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Relationships in life, daily work, going after what you want, even being yourself.\u00a0<\/span>It all can be demanding, exhausting.\u00a0 <\/span>We require communication, a way to let others know our feelings, and a healthy system to release all that anxiety we carry.\u00a0<\/span>This is why self-expression is absolutely required.<\/p>\n 2 tips for self-expression:<\/b><\/p>\n 1-<\/b> My first and biggest tip would be to always be open to trying new things, new conversations, new habits.\u00a0<\/span>Learn new beliefs, even if they seem uncomfortable to you.\u00a0<\/span>Expand your understanding and leave any attachment to old views and ways of seeing the world.<\/p>\n 2-<\/b> A second tip would be to read and also watch movies.\u00a0<\/span>But read and watch inspiring things, and especially fantastical things.\u00a0<\/span>Such are stories or things that can really make you envision and create new thoughts, maybe even silly or unreal thoughts.\u00a0<\/span>It’s all about remembering the child’s creative mind again.\u00a0<\/span>I find that fantasy mainly does that for me.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A short Q&A:<\/b><\/p>\n I have published 3 nonfiction books about spirituality, family & relationships.\u00a0<\/span>But I\u2019ve always been fond of great and inspiring storytelling that increases creativity, so I am writing the BENJAMIN JONES series (right now writing book #4).\u00a0<\/span>It is the story of a shaman boy who has now become an orphan, and that with the help of his friends and visions of his father he starts on a journey of self-discovery and great, ancient magic.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From me really.\u00a0<\/span>I based Benjamin Jones on me as a young boy.\u00a0<\/span>See, I started self-publishing spiritual books about self-love, increasing self-esteem, and increasing connection in relationships.\u00a0<\/span>My love to help others.\u00a0<\/span>And I also love fantasy, like ‘Harry Potter’ and ‘Percy Jackson.’\u00a0<\/span>So I sought a way to tell a coming-of-age fantasy story to entertain people; but also in a way help the same people, guide them, bring to light some wisdom.\u00a0<\/span>And that is exactly what the main character does.\u00a0<\/span>He is a young boy who has this spiritual teacher, and he learns much about himself and his journey with him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Well, writer\u2019s block is just a belief.\u00a0<\/span>A belief is just an opinion, a thought, something in your mind you choose and strengthen.\u00a0<\/span>So I just don\u2019t believe in it, I don\u2019t feed it.\u00a0<\/span>The mind is something truly sacred and amazing, because you can create and destroy with it.\u00a0<\/span>I create by making a schedule in my head to write every day, thus pushing myself.\u00a0<\/span>Even 30 minutes.\u00a0<\/span>Does not matter.\u00a0<\/span>I just write and condition my mind to destroy the belief of writer\u2019s block.\u00a0<\/span>I build my subconscious to automatically focus on writing whenever I sit down.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Oh yes, I did a lot of research to understand different viewpoints and better tell the story.\u00a0<\/span>But in honesty I always loved researching, because I just like discovering all these amazing pearls of wisdom from around the world and from different cultures. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I visited my local library many times (I still do, because I\u2019m starting #4 in the series right now).\u00a0<\/span>I do a lot of research on Google.\u00a0<\/span>And, of course, there is the experience from family.\u00a0<\/span>I like learning from real people close to me.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I would have to say ‘Ben.’\u00a0 <\/span>Ben is based entirely on me.\u00a0<\/span>Well, all my characters have some of my traits, and that’s why I enjoy describing how they feel.\u00a0<\/span>But the main character, Benjamin or Ben, deals a lot with his own darkness and confusion. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I was like that when I was a child.\u00a0<\/span>And, like Ben, I was very curious.\u00a0<\/span>And, like Ben, I was always seeking my magic, to discover my inner values, and to learn more about my own life.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yes, absolutely.\u00a0<\/span>Thanks for the question.\u00a0<\/span>This is very important.\u00a0<\/span>I know that some authors don\u2019t really enjoy reading their own work.\u00a0<\/span>Once they\u2019re done, they\u2019re done. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I personally love reading my work, not just because I like to experience again what I\u2019ve written; but also because it gives me insights into how to do better, what I need to improve, and what are my weaknesses and strengths as an author.\u00a0<\/span>It\u2019s really enlightening for me.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Well, I think the title is very important to describe my work.\u00a0<\/span>For example, in my series I chose \u201cBENJAMIN JONES \u2013 The Call of The Shaman.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>So, \u201cBENJAMIN JONES\u201d is related to translated Pawnee name (indigenous peoples). \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ben in the story happens to be Pawnee (an orphan rejected by his own people).\u00a0<\/span>Then there\u2019s \u201cThe Call of The Shaman,\u201d which of course says that the main character is a shaman and following his calling.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Well, I would say ‘Do not go the independent route if you do not believe in your work 100%.’\u00a0<\/span>To be independent, you must be brave, really brave; and not ashamed or shy one bit.\u00a0<\/span>It is 30% about writing a good book.\u00a0<\/span>But 70% about sharing and talking about your work with others, nonstop.\u00a0<\/span>Selling is the hardest part, and when you self-publish you are alone in that. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You better build a system.\u00a0<\/span>And, if you have passion for your work, you will build your system and be successful.\u00a0 <\/span>No doubt in my mind.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I admit, not easy to do.\u00a0<\/span>Specially being an indie author, I spend a lot of my time sharing my book with others, joining book fairs and promos, and just talking about my work.\u00a0<\/span>Of course, there is the private life.\u00a0<\/span>It all adds up.\u00a0<\/span>And it can be frustrating. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sometimes you don\u2019t have enough hours during the day.\u00a0<\/span>But I push myself through the challenges, in order to remain strong and positive; and in order to remind myself that this writing business is \u2018one step at a time.\u2019\u00a0<\/span>Patience and commitment are the most important here.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Well, this might sound harsh; but I like to be real and honest in how I feel.\u00a0<\/span>I don\u2019t focus on critics.\u00a0<\/span>I respect and welcome their opinions and suggestions.\u00a0<\/span>But, truth is, I write for me.\u00a0<\/span>If you read my books you will find exactly how I am. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n My books are entertaining, crazy and funny at times, spiritual and emotional; but, most importantly, it all carries my style and persona.\u00a0<\/span>And I do write to connect with people, but I share myself with them.\u00a0<\/span>So I just focus on writing what I like.\u00a0<\/span>If I write this way, I find the like-minded people who connect with me. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Great question.\u00a0<\/span>My perfect character is Ben, the shaman boy carrying an ancient demigod\u2019s soul.\u00a0<\/span>It really is.\u00a0<\/span>I\u2019ve created Ben to be real.\u00a0<\/span>In the story, he struggles with darkness, with self-doubt, with purpose; but he also carries the light, the strength, the positive attitude to conquer himself.\u00a0<\/span>That\u2019s very human. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To me, the human struggle to become better when everything seems misery and pain is what makes for a perfect character.\u00a0<\/span>Always after that light at the end of the tunnel.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There are shamans, spiritual leaders, gods, demons, magical creatures, friends and foes in my series.\u00a0<\/span>But the main theme is what we all experience, such being self-discovery.\u00a0<\/span>Forgive me for repeating myself, dear reader, but all that matters in this life is to grow our spiritual and moral values.<\/p>\n From becoming more spiritual and moral then we become better, and we start discovering ourselves and life; and thus everything in our lives turns to be better as well.\u00a0<\/span>Magic exists and it is within ourselves, because, just like the main character in my series, we must experience that beautiful miracle in us through daily self-expression.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Enjoy \u201cThe Call of The Shaman\u201d for FREE:<\/b><\/p>\n “Ben took a few steps forward and said, \u201cThank you!\u00a0 <\/span>What I meant was, how is it possible that you can talk?!\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n \u201cWhat do you mean??\u00a0 <\/span>You can talk!\u00a0 <\/span>Why couldn\u2019t we?!\u201d protested the willow tree.<\/i><\/p>\n And so I would like us to contemplate our own magic, because life is tremendous struggle without it.\u00a0 <\/span>But beautiful, with the right attitude, with that wonderful magic.\u00a0 <\/span>And in view of just that, I’ve made a serious effort with these following retailers to offer the book for FREE for whomever feels interested.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So if you seek a coming-of-age story that brings fantasy and insight, gods and demons, and more, then you will absolutely enjoy this read: All I ask is that you support me by posting a brief review on Amazon, Goodreads, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, or your blog if you have one.<\/p>\n Links:<\/b><\/p>\n Amazon:<\/b> https:\/\/amazon.com\/dp\/B08MBFXSR9<\/a><\/p>\n Kobo:<\/b> https:\/\/www.kobo.com\/us\/en\/ebook\/benjamin-jones-the-call-of-the-shaman?fbclid=IwAR3B0QTbfI6o6NtmTa41nEiIiIXyzXqeBIza2gbJSyakVKBkkYmNzCWdJPc<\/a><\/p>\n B&N:<\/b>\u00a0 <\/span>https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/benjamin-jones-asa-rodriguez\/1138008488?ean=2940163057245&fbclid=IwAR1ITZIL5Gpki5GR8tHvmL2HO14Jf_tqbIENr7lb5HZmWZ5Ymu2fBlp5yqY<\/a><\/p>\n Also, I wanted to take the opportunity to let the kind reader know that #3 in the series, titled “The Book of 1st Witchcraft,” is now ready for preorder for only $0.99.<\/p>\n Links:<\/b><\/p>\n Amazon US:<\/b>\u00a0 <\/span>https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B0B2MZK1FZ<\/a><\/p>\n Amazon UK:<\/b>\u00a0 <\/span>https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/dp\/B0B2MZK1FZ<\/a><\/p>\n Kobo:<\/b>\u00a0 <\/span>https:\/\/www.kobo.com\/us\/en\/ebook\/the-book-of-1st-witchcraft<\/a><\/p>\n B&N:<\/b>\u00a0 <\/span>https:\/\/www.barnesandnoble.com\/w\/the-book-of-1st-witchcraft-asa-rodriguez\/1141584777?ean=2940185765180&fbclid=IwAR1yn7IQsln7y-qx8R7VVjEeRa_KrpTDOHlSHPEOR4ehLZe7vf-nllb4VOw<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n More author links:<\/b><\/p>\n Twitter:<\/b>\u00a0 <\/span>https:\/\/twitter.com\/Thegodwithin1<\/a><\/p>\n Facebook:<\/b>\u00a0 <\/span>https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AsaRodriguez35<\/a><\/p>\n Goodreads:<\/b>\u00a0 <\/span>https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/author\/show\/20322575.Asa_Rodriguez<\/a><\/p>\n BookBub:<\/b>\u00a0 <\/span>https:\/\/www.bookbub.com\/profile\/asa-rodriguez<\/a><\/p>\n1.<\/b> Tells us about your writing\/ published book(s)<\/h3>\n
2.<\/b> Where did the inspiration for Benjamin Jones come from?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
3.<\/b> What do you do when you have writer\u2019s block?<\/h3>\n
4.<\/b>\u00a0 <\/span>So, your coming-of-age fantasy book \u201cThe Call of The shaman\u201d features so many interesting, real-world cultural and religious traditions.\u00a0 <\/span><\/h3>\n
What did research for the series look like?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
5.<\/b> Which character in the series do you most identify with and why?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n
6.<\/b> Do you like reading the same books you write?<\/h3>\n
7.<\/b> How do you choose your book\u2019s title(s)?<\/h3>\n
8.<\/b> What advice would you give to someone wanting to write their first book?<\/h3>\n
9.<\/b> How do you fit writing into your everyday life?<\/h3>\n
10.<\/b> How do you handle criticism?<\/h3>\n
11.<\/b> Describe your perfect character to me<\/h3>\n
12.<\/b>\u00a0 <\/span>Tell me the strongest theme in your book \u201cThe Call of The Shaman\u201d?<\/h3>\n
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