Be Inspired: My Reading Chair

For The Uninspired Woman: Meet the woman behind “My Reading Chair” an Instagram account dedicated to books also known as a bookstagram.  This year we want to inspire you to start reading more. Below we have an inclusive interview with Grace Ward who is currently working on her first novel and short story collection about a female assassin.

Be Inspired every Monday at 9am. 

 

 

 

 

Name one book that impacted your life and why?

I would definitely say Alice in Wonderland as it was the first book I read on my own as a child. I was bullied when I was in school and the magic of reading a book of that nature (fantasy) and just forgetting about real life was transformative and made me realise if you don’t like the world your living then there are ways to escape and if you can’t read about one then write about one that you enjoy that’s what I am aiming to do now. Also
the characters I read about when I was younger showed me how to be strong and embrace the person I am.

How many books have you read in total?

Last year (2017) I read 12 books. In my whole life I have lost count

 

 

Where does your passion for reading books consistently derive from?

When I was younger my Mum and Dad would read to me and my sisters at bedtime, it became my favourite part of the day. And once I was old enough I picked up and read my first book on my own. That book was Alice in Wonderland and I haven’t looked back since. Sure I lost the bug of reading in my early twenties but I soon got back into the love of a good book and that feeling of being transported to another realm, if only for a short time.

 

If you had to persuade one of our readers to start reading one book a month what would you say?

Take a book with you wherever you go. You never know when you might be on a long commute; waiting for an appointment and everyone gets a lunch break right!? You will be surprised at just how many opportunities there is in your day to day life to pick up a book and read even if it’s only for 5 minutes. And join a book club! I have been a member of one for nearly 2 years now and I have read some amazing books I would probably have never read.

 

 

 

What is your favourite genre?

I do love sci-fi but you can’t beat a bit of romance too. I also enjoy biographies especially ones about powerful women. Sheryl Sandberg’s book called Lean In is a must for every women especially women in the business world! Whatever that business may be.

Tell us about your venture into the spoken word realm?

I have also had a vivid imagination and it started with writing poetry when I was a teenager. Now I write short stories and am currently writing my first novel. I am also trying my hand at writing sci-fi specifically geared towards the Young Adult market. Being a writer can be very lonely so last year (2016) I joined a local writers
group and that has been the best thing I have could have done for myself and my writing. Last year I did my first spoken word event at a friend’s website launch; it has definitely made me more confident about sharing my writing with others.

 

Do you have any interesting goals for this year (writing a book?)

I gave myself a goal at the start of the last year to read 15 books I am on about 12 so I am hoping over the Christmas break to reach my goal. I also gave myself the challenge of finishing my novel it’s a little way of yet but these last 2 years I have written the most I ever have so I know I am on the right track.

What do you want your legacy to be?

I want to publish stories that make a difference to someone’s life even if that’s just one person. Whether that is something I have written that resonates with someone or helps a child escape to a fantasy world I have created and remembers that being a
child only last’s so long and you can be whatever you want to be.

 

Follow Grace here.

 

 

 

We want all our dedicated readers to be inspired by the Wonita Christine movement. Mondays: Be inspired, Tuesdays: Health, Thursday: Sex, Friday: Relationships. Stay tuned and don’t forget to subscribe.

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