live a life of abundance?
A. I have literally written myself into a story where I get to live my dreams, and it’s amazing. I get to write and people pay me for it! I am married to the best guy ever! We have a lovely home and it’s filled with sparkly joy! Life is incredibly rich and happy.
