15 February 2013

Published Author Interview: Writer | Nurse | Singer | Performer Tina Frisco



INTERVIEW

Welcome on the blogs Tina Frisco, author, singer and performer.

TF: Thank you Darmie, it’s a pleasure to be on the blogs.

DO: What cultural struggles, commitment and loyalty did you speak of in the novel Plateau?

TF: The protagonist, a 15-year-old tribal female named W'Hyani, must overcome her fears in order to realize her destiny, and she must do this in keeping with her tribal customs and while honoring her elders.  Also, her people adhere to their customs and beliefs throughout the novel.  They are peace-loving, forthright, compassionate, and tolerant of diversity.

DO: Plateau, what does that mean?

TF: W'Hyani's people live on a high plateau, sequestered from the outside world.  This is analogous to the plateau we humans often reach in our spiritual growth, and we must persevere in order to reach enlightenment.

DO: What distinct voice did you bring to the world through this book?

TF: I began a shaman apprenticeship many years ago.  All that I've learned and achieved is embodied in the characters in Plateau.  The path of the shaman requires tenacity and focused intention, portrayed by W'Hyani's utter refusal to give up the search for her destiny, and by JoJiah's intense commitment to her apprenticeship.

DO: How did your interest for writing originate?

TF:  I've been a writer all of my life.  As a child, I wrote little poems and songs.  I received my first guitar when I was 14, and song-writing became a passion.  I've performed in many local venues over the years.  I'm also an R.N. and have written and published a few articles in the field of medicine.  I've written many essays of all types, but Plateau is my first novel.

DO: You studied nursing in New York, so you ventured into writing in hopes of what?

TF: My reason for writing Plateau was to put forth a message in the world.  After watching one too many "doomsday" documentaries regarding the supposed end of the Mayan calendar on December 21, 2012, I felt both disheartened and determined.  I don't embrace apocalyptic theories and was compelled to write a novel of hope.

DO: W'Hyani became an orphan at an early age. Were there challenges on her way to adulthood that contributed effectively to the success conflict of the novel Plateau?

TF: Yes, many challenges.  In each one, she must square off against her fear, confront varying degrees of adversity, and recognize and rise above her limiting beliefs. The conflict arises with her not understanding what her most harrowing challenge signified.  Her spirit begins to fade, which is in direct conflict with her true nature.  Limiting beliefs are what preclude our manifesting our destiny, and W'Hyani exemplifies the warrior spirit that refuses to forsake itself. 

DO: Like W'Hyani, I wondered, too, how the tiny shard gifted her by her late mother would manifest the realization of her destiny. Please, hint us on this.

TF: The shard is part of a bigger picture.  It's the requisite key to the Great Mosaic of Life, something that she must search for and find in order to fulfill her birthright.

DO: What is a medicine womon? I didn't grasp that part of the book. Was that some sort of a course Jojihah, W'Hyani's bosom friend, studied?

TF: A medicine womon (woman), or shaman, is an intermediary between the human world and the world of spirit.  She heals afflictions by mending the spirit, which in turn heals the physical body and brings the person into balance.  She often enters the spirit realm in order to obtain the answers she needs to perform her healing.  She essentially lives with a foot in two worlds.  Indigenous peoples apprentice younger members of the tribe and pass on their knowledge in this way.  An apprenticeship usually lasts many years, as is the case with JoJihah.

How is Jojihah important to the story Plateau?

TF: Aside from being W'Hyani's best friend and confidant, JoJihah often functions as W'Hyani's conscience and touchstone.  At times, she even plays the "devil's advocate," injecting a bit of conflict and challenging W'Hyani to clarify her intentions and beliefs.

DO: Why did W'Hyani's mother tell her to keep the shard away from people, so that she wouldn't even allow her close friend see it?

TF: When we make a focused intention to achieve a goal, it's often best initially to keep it close to our heart and not speak of it.  In this way, our intention builds in power and our focus remains undiluted.  If we speak of it before it has ripened, we may sabotage our inner power by listening to the opinions of others and likely begin doubting ourselves.

DO: How would you describe Plateau to someone who hasn't read it?

TF: Plateau is a tale of adventure and mystery. W'Hyani, a 15-year-old tribal female, discovers her strengths and destiny by overcoming myriad adversities, all while honoring the wisdom of her elders.  Her will, fortitude, and ingenuity are tested unrelentingly.  She must learn to trust blindly and overcome fear exhaustively, without fully knowing why she was born the Keeper of the Crystal Heart, the requisite key to the Great Mosaic of Life.  Will love prevail over fear?  Plateau proffers a dash of insight and a bounty of hope.

DO: How much of this book is personal and how much a work of fiction?

TF: The story itself is fiction.  The characters are imbued with qualities I've both achieved and admire in others, as well as qualities I've both discarded and disdain in others.  I think this is probably true of most works of fiction.  The author can't help but inject a little of herself into the story!

DO: What message is there in this book that you want to influence your potential readers positively with?

TF: The underlying message in Plateau is that we must keep our hearts open, act from love instead of react from fear, and practice gratitude and compassion within every moment and with every breath.  In so doing, we'll help elevate the human species to a higher consciousness, facilitating both personal and global peace. And above all, we must harm none and walk in beauty.

DO: What are the titles of current books you are working on?

TF:  I've begun writing the first book in a series of children's books I plan to write.  I don't want to announce the title just yet, because that alone would give away too much!

DO: It's been great talking with you Tina Frisco. Give my love to the family. Thanks for stopping by.

TF: *Smiles*, sure. I also thank you.

About Author: 
I am an author, singer-songwriter-performer, RN, shaman apprentice, animal/human rights and environmental/social change activist.  I was born in (USA) Pennsylvania, studied nursing in New York, and am currently living in California.  I love writing, reading, music, movies, and nature, among many other things. I'm 5 times an aunt and 9 times a great-aunt!

Book Title: 
Plateau: Beyond the Trees, Beyond 2012

Genre: 
Fiction

Book Blurb:  W’Hyani was born strong, willful, and the predestined Keeper of the Crystal Heart, the requisite key to unlocking the mystery of the Great Mosaic of Life.  Unaware of the shard’s significance, her fortitude begins being tested by the cosmic forces that sculpted her destiny.  She ultimately comes face-to-face with herself in a battle that would shrink the will of the most intrepid warrior, unaware that the realization of her destiny will irrevocably impact all beings on earth and beyond.  The Great Mosaic of Life holds a message of hope that would allow us to see and live beyond the year 2012, into the Golden Age of Enlightenment.

Available Formats:  Paperback, eBook, hardback.

eBook Cost:  Kindle - $1.99, Smashwords - $0.99

Paperback:  $13.25

Books Coming Soon:  A series of children's books

Buy Links:  Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Tina-Frisco/e/B009NMOFNY, Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/plateau-tina-frisco/1112187541, Chapters.Indi
go - http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/search/?keywords=Tina%20Frisco&pageSize=12,
Friesen Press -
http://www.friesenpress.com/bookstore/title/119734000004251564/Tina-Frisco-Plateau

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