Interview with
Lynnda Pollio
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I never expected to be a writer until I started hearing the voice of a southern, black woman asking me to share her story. I initially was a reluctant writer.
How long does it take you to write a book?
I only have one novel out so far, Trusting the Currents. It took me 2 years to channel the book and 8 long years to edit because I learned how to write during the editing process. And I often gave up! During editing it would sometimes take 3 hours to finish one sentence because I was instilling energetic frequencies into the cadence and rhythm of the book. Trusting the Currents was a very distinct writing experience!
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
That I can write! No one I knew would read the book, so it wasn't until the book came out and it started winning literary awards that I discovered it was any good. So far, it's won 13 awards and is an Amazon Bestseller in Inspirational Fiction. And that my words can affect people in such a profound way. It's been an extraordinary journey with Addie Mae, the story's narrator.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Yes. I have such beautiful reviews on Amazon. I am so grateful that readers let me know how the book affected their lives. And I get emails from many too. They tell me the book changed the way they look at life, helped them through chemotherapy, was the most beautiful book they ever read, and healed relationships. Readers often share the book with friends and family. Trusting the Currents is given as a gift and shared between friends. I have one copy that has been traveling around the country, friend to friend for about a year. Someone reads it, puts in their name and date read and then passes it to someone else. I love that Addie Mae's wisdom reaches so many people. I didn't know if the book was written for anyone but me at first.
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Exhaust. I channel first then go back and edit. It's a long, tiring process. But eventually, I'm energized when I finally get it right! When the way I feel about what I'm writing is reflected in my actually writing, its magical! And readers can feel the words as much as read them.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
The time involved. I don't have a lot of patience and writing requires me to turn everything else off and ignore time and sit with it. If I can't do that, I can't write. I actually think of myself as less a writer than a communicator who writes. I write to communicate what is trying to get through to me. I get distracted easily with the process.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I write stream of consciousness. I never know what I'm writing until I'm writing it. I'm just delivering what the voice in my head tells me. I can only hope someone will want to read it. Trusting the Currents does not have a real genre. It seeks out its readers like fireflies.
What authors did you dislike at first but grew into?
At what point do you think someone should call themselves a writer?
If you write, you are a writer. Writing should have no rules. But to be an author, you need a published book, whether its traditionally published or Indie-published.
What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you?
A reason not to write. And I'm always looking for reasons!
Are there therapeutic benefits to modeling a character after someone you know?
Haven't done that so don't know.
What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?
Neither. I listen to the voice in my head and write stream of consciousness. I have no direction and no characters until they appear. I don't know what I'm going to write until I'm writing it so I never know where the story is going or what character will arrive.
How would you describe your book’s ideal reader?
Heart-centered. Soul searching. Someone going through a lot of change and challenge in their lives. Anyone interested in taking a ride into their own story through reading about someone else. Readers who truly love words.
How much research did you need to do for your book?
None.
Tell us more about your book/s?
All I can say is take a look at the book on Amazon. Read about it and some of the reviews. Look at the cover. You will know if you are meant to read this book. It calls to people who will benefit from Addie Mae's wisdom. Thank you!