The Last Ten Pounds by Lina Sage - Interview and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Lina will be awarding a $20 azon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

This is the first book I’ve written and it happens to be my memoir. Never say never but I don’t think I have another memoir in me to write. My memoir, The Last Ten Pounds, started off as a personal project to help me process, deal with and heal from the emotional traumas from my past. It originally started off as nothing more than scribbled notes in my journal. Before long, it had filled an entire book. That’s when I realized that my personal project was so much more than journal entries. It was meant to be shared with the world and maybe along the way help to inspire people in their own personal struggles.

What research is required?

There is really no research to do when writing your own memoir. My only advice is to write from your heart. That’s the only way the reader can really connect with you. I knew that in order to connect with my readers, I had to be as transparent as possible. Throughout the book, readers will engage with my inner voice so whichever scenario I’m in, they’ll always know what I’m really thinking. It was so important to me that the reader be able to feel all the emotions I was feeling while going through all these events and the only way I could do that was to write it in a raw, honest and unfiltered way. There is beauty and power in truth. That’s why the whole genre of memoirs is so important because it speaks of someone’s truth and, in that truth, is where we all connect.

Name one thing you learned from your heroine.

Since my book is a memoir, the heroine of the book would be myself. I’ve learned so much about myself since I first started my spiritual journey. The most important thing is to love oneself which seems simple enough to do. But the reality is most of us hate ourselves so when you break it down like that, then it’s not so simple. The hardest thing one can do is to take that first step into self-discovery and healing. It is the hardest journey you’ll ever have to take, but if you do, I promise the things you’ll uncover about yourself will be shocking and at the same time healing. What else is better than getting to know yourself completely? It’s the best and healthiest relationship one could ever have.

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

I don’t know about writing quirks but I must have my black tea with almond milk every time I sit down to write. I do have some superstitious tendencies. I hate the number 13 (I don’t know why) but I don’t let anything sit on that number. For example, the volume of the radio can’t ever sit on 13. I also believe bad luck comes in streaks of 3 before it disappears.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I’ll be honest. I don’t really understand this question so I’ll just come up with my own assumption that a plotter means a planner and a pantser is a spontaneous person? Well I’ll just roll with this. I’m a total plotter. Organization is one of my strong suits and I like to plan things. I’ve learned with age to become more flexible as things don’t always work out as planned but that doesn’t mean I’m the type of person who wakes up one morning and decides to go bungee jumping.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

I wish I could say something interesting but unfortunately to my right is my printer. I know… boring.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

I’m currently working on my second book. My second book is an extension of the last quarter of The Last Ten Pounds where I talk about the transformation process. My second book will go into further detail of how one can manifest and transform their life. It is a spiritual book/self-help book. I’m also actively writing on my blog called chicsage which is also a spiritual blog full of wisdom and insight for those who are searching.

Do you have a question for our readers?

I’ve started a movement called chic spirituality. The philosophy is to live your life with heightened awareness by surrounding yourself with things you deem beautiful. My question to the reader’s is, “what is your chic spirituality?” You can follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @chicsage and share with me what your chic spirituality is.

Shortly after I was born, my family left Vietnam’s strict Communist regime by escaping on a tiny fishing boat in the middle of the night.

Luckily, Canada accepted us as refugees and we were excited for a new beginning. However, any hopes of a brighter future vanished before an abusive alcoholic father who’s repeated physical violence against my mom left me screaming for any stability. Sexual, physical and emotional abuse clouded my childhood years leaving me so damaged that it changed who I was meant to grow up to be.

In my early twenties, I bought a house and converted it into a full blown marijuana grow op.

Soon after, I entered into the world of elite call girls and became one of the most sought after girls in my agency. By my late twenties, I was on top of the world and the proud owner of a multi-million-dollar luxury day spa.

Just when I thought I had it all, I made the ultimate mistake that ended in me losing everything and hitting rock bottom.

I was spiritually broken and in desperate need of healing. I had no choice but to reconcile with my past. This decision brought me down a miraculous journey that opened me up to consciousness and enabled me to exist in the space I do today; that of uninhibited peace.

The Last 10 Pounds: One Woman’s Journey to Love (by shedding Fear, Anger, Hatred…and Everything In-Between) is my personal journey and a testament that it is possible to heal and transform. To be the person you were born to be.

Read an excerpt:

The frigid temperature and howling wind chill outside paralleled how I felt inside and I questioned how I even got here in the first place. Sure it was the considerable debt that made me feel like I had been thrust into a desperate corner but unknowingly it was so much more than that. The desperation came with the energy of wanting to release all the excruciating pain and anguish that had been building inside me my entire life. Instead of stopping to take a real look at myself, I opted to believe that the world was going to somehow release my pain. That the world was the very reason why I was so shattered. And the world would make amends and heal my wounds. Feeling empty inside impairs your ability to find any self-worth. So when it comes down to selling your body for money, it seemed hasty once the nerves settled.

You’ll be fine. It’s just a job. The oldest job in the world.

I walked up to the unassuming two story grey building that was located on a busy street. I had driven by this building plenty of times and had no idea what businesses it housed. There were no exterior signs nor were there numbers assigned to any of the offices. The only instructions I had was to walk up to the second floor and once at the top of the stairs to turn right and the office was the door to the right. I inhaled a deep breath and knocked gently on the door.

About the Author: Lina Sage is a writer, speaker, producer and entrepreneur. She is the creator and founder of Chic Spirituality; a movement whose philosophy is to live your life with heightened awareness by surrounding yourself with things you deem beautiful. Lina believes balance of mind, body and soul, is the key to unlocking all things beautiful. Therefore, she enjoys physical activity to maintain a strong body and meditation to calm the mind. But she especially cherishes time spent with her beloved husband and dog because they are what brings her soul the greatest joy. Lina also likes to surround herself with great food and exotic travels around the world.

website: http://www.linasage.com
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/chicsage
instagram: http://www.instagram.com/chicsage/?hl=en

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