The Art of Trapeze
by Molly McCord
Synopsis
On a random Thursday morning, with nothing to lose and only a dream to gain, Molly McCord decides to move to Paris, France to follow the courageous call of her heart. She arrives in a city she has never visited before and where she knows no one, yet she trusts her ability to figure it out because her adventurous life has prepared her for this biggest of leaps. She carries the wisdom of Solitude, Strength, Style, Flexibility, Heart, Endurance, and Grace in her non-matching luggage collection.
Molly’s soul-riveting experiences unfold in surprising ways as she discovers the joys and realities of life as a foreigner in France, falls in love with a sexy Turkish man, moves her cats across the Atlantic, enjoys the rare opportunity of working for a U.S. Ambassador, and creates the life of her dreams in less than two years.
Yet when unexpected developments require her to surrender once again, a higher consciousness catches her with a deeper spiritual awakening.
The Art of Trapeze soars with emotional honesty, delightful humor, unexpected wisdom, and inspiring spiritual perspectives around living life to the fullest when nothing is guaranteed except gravity.
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Interview
Do you have to travel much concerning your book(s)?
I have always been a a traveler first, a writer second. I've been on numerous adventures in my life, and although I won't write about all of them, I love sharing the stories that can inspire and uplift others. I believe travel is a wonderful gateway into exploring more of ourselves, and writing is the vehicle to share those discoveries. My passport is always ready for the next adventure! And my laptop will be packed, too!
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
The hardest part was definitely stretching beyond my comfort zone as a writer and digging into more of my authentic self. The work of Brene Brown, and other amazing female writers, have inspired me to be courageously vulnerable and open up because this is often where we connect with readers more. Numerous people have emailed me to share similar stories and life events, and that's really the hallmark of writing – creating connections with people. As Maya Angelou said, “Human beings are more alike than we are unalike.”
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I believe that when we follow our passion, we continuously learn more about ourselves. Writing The Art of Trapeze filled me with incredible joy, temporary restraint, quiet moments of contemplation, and an unstoppable determination. Since it is a memoir, it forced me to become clearer about my messages and writing style and what I was willing to share. And obviously I was willing to share a lot, LOL! I also developed an even greater respect for some of my favorite memoir writers, such as Elizabeth Gilbert, and Cheryl Strayed, and other fellow spiritual seekers who love learning about their soul growth.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Develop a strategy for dealing with your Inner Critic or Self-Doubt. Find your writing style and own it. Commit to yourself as a storyteller. Be gentle, kind, and compassionate to yourself as needed. Know that you are here to share what is uniquely yours, whether it is on paper or not, and you must not hold yourself back. You must commit to YOU. Our time on the planet can be spent doing whatever fills us with joy, and it is a great honor to love our creative spirit. As Joseph Campbell said, “Follow your bliss!” - and to that I say, keep writing! The world is always hungry for more stories.
What were the challenges (research, literary, psychological, and logistical) in bringing it to life?
I started writing The Art of Trapeze in 2008 and it was 80% complete by 2009 - but then I stalled out. I was stuck trying to figure out the last 20% of the story because there was still so much more to share and I didn't want to cram it all together. In 2010, I was a semi-finalist in The Next Top Author competition, but even that didn't bring about a solution, so I let the book sit on my computer for a few years. I was hard on myself about it at times. Then, in 2013, it hit me that the single book I originally planned was really a series. This realization was like a dam breaking open – in a good way! - and my inspiration took off. I re-wrote the whole book in four months, and it was definitely better than the first version. Then the second book, The Modern Heroine's Journey of Consciousness, came together easily, and the third book, The Unlimited Sparks of a Bonfire, will be released later in 2014. During the writing hiatus, I learned to trust on deeper levels, to love myself through the process of discovery, and to stay committed to my writing ambitions. The challenges we face in the creative process will always bring rewards as long as we continue to show up for our dreams and allow ourselves to be delighted by something even better.
Thank you for your interest in my books and writing process! It's been an honor to connect with you and your awesome readers. And if you're interested, you can get a free 44-page ebook on my website – it's all about ridiculously loving and celebrating yourself more!
Links
About the Author
Molly McCord, M.A., is a bestselling author, astrologer, and modern spiritual teacher with no religious affiliations. Her debut memoir, The Art of Trapeze: One Woman's Journey of Soaring, Surrendering, and Awakening, hit #1 in 2 Amazon categories within 3 days. The Art of Trapeze is the first book in her Awakening Consciousness Series, followed by The Modern Heroine’s Journey of Consciousness, in which she integrates Joseph Campbell’s hero’s journey with spiritual growth. Molly released five books in 2013, including her contribution to the bestselling The Thought That Changed My Life Forever where she was published alongside such luminaries as Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith, Dr. Joe Dispenza, and Dr. Bernie Siegel.
Often referred to as a Consciousness Catalyst, Molly's popular website, www.ConsciousCoolChic.com was nominated by Intent.com for Best Spirituality Website in 2011. She is a practicing intuitive astrologer who has connected with clients in over 20 countries, and she is the official contributing astrologer to Happiness + Wellbeing magazine. Molly's popular weekly radio show attracted over 70,000 downloads in the first year.
Molly has a B.A. in Political Science and Women’s Studies, and a Master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy as a formal channel for understanding Global Consciousness with a Jungian perspective. She is TESOL certified and volunteers her time teaching English to college-level international students.
