Author interview with Dr. Helen McIntosh
1. Tell us about your latest book.
Messages to Myself – Overcoming a Distorted Self-Image is for those who are struggling with ongoing self-image issues as well as depression and anxiety, and are having difficulties in their personal life and in their relationships. I give a method in the book to bring healthy and lasting life changes for adults and children. This method offers readers simple, tangible, concrete help both in their thought patterns and in their relationships with others.
2. How did you get started as a writer? My heart longs to give encouragement and lasting help to those who struggle with social and emotional issues. I first got started with a children’s book (Eric, Jose, and The Peace Rug) to help them with their issues like anger management, bullying, reconciliation, and conflict resolution. I was a school counselor at the time, and there was a deficit in literature that really worked! For my adult friends, I saw another deficit! So many of us are depressed. They have been given “sticky note” answers – and nothing has helped. I love help, healing, restoration, and reconciliation, and so the book came to me as a natural flow from what I needed myself and needed for others.
3. What does a typical day look like for you?
I am officially retired from the school system but still do some crisis counseling in my church and community, and I do some teaching. I am also working on a grief book for children and an adult book on suicide. [Why is a sanguine like me writing about so many dark subjects? Well…I just love it!] Best of all is time with my husband, also recently retired, and seeing my adult children and grandchildren.
4. Describe your desk/workspace.
BUSY! It actually looks pretty awful. The stacks on my left look formidable, but I know where everything is. Otherwise, I have surrounded myself with nostalgic photographs and things I love.
5. Favorite books (especially for writers)
Anything by Jan Silvious. The book Captivating by Stasi Eldredge is also a favorite.
6. Tell us 3 interesting/crazy things about you
I was a drummer in high school (the timpani), smoked a few cigars in my after college days, and lived in Germany as a child and France when older.
7. Favorite quote
My favorite quote is from the Bible in Habbukah: Though the fig tree should not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail and the fields produce no food, though the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stalls – Yet! I will exult in the Lord, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
8. Best and worst part of being a writer
The best part is hopefully helping others by putting down truth in ink. The worst part is the “fight to be still” in our very busy world and how hard it is to hear “quiet” in order put that down in ink!
9. Advice for other writers
Write about things you are passionate about because the journey is hard. Then you will persevere!
10. Tell us a story about your writing experience.
I wrote a lot of the Messages To Myself book in my father’s hospital room when he was asleep. He died weeks later – but I know he was with me on my journey just as I was there for him on his journey to heaven.
Where can people buy your book?
Readers can buy it on amazon.com! Information and other ordering info can also be accessed on www.helenmcintosh.com or www.peacerug.com
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