Reading by Deb: INTERVIEW with TOBI HAWKER

I want to thank Tobi Hawker for taking the time for this interview!

BIO:

Tobi Hawker is an intuitive healer, she started working with clients 15 years ago; helping people and animals within proximity to her home. She started writing about healing to reach out to a broader audience, in hopes that her readers can also achieve help for their journey through life.

When not writing she spends her time in her garden growing medicinal herbs. She also loves to take long walks out in nature where she can forage for more herbs from this beautiful earth.

When and how did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I have always been a reader since I was a little girl so loved books.

Around 2010 I took an online course in children’s writing as I want to write children’s books. I always read books at bedtime to my children. When I finished that I tried putting out an article for a magazine and it didn’t work out.

At the time I was doing healing work (Reiki) and I still do. So I set the writing aside and continued on with my healing.

Over the years in my travels I would heal for animals and clients who asked for my healing. When Covid hit in 2019/20 everyone got scared and my clients stopped coming so I started to think about what I should do. I still enjoyed writing and always wanted to and it was important to me if I couldn’t get clients then I wanted a way to reach out to the world and help anyone that I possibly could so I decided to start writing about what I know and experienced. And here I am still doing it.

Did you have any influencing writers growing up?

I was a huge Stephen King fan as a teenager and young adult, had all his books in hard cover.

When I had my children I loved reading them Robert Munsch, loved his books and I would read my son The Magic Tree House series as we both loved them. I do not remember who wrote them.

Are any of your characters based on people in real life?

Well since my books are non fiction and about healing I guess they are about me and my experiences and what I know.

Where do you draw your book inspirations from?

I draw my book inspirations from my experience over the years and my own healing journey.

Do you use have a basic outline when starting a new story or do you let the characters lead the way?

I have my own ideas of what I want in my book, what kind of information etc. Sometimes more gets added in as I get further in the book.

When you are picturing the characters in your book, do you have a cheater photo for inspiration?

No I do not, non fiction doesn’t really require that.

Many people read as a form of escape and relaxation. What is your favorite way to sit back and relax?

I still enjoy reading very much so it is one of my favorites way to sit back and relax.

Who are your favorite current authors to read?

Amanda Lee, read all of her books from a particular series she wrote.
Shae Coon, just finished reading one of her book and it was fantastic for sure.

What are your favorite books by others?

I don’t’ necessarily have favourites as I like most books I read some just more than others. And the genre is not always the same for the most part. But I got to say I could add “The Roma’s Claim” by Shae Coon to be an excellent book to read. I couldn’t put it down.

Any book by Amanda Lee and Lycan Knights by K.L. Stephens another excellent read.

Do the locations in the stories have any meaning to you?

No they do not.

Do you write in single or multiple POV?

Single POV

What do you find to be your best research tool?

My own experience and information I have collected over the years and sometimes use the internet, google search.

Do you write under a pen name? Also, do you write under more than one name?

NO I do not write under a pen name.

What genre do you write and why is this your preference?i

I write non-fiction and it is my preference because I am a healer and I write about healing so it is something I know about and want to help other people with their own healing.

Tell me something about yourself outside of writing. Jobs, accomplishments, family, quirky trait...what led to you being you?

There is a lot that has led me to be me but essentially, I have always been a lover of nature and of all animals.

I have a huge interest in herbs and healing with herbs and anything natural.

I have always been a quiet person and preferred being alone. So I read a lot, have interests in painting and drawing and at a young age learned to crochet and cross stitch.

I love taking walks in the woods or at the beach listening to the waves or strolling the beach for shells etc.

My growing up years and as a young adult I have had some things happen in my life that have probably prompted me to look for ways of healing and helping others but I always wanted to help others. As a young girl I wanted to be a nurse till I learned more and found out about natual healing and then I knew that was what I wanted to do.

So I took classes and courses that came my way or I heard about that interest me and a writing course and here I am and this is me. J

What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?

To never give up even when it seems your not going anywhere with it.

It is a tough business and it is hard work. Especially if you don’t have a lot of money to work with, it is that much harder but never give up and work to find all the ways you can to get where you want to go with it.

How do you deal and process negative book reviews?

Well no one likes to see negative reviews on something you worked so hard on but I also feel you can learn from them also.

But also you can‘t please everyone either. Learn from them and take them with a grain of salt and keep working hard.

What is the most difficult part of your writing process?

Getting started. Once I have started it usually flows it is just figuring how to start and what to start writing.

What do you need in your writer’s space to keep you focused?

Peace and quiet, this helps.

What is your naughty indulgence as you are writing?

I can’t say I really have one.

If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose? And why?

I really don’t know who I would choose. That is a hard one for me. One that I cannot answer.

What is your schedule like when you are writing? Do you have a favorite writing snack or drink?

No, I tend to not think about food or drink as I get so focused on what I am doing.

Do you listen to music when you write – what kind of music is your favorite?

No not really, sometimes I might give it a try and I like listening to the instrumental or ambiance healing, relaxing type of music.

Have pets ever gotten in the way of your writing?

Yes sometimes they do. But they are generally good.

What is your kryptonite as a writer? What totally puts you off your game?

Someone bothering me while I am trying to write, constantly interrupting me. Then it is hard for me to get back to my writing as I may have lost my train of thought etc..

Have you ever killed off a character that your readers loved?