An Aversion to Doing Anything the Typical Way – Camilla Interviewed by Jess Faraday

June 13 2020

I’m chatting with Jess about my weird aversion to doing anything the typical way, how my 10 year marriage ending led to my first book, and imposter syndrome. Join us…(photo mentioned in interview) ….

JF: Let’s start out with five fun facts about you. Go.

  1. I swear a lot!
  2. I love having solo dance parties.
  3. I’m finally cleaning photos from my iPhone. I had about 10,000!
  4. I haven’t had a television since 2008.
  5. I’m actually a very lazy person!

JF: Do you have a day job? If so, what is it? What other jobs have you held? Have they influenced your writing?

Before I became a mom, I was a …..  Follow the link to read further …

Meeting the Author: Camilla Downs

Writing Rituals and Fictional Characters – Interview on The Magic of Wor(l)ds

June 6 2020

Thank you to the lovely Stefanie in Flanders, Belgium for having me on her magical book blog.

We’re chatting about which non-fiction writers and fictional characters I’d love to invite for coffee, writing rituals, and whether people in my life should be worried about making an appearance in future books … (Belgium Image by Dimitris Vetsikas from Pixabay)

Words of Alchemy – Camilla Downs @CamillaDowns , an #Interview #QandA

 

Found Poetry Hidden Within Mailed Books

April 14 2020

It was a great day to mail books! Thank goodness for these drive through postal drops. And …. thank you to those who are buying books and sharing about books.

May 6 2020

Creating more Found Poetry to hide within Words of Alchemy. Preparing to mail a book to a lovely winner in Massachusetts. Some of these still need a word or two trimmed. Found within books that were destined for the trash.

May 9 2020

Ready to be hidden within outgoing books.

Words of Alchemy – A Celebration of Family and Adaption

April 22 2020:

“Words of Alchemy is warm and personal, like being invited to sit on the author’s couch and listen to her talk to family and friends. Intimate and loving, these poems are a celebration of family, of friends, of life, of nature, and of adaptation.”  – Amazon Customer

How I Describe My Writing Style – Camilla Interviewed by Clare Rhoden

April 6 2020

What 5 words best describe my writing style and what’s the scariest thing I’ve ever done? Thank you to Clare for this thoughtful interview on her book blog …

Delightful! Do you write for yourself or for a particular audience?

To date, I have always written for myself. Writing is how I process and experience life. The feedback received when sharing what I write is what encouraged me to pursue publishing the content.

What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?

Making the decision fourteen years ago to leave my marriage, becoming a single parent to two children; 1 year old and 5 years old at the time. I had no idea how … Follow the link below to read further …”

Camilla Downs, soul writer, on giving and receiving

Is There Something Special I Do Before Mailing a Book – Camilla Interview on Meeting the Authors

March 7 2020

Here it is …. Today we travel to Reno, Nevada, USA to chat with Camilla Downs about how a Swedish actress, going for walks, chromosome deletions, tiny house living, a construction company, being a paralegal, nature photography, Scooby Doo, and tenacity come together to form the ingredients for the alchemy of Camilla’s life.

Is there something special you do with your book before sending it to a reader?

I personalize each book with a hand written message, at times including a special message within the book. It’s always a little different. Sometimes it’s a handwritten message on a small card, others it’s a micro short poem or message created from the words of a book destined for the trash.

In addition to that, I offer readings from the book via telephone. I’m happy to do this one on one or on speakerphone to a book club (or in person if you are in the Reno/Tahoe/Sparks surrounding area). This is done at no charge and I’m happy to have discussions after the reading. If interested … Go here to read the full interview …

Meet the Author: Words of Alchemy by Camilla Downs

Amy at Trader Joe’s – Thank YOU While Making an Appearance in Norwich Nights With a Tree

February 15 2020

Thank you to Amy at Trader Joe’s for buying one of my books. She has asked about it, kept track of the progress from the beginning to end. Grateful for her interest and support! If you’ve finished reading your copy, a review on Amazon would be amazing … Deep gratitude … xoxo

March 4 2020

Thank you to Melissa of Norwich Nights Magazine for the spotlight of Words of Alchemy! I hope you take a moment to check out the magazine! xoxo

Read Norwich Nights Magazine online

 

March 7 2020

I’m having much fun with creating the short and sweet messages hidden within each book to be mailed. Completely driven by creativity, imagination, and listening to the heart. Another round of books being mailed on Monday to those who’ve preordered and those just now ordering. Please let me know if you’d like your own copy of a personalised, signed book ….. 🌺💚💚💚🌺

 

Proofing the Digital Version and Proof Ordered – Words of Alchemy

December 4 2019:

Just finished proofing the digital version of the printed book. Just need to get the cover in the system and can then order an actual proof book. So close! …. The poetry of nature, the poetry of healing, the poetry of appreciation, the poetry of love ..

December 7 2019:

Proof ordered yesterday! Fingers crossed all looks as beautiful as it does digitally … then …. we are ready to publish! Now is a GREAT time to pre-order. You get a personalized signed book, 10% off the Amazon price, PLUS free shipping! Oceans of thanks to those lovely souls who have already pre-ordered!

Words of Alchemy – Back to the Book Designer and Kindle Version is Finished

November 3 2019:

Just sent the manuscript back to the book designer. A few more minor corrections. Fingers crossed that’s it! This is a ton of work ….. And …. So worth it!

November 9 2019:

The Kindle version is finished! The back cover is finished! Whew!! Should be getting the initial print version to review electronically in 3 or 4 days. My shoulders are loosening just writing this post! Hallelujah!! Including a sneak peek at one of the last pages of the book …. Thanks to everyone for the support, love, and encouragement!

Words of Alchemy – The Kindle Version with a Strong Urge for Apostrophes and Dashes

October 23 2019:

Incredibly excited! Just received the Kindle version from the book designer for proofing!! Stay up late proofing or get to bed now so I can get up early and proof?? What a joy to be to this point now. Thank you to everyone for the support, love, and encouragement!

October 24 2019:

Deep into proofing the Kindle version of the book. During this entire process from the beginning stages of putting the manuscript together up to now; I sometimes feel a strong urge that a writing wants to be shared (right now!). That just happened with this one. Written in June 2018.

Knowing of the Heart

We have come together upon this Earth
to travel our own separate paths
Yet, traveling them together.

It has not escaped my attention
that there were and are places
and events we talked and
dreamed of experiencing.

Our lives together seem to
have become mundane and boring.

Seeming to have the same days
over and over again.
With little new experiences
by way of sights, sounds,
and adventures.

Sadness and failure encroached
upon these shoulders and heart
As the message was received
of how important it is to
travel with one’s family.

Travel so as to have one to one
time together … away from the
normalcy of being in the
same place and routines.

Yet, before the cloud could
fully envelop this heart,
the heart whispered to
the sadness a response
so profound and enlightening
the sadness and failure
did halt and lift to be
transmuted to peace and knowing.

The heart whispered …
Wait.

Each walk taken,
Each drive around
neighborhoods,
Each date day,
Each spontaneous trip
for simple life’s
necessities,
Each trip to the park,
Each drive to a lookout
to watch the sunset or
have a car picnic,
Each occasion you chose
to make special …
Each of those times was
a trip to a beautiful
and everlasting destination.

You and your children
have taken many trips.
They may not be the
actual destinations the
three of you envisioned.

No. They are not.

Yet, each of these trips
led to destinations
that many may never get
a chance to experience.

The trip. The destination.
Within you it is.
Take it with you
always, you do.
This is the alchemy
of the heart.

Glory be.
Take notice of
your profound ability
to make something
out of seemingly nothing.

Know this.
And be free.
Hallelujah!

June 2018

Dedicated to my children … Thomas and Lillian

There’s nothing better than a walk with my loves. I cherish every walk taken with each one of them. Every walk …. Since they were wee tiny ones growing within me. As of the writing of the previous poem, Lillian and I have taken walks together for nearly 17 years; and Thomas and me for nearly 13 years. Love, sweet love.
(Picture of us July 2018 – midnight at the Vegas airport, returning from the C18 Conference in Baltimore)

October 26 2019:

Apostrophes and dashes, oh my!! I’m surprised I didn’t dream about apostrophes and dashes haunting me! On the last round of proofreading and then back to the book designer. Nothing major to correct … Except … Many apostrophe slip ups and a few grammar errors! (The dandelion seed will be smaller in the final version. The designer missed that in my original instructions.)