Ask the Author: Maria DeBlassie
Answered Questions (8)
Maria DeBlassie
Great question, A.R.! I grew up terrified of the Legend of La Llorona. It's a common urban legend in New Mexico and it still scares me to this day. As I grew older, I learned more about the history behind it--the erasure of Indigenous cultures, toxic cultural norms--and became fascinated with how this kind of folklore is reflective of the dark side of our mixed-race culture. I played with the story a bit, saying La Llorona only goes after girls, and used it to explore what it means to break the chains of generational trauma and ancestral hauntings. Thanks for reaching out!
Maria DeBlassie
Michael,
Thank you for your kind words! I hope you enjoy my book and apologies for not responding sooner. I just saw this! I love New Mexico, aka the Land of Enchantment, where I grew up and now live. This land is steeped in magic. I would also love to travel more and explore the mystic worlds of other countries. Any suggestions for where I should go?
Thank you for your kind words! I hope you enjoy my book and apologies for not responding sooner. I just saw this! I love New Mexico, aka the Land of Enchantment, where I grew up and now live. This land is steeped in magic. I would also love to travel more and explore the mystic worlds of other countries. Any suggestions for where I should go?
Maria DeBlassie
I love everyday life, corny as it sounds. The magic of a Monday, the quiet bliss of an afternoon cup of tea, the illicit joy of reading late into the night…these are the simple pleasures that make life wonderful. It’s easy to overlook them, get swept up in our to-do lists, but when we pause and take in the beauty around us, we remember to be more than that to-do list. We glean wisdom in the whispering trees and the synchronous happenings that punctuate our day. We remember to dream. And that kind of ordinary joy is pure magic.
Maria DeBlassie
Honestly? Blogging and writing about everyday magic is a wonderful exercise in finding wisdom and subtle mysticism in the little things we often overlook. Writing about these things is an integral part of my self-care practice. I get to explore the world first through experience, then reflection in my writing. The best part is that the more I look for magic, the more I find it. Delicious!
Maria DeBlassie
I get loose, I get playful, I get wild. Seriously! I just start writing and rely on synchronicity, intuition, and good music to silence my inner critic (the usual suspect for my writer's block). From there, the magic starts flowing. I also write regularly--five to six days a week--because the more I touch my words the less prone to writer's block I am. Taking too much time away from the writing desk is what makes me anxious.
Maria DeBlassie
Write. Then write some more. Then keep writing! Also, read a lot--more than you write. Be bold. Be fearless. Tell the stories you need to tell.
Maria DeBlassie
I’ve learned that I need time to sink into the realm of the imagination. I need time in the kitchen or garden—or both—before I’m ready to delve into my stories. Other times I need yoga or twenty minutes of reading to help me unplug from the outside world. This is my transition time, like that moment right before you fall asleep to dream your dreams. Then I write.
Maria DeBlassie
My current project is called Tarot Tuesdays, or #TarotTuesdays if you are on social media. It’s a series of 78-word stories based on the 78- cards in the tarot deck and synchronicity. Each week, I draw a new card, learn about its role in the tarot, and, with the help of meaningful coincidences, write my story. I’ll say this about my journey into tarot so far: The magic doesn’t lie. The cards always tell me exactly what I need to hear! I’m so grateful for this new project because it gives me an opportunity to meditate on the magic of these cards.
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