Talking with Victoria Hunt
Sunday, July 21, 2013 8:53
% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.
Tell us about your most recent release.
Animal Omens, which came out in 2008 and is published by Llewellyn Publishing, is a non-fiction book of twenty-nine personal animal encounters. Twenty of them are mine personally, with most encounters happening in Bidwell Park, while the remaining nine are other people’s encounters. The “omens” on the end are taken from indigenous cultural beliefs about the spiritual meaning of the animals: cultures such as Celtic, Native American, and Australian Aborigines. How does the omen play into the animal sighting? Maybe you need an answer to a question, some guidance or insight about something? The animal that comes to you — either in nature, dreams, books or television, etc. — will be the answer or guidance you were seeking.
They are, really, totems more than “omens,” but that’s another story.
What else do you have coming out?
This coming April/May my book Kiss the Wind: Understanding the Elementals and Faeries will be in bookstores. This book is about learning how to work with the Spirits of Nature, or the Faery Beings, and the Elementals that animate Air, Earth, Fire and Water. The faeries that I speak of aren’t the cute little gossamer-winged sprites you expect to find in your garden. The faeries are really the Old Gods, which some say have diminished in size because of humanity’s disbelief in them.
Kiss the Wind teaches about them and addresses some major misunderstandings that people have about who and what they are. I’m real excited to see this one in print. It will help people to unlearn some common false perceptions. It’s published by Ozark Mountain Publishing out of Huntsville, Arkansas:
Is there anything you want to make sure potential readers know?
That my books are non-fiction and of a spiritual/metaphysical nature. They deal with things not readily seen with “normal” vision or “mainstream” thinking.
What’s the most blatant lie you’ve ever told?
When I was five my father came to pick me up from playing at a friend’s house. I had helped myself to one of her toys, and when my father saw it he asked about it. (You have to understand that my father has psychic abilities, it runs in his side of the family) I told him she gave it to me…blatant lie…and he knew it. I got a gentle lecture about the conduct of society and about right and wrong. I remember ever detail of the ride home to this day; what the inside of the car looked like, the expression on my father’s face, my feelings as the tears ran down my face. It was a good lesson taught in a loving way. And he made me give the toy back, of course!
What is the most demeaning thing said about you as a writer?
Haven’t had one said yet. At least not to my face. Ha!
How do you react to a bad review of one of your books?
A woman wrote on a review of my book that, though she liked it, she couldn’t believe everything I wrote was true because she didn’t think I was a “red Indian.” My first reaction was to go, “Excuse me, but not everyone who is connected to nature is Native American.” I was rather upset because she was making judgment calls about my honesty and she didn’t even know me. But then some friends reminded me that she had said she liked it first, and that all reviews – whether good or not – brings attention, and that’s what you want, attention. So I got over it real quick!
When are you going to write your autobiography?
Probably never, though I’m told you should never say never.
Are the names of the characters in your novels important?
Though I don’t write novels, yet, the names are important because they are actual people having actual experiences, and they should be recognized for it.
What about the titles of your novels?
I think that titles are one of the first things that catches people’s eye when looking for a book to purchase, and of course the cover picture. My first book had a different title than what the publishing company changed it to. Originally I titled it “Grove of the Red Hawk: Working with the Natural World.” But they seemed to think that wasn’t good enough so changed it to Animal Omens, which to me conjures images of the old TV show The Twilight Zone. I think it was a mistake, but you can’t tell the biggest and oldest metaphysical publishing company in the US what to do, now can you?
Are there any occupational hazards to being a novelist?
The occupational hazard to being a non-fiction writer is the reviews because every story in both of my books are true, I don’t make this stuff up. I’d like to be able to write fiction, but my brain doesn’t seem to want to work that way. I have to have actually experienced something to write about it, or know the person whose story it is. Maybe someday that will be different, but for now it’s not. I’m working on book number three, which is also non-fiction, so there you go!
What’s your favorite fruit?
Peaches. My Grandpa used to have peach trees, so they remind me of him. He was the best! Plus I really enjoy the flavor. Fresh peaches and milk, yummy!
Have you ever been in trouble with the police?
No, never. Oh wait, I got a ticket once for tailgating a police car, does that count? I didn’t know I was that close to him! Apparently he thought so.
So when were you last involved in a real-life punch-up?
In elementary school a girl grabbed my hair and pushed me up against the wall. I couldn’t have been more than seven or eight years old. I still don’t know why she did that, but I do remember sitting in the principal’s office as he called my parents!
If you were going to commit the perfect murder, how would you go about it?
I wouldn’t.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A writer. Oh wait; I am a writer, so I guess I’ve grown up. Rats, I swore I’d never do that!!!
What is your favorite bedtime drink?
Nothing or I’d never get any sleep…too many trips to the bathroom. Not worth it! If I did have something it would be water. I’m a big water drinker.
Do you ever wish that you had an entirely uncreative job, like data entry or working in a factory?
Absolutely not! A job like that would kill me. Really!! I need my freedom to roam and do what I please. I’ve had 9-5 jobs and the stress was always too much and I’d have to quit after about a year. My longest job was when I was an antiques dealer for 17 years, I was self-employed, so I could come and go at will, which is exactly what I need to keep my sanity. I value my freedom greatly!
Do you believe in a deity?
I believe in a higher power, which has had many many names over the course of eternity. I just call it Source. But whichever name you give it we are all part of that energy source and one with it because everything was created from it. Remember, we don’t stand apart on this plane we are part of a whole!
Do you ever write naked?
No, I didn’t know I could! *Chuckle* I do write in bed, though. It’s the most comfortable place in the house and the warmest place in winter. I write by hand and then transfer it over to the computer. That is the way I process my books: inspiration coming down through my Crown Chakra and out my fingers and into the pen, then on paper. Technology is pretty foreign to me. We don’t jive well!
Who would play you in a film of your life?
I love movies, but I don’t notice actors much and am not impressed by names. In fact, I’m not impressed by much. But if I had to choose, I guess maybe Helen Hunt. I’ve been told we look alike. Same last name so you never know, we may be related? But also she seems to be very grounded and down to earth. I’m pretty darn earthy!
What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?
You mean writing requires sanity? Damn, I’m screwed!
Have you ever read or seen yourself as a character in a book or a movie?
Yes, my favorite character of all time, Myrddin, commonly known as Merlin. He and I are a lot alike, even though he spent some years wandering the forests in the mental state of insanity. I wander, but I’m not insane…at least the last time I looked!
What is the single most powerful challenge when it comes to writing?
Staying on task. I have a tendency to wander, it’s in the blood. I come from a family of wanderers, so staying on task is something I’ve had to teach myself, though I’m still not very good at it! The woods call me constantly, and so I go. If I want to write, I put stoppers in my ears and blinkers on my eyes. That helps some, but usually Nature wins out!
The next challenge would be editing. I very much dislike editing. By the time your book goes to print, you’ve edited it so much you’re real tired of reading it, though it’s really great to read it totally done in book-form.
What do you consider your biggest failure?
I’ve had no failures in my life. Challenges yes, failures no. Every experience I’ve had, whether good or bad, had taught me something I needed to get me to this point in my life. I’m grateful for them all. Would I go back and do those all over? Yes. Not that I’d want to, but if it was what’s required to get me to be who and what I am today, I would! I like me and I like what I do!
Do you research your novels?
Yes, I do research. Plus I’m a big reader, always have been. Lots of wisdom is found in books, even in the ones that maybe you don’t care for or resonate with. There is always some tiny bit of wisdom contained within that might be just what you needed at the time or something you can add to your knowledge base.
“Never discount the knowing however the knowing comes.” Can’t remember whose quote that is, but it’s one of my favorites.
How much impact does your childhood have on your writing?
I’ve always kept a journal, from childhood until now. Some of the early ones ended up getting thrown away, unfortunately, but I still journal to this day. There’s a story I wrote in the recently released book called The Sync Book 2, which tells, in part, how journaling keep me connect to my love of writing. It’s only one tiny chapter in a big book…Chapter 3…but my love of writing is relayed there.
Then in high school I took a creative writing class. That was also a push for me, I think, though I didn’t realize it at the time. I didn’t have a lot of confidence in what I wrote, and when it came time to submit your poetry to be considered for publication in the school creative writing paper, which was called The Paper Whispers-4 and which I still have a copy of, btw, I didn’t place any because I didn’t think they were good enough. Well, when the paper came out, low and behold, I had six poems in it. What a pleasant surprise!! I think the teacher, Mrs. Pat Wismer, submitted them. She was an excellent teacher and she helped me immensely. I’ll always be grateful to her for that!
Lastly, my father and family has had some interesting experiences, which some are told about in my books. So those experiences gave me fuel for the fire, so to speak.
What was the greatest thing you learned at school?
That I knew more than what they were teaching me. School and I didn’t like each other much, especially when they were doing it all wrong. Ha!
Do you laugh at your own jokes?
Yes. Didn’t I just do that? Sometimes I crack me up!!
Do you admire your own work?
Admire it? Not really. I appreciate it, enjoy it and am thankful for it, but I don’t admire it. I don’t really admire much. I think we all have our own gifts and paths, and this one happens to be mine.
What are books for?
Fun, relaxation, education, traveling, honing your imagination, eating, breathing, life. What aren’t books for?
Are you fun to go on vacation with?
Well, I guess that depends on who you’d ask. Probably not. I’m not a good traveler because I really don’t care to be away from home much. I like my home and my roots run deep here. My family has been in Chico for 130 plus years. My Great Grandmother was the first librarian in the “Reading Room” here. So Chico is our “Home Town.” As I stated before, my roots run deep!
How do you feel about being interviewed?
I don’t really relish it, but it’s necessary if you want your books to be seen. I’m rather quiet and reclusive…you know, the writer type.
Why do you think what you do matters?
It matters to me because I have a voice that wants to be heard and things that need to be realized. But in the end, it matters only to those it matters to. Nothing more, nothing less.
Have you ever found true love?
I’m still waiting for that one….and I’m not holding my breath!
How many times a day do you think about death?
Not every day, but often enough because my father is getting on in years and it’s not too far around the corner for him. He and I are very close, so it really matters to me! My death? Not often. My death isn’t something that bothers me because I know what’s happening and that I’ll be back. But life without Dad is going to be difficult, that is what concerns me most.
As for myself, I actually died in my dream once. It was as easy as falling off a horse. I had to die, though I already had, but for some reason I needed to consciously experience it again, so it was going to happen for the second time.
I’m lying on a table waiting and somewhat scared, but when it actually occurred, death, it was like “Pop” and there I was standing next to my body looking down at it. I thought, ‘Well, that was easy, no big deal. There I was and now here I am. That wasn’t so bad!’ Then I woke up. I’ve often heard that if you die in your dreams you really do, but that’s not true because I’ve done it!
Are you jealous of other writers?
No, why would I be?
What makes you cry?
Sad movies, sad books, some wistful music, thinking about losing my loved ones, and abuse of anything: people, animals, nature, the earth.
When my son was young I started reading him the Lord of the Ring trilogy by J.R.R.Tolkien. When we got to the ending of the last book, it took me two weeks to finish the last three pages because every time I’d get there I’d start to cry and couldn’t continue reading. It was too close to home, their going to the Undying Lands. It happened whenever I got to that part, whether I was reading it myself or to him. It just struck a personal note with me. But then after watching the movies dozens of times now, I still cry when Boromir dies. I’m a softy at times, but at other times, look out!
That’s usually when my fire is up. I have four planets in fire signs, so if the occasion arises that side can come out, but normally I’m pretty mellow. Mellow as in, my sun sign is Pisces and we kind of go along la-la-la, as life floats by. The hardest thing for a Pisces is to swim upstream, which takes motivation and “Staying on task,” which we’ve already discussed.
What makes you laugh?
My dad makes me laugh. Dry humor makes me laugh. I don’t’ much care for comedies because they are usually just stupid and not funny.
What are you ashamed of?
Nothing. Life is about experiences.
What’s the loveliest thing you have ever seen?
Nature, in all Her aspects!
Victoria Hunt is a published author with Llewellyn Worldwide Publishing, Woodbury, Minnesota and Ozark Mountain Publishing, Huntsville, Arkansas.
Her first book, Animal Omens came out in bookstores July 1, 2008, and has been very successful online, through bookstores and through Book Span, and is still selling nationwide.
Her second book, Kiss the Wind: Understanding the Elementals and Faeries will be in bookstores April/May of 2013, for purchase online and through the publishing company at the same time.
Victoria has studied Earth Spirituality for over 17 years and is a teacher of Celtic based Earth-Spirituality, which she teaches out of her studio Grove of the Red Hawk. She is also a third-level Reiki Master, earning her master’s degree in 2003. She also incorporated her natural psychic abilities into her healing practice.
Victoria has also taught classes and workshops on the Faery Beings and on manipulating energy. From 2004 to 2005 she self-published a metaphysical newsletter titled, The File (pronounced Fee-lee in Irish) and has led Celtic based celebrations and rituals.
Victoria has appeared on KHSL-TV news and KCHO radio out of Chico, CA. She was interviewed for Psychic Times on the internet, the Paradise Post and the News and Review.
In the local holistic healing directory, Lotus Guide, she wrote an article titled, An Earth Centered Path.
Victoria has a chapter in the recently published book The Sync Book 2. There are 26 other authors that all discuss the subject of synchronicity. The book can be ordered from a bookstore or through the website www.thesyncbook.com/syncbook2
Victoria maintains an author’s page on FaceBook
A book page for her upcoming book Kiss the Wind: Understanding the Elementals and Faeries. www.facebook.com/thefaelandrealm
A book page for her book Animal Omens, www.facebook.com/animaltotem and a website, www.victoria-hunt.com
Dan O’Brien
Editor, Empirical
Author: of The End of the World Playlist, Bitten, Cerulean Dreams, and The Journey
Follow me on: Twitter
Follow me on my blog: Thoughts from the Dan O’Brien Project
“Be the change you want to see in this world.” -Mahatma Ghandi
Want more information about Empirical? Check out our website: http://www.empiricalmagazine.com .
Do you have work that you’d like to submit to Empirical? First, go to our website, and then click on the submissions tab at the top of the page. Our requirements and directions are there. If you have further questions, please feel free to ask.
Source: http://thedanobrienproject.blogspot.com/2013/07/talking-with-victoria-hunt.html
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!
Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!
HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.
Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.
MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)
Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser! Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!
Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.
Smart Meter Cover - Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).
MOST RECENT
HELP KEEP NEWS FREE
DONATE
HERE
| Online: | |
| Visits: | 1,602,000,785 |
| Stories: | 8,146,106 |
Wanted: Citizen Reporters,
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." Zechariah 4:6
Today's Top Stories
Featured
Top Global