Debbie Hampton

Location:  

Greensboro, North Carolina

Age:  51

Question:  How long have you been writing?

     I’ve been blogging since 2010.

Question:  What was the name of the first book you ever published, and when was it published?

     "Beat Depression and Anxiety by Changing Your Brain" eBook 2/2015 expanded and print 5/2015

Question:  Was this book published by a publisher; or did you self-publish?

     It was self-published on Amazon.

Question:  Tell our readers about this very first book.  (For example:  What was the inspiration for writing it, and what was it about)?

     After taking care of my brother as he wasted away and died from AIDs, the end of my 18 year marriage to my high school sweetheart; in an ugly parting that made Divorce Court look civil, and years of wrong turns, things not working out, and being flat-out disappointed with life, I tried to kill myself in June of 2007, by swallowing over 90 pills; mostly brain drugs. But because I wasn’t found in time, the drugs went all the way through my system wreaking destruction.

   After a week in a coma, I woke up with a global, acquired brain injury (ABI), technically labeled encephalopathy, to a very different world. Initially, I was seriously mentally impaired and couldn’t retrieve words, remember the day, my sons’ ages, or that I’d gotten divorced. Physically, I could barely speak, couldn’t coordinate the acts of breathing and swallowing anymore, and had no fine motor skills. My ex-husband sued me for custody of our two sons; won, and promptly moved out of state with them. And I thought things were bad before?

   Alone, for the first time in my life, I had no one to put my limited energy into but myself. Getting down right pissed off, I told myself, “If I have to live, I’m NOT living like this!” Over the first year, I naturally healed somewhat and, in the following years, the more I recovered, the more I learned. The more I learned, the more I recovered.

   Through years of daily work and such practices as neurofeedback, Brain State Technologies’ brain optimization, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, acupuncture, voice therapy, music therapy, cranial sacral massage, hypercapnia, visualization, meditation, cross lateral movement, yoga, cardiovascular exercise, cognitive behavioral therapy, and more, I made a remarkable recovery. Although I still talk funny and have some slight manual dexterity issues, I’m better than ever, even with these.

   The brain injury forced me to make radical changes in my lifestyle and mindset that I’d needed to make long before. Better late than never! Because the underlying belief systems and the perceptual foundation upon which I’d built my reality withered away along with brain cells, I got to start with a clean slate; so to speak.

   By consciously working with and altering my thoughts, behaviors, and emotions, I transformed my world which, in turn, changed my physical brain and its default mode of operation. Today, I live a brain, healthy lifestyle incorporating mental health practices daily to maintain the balance and happiness I’ve found.

   Our brains are neuroplastic, meaning that their structure and function are literally, physically shaped by that which we do repeatedly in our lives – behaviors, emotions, and even thoughts. This works both for you and against you. We have much more power to recover from a brain injury, improve our brain’s functioning, recover from depression, and create our own happiness and reality with the gray matter between our ears than ever thought.

   Neuroplasticity is the super power we all are born with and possess until the day we die. The key to overcoming depression and anxiety and to stop living a numb, fear-based existence is in your head. Literally! By taking control of your mind and thoughts and adopting brain healthy habits, you can harness the super power you were born with, your brain’s proven ability to change itself, neuroplasticity, to optimize operation, change negative thinking patterns, and actually alter the chemical balance and physical form and function of your brain so that happy and healthy become your default.

   I know. I did it – but only after a decade of depression ending in a suicide attempt that left me with a seriously compromised brain. In healing my brain, I healed my life. You can do it too.

   I’ll tell you, in plain English backed by science, how you can improve your brain and life through simple practices:

– diet and exercise
– mindfulness and meditation
– responding rather than reacting
– gratitude and forgiveness
– making friends with fear
– visualization, thought reframing, and more.

Question:  Can a person still buy this book?  If so, where?

     Yes, at Amazon.

Question:  How many total books have you published?

      Just this one is published. 

     I have written an intimate, enlightening, and entertaining memoir, "Sex, Suicide, and Serotonin", detailing how I got to the point in life that I wanted to end it all, and how I came back against the odds to not only survive but thrive. You sit beside me on the seat on the rollercoaster ride that used to be my life, and I let you in on how I learned to stay calm and happy even with a shit storm swirling around me.  To be published next year. Click below url to read an excerpt. 

http://www.thebestbrainpossible.com/book-excerpt/ 

Question:  List all of your titles:

     See above.

Question:  Any future writing projects in the works?  If so, tell us about it, and any pertinent dates to go with it.

     "Sex, Suicide, and Serotonin" to be published in Spring of 2016'.

Question:  What is the title of your current book, and tell us a little about it.

     See above.

Last question, if someone comes across this article and reads it, what would you like to tell them about why you think they should try reading your book or books?

     You can change yourself and your life for the better with simple practices incorporated into your daily life that over time will change your brain – and you don’t have to be a neuroscientist to understand and accomplish this. Peace and happiness are entirely within your reach. I did it. You can too! I’ll tell you how.

BLOG WRITER'S NOTE TO AUTHOR: I have to tell you I was totally blown away by your story.  You know they say that sometimes bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the BEST things that will ever happen to us, can only explain what happened to you.  I'm glad you survived and that you are now on a path to hopefully helping others who might think that nothing will ever be better.  Thank you for your interview and my best to you.  I hope the next fifty years end up being your BEST ever.  Good Luck.

Audrey Burke-Moore

Location: Adamsville, Alabama

Age:34

Question:  How long have you been writing?

I have been writing for about 25 years. I’ve been published 5 of those years.

Question:  What was the name of the first book you ever published, and when was it published?

My first book is titled, “The Definition of Sexy: One Life, One Body, One You.” I finished and published that book in 2010'.

Question:  Was this book published by a publisher; or did you self-publish?

I self-published this book.

Question:  Tell our readers about this very first book.  (For example:  What was the inspiration for writing it, and what was it about)?

The Definition of Sexy is a women’s book wrote to provide an opportunity for women to rethink the definition of sexy. The book tells stories of other women who have faced an array of situations in their life. The book displays a positive for some negative thoughts and actions.

Question:  Can a person still buy this book?  If so, where?

Yes, this book can still be purchased by visiting a book store’s internet site i.e. booksamillion.com, or from purchasing it directly from my website at:  www.audreyburkemoore.com.

Question:  How many total books have you published?

I have published 2 books.

Question:  List all of your titles

1.     The Definition of Sexy: One Life, One Body,One You

2.     The Choice: Weighted Letters

Question:  Any future writing projects in the works?  If so, tell us about it, and any pertinent dates to go with it.

Yes, I have projects in the making. I love to write and I promise you, I dream about my books (lol). I am working on a series of The Choice.

Question:  What is the title of your current book, and tell us a little about it.

My current book is called "The Choice: Weighted Letters". This follows the lives of Cheryl and Keith as well as Kayla and Austyn in two stories that are so different, yet so much alike. Both stories have life altering letters and choices within them.

Last question, if someone comes across this article and reads it, what would you like to tell them about why you think they should try reading your book or books?

In all of my books, I like talking directly to the reader as if they were experiencing each page with the characters. I am a very dialogue driven writer, and I act as the narrator between the lines introducing new scenes or characters providing a detailed view through words.

Anything else you'd like to add that I didn't ask you, but you would like to share with our readers? 

I use a percentage of my profits to combat bullying in schools. I can’t go into detail yet, but be on the lookout for B.E.T. (Bullying Ends Today).

BLOG WRITER'S NOTE TO AUTHOR: Your books sound quite interesting. You also present yourself as someone who is way beyond her years.  I'll definitely be checking out your books.  Good luck with your future writing projects, and thank you for the interview.