Words from the Heart

I have as a guest Rev. Teal L. Gray, N.D. , who has recently released a new book, Spirited Tales. This book is an anthology of stories by several authors of whom I am honored to be included.  I wanted to share the book with you all, but also share more about Teal and why she wrote and compiled this book. What do you say to people who wonder how a Christian Minister writes in the genre of Horror and the Paranormal?  I explain that the Horror story defines good and evil very clearly for the reader, often as a cautionary tale. No other genre allows for spiritual and religious content more than horror. We all must navigate through this world and not everything or everyone is good or even honestly represented. You need to be knowledgeable about all the elements of the spirit world you are navigating through.  You wouldn’t go on a hike in unknown territory without familiarizing yourself with what type of animals, insects, snakes, and weather it has there would you?...

Welcome, Tui Snider to Words from the Heart, I am so excited to talk with you today about your writing and photography.  Could you tell us about how you began? Which came first, photography or writing?   Thank you so much for having me, Linda! :) I look forward to meeting your readers here via your blog.  In reply to your question, I’d say writing definitely came first. When I was 9-years-old, my big sister told me about Anne Frank’s diary, and I found Anne’s life story so compelling that I started a diary of my own. That first diary fizzled out pretty quickly, but in my teens I discovered another inspiring diarist, Anais Nin. Once again I started a diary, only this time I called it a journal because I thought it sounded more sophisticated! In any case, I began writing for 30 minutes before work and another 30 minutes before bed every single day. Except for a few lapses here and there, I’ve kept it up ever since.  Aside from the anything I publish, w...