Title: Transitions: The Journey Continues
Author: Andrea J. King
Publisher: WP Lighthouse
ISBN: 979-8-89518-487-5
Pages: 168
Genre: Poetry/Memoir
Author Interview with Andrea J. King
Today, Pacific Book reviewer Lily Amenda is talking with Andrea J. King, author of Transitions: The Journey Continues.
PBR: What inspired you to write Transitions: The Journey Continues?
As a woman of a certain age, I have had my share of struggles, and I have watched others experience their own struggles. Everything that I have written is based on my own life experiences and observations.
As far back as my high school years, I found that writing is therapeutic for me; it helps my to process emotions and express what I cannot verbalize. I had a series of poems and essays that I had published online on various writing sites. I decided to compile them, by subject matter, and put them into book format.
PBR: Can you share the central theme or message of the book?
Emotional Resilience.
First and foremost, Transitions seeks to let readers know that they are not alone in their struggles. We all go through different phases in our lives and change is inevitable. We can either wring our hands and cling desperately to what is familiar, or we can embrace change, adapt and grow. I hope to encourage my readers to do the latter.
To do this, one must do a lot of self-reflection. We must seek to find our life purpose, decide on our standards and boundaries, determine our strengths and weaknesses. Armed with this knowledge, we can learn to navigate whatever life throws our way.
PBR: How does this book build on or differ from the previous works you’ve written, if any?
Transitions: The Journey Continues is built on the themes explored in my first poetry collection, titled More Than Words: A Life Journey In Poems. It continues to look at relationships, resilience, faith and the never-ending journey to self-awareness and self-worth.
PBR: What do you hope readers take away from Transitions: The Journey Continues?
My hope is that readers will realize that they are stronger than they think they are and that they will learn to let go of things and people that no longer serve them in their quest for growth.
If I can show my readers how I’ve adapted, grown and re-shaped my life (even though some of it was painful), then they can do the same. Seek advice from people who have been there. Seek support and guidance (professionally if necessary). Try your best to push through because better days are on the other side of your struggle.
PBR: Are there particular audiences or groups you believe will resonate most with this book?
I believe it will resonate most with women. They may be married or in a long-term romantic relationship. They may have children who they are trying to guide into adulthood or beyond. Women are, in general, the most self-sacrificing humans. They will give up their identity and their aspirations for the sake of being a wife and mother. I hope that my words can help them to navigate this slippery slope and find a balance.
PBR: Have you received feedback from readers that has particularly moved or inspired you?
Yes, I have! When someone tells me that they had come across something that matched their current situation and my words helped them to make a decision…. Well, that is just priceless.
PBR: Who are your biggest influences as a writer, and how have they shaped your style or themes?
I am a huge fan of Maya Angelou and Terry MacMillan. Angelo’s I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings is the ultimate “I made it despite everything” story for me. MacMillan’s stories feel like home. I can relate to the sisterhood; we’re all going through something, but we’re going to be here for each other.
PBR: What role does your own journey play in the narrative of the book?
I’ve learned, over the years, that relationships can be tricky. We need to be able to discern which people came into our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. Not everyone is meant to travel the entire way with us. Some come only to teach us a valuable life lesson. Others come during a specific phase of our lives to support us and help guide us through it. Still others are our people, our circle, meant to be with us for the long haul.
Sometimes friends, significant others and even spouses do not want to grow with us. They are content to be complacent and want nothing more for themselves. They will try to hold you back because they cannot stand to see you shine. We must have the strength to let those people fall away and seek out others who have the same growth mindset that we do.
These are life lessons that I had to learn the hard way, but I’m in a good place now.
PBR: Are there any other writing projects or ventures you’re currently working on?
I am currently working on (or struggling with) a second novel. The story is based on my relationship with my best friend of over fifty years, who passed away a few years ago from cancer. It chronicles the conversations we had over a span of about 10 years sitting at her kitchen table every Friday night after our respective marriages fell apart. I think maybe the emotions are still too fresh, and I need to set it aside and write more poetry.
My first novel, Settling, was probably 20 years in the making. I waited until after my divorce and a couple of years of healing before I could finish that story.
