Love Earth Now: The Power of Doing One Thing Every Day (Mango
Publishing: 2018)
1.
What really inspired you to write your book, to force you from taking an idea
or experience and conveying it into a book? My own paralyzing
anguish over the assaults on the well-being of our planet inspired me to start
writing. Reading about the disastrous effects of a warming planet left me
curled up in a fetal position, fearing the dystopian future my children (and
someday grandchildren) might know. I started writing as therapy, a way to
process my own emotions. Somewhere along the way, I found humor creeping in,
and that relieved so much of the heaviness. Eventually, hope found its voice
and landed on the page. That’s when I realized that there might be something in
my writing that could be shared.
2.
What is it about and whom do you believe is your targeted reader? Love
Earth Now is for anyone else who’s wondering what, if anything, any of us can
do about the many environmental crises we face. Given the sheer magnitude of
mass species extinctions, melting permafrost and ice caps, and honeybee colony
collapse, it’s easy to believe that there’s nothing any single person can do to
make a difference. And yet, I believe that we are all here on purpose, that we
each have a contribution to make. That belief is the duct tape that’s holding
me together these days. I think are a lot of people are feeling this way;
desperate to hope for a better tomorrow and not sure how to make that happen. This
book is for all who are ready to explore and discover their own personal calls
to action.
3.
What do you hope will be the everlasting thoughts for readers who finish your
book? What should remain with them long after putting it down? Each
chapter concludes with a “Love Earth Invitation,” an opportunity for readers to
pause and reflect, to explore their own concerns in a mindful way. Sure, it’s
great to replace burned-out bulbs with LEDs and walk instead of driving when we
can. But there’s only so much any of us can do, given the time and resources we
have. We often end up feeling guilty or ineffective for not doing more. At
least I do. I also know that carrying the weight of such negative feelings
doesn’t help Earth nor does it inspire us to make a greater contribution. When
I think about who and what I love, instead of chastising myself, my heart opens
and I’m able to gain a clearer perspective. I include these “invitations” to encourage
readers to check in with their own hearts and souls to discover what contributions
they feel called to make. My hope is that the insights gleaned from these
experiences are the everlasting thoughts that stay with each reader.
4.
What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers? Find
(or create) a group of supportive writers. I went to a few gatherings of
writers, mostly focused on critiquing, and I left each one feeling more
uncertain about my work than ever. When I couldn’t find the right group, I
created The Natural Muse Meetup, www.meetup.com/TheNaturalMuse. I invite other
writers who both want to focus on getting the work done, and also to be
inspired by natural settings around Los Angeles. Right now, I’m sitting with
another writer at a picnic table in a secluded garden. Something rustles in a
nearby bush, reminding me to look up and appreciate the beauty where I am.
Nature is the source of so much of my inspiration, and I rely on my commitment
to this Meetup to get myself out of the comforts of the coffee shop to commune
with the “natural muse.”
5.
What trends in the book world do you see and where do you think the book
publishing industry is heading? This book is my first, so I’m
still learning about the book publishing industry. What I’m finding is that
it’s true you have to be, not only a good writer, but also a good promoter if
you want your book to sell. That’s not my favorite part, though I do enjoy
connecting with readers who find meaning in what I’ve written. I’m also
relieved to learn that, despite everything I’d been told, it’s not impossible
for a first-time author to land a book publishing deal. The key is to find a
publisher interested in your style and message, which is, of course, not as
easy as it sounds. I was lucky to stumble upon the “Writing for Change”
conference in San Francisco. A jam-packed, one-day event, it’s specifically
designed to connect agents and publishers with writers wanting to inspire change
in the world. That’s where I met Brenda Knight of Mango Publishing, and
eventually landed the publishing deal.
6.
What great challenges did you have in writing your book? Forcing
myself to get those first awful words on the page is my greatest writing
challenge. Creating a first draft is as painful as a root canal, but without
the Novocain. Once I get something written, I’m eager to edit it, if only to
abate the stench of that awful thing I’ve produced. Even if it takes
twenty-five drafts, each improvement, however small, offers such relief.
7. If
people can only buy one book this month, why should it be yours? Love
Earth Now offers tools and opportunities for readers to explore their own means
of processing difficult realities and ways of responding to a changing world. It
seems like there’s more bad news about the planet every day, and we must become
more adaptive if we are to survive—and thrive. Arming ourselves with a greater
array of tools and abilities will better help us all navigate the challenging
times in which we live. Love Earth Now encourages each of us along that journey,
beginning right where we are.
About Cheryl
Leutjen: She draws from her experience as a geologist, attorney, small
business owner, spiritual practitioner, wife, and mother. This wealth of
experience, along with degrees in Interdisciplinary Ecology, Environmental
Geology, and Law, affords her a broad perspective to contemplate the dire environmental
challenges of our time. She writes and facilitates creative experiences to
inspire us all to discover our own path of living more Earth-mindfully. She
blogs the Love Earth Now: Not-Fit- For-Print
Edition at http://cherylleutjen.com. She lives with her husband
and children in Los Angeles.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LoveEarthNow/
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