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An Interview With Meilena Hauslendale

Tell us a bit about yourself. What would you like us to know about you?

I actually began my career in the Communications industry being a radio personality on-air and performing station management. I did this for several years and soon entered into the music industry. But even throughout all of these different migrations into branches of the arts, I still continued to write a monthly column for a local newspapers.

I then started doing art back in 1997 and a different side of me was allowed to emerge through lines and colors. I enjoyed this part of expression so much because it related to my perspectives on life and the reality of who I was.

Then I slowly emerged into writing and this freedom took me into an entirely different realm. I could express my honesty an perspectives in a way that I never knew was possible.

What are you doing now? (Career? Married? Single? Children? Pets?)

I am married and have a beautiful family. I am still publishing articles, personal development books, and inspirational art. I am the founder of Silence Speaks, www.silencespeaks.com, a free site dedicated to promoting artists and authors.

What is your favourite food?

I am a vegetarian so I enjoy good vegetarian foods.

What is your favourite colour?

I like colors that reflect my mood, so no real favorite, just a favorite of the day and mood that strikes me.

What is your favourite sound?

I love the sounds of the outdoors, whether it be the sound of just my own stillness, or the ocean, or the wind.

Who is your favourite person?

No real favorites or idols here. I admire people that are real. People that are willing to be themselves and not hide behind a facade.

What is your favourite place?

I love traveling. My favorite place is the Northwest area up in Seattle. I just loved the area and the view. I enjoyed the open minded people there too.

What is your favourite memory?

I think my favorite milestones in my life are meeting my husband and having my children. Gifts like that are just not planned and are performed by a power beyond my own hands.

What is your favourite article of clothing?

I don't place too much emphasis on the outside material objects. I like them. I enjoy them, but I can't say that I have favorites.

What is your favourite word?

No real favorite here either.

What is your favourite writers' quote and why?

"We have to be that in which we want"--- Meilena Hauslendale

I love writing quotes, it was the first way of "writing" that I took up to. I wrote quotes for each of my paintings. I always had quotes come to me when I would take my inner self on a walk, so paper and pen were always close by.

What is your most favourite quality about yourself?

It's a blessing and a curse, but it would be my honesty. When you are true to yourself, you are true to those around you.

What is the least favourite quality about yourself?

I think I covered that:)

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?

Seattle, WA, to me and my family that is home.

What inspires you to write and why?

Life and the little lessons we learn daily.

What is your favourite book and why?

I don't really have one.

What is your favourite genre and why?

I enjoy non-fiction. I like reading it and I like writing it. I learn both ways, from reading others' books and writing my own books. You kind of find out about your own crevices when you begin writing a book. It makes you explore yourself.

List your three favourite authors (any genre) and why?

---

What do you think makes a writer successful?

When they stop editing and start writing.

Whta is it that makes you successful as a writer?

When I complete a book or an article, that is successful to me. It doesn't matter what sales indicate or how many people you reach, success begins right when I complete what I set out to do.

What are your goals as a writer?

I want to continue to establish the grassroots following that we have right now. Our readers are just great and they have an honest desire to expand their views and their personal views about the world.

What is the best tip you can give to fellow writers?

Don't go off of what people say about your writing. Don't go off of what a teacher told you back when you were in school. Write what you want and that truth will be evident in your work.

What do you hope to provide your readers with through your writing?

I would hope that they would be able to figure themselves out on their own. Each chapter has exercises at the end that ask them to actually write about themselves. I ask people to come up with their own conclusions. I demonstrate to them the possibilities, the end results are up to them and how far they want to go to succeed personally.

List your three favourite online writer-resource sites and why (include URLS).

I am just getting into this aspect, so I don't have rave reviews on one particular site just yet, but when I do, I will be sure to post them.

Here are a few I have right now:

www.meilena.com/manager/index.php

If you have published a book, tell us about your publishing success (title, publishing date and company, where it is available to purcahse).

Available either online or through Barnes & Nobles, Borders, and Amazon.com:

www.meilena.com/portrait//?q=books

The Spiritual Revolution

1-4116-7106-6

325 pages

For centuries we have been faced with the choice of labels verses desire to lead a spiritual life without restrictions. Now we are empowered with the ability and knowledge to seek and discover our own universal path, leading us back to the unity we were intended to pursue as part of the whole. Embrace this moment and pursue the truth within yourself and prepare for the magnificent time of the spiritual revolution, where old meets new. Challenge yourself with the intimacy of the 11 spiritual exercises presented in this book. Learn how to step out of the mold and create your own spiritual foundation and identity.

Making Your Purpose Your Business

1-4116-2430-0

293 pages

Inspirational Artist & Author Meilena Hauslendale guides you through the journey of self discovery and exploration through Making Your Purpose Your Business. If you have ever wanted to do something different with your career or your path in life then this book will motivate you to take action and do it. Making Your Purpose Your Business is a unique combination of motivational and business exercises. Each exercise is designed to further your growth and knowledge about yourself and what you have to offer the world. The exercises will bring you closer and closer to your true nature, giving you the confidence you need to pursue your purpose as a business. Learn how to recognize and remove personal obstacles and live a life of simplicity. Then learn how to establish a web presence, secure hosting, and market and promote your purpose.

Recognizing Unhealthy Relationships

1-4116-7674-2

269 pages

If you ever were curious about why you have some of the relationships you have then this book is for you. Start by assessing your roles and involvements in relationships and then look at some of the people you establish yourself with. This book takes you through a series of chapters and journal exercises that will allow you to uncover your life patterns and establish healthier relationships as a result.

How long did it take you to write your book(s)?

I generally take a month and half to write a book. The Spiritual Revolution was my longest book to date and was written during NANOWRIMO so I completed that book in 30 days.

Editing takes the most time and so does the design aspect. Writing what you want to say is the most enjoyable so that takes less time.

What would you do differently if you could repeat the same publishing experience?

Nothing thus far. I am pleased with being able to self-publish my work. I didn't have to wait for someone to say, "ok you're work is good enough for us." I just decided to write and then I decided to publish.

What have you learned about the publishing world?

You can't base your success on whether or not someone accepts your work. I mostly started out by writing personal development articles and finding places to publish them. I was amazed at the response from readers and even my own site visitors. Sometimes you don't realize how important your message is until you put out there to share with others.

This is your chance to 'Talk Back' to your readers. What would you like to say to them?

Don't be afraid to try. Whether you want to write, or draw, or just do something different in your life, it all starts with you. Show up in your own life.

What's the one thing that you want them to know about your writing?

My writing has a lot of truth and honesty in it. I do this not only for my own benefit as a person, but for you as a reader. Anyone that has taken the time to read one of my books I think can feel that honesty and begin to relate to it.

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