Danielle Elaine Reveals the Highlight of Her Book of Affirmations
BY DANIELLE ELAINE
What is the key theme or message of your book?
The key theme is healing and inspiration. I want people to read this and find the courage to dig for diamonds within themselves and their lives. Find the silver lining in their circumstances and follow it through to their purpose.
What is the significance of the title, SCRIPTURES OF GOLD?
I come from a religious Christian background, and the title signifies the importance, and the weight of the words within. Just like holy texts are memorized and canonized in our lives guiding and inspiring us to live and do better, I want my book to be held in the same regard - the only difference is there is no fear-mongering, shaming, and conformity requirements.
Do you write while listening to music? If so, what music inspired or accompanied this current book?
I do sometimes write while listening to music, and when I do it is usually something soothing or songs i do not know, so that I do not get distracted by singing along.
You also write fiction—was the process different for a book of affirmations and what challenges did you face writing it?
Yes, I would say the process was different in that I have to tap into a different space for affirmations. This book is meant to open the door to healing, so while I wrote it, I tapped into the collective consciousness to feel what was needed. These words are to spark hope and optimism and ambition and confidence from within.
What was the highlight of creating this book?
The highlight of creating this book was speaking to my inner child. I was writing to help heal others, and healed myself at the same time. When I thought of the concept for this book, it was for melanated children to find hope and light in this often cruel world. But I realized that these are things people of color of all ages and walks of life need as well.
Are you working on anything at the moment you would like to share with your readers?
I am currently building out a podcast, available on all platforms. Lucy’s Apothecary x Healing Corner offers meditations that can be used while awake or sleeping. I am also working with The Sunshine Project Kid, which is a platform for conscious parenting, offering tools and resources such as children's meditations and affirmations. Lastly, my fiction novel A Minister’s Child should be completed by the end of the year. The novel is loosely based on my life and it's full of drama, suspense, and poetic scenes, which are my favorite. I'm really looking forward to finally releasing it.
Tell us about your first published book. What was the journey like?
My first published book, Love Letters I Never Sent, was a compilation of poetry I had written throughout my teenage years and early twenties. Being a published author is something I have always wanted, and when I was in the midst of a deep depression and pregnant, thinking about what kind of mom I wanted to be, I had a revelation: I thought about not having the familial support behind my dreams, no one invested in me via writing classes, workshops or extracurriculars. I didn't want that for my daughter. I wanted her to know she could be or do anything she chose. With that, I realized I needed to have proof of what I was saying - how could I tell her to follow her dreams, when I had not? I needed to have something to show for what I would be preaching and that was the catalyst that got me to publish my first book.
Where do you get your inspiration?
I draw inspiration from myself mostly. Myself and my life. I find I write what I need, or need to get through different circumstances. I also find inspiration in other art forms like music or paintings. I have a poem I wrote about hands that was inspired by my former barber. It talks about the creative process and the duality of the strength and softness in his hands. It's one of my favorite pieces.
You’ve written fiction and now a book of affirmations. Do you have a preference?
I think poetry will always be my first love because it's like short, powerful stories. You get meaning bites and imagery in just a few lines, and I love that. It doesn't take much to make an impact with a poem.
Is it easier for you to write one over the other?
It is definitely easier to write poetry or affirmations over fiction because fiction takes more detail and structure and nuance to writing rules. I'm a writer, but I do not honor the strict requirements of the writing profession. I just know words and how to appropriately pair them to create magic.
What are you reading now?
I'm currently reading Nothing Down by Robert G. Allen, a book on investing in real estate without putting your own money up. I'm trying my hand at real estate until I hit NY Times Best Sellers and Oprah's Book Club.
Hailing from New Jersey, Danielle Elaine is prolific writer with a love affair for words. She is a self-published author of the book, Love Letters I Never Sent. Although she specializes in a wide range of poetry, she has gained experience writing for print and online publications such as KONTROL and KONTROL Girl Magazine, MommyNoire, MadameNoire and more. On a quest to pursue a passionate and purpose driven life, Danielle found herself on a journey of self-healing.
Through her rediscovery of crystals, she found herself following universal breadcrumbs to spiritual evolution, energetic growth and healing. Today, Danielle takes comfort in a fluid existence. As a Mother, creator, healer, vessel, she happily greets each day using the spiritual guidance and tools imparted to her. As a healer, and vessel she only seeks to show others, especially women and children, how easily they can free themselves from social shackles weighing down their physical, emotional, and spiritual bodies.