It’s not up to anyone else but YOU and God to determine your place in life. If it was left up to those around you, you’d forever be at the bottom…or just “good enough”, but never exceeding their success and achievements.
-Cae
Sylvia: Welcome Cae Thomas. Please give our readers an introduction of yourself and a little about your book.
Cae: Hello there! Thank you for having me! Yes, my name is Cae. I am a Cleveland born, Columbus bred mother and wife of a beautifully large family. I have been writing since I was old enough to properly hold a pencil. I am 33 years old and have become an advocate for those lost in the dark in helping them find their own light.
About 6 years ago, I began writing STRIPPED TO MY TRUTH: UNPACKING THE EMOTIONAL BAGGAGE. It initially started out as a journal and then eventually grew into what it has been born to be now. Never in a million years, had I ever imagined placing my life on full display for others to read, BUT…here I am. STRIPPED TO MY TRUTH, is not just another autobiography and non-fiction cover to cover, tell-all. It’s an inside look at the life of someone who isn’t perfect, has made mistakes, doesn’t have it all, but is still traveling through life, living, learning, loving and teaching others to get out of their own way.
Sylvia: What inspired you to write your first book?
Cae: Honestly, it took a lot of coaxing for me to make the transition from journal to book. It’s hard being vulnerable. Especially with people that you don’t know. With the help of my family and friends, I decided that it’s important to show that vulnerability in a world that tends to mask their sensitive side with falsehood and manipulation. I felt like it was time to share the parts of me that no one knows. To show others that they can make it out of any and every situation they find themselves in. Whether at their own poor judgement or the hand of others. Everyone has a story and I needed to share mine.
Sylvia: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Cae: Absolutely!! The bottom line to it all is, if you Change your Mindset, you can Change the Game and essentially Change your Life. Nothing comes easy, but it’s all about how you approach situations, challenges and tasks. It’s the Law of Attraction. As long as you live in a negative mindset, you’ll continue on a Merry-Go-Round of inconsistencies, negativity and drama. We have to be able to look within and be that driving force for ourselves before becoming that entity for anyone else.
Sylvia: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Cae: The hardest part in writing this book was coming face to face (in a metaphorical sense) with people from my past that I have blocked out and purposefully pushed to the back of my mind. It was rehashing those memories…why they happened, how they happened and what the relationship between myself and those individuals became thereafter. In a sense, it was like dancing with demons all over again.
Sylvia: How did you come up with the idea for this book?
Cae: The idea came with a lot of contemplating. But I had the idea of how I wanted to share and release this book because in this generation, the one before and the next to come, it’s way too easy to be dishonest with ourselves. To shield the truth from what it actually is. It becomes that way for others to be dishonest and shielding with us as well. It’s what we allow. We’re used to having things sugar coated while demanding ‘realness’ and authenticity from others so I wanted to express my own journey in how I came to my own light by being totally discreet with myself. Sometimes, we have a way of speaking with one another that only we understand. No matter the dialect or conversation that’s taking place. This is the idea and tactic I used to deliver the messages needed in our world today.
Sylvia: How do you combat writer’s block?
Cae: It’s definitely a challenge sometimes. Usually, I have to walk away from whatever project I’m doing at that moment to refresh my mind. To reset. If I’m focusing too hard, I feel as though I’m forcing it. I don’t want that (LOL) My creativity and what I’m writing has to come from a real place.
Sylvia: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Cae: Yes! Be authentically you no matter what! That’s important. A lot of us will try to “dumb” down who we are and what we’re writing for the sake of an audience or ‘approval’. But being who we’re meant to be is enough to make that impact, in addition to, our writing skills.
Sylvia: What marketing techniques have you used to sell your books and which ones have been most successful?
Cae: I’m most certainly still learning when it comes to marketing. I have created my website, I’ve done blog features, and always posting on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. My website has been the most successful, as well as Facebook.
Sylvia: Why should we buy your book?
Cae: I’m not just selling a book. I’m giving parts of me and my life that a lot of people can relate to. People look for ways and reasons to make their life better. To stop walking through life in the dark. I have provided necessary solutions within these pages that can and will assist in creating opportunities to make life better. Life is a constant learning process and like many others, I’ve done the bulk of the hard part. My book provides some easy solutions so that they don’t have to hit their head against a brick wall like I did.
Sylvia: Is there a special place that you prefer when you write?
Cae: My BED!! (Lol) I have to be comfortable when I am writing, but not too comfortable. Really, I can zone out and write anywhere, but I truly prefer my bed. It’s my comfort zone and relaxes me.
Sylvia: What projects are you currently working on?
Cae: I am currently working on a documentary that will go with the book. Reading my story is one thing but getting a visual will give a lot more understanding. I also started working on my 2nd book. This one is being co-written between myself and my Husband. So, this will be a fun project.
Sylvia: What is your POWER WORD? Why this word?
Cae: My POWER WORD is INTENTIONALITY. I love this word! Intentionality brings about a new perspective on life. It defines the power of people, their actions, the power of their minds and mental states. It’s how we are understood and often times, misunderstood. It’s directly connected with how we interpret the intentions of others and how we make our decisions regarding those same people.
Sylvia: How did intentionality help you during your journey?
Cae: Intentionality helped me by forcing me to see things, people and situations in my life differently than what I have ever done before. I used to give people passes and riddle them with excuses as to how and why they held certain positions and places in my life when they really held none. Intentionality helped me to understand what I wanted and needed for myself and of myself in order to elevate to the next level. It’s hard being completely honest and vulnerable with yourself let alone anyone else. You must be intentional when you begin making changes in your life that could save you.
Sylvia: Thank you!
Cae: Thank you as well.
