We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Becky Magnolia a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Becky, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

Over the past ten years, I have self published 14 of my own books, ranging from young adult paranormal, to memoir to inspirational. I’m a hands on kind of gal, so rather than hiring different people for all the aspects needed for creating a book I took it into my own hands. In this whole process, I’ve honed my writing skills but also taught myself how to design book covers, format books, make marketing material and get my name out in the world . And although it was a huge learning curve acquiring those skills, Ive now grown to love all aspects of the book making world. Word got out that I do these things, so over the years friends have reached out and asked for help. Pretty soon I wasn’t just helping friends, but friends of friends too. To be honest for a long time I downplayed these skills I had until recently when I realized I could turn this into a business and simultaneously help writers realize their dream of becoming published.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Years ago, in what now feels like another life time, I was a Montessori preschool teacher. Montessori is unique in that the it emphasizes giving children the freedom to explore and tap into their natural curiosity and flow. This philosophy is at the root of everything I do as I believe it is my purpose on this planet to help people discover their own inner flow.

So, rather than just pushing writers through in an assembly line fashion, I sit with them, get to know them and if they want teach them how to do these things for themselves. I love seeing that spark when I talk to writers about their projects. For many people having a book in print is a dream. It’s a huge honor to help facilitate that process for folks.

Another passion of mine is spiritual inquiry. For a long time I was a professional card reader. I use cards “Oracle cards” to tune into to people and help them see their next steps in life. We’re all seeking love and connection and a sense of fulfillment.
I wasn’t a traditional fortune teller or medium, but more a fascinator to help people see their true selves.
We get so busy with life these days that we end up forgetting to listen to our inner truth. I believe we have the wisdom within to help.us attain our dreams, we just have forgotten how to listen.
This is why I love writing as a medium so much – it seems to allow us to tap into our souls…and then has the power to connect us to each othet, so we no longer have to feel so alone. Writing has a great power to heal, both the writer and the reader. It’s a powerful force!

Recently I created a game called The Unbound Adventure Deck. It’s unlike any type of oracle deck you’ll even see. I merged my love of words and storytelling with my passion for deep soulful connection. The player pulls words from a deck to create short messages that can help give them insight into their lives.

My newest project is an anthology – a collection of stories, wisdom and poetry from people from all walks of life. I’m calling it Resilience:How We Heal. I’m still in the development process and currently accepting submissions. So please send people my way if they have something they’d like to share. www.magnoliamystic.com/anthology
My inbox is already filling with submissions – a lot from new and unpublished writers. People are so raw and honest. I’m honored that people are willing to entrust their stories to me.
What I’m most proud about in my journey is my bravery – my choice to take a fluid path where one thing just flows into the next. It seems when I choose to stay open and not block the flow, everything I need for the next step arises.
I could write a book in the amazing souls I meet each day…so many beautiful people, so many heartfelt stories.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

It’s funny your next question was regarding resilience as I had just above mention my new anthology by that name! Yes!! When I was 14 my dad, who was a psychiatrist noticed that I was struggling emotionally at times. I’m a pretty intensely emotional person. I feel great highs, but also feel deep lows.
My dad, being in the field that he was in decided to send me to one of his colleagues for an evaluation.
Together they came up with several diagnosis for me, including bipolar disorder. I remember well, the day they sat me in a couch at the doctors office and told me had something wrong with my brain and would need meds to stay balanced.
I was a good kid and followed the rules. I was a top notch patient. But because of my need to not question, I lived most of my life with the belief that I was sick (even though in hindsight I think I was just an intense kid who needed more balance in her life)
I’ve used the past few years, after my divorce to reframe my identity. I’m not the sick kid, but a creative, fun, curious, wild being who takes life by the reigns and loves to feel it all.
It’s been a huge process for me.
I’ve had to reflect back and accept that my dad and all those psychiatrists may have been wrong and in actuality maybe done me a disservice. While I understand that they were all doing the best they could, I am needing to step beyond the limiting labels and become the true me…the version of me that I had to suppress for fear of being “crazy.”

I now have all sorts of tools to help me manage my fluctuating energy. I dance at the beach almost every morning, I walk in the woods, I hang out with my therapist who reminds me Im not broken, and I write. I write a lot. In fact for years now I’ve been keeping a log of my adventures on my Facebook page – I share quite candidly what I’m going through…through the highs and the lows, through poetry and self reflection. It seems to have attracted a nice group of people! I feel like life is hard, were all trying to figure it out…it’s so rewarding to get to share my stories and hear others as well. It’s what life is all about. Connection!!

Have you ever had to pivot?

My biggest pivot happened after my divorce. I got married really young and had grown up very dependent on my husband. I didn’t realize how much until I “left the nest”. I’ve had to do a deep dive and really get to know myself since then.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.beckymagnolia.com
• Instagram: @authorbeckymagnolia
• Facebook: @author.becky.magnolia
• Youtube: @beckymagnolia1

Image Credits
These are all my original photos