Saturday, May 8, 2010

HEART-BROKEN OPEN: AUTHOR INTERVIEW, REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
HEART-BROKEN OPEN

BY KRISTINE CARLSON

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Kris Carlson had an idyllic life. She and her husband Richard had a romantic marriage, two beautiful daughters, and—thanks to the success of Richard’s bestselling “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” series—all of the comforts that money could buy. But on December 13, 2006, that perfect story took a sudden turn when Richard died—at age 45–of a pulmonary embolism on a flight to New York. It was the end of life as Kris knew it, but the beginning of a journey through grief that would teach Kris how much more she could be than the person she once was. That journey is the subject of HEARTBROKEN OPEN, a courageously honest memoir of the two years that followed Richard’s death, and the painful but ultimately valuable lessons Kris Carlson learned along the way. This wise little book offers a message of hope for everyone who has lost a loved one.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kristine Carlson, wife of international phenomenon Dr. Richard Carlson (author of the Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff…and it’s all Small Stuff series), and author of National Bestsellers, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff in Love and Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff for Women, has had much success professionally over the course of her life. Kris’ passion and talent for words have landed her many public speaking opportunities, inspiring listeners to live their lives as fully and happily as possible. As an unyielding believer of living in the moment, Kris has appeared on national radio and television broadcasts, including: The Today Show, The View, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Kris Carlson has served on the Board of Directors and the Global Leadership Council for Challenge Day. She helped to raise more than $600,000 for the non-profit organization that inspires children and adults to “be the change they wish to see in the world.” Kris serves as a role model and public icon for love and for building healthy, life-long relationships.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW:

1. Thank you for agreeing to this interview today for BOOKIN' WITH BINGO. Can you start off by telling us a little about your background or perhaps your "approved bio"?

Kristine Carlson captivated readers worldwide with her first three bestsellers, "An Hour to Live, An Hour to Love: The True Story of the Best Gift Ever Given", "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff in Love" and "Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff for Women".

Expanding on the phenomenal success of her late husband Dr. Richard Carlson's work, (Don't Sweat the Small Stuff series), Kristine has continued to share her profound message of empowerment, success, emotional strength and love.

An unyielding believer of living in the moment and finding happiness in life, Kris has been featured on national radio and television broadcasts, including: The Today Show, Empowered Living Radio, The View, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Her most recent book, Heartbroken Open, is a courageously honest memoir of her personal journey through the depths of grief and mourning after the sudden and unexpected loss of her husband. This powerful book has gained the attention and earned accolades of readers and media across the globe.

A dedicated mother to her two daughters and "Nana" to her wonderful grandson, Kristine prides herself on creating healthy life-long relationships and personal growth. She participates in numerous charities and is deeply committed to spreading her message of love to the world.
Please note: kristinecarlson.com as the website

2.What is the next or current book/project you are working on?

I am not currently working on another book. I have been a contributing Author to “Create a Marriage You Love” which benefits victims of domestic violence. And, Marci Shimoff and Carol Klein asked me to participate in their upcoming book including what they term Love Luminaries called “Love for no reason.”

3. What have you just finished reading?

While I have at least ten books on my nightstand, right now I am reading in small bites. I read from my late husband’s book “What about the Big Stuff.” I also read from Osho’s book of Wisdom and the Tao te Ching by Lao Tzu.

4. What books would you say have made the biggest impression on you, especially starting out?

The early books that made the most lasting impressions on me were Creative Visualization by Shakti Gawain, The Game of Life by Florence Scovel Shinn, BE here now by Ram Dass, Who dies? by Stephen Levine, Jonathon Livingston Seagull and Bridge Across Forever by Richard Bach
5. What gets you started on a new book?

I usually start a new book because of the Author.

6. What is something about you that you would want people to know about you that we probably don’t know?

I want you to know I am a Grandmother and love every minute I spend with my grandson! It’s the very greatest joy there is.

7. What is your best advice to anyone, including young people, who want to be writers?

The best advice I have for any new writer is be still and quiet for a time before you write. Say a prayer that asks to receive your genius and creativity and then journal from your feelings uncensored. Don’t edit as you write. Put your journal away and read it later.

8. What is something you would like to share with us about writing your favorite genre in general?

I really liked writing a memoir. It challenged me to write detailed and descriptive. I also enjoy writing the way Richard taught me to in the Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff sound-bite chapters. Introduce the idea, illustrate it and tie it together in 700 words or less!

REVIEW:

HEART-BROKEN OPEN: A Memoir Through Loss to Self-Discovery by Kristine Carlson is an amazing memoir that is written with such honesty and vulnerability that one can’t help but be inspired by the author’s strength. Becoming a widow at much too young an age, and because her husband was a well-known author made it so that she had to do it all publicly, and that only added to the heartache and connection that readers will feel about this story and with Kristine Carlson. One moment together, and then comes the call that changes her life forever, is a type of devastation that nobody would wish on anyone. However, rather than hide out, Carlson vowed that she would grieve fully and let that grief be the strength that she grew from and built upon.

In the memoir, Carlson shares her journey from “loss to self-discovery” that she experienced after losing her husband. The life and love they shared for 25 years needed to be remembered and she had to find her way through all this in order to identify her feelings and remember all the things they had been through together. She writes of the pain and loss, but also of what she is left with and blessed with. Her daughters are THE most important of those blessings however, she also knows that they share her feelings and fears, as well as all the stages from anger to acceptance. She was even surprised at the physical reactions she experienced as a result of the grieving.

Carlson’s friends were a huge support and she recognizes them and the role they played. They always seemed to be around at the right time. All that she experienced, she wrote about in hopes that in some way, it might help others who are also feeling that same, awful pain and feeling. No matter what you take away from this book, one thing is for sure and that is Kristine Carlson has written a hauntingly beautiful book and makes for inspired and interesting reading that allows you to almost feel her pain and her physical and emotional loss yourself. Steps must be taken in order for the healing to begin and to allow the HEART-BROKEN OPEN to mend and love again.


GIVEAWAY

THANKS TO KATHERINE AND GOOD PEOPLE
AT HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS WONDERFUL
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY. HERE IS WHAT

YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY!



--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY: COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING IN THE AUTHOR'S INTERVIEW ABOVE, OR A QUESTION YOU WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE ASKED HER

+1 MORE ENTRY
:
COMMENT ON ONE WAY THAT YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG (ONE WAY ONLY, THIS TIME)

+1 MORE ENTRY: BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

GIVEAWAY ENDS
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MAY 23!

GOOD LUCK!

46 comments:

debbie said...

I am a email subscriber.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

debbie said...

I would ask her, what is the most important piece of advice about life you would tell your new grandchild?
debbie
twoofakind12@yahoo.com

Wickdogg said...

I subscribe via email

wickdogg at gmaildot com

Wickdogg said...

I would ask ..if you did another job besides being a writer, what would it be?

wickgdogg at gmaildot com

Elise said...

I would have asked her if she still would have written a memoir had this tragedy not happened to her husband.
caliblue7@gmail.com

Elise said...

I follow by GFC.
caliblue7@gmail.com

Unknown said...

I am subscribed to email. But I would really like to this book. Please enter me in contest. Thank you. Tore923@aol.com

Irene said...

I am an email subscriber.


cyeats AT nycap DOT rr DOT com

Irene said...

While families grieve, especially when sudden death robs us of a loved one, friends provide a supporting and loving circle to keep us going...

Please enter my name. Thank you.

cyeates AT nycap DOT rr DOT com

Pamela Keener said...

I am an e-mail subscriber of your wonderful blog.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I have never read The Small Stuff books by either her or her husband. This book sounds great and as someone who is also widowed I would love to read about her journey. She sounds like a strong woman.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Colleen Turner said...

I follow via email.
candc320@gmail.com

Colleen Turner said...

I love that the one thing she would like us to know about her is that she is a grandmother....just like every other grandmother!.
candc320@gmail.com

traveler said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I would like to ask this amazing and courageous woman how she managed to continue to love, thrive and strive when her husband suddenly died. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Debbie F said...

I find the books that she read interesting. Very deep. Seems she is into self discovering.

thanks

dcf_beth at verizon dot net

misskallie2000 said...

I follow via google


misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

I would ask her what is it about the author that makes her want to read a book?


misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

misskallie2000 said...

follow via twitter(@misskallie2000


Tweet 5-8-10

misskallie2000 Win at http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/2010/05/heart-broken-open-author-interview.html
less than 10 seconds ago via web

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

sharon54220 said...

I follow via GFC along with Facebook.

sharon54220@gmail.com

sharon54220 said...

I found it very interesting that she continued the Don't Sweat the Small Stuff series. Very nice tribute to her husband.

Memoirs are one of my most favorite genres to read and would love to add this to my collection.

sharon54220@gmail.com

Linda Kish said...

GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I think it is great that she was able to turn her grief into a positive learning experience for herself and, through the book, others.


lkish77123 at gmail dot com

CMash said...

Am an email subscriber and a google friend connect follower.
Mash1195(at)aol(dot)com
CMash

CMash said...

Its amazing how positive she is and the fact that something positive came out of pain and loss.
Mash1195(at)aol(dot)com
CMash

Betty: Reflections with Coffee said...

This book calls to me. I'm going through grief now. My mother went to ER two months ago today, and died March 13. My cat died last Wednesday. So this book really calls to me, and I'd like to read it. She also mentions being a grandmother to a delightful grandson -- my 1 year old grandson is also fabulous and the joy of my life.
bmcbroom AT gmail DOT com

Betty: Reflections with Coffee said...

I discovered your blog today and added a subscription on my Google Reader.
bmcbroom AT gmail DOT com

Unknown said...

I found it interesting because she starts a new book because of the Author. I read books based on it's description. I read a lot of first time author's.

chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

http://twitter.com/Romantic73/status/13676692815
chirth7@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I'm a GFC follower
Christine H
chirth7@yahoo.com

Carol N Wong said...

I liked that part of the interview where she said don't edit while you write. I think that if you do, you will disrupt the flow and get discouraged.

CarolNWong@aol.com

Carol N Wong said...

I am an e-mail subscriber.


CarolNWong@aol.com

Debbie F said...

I'm a follower - GFC

thanks
dcf_beth at verizon dot net

Jenna said...

I am a follower

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Jenna said...

I love that she said to be still and to be quiet! I think thats great advice- not only for aspiring writers, but for every day life!

papajm25{AT}gmail{DOT}com

Kristen said...

I was interested to find she is participating in the new Marci Shimoff/Carol Klein book “Love for no reason." because I just finished reading their book "Happy For No Reason" and I was thinking about that while I was reading this author's story. She CHOSE to be happy again.

couponboss at gmail dot com

Benita said...

Email subscriber.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Benita said...

I would like to have asked her about her relationship with her editor.

bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shirley said...

http://twitter.com/Grandmamaof10/status/14170298582

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I'm a GFc follower

shundelt@yahoo.com

Shirley said...

I would love to read this book. I too lost my husband at 45 to brain cancer. I think I could relate to this story and would like to read it.

shundelt@yahoo.com

Jolee said...

follow on gfc and email joleehamlin at comcast dot net

Jolee said...

I learned that she actaully got some joy writing this memoir, and a I'm glad of it. joleehamlin at comcast dot net

Nancye said...

My question for the author: My husband is just beginning to write a book which he hopes can one day be a best seller. It has always been his dream and decided to go for it. Where would you recommend he start? He is working on an outline, but He needs all the advise he can get. Thank you in advance for your help!

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Tweet! Tweet!

http://twitter.com/NancyeDavis/status/14578034626

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

Nancye said...

Follower via GFC

nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

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