Thank you, Ann Harrison, for agreeing to be a guest on my Pop-up Saturday Surprise.

I am impressed by Ann Harrison’s energy and enthusiasm with writing and life. I think my readers will want to know more about you, too. 
 
Ann, I’d love to know more about how you reflect your values and faith as a Christian writer.  I’d love to hear how you use music, such as your singing bowl, to inspire your own writing. I also love to share work that comes from divine inspiration from the Holy Spirit or readings of Bible passages.  It’s very exciting to me. Let’s begin!


Q_Tell us a little bit about yourself. When did you become a Christian, and can you share a little about your encounter with Jesus?

A_My name is Ann Harrison. I am a Christian first and foremost. I write poetry, and I’m working on a couple of children’s chapter books.

I also  run a podcast called Inspirational

Journeys: Stories that matter.

I became a Christian when I was either ten or eleven, and I rededicated my life to God in either 2006 or 2007, I don’t remember the exact date, though I do remember having my guide dog back then.

My first real encounter with Jesus, or at least the momentous one, was when I rededicated my life. On that day, I was baptized by the Holy Ghost in a Pentecostal church. I’ve had a few spiritual experiences since then, but I have felt the presence of the Holy spirit many times while writing, or teaching myself to play the piano, which unfortunately didn’t get very far, due to Carpal Tunnel.

Q_When and how did you begin to write for publication?

A_ My most successful entries were the times I published in my local newspaper, and the time I have my poetry published in The Weekly Avocet: Journal of Nature Lover’s Poetry Magazine,. This collection of poetry was sponsored by  Behind Our Eyes.  Group members did a voice recording of that publication, too.  It was a special project  for National Poetry Month. When completed, the voice recording will be added to the group’s website. You can find me at The Authors Bookshelf at Behind Our Eyes

Q_ What motivated you to begin writing a blog?

A_I started my blog around 2010.

I actually set up the account when I found a job posting for a paid blogger position. I never could figure out how to post things onto my blog, until about a year later, when Deon Lyons gave me some pointers about how to work WordPress with a screen reader and My blogging took off from there.

Q_Discuss the overall theme/s of your writing. Can you give some examples?

A_Most of my poems, and now my children’s books have an overall Christian theme. However, many of my poems are written on the themes of writing, creativity, spirituality and my love of music. I also love to write mystery and fantasy in my children’s books. For example, I’m writing a series where the characters are toys. As for my poems on the themes of writing, my favorite poem in my book entitled The Spirit of Creativity: Inspirational Poems for the Creative at heart, is called The Flow of Words, because it describes how words flow to me like raindrops.

Q_Do you set goals? If so, do you create a timeline for the steps in reaching that goal? How do you determine what your goal/s will be?

A_I do set goals, but as for a timeline, I’ve tried to set one, but the timeline doesn’t always work out. However, If I’m doing a challenge such as National Novel Writing Month in November or their camp sessions in April and July, I try to keep track of my word count, to make sure I hit my targets. I can set word count goals at other times of the year as well.

Q_As a poet, what is your most outstanding achievement to date?

A_My most outstanding achievement as a poet is first of all my poetry book, and the second one is publishing in the Avocet, and finally, I love to hear people comment on poems I’ve written and either published on my website or recorded on my podcast and YouTube channel, or read during the Gospel sing as part of the ACB Community. I’ve thought about publishing another poetry book, but I’m waiting on God to lead me down that path.

See Ann’s poetry book Here.

Q_What professional area do you want to focus on next year?

A_I’ve started working as a developmental and a line editor in recent months, and I’d like to do more editing as well as writing.

Q_Is there a particular blog article or poem you wrote that you want to share with readers today?

A_I have a poem I wrote called The Voice of a Singing Bowl. I shared this on my website, but it’s pasted below, and you can watch me reading it and playing my singing bowl on this YouTube Video. In the First video, the voice of the bowl didn’t come through as I had hoped, so I created a Part 2 video, over Zoom with original sound turned on. In this video, you hear me play the bowl, with a bit of harmony from my wind chimes in the background, so you get two pleasant sounds in one.

The Voice of a Singing Bowl

I play the bowl before I sleep;
it sings of promises I must keep.
It whispers its words of wisdom to me,
as it rings out a sweet melody.

One tiny note it does sound,
a melody in my heart I’ve found,
easy to hum with no need for words,
as I play, the voice within my soul is heard.

It’s there when I need it, day or night;
I play the bowl to my heart’s delight.
This blessing from God fills me with peace,
my anxiety disappears in sweet release.

Not only at night do I play,
the bowl is a wonderful meditation
it gives me inspiration
for my writing day

When your life spins out of control
and the endless noise won’t cease
Why not play a singing bowl
And pray for inner peace.

Please enjoy watching two YouTube videos of Ann as she reads this poem and plays her singing bowl.  This is a great way to take a pause  at the end of Part 1 of our interview. Please come back next Saturday, October 22 for Part 2 of Ann’s writing and life story.

Watch Ann Play the Singing Bowl Here.

Watch Ann reading her poem Here.

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Ann’s Contact Information:

Ann Harrison

Author/professional writer/podcast host

Email: Here.

Website: Here.

Podcast URL:  Here.

Social media links:

Facebook: Here.

twitter: Here.

Instagram:  Here.

YouTube:  Here.

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 ©Lynda McKinney Lambert, 2022. All rights reserved.

The 2-part interview with Ann Harrison was prepared and published at my River Road Studio, the Village of Wurtemburg, in Western Pennsylvania. 

It is my pleasure to bring inspiring and educational articles about writers and artists to my readers at Walking by Inner Vision Blog.  I welcome your comments.

Contact Lynda

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