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Author Interview with Sonia Huh
Connect with Author Sonia Huh
Website FindBuildPurpose.com and follow her on Social Media @ActivatePurpose
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Author Bio: I am a seeker and believer that we can determine to become more loving, kinder, and more patient towards each other. I hope that my reflections and workbook on, The Reminder: Quiet Power, Peaceful Confidence will provide a beacon of hope and inner peace to those who are struggling, who are lost, and who are ready to make a change.
How did you do research for your book? I did not research my book. I was actually making some soup for my husband and while stirring the pot, I felt a strange but golden stirring in my belly. I first ignored it, but it kept coming back, so I stopped and I questioned, “What is it?” And words and sentences started bubbling up inside me, so I stopped stirring and grabbed whatever piece of paper I could and started writing the words and sentences bubbling up inside me. That night, in between cutting onions, getting juice for my children, stirring the soup pot, The Reminder, Quiet Power, Peaceful Confidence was birthed. Unknown to me, all these years, I had conceived and was pregnant with a book; it had quietly grown inside me through my life experiences, without my knowledge, and was ready to be delivered. And so I pushed through the contractions, and here we are, with a book to assist myself and others to become better people.
In your book you make a reference to…. how did you come up with this idea? So I know that many have described things like writer’s block etc…but I never experienced that. I simply wrote and wrote as the words and sentences flowed, and then when they stopped, I stopped writing. When they started again, I wrote again. Any time any day anywhere, I just grabbed something to scribble on so that I would not forget. I simply remained humble and open to the message coming out of me and wrote. I didn’t question, analyze or try to be complicated and smarter or more intelligent than the message. I accepted and stayed true to it. I recognized its voice and purpose and stayed with it. The only real struggle I had was the title of the book; it kept changing as I tried to give it a title. It was only when I waited for the words and sentences inside me to stop bubbling up, and the message was completely birthed, that I was able to know what the actual title of the book was.
What made you write a book about…? I did not plan this book. I had no idea that it existed. I was making soup for my family, lol.
Where do you get inspiration for your stories? I have learned to wait for God to speak, and become familiar with when He starts talking. Soon as He does, I start writing or typing. I don’t waste time. The books that I write are not from my intellect or any self-proclaimed wisdom. They are here to bless me and bless others at a deeper level, and in a way that is divine, beyond mine and our humanity. I have learnt to walk in, and walk with Him, and learnt that He has a to do, a place and a time for everything, and if I stay centered in Him, I will sense what to do, when to do it, how to do it, and with whom if necessary, and then whether or not I understand it all, it does not matter to me anymore because I have grown to recognize and observe that He does everything with wisdom and unconditional love. If I let Him work through me, I become a better person, and I write deeper
There are many books out there about….What makes yours different? The Reminder, Quiet Power, Peaceful Confidence, encourages us to, quote, “Strive to make the brave choice. Look at the root of the problems and troubles and torment raging within you. Take your eyes off what others are doing and focus on cleaning yourself up and growing beautifully”.
The book speaks to the core of our being, assists us with looking in the mirror, and gives us the courage to look within, and the power to no matter, figure out our own identity in God, and be unafraid to become that beautiful person. It states, “Do not allow fear to make you become or act like anyone else but your better self”.
But it does not stop there, it tells us, to not hate what we don’t understand.
Therefore, The Reminder, Quiet Power Peaceful Confidence, embraces all people, all humanity, without judgment. Anyone can pick it up, because it is completely inclusive. The book’s main interest is for each and every one of us, regardless of where we are in life, where we have been, what has been done to us, our own mistakes, to become better people as individuals, and utilize the beauty that we have discovered within us to buoy up and uplift others. Quote, “Quiet Power, Peaceful Confidence, is an art because it takes a lot of practice. It is a gift because we benefit from it, and so do others”.
Do you ever get writer’s block? What helps you overcome it? Stay calm; be in tune with the message. Be authentic, be real, don’t immediately try to edit and fine tune, just write, and write and give the words a chance to flow freely. Don’t try to fix the words and message. Let the message remain true to itself. Don’t try to assert yourself in the message, just let it be. You will know when, what and how to tweak and clean up, what to add, remove or change, when the words and message are done flowing. Learn to walk away when the words and message stop flowing, take your mind off them and go do other things. They will give you nudge when they are ready for you to write again. Keep it simple and don’t stress yourself and create the writer’s block. Enjoy the moment and experience of writing, it’s golden, not dark and burdensome. Don’t struggle to impress. Breathe. Breathe.
Do you have another profession besides writing? Yes.
How long have you been writing? Since 2015
What is your next project? I am conceiving it, have an idea, but not ready to discuss it. I have to give it its own time to grow, and when it’s time reaches to be birthed, then we’ll all know about it. But not before then.
What genre do you write and why? I guess the world calls it religion, but personally I do not call it a religion. I believe that religion is man-made, but that God is more of a spiritual, emotional and mental personal relationship. God is not religion, He is a healer, a restorer and a transformer, but so many have been led to believe otherwise and have not had the joy of experiencing His UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. Many, in fact, do not believe in His existence. So when I write, I do not preach, I do not try to persuade, but I ask people to do the research and test God themselves. I ask them to find out for themselves. Unfortunately, those of us who believe in God have not conveyed His beauty to the world and His love for the world. All people hear is how terrible, horrifying and judgmental He is. So while I don’t preach, I talk about Him, I introduce Him, and it’s left to the reader, no matter who they are, where they come from, what their beliefs and life’s preferences are , to do what they will with what they have read. Nothing is forced. I would have done my job, but the choice will always be theirs, after all, we all have free will. Every book I write, recognizes that the reader has the power to choose who they are, who they should be, who they will become.
What is the last great book you’ve read? Because I have been writing, I have not been reading other books much. The reason is because I want my spirit, heart and mind to be clear of other peoples’ thoughts, words, ideas and opinions, so that I can clearly hear and purely write the words and message that flow through me, without the influence of what I may have read or listened to. The greatest book I have read, and am still reading after all these years, and that I will permit to influence me when I am writing is the Bible. I allow myself and my writing to be influenced by Biblical scriptures and stories. I desire for its beauty to flow into the lives of others, and it keeps me humble because I know where my gift is coming from and Who, God, is giving me the love, joy, patience, strength and boldness to do what I do, writing.
Do you snack while writing? Favorite snack? Lol, no actually I don’t. It would slow me down. I just zone in. However, I do eat like a wolf afterwards, with a huge grin of accomplishment on my face!
Where do you write? Anywhere! Dining table, bus, train, bed, park, anywhere the words and messages choose to flow.
Do you write every day? I only write when the words and message are flowing.
What is your writing schedule? None, whatsoever.
Is there a specific ritualistic thing you do during your writing time? I talk to the words and the message. I ask questions and I ask for guidance and pray that I am writing the words and message exactly and concisely as they are to be written, because I realize that this is not about me, and that is a huge and humbling responsibility to carry. I do not take it for granted.
In today’s tech savvy world, most writers use a computer or laptop. Have you ever written parts of your book on paper? All the time! Any piece of paper, no matter what size! I have also written on lots of say, Starbucks, or Au Bon Pain, napkins!
If you’re a mom writer, how do you balance your time? I am a mom of two, and no, I do not try to balance my time. My children come first. I have been blessed with the strength to be a mother and a writer. I have been blessed with the wisdom to let my children know that Mama is writing right now, what would you guys like to do while she writes? I am blessed that somehow they understand, and when they are in need of juice, snacks or food, Mama is still here to get up and prepare it for them. Then I go back to writing. I write while I make dinner. The Reminder, describes that as the onion moment, where I am writing but keeping my eyes, ears, spirit, soul and heart open for and to my children and their needs. I accept that and so there is no struggle. I also have a loving and active husband who loves to take the children on outside expeditions and adventures and would say to me, “Enjoy this time to yourself, it’s okay, I have the kids”. And out they go, and I write, and write, and write. When they come home, I am energized and refreshed for them, and enjoy every precious moment with them.
If you could go back in time, where would you go? Favorite travel spot? I love visiting Chincoteague Island in Virginia. I love it past, present and future.
Favorite dessert? Ah, that’s a tough one. I love food, period.
If you were stuck on a deserted island, which 3 books would you want with you? I am biased. I will need only one book that has several books in it, J, and that is the Bible.
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you? The scariest? The strangest? Laugh! Now you are asking for whole bunch of stories which will not fit this interview because we would forever be discussing the funniest, scariest and strangest things that have happened to me. I have so many that have shaped and formed me, so many layers…we would be here forever.
What’s the most courageous thing you’ve ever done? Writing and opening myself up to the world. It’s really hard; a very difficult thing to do. I would rather be on my couch playing with my kids and quietly being a wife and a mother. But I awakened to the truth that I am here for a purpose and the greatest way for me to serve God, my family and the world is to fulfill that purpose.
Any hobbies? Or Name a quirky thing you like to do. I love music and dancing for enjoyment and happiness, and expression of good energy. Just close my eyes and dance. I call it my happy exercise. I love sitting on my porch just listening to the silence and staring into space. I love meeting people and getting right into a meaningful conversation with them. I love looking up the definition of words and their synonyms, especially when I am in writing mode.
If there is one thing you want readers to remember about you, what would it be? I write for you, because God loves you and wants your beauty to shine.
I answer His call for me to write, because I love you and I want your beauty to shine.
You are precious, you are valuable, and you are worth it!
I do not take any reader for granted, and I am humbled by the fact I have been given a voice to sow healing, love, restoration, patience and kindness. Virtues which have saved me, and are still saving me in this journey called life.
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