Click Here To Purchase I Won't Survive … I'll Thrive!: How I Overcame Domestic Violence, Cancer, and Much More

Today Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Aurea McGarry.  Aurea is the author of I Won’t Survive….I’Il Thrive.

She has participated in over 50 international radio shows and more than a dozen USA TV news shows with her book. Her topics include cancer, overcoming obstacles, business, why women stay in abusive relationships, how to find prince charming, how to find humor and your purpose in everything. Aurea is also a TV show host, creator and executive producer of Live Your Legacy, which is now seen on PBS Atlanta.

Good day Aurea and thanks for participating in our interview

Norm:

How did you get started in writing and speaking? What keeps you going?

Aurea:

My speaking began when I became successful in direct sales back in the early 90's. People wanted to know everything about what made me successful. What my day was like, how I overcame objections, how I met new people etc. This is what started me journaling and teaching others at big events. The book idea happened when I woke up from surgery in 1999 after the doctors removed half of both my lungs, the lining around my heart, my Thymus, disconnected half my diaphragm and removed the left nerve to my vocal chord. After the surgeon told me I would never speak again above a faint whisper but the Non Hodgkin's cancer was curable. It was right at that moment that I heard a very clear message from the Lord. I knew right then that I was going to write a book and my message would help thousands of people someday. It was seven years in the making from that moment.

Norm:

What motivated you to write I Won’t Survive….I’Il Thrive? As a follow up, why did you entitled your book I Won’t Survive…I’ll Thrive?

Aurea:

The idea and the calling to write the book came that day I had surgery but the motivation came as part of my daily discipline once I buckled down to get the job done. This was not easy because I had never written a book before. The title came after I was finished writing the book. Like with everything else it came after a lot of prayer and searching for the right words that sum up my book of life and lessons. Thriving through life and not just barely making it is the main focus of my book and how I make it through all of my struggles with a positive attitude and a zest for life. So my message is "Don't just survive life..Thrive through life" it is a choice and an attitude.

Norm:

Could you tell us a little about I Won’t Survive….I’Il Thrive?

Aurea:

A riches to rags to success story. I wrote it to give everyone hope that miracles happen, life is worth living in a big way, faith, family and friends are important and helps us through our life's journey. And so is a positive out look on life even when we don't feel like having one. I walk the readers through my Camelot life as a child living very wealthy in Manhattan all the way through my domestic violence marriage, battles with cancer, finding prince charming and great success in business. The last sections of my book are helpful tips on how I made it through all of that and more. I open up my heart and give of my wisdom to those that need it. It includes funny stories and two powerful poems. Together we can all make it through this life and leave a wonderful legacy behind us for many to remember us by. My book helps readers know that they are not alone and no matter what they may be going through, someone else has been there before and made it through and if we share our stories we give the next person hope and a way to find that silver lining and possibly their purpose in life.

Norm:

What was the most difficult part of writing your book? As a follow up, what did you enjoy most about writing this book and what has been the biggest reward as a writer?

Aurea:

The most difficult part was getting started and then staying disciplined to get it all done. I had to set a deadline and set a time of the day that I would dedicate to writing no matter what. This was from 11pm to 2am three nights a week at first. Then as I got closer to the deadline I would write every night until it was done. I did this while being a full time mother, grand mother, wife and direct sales leader by day. It was not easy at times, but all worth it. Especially when readers email me and tell me how they laughed and cried while reading my book and how it gave them hope. Or that they gave it to a friend who just got diagnosed with cancer or just got a divorce. It means the most to me when people buy a copy to give as a gift because that is the ultimate compliment for a writer, when people like it so much that they pass it on to those they care about. I love helping people and this book has made that possible in a much bigger way which made every minute of writing it, worth while.

Norm:

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book?

Aurea:

How hard it is to write a book and get the word out about it to the right people. I realized how many books are released each year and what a very competitive market it is. But I also realized that my book is an extension of me and my story of hope and it is the best way for people to take home a piece of my inspiration after I speak at an event, church or school and it made all the difficult and surprising days worth it a million times over. 

Norm:

Whom do you believe will benefit from your book and why?

Aurea:

Women really benefit greatly from it because they can truly relate to everything I went through and all of the pearls of wisdom and humor I share in the book. But I must admit when I get those emails from men who tell me how much they loved my book I am really pleasantly surprised. One male radio DJ told me before I went on the air with him on his daily show, he said that he was so glad he read my book because he now realizes that he should never get overly upset about the little things that bug him. My book of overcoming all that I did made him thankful for all that he had. That meant a lot to me.

Norm:

Could you tell us more about your TV show Live Your Legacy? What is it about?

Aurea:

My TV show was born while I was on my national book tour. I realized that on all of the TV news shows that I was being interviewed on that the stories before me were horrible. All about murders, theft, and people gone wild. I knew that there had to be more good going on in the world and that it just was not getting the headlines it deserved. So I created Live Your Legacy TV to spot light all the exciting and great people who dedicate their lives to non profit and charity work. And I have met the most exciting and life changing people in the country who are living their legacy right now. People like Ron Clark, founder of the Ron Clark Academy in Atlanta. He has the most innovated school in the country for inner city kids. This episode won me the international TELLY Award and I know it was because Ron and his students were so fantastic singing,dancing on the desk as a daily practice, pushing me down their two story slide in their school lobby and showing me their travels around the world to Africa and beyond, all compliments of sponsors like Delta.

In other episodes I am being kissed by a thousand pound black bear, hugged by a monkey or making cookies in a kitchen all for a good cause. From June thru December 2008 it aired Fridays on the Atlanta ION station. Currently it airs nationally on the Dish Starfish channel and on PBS channel PBA 30 Atlanta as a special which was shown three times in June 2009 featuring my Noah's Ark episode.

Norm:

I notice you wear many hats. Which do you prefer, author, public speaker, or TV host and how do they differ from one another?

Aurea:

I love all of my hats. Like all women, we wear more then our share on a daily basis. Wife, mother and friend of course are my favorites but on the business side of life I like speaking and hosting my TV show the best because I love the interaction with the people. It is those audiences full of inspired people who let me know how I have changed their lives that make my life more meaningful. And to interact with the greatest people on earth when I do my TV show with these charities and non profits is such a pleasure for me. Giving them TV air time with a 30 minute show featuring them and all that they do for this world is what I would like to do everyday of my life. One interviewer asked me what I did to relax since I am always on the run doing all of these things. And after I thought about it for a moment, I told him that I am most relaxed when I am on stage talking to a room of thousands and giving them hope making them laugh and or telling their stories on TV.

Norm:

How have you used the Internet to boost your writing and public speaking careers?

Aurea:

I am not a great Internet expert. I am much more of a people person. So I find the Internet more of a challenge. I would love to hire someone to do that for me someday. Although I have found that You Tube has worked well for me and so has Linked In and Facebook. Even though I know I need to learn a whole lot more about them and how they could really could make a bigger impact on my career. Word of mouth and publicist have been my greatest success tools.

Norm:

What's your advice to achieve success as an author and public speaker? 

Aurea:

Like I just mentioned, having a great publicist made all the difference in the world for me. It would have taken me a lifetime or longer to get the exposure that they have given me. They are worth the money in my book, but do your homework and find the one that meets your needs and budget. I also have a speaking agent which has also been a huge benefit for me and I highly recommend having a good one in your life too. It is a tough business and extremely hard to do all on your own, but not impossible. 

Norm:

How can our readers find out more about you?

Aurea:

That is the easiest question so far. Everyone can see and read more about me on my web site and even see clips of my TV show and buy my books. http://www.liveyourlegacytv.com

Norm:

What is next for Aurea McGarry and is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered?

Aurea:

I am working on getting my TV show more sponsors and hopefully picked up by a cable channel with a large female audience. I also have more speaking events in the works and for those who would like to see if I am available to speak at their events can contact my agent on my web site as well as see my One Sheet of my most popular topics that I teach on like "Why Do Women Stay In Abusive Relationships? That one is my hottest and most requested topic.

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors

Thank you Norm so much for interviewing me and sharing my story and book with your loyal audience. Blessings & Prosperity. 

Aurea McGarry

 " Don't leave this world without giving it your ALL!"