Interview with Iris Laflamme

Author of Hopeless to Healed : A Memoir

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

I was born in Columbus Ohio, grew up in Akron, and currently live in the beautiful St. Petersburg Florida.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

Well, that is quite a story! I have to suggest reading my book for all the exciting details.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

Writing has always been a huge part of my life. There was a time, back in high school, I was writing a short story every single day. When I became a ghost writer, that was when I really began to believe my writing was worthwhile. In my early 20s my life took a tumultuous turn and I thought I was never going to write again.

I then met my Spiritual Mentor, Dr. Mark Tong, and he helped me get my life back on track and remember my true passions. I want to help people, and I became a certified Spiritual Life Coach and EFT Practitioner. Part of helping people is getting my story out there. If I can heal from my circumstances, I truly believe anyone can.

When Dr. Tong told me to write my life story, I laughed. I hadn’t sat at my keyboard for years. After a few months of ignoring my gut, I finally brought myself to begin typing. The words flowed and I remembered why writing had always been part of my passion.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

Have you ever been to a 12 Step meeting and listened to someone tell their story? What it was like, how they found recovery, what life is like now?
That pretty much it.

I’ve told my story to thousands of people in recovery settings. I want people to know I’ve struggled and come through the other side, and I’m more than willing to help them too. Instead of having to listen to me as I prattle on nervously on stage, you can read it at your own pace.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

We all have a story, and mine is about Spiritual healing from traumas, phobias, chronic pain, and mental illness. I think everyone can relate to my story in one way or another. My one wish is that it will give others Hope.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

Writing my life story was a healing journey in and of itself. Once I got to that place of willingness, and set my thoughts into words, I was able to uncover all the areas of myself I needed to improve. Mostly, self esteem and motivation.

The process itself was pretty easy, getting over myself and those thoughts of self doubt was the real challenge. I found a lot of courage and self forgiveness during that time.

If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?

The same advice I am grateful my father, friends, teachers, and therapist gave me at the time, “Just Do It!”

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

If my story can reach and help just one person, I think I’ve succeeded. Of course, my more ambitious self has imagined interviews with Oprah and the like; but the entire point was to just put my story out into the universe and share hope.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

I will always be my biggest challenge! Once my book was written and put out there, I kind of floundered on what to do next. It’s also easy to fall into self doubt wondering if it’s good enough. I just keep trusting that whatever is meant to be, will be, and I’ll figure it all out as I go.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

Definitely writing. Once I sat down and got started, everything began to flow. I wrote my book in 30 days, because once I sat on the keyboard I knew there was no going back. I can’t say that it’s perfect, I’m sure there are a lot of technical mistakes my editor and I missed. However, I’ve always been proud of my ability to get my thoughts into words in ways that others seem to enjoy.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

Marketing!
I did self publish with the guidance of my mentor. That process was a lot easier than I had expected. Actually taking the time to market my book has been a real task. Other things just seem to have taken priority, and there’s something that feels really self absorbed about telling people, “Hey! Read my book!”

When do you think you will write your next book?

I should probably live a few more years before I write a sequel, after all it’s my life story, and I need some more things to happen in my life before I can write about it.

Joking aside, I have thought about other things I can write. I even took a look at my older pieces and considered publishing them, but they’re an entirely different genre and written by an entirely different me.

So the answer is very much, “I don’t know. I’ll see where I’m led.”

My focus has been on helping my clients, raising my daughter, and enjoying day to day life. I have been writing more, but nothing inspired enough to share with the world. My passion for writing is back, but right now it’s for me to enjoy.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

Self Published through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.