Interview with Natasha Munson, author of “Life Lessons for My Sisters”

By Soul Pitt's Bonita Lee

"The insightful author provides an inspirational road map for women who want to lead a more meaningful life."

      -- Ebony magazine, May 2005

"Natasha Munson's Life Lessons gets to the heart of what holds many of us back from our goals and dreams. In the spirit of Iyanla Vanzant, Munson delivers a tell-all meets self-help style drawing from her own experience. Life Lessons leaves you with a renewed focus and direction towards that innermost part of yourself waiting to emerge."

      -- Upscale magazine, May 2005

Have you ever asked yourself any or all of the following questions?

          What am I doing with my life?

          Why do I place everyone's needs before my own? Why can't I learn to say no?

          Why do I keep choosing the wrong mate? When will I begin to make better choices?

           Is it too late to start a new career? Can I refocus my life at my age?

          When will I overcome my fears and make that move?

          When will I stop letting others dictate how I live my life?

      You know we could go on and on with questions and then spend another day second-guessing the decisions we have made. Instead of sitting around beating ourselves for past mistakes, instead of sitting around thinking up excuses to put off our dreams, yet, for the fifth year in a row. Instead of blaming it on our age, our finances, instead of blaming our unhappiness on not having that compatible mate or the right job, let's stand up and face our fears, get over them and get on with the rich life we deserve.

      Ok, now I guess you want me to give the solution to all your problems. Hold on, I'm not the one, but I will guide you to a wonderful book that is helping me make steps in leading a fulfilled life, by our featured author, Natasha Munson.

I reached Natasha in Atlanta, where she was packing to start her tour. She was kind enough to take out some time to share her excitement with our Soul Pitt readers regarding her new book "Life Lessons For My Sisters (How to Make Wise Choices and Live a Life Your Love).

SP Bonita:

You stated the idea for writing your first book, Life Lessons For My Sisters (How to Make Wise Choices and Live a Life You Love) was out of the need to save your teenage cousin. Has she read your book and what affect has it had on her?

Natasha:

She's read the book so much that she has her favorite pages turned down and passages highlighted.  She really appreciates and the loves the book. Thankfully it has truly helped her to make better choices and I'm so happy about that.

SP Bonita:

In the self-publishing world your sales proved to be an exception rather than the rule. What do you contribute to your more than 20,000 book sales?

Natasha:

Passion, Persistence and God.  I had such an intense desire to live a life I loved that it became my personal mission and my mantra.  I would say Live a Life You Love to everyone I knew and it became incorporated into my spirit.  Once I truly believed that I could live a life I loved I began spreading the word about this book.  I do some form of promotion everyday and that certainly helps.

SP Bonita:

The majority of the people I know are far from their teen-age and 20s year brackets. Would reading your book be of benefit to women and men in their middle ages in search of a better way of life? For those of us who find ourselves stuck in unsatisfying and monde jobs, that we have held on to for the sake of security. Would your book assist us in finding the path to a more rewarding career and lifestyle?

Natasha:

Dennis Kimbro, author of What Makes the Great Great, said it best, "Life Lessons is not only for sisters but anyone searching for the answer to what matters most."  I have been contacted by readers as young as 10 and as wise as 55, informing me that Life Lessons changed their life and makes an impact on their daily decisions.  The wonderful thing about Life Lessons is that it deals with various topics like When To End A Friendship, Choosing a Career and Creating a Life Plan, Dealing With Finances, and so much more that women of all ages can read and reread it for inspirational advice.  Also, Life Lessons is not preachy and it gets right to the point.  The lessons are stated at the end of each chapter so that the reader truly understands the lesson within that chapter.

SP Bonita:

I read you have expanded your business to include your own public relations firm, Natasha Munson & Associates. Please share with our readers why you felt the need to start your PR firm and what type of clientele you are interested in attracting and the services being offered? Where will your firm be located?

Natasha:

I am based in Atlanta, GA and decided to expand into PR simply because I love it.  My current focus is on authors, particularly self-published authors, who need assistance with book promotion.

SP Bonita:

I have a copy of your May Book Tour Schedule. Our readers can log onto www.sisterlessons.com to check for dates in a city near them. Are you in the process of adding more tours dates to this schedule?

Natasha:

Oh yes, definitely.  As long as people keep inviting me to speak I will show up and spread the word about these lessons God gave me.

SP Bonita:

While on tour, what will be your main objective, to sale more books, to reach new readers, to inform upcoming authors the ins / outs of self-publishing, or to have fun?

Natasha:

I really want to have fun and meet the readers.  But honestly, you know every author wants to increase book sales so that is a part of the tour. My goal is to spread the word about the book as much as I can.  I have created a book called Tools of Self-Publishing Success which will be available through my site only, http://www.sisterlessons.com in June 2005.

SP Bonita:

I am sure all of this must be exciting to you, out of all the excitement what has been the most important factor you have accomplished?

Natasha:

I love receiving the emails from readers and hearing how strongly Life Lessons has affected them and helped them to change their life for the better.  I truly love hearing that.

SP Bonita:

Do you have any words of wisdom for new authors searching to publish their books?

Natasha:

Do your best to create a quality product and then know whether you want to self-publish or not.  Every author should understand the publishing business as well as the craft of writing.  Then keep pushing toward your goal and never give up.

SP Bonita:

I would like to thank you Natasha for taking out the time to answer a few questions for our readers. If they are like me and in need of some life directions, they will be rushing out to purchase your book. Can you tell us where we can purchase your book?

Natasha:

The book is available wherever books are sold, through online outlets such as Amazon.com, BN.com and Booksamillion.com.  Life Lessons can also be purchased by going to my website, http://www.sisterlessons.com

SP Bonita:

One more question before you start your book tour Wednesday, how did you hear about the Soul Pitt?

Natasha:

Google.  I do tons of research and I found your wonderful site.  Thanks for chatting with me and I appreciate all your support! Live a Life You Love!

SP Bonita:

Natasha, Congratulations! On your book, Life Lessons For My Sisters: How to Make Wise Choices and Live a Life You Love. I personally feel your book is relevant to the concerns of people like myself and I look forward to picking up your book. Let us know when you are in the Pittsburgh area. Have a successful Book Tour.

You may click on to Natasha's website www.sisterlessons.com for more information on her book and upcoming tour dates.