Exclusive Interview with
Dr. Shellie Hipsky
When did you start writing?
I published my first (of 13 books), while I finished my doctorate as I was writing my dissertation and leading a school as an assistant principal. I then went on to write academic books while I had my decade of being a tenured professor. I met a woman who transformed my life when I did my first inspirational book and the rest is history! Now, Ball Gowns to Yoga Pants is my fur book geared for inspiring entrepreneurs!
What makes writing your passion?
I adore writing. I literally must write when I have an idea! I love to educate and empower my readers through my words!
How long have you been writing?
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What was the feeling when you published your first book?
Elation. I was excited to teach and inspire the world when my first book was published in 2006.
What’s the story behind your choice of characters?
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What annoys you the most in pursuing a writing career?
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How do you get over the “writer’s block”?
Fortunately, I don’t really suffer from this. If anything, with me it’s the exact opposite. A book can become all consuming for me and I can laser focus on the writing day and night when I am in the throws of a big book project!
We all know the writer’s path is never easy, what makes you keep going? What advice would you give to new authors?
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If you could go back in time and talk to your younger self, what would you say?
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Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with the bad ones?
Yes, right now during Covid I don’t get the feed back at book signings and red carpet events, so I look to the book reviews for feedback. Fortunately, much of it is positive. Yet, I try to learn from the negative feedback and I also realize that my books are not for everyone. Those heart and minds that I touch though are worth it for me!
What is the feeling when you get a good review?
Thrilled! I love to get a good review about touching a reader’s life and helping transform their business!
Have you ever incorporated something that happened to you in real life into your novels?
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Which of your characters you can compare yourself with? Did you base that character on you?
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What do you think, the book cover is as important as the story?
Oh my yes. I went through several iterations until we arrived at this clean and powerfully intriguing cover.
Do you connect with your readers? Do you mind having a chat with them or you prefer to express yourself through your writing?
I adore chatting with my readers. Some have gone in to take my EmpowerU Master Class or my VIP 1:1 clients. I’d love to be reached out to through my website or GoodReads.
How do you feel when people appreciate your work or recognize you in public?
Its a true blessing that I do not take lightly!
Who is your favorite author? Why?
I love Maya Angelou wrote with the wisest voice filled with truth and empathy.
What’s the dream? Whom would you like to be as big as?
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Would you rewrite any of your books? Why?
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If you could switch places with any author – who would that be?
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What would you say to the “trolls” on the internet? We all know them – people who like to write awful reviews to books they’ve never read or didn’t like that much, just to annoy the author.
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What would you say to your readers?
Thank you for reading my books and I hope that they open you up to inspiration, empowerment, balance, and endless abundance!
Share a bit about yourself – where do you live, are you married, do you have kids?
I live in the states with my two beautiful children and my husband.
What is your day job if you have one?
I am the CEO of Inspiring Lives International, the Exec Director of the Global Sisterhood, and the editor in chief of Inspiring Lives Magazine.
What are your hobbies? What do you do in your free time?
I love to workout: Pilates, kickboxing, lifting, and 10 mile walks are fun for me!
Did you have a happy childhood?
I had an extremely blessed childhood due to my incredible role model parents!
Is there a particular experience that made you start writing?
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Do you have unpublished books? What are they about?
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What do you think should be improved in the education of our children? What do we lack?
As a former tenured education professor who is now homeschooling due to Covid her own children, I feel that we need to be differentiating our children’s education more to meet their needs.
If you were allowed 3 wishes – what would they be?
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What is your favorite music?
When I perform on stage to raise funds for charities such as the Global Sisterhood or the Homeless Children’s Ed Fund, I belt out Broadway songs from musicals such as Chicago or jazz standards.
Share a secret with us 🙂