The Wisdom of Listening: Pieces of Gold From a Decade of Interviewing and Life
by Marilyn R. Wilson
About the Book
The next time you’re out in public, take a moment to look around you. Each and every person you see holds wisdom in their pockets—pieces of gold they’ve accumulated as they walked their own unique life journey.
Within these pages, Marilyn shares some of the many pieces of gold she has received over her decade-long career. They have been offered to her during interviews, through random encounters and while facing difficult challenges. The most important? We are each unique and exactly who we are meant to be.
Are you ready to dig for gold? All you need to do is be brave, be present in the moment and be open to the possibilities—then start a conversation.
“Truly inspiring. The stories of Patricia Fieldwalker and other artists, entrepreneurs, and leaders prove there are many paths to success in life.”
— Nova Lorraine, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Rain Magazine
“Marilyn Wilson is passionate about people – pure and simple. Combine that passion with her insatiable curiosity, genuine interest in the human journey and a gift for storytelling and you have someone you thoroughly enjoy – be it in-person or through her gifts with the written word. She inspires as surely as she derives inspiration from others.”
— Debra Walker, Author and Human Relations Specialist
“Through the compelling stories of individuals who have made remarkable achievements by being true to themselves, this book shows how being yourself is the key to success.”
— Andy Chu, Executive Producer, FMA Entertainment
“Wilson empathizes so passionately over her subjects that each exchange seems like a therapeutic chat with a lifelong friend. If only all writers could get through the bony chest plate and to the heart so effortlessly.”
— Darryl Humphrey, Professional Photographer
“Marilyn Wilson does everything with a full heart. This includes sharing the stories of 10 amazing individuals. Wilson’s
writing makes obvious her passion for her subjects. By the end of Life Outside of the Box, you’ll feel the same.”
— Sarah Murray, Director of Fashion Capsule
“I admire Marilyn’s commitment to finding and sharing an individual’s life stories in a way we can all connect with and relate to. A wonderful book showcasing inspirational stories and journeys on the road less travelled.”
— Tricia Romani, President, Wilhelmina Models Vancouver
“A book that will leave you feeling energized about life! Entertaining and thought provoking, the stories profiled are all about finding a purpose and creating a life of meaning and fulfillment.”
— Vladimir Markovich, Creative and Fashion Director
Life Outside the Box
Get inspired to step out of your box and into a world full of potential. From the corporate world, to the arts, to working with the disenfranchised – the message is clear. There is no such thing as a normal way to live your life and no one right solution to any problem. Selected from amongst over 100 interviews, the stories shared here open a window on the journeys of seven women and three men who have charted their own path, including Ruthie Davis – top U.S. luxury shoe designer and the winner of the 2014 AAFA Footwear Designer of the Year award – and Geir Ness whose perfume is a staple in Nordstrom, Disney World and on Disney Cruise Lines. Enjoy a glimpse behind the scenes into the unique ways these individuals chose to deal with life’s challenges and how they define success in their careers.
About the Author
Marilyn R. Wilson is a freelance writer and editor with a passion for interviewing. Whether a random encounter on the New York subway or a one-on-one with an internationally recognized artist, the goal is the same – to share the unique journeys of inspiring individuals. These are the stories that will define our times. In 2007, this led the author to co-launch a successful, innovative magazine focused on professionals working the fashion industry paired with photography and illustrations by local artists. Now on staff at Raine Magazine – NY/Miami/LA – as well as freelancing for other publications, Wilson has taken this passion to a new audience with the release of her first book.
Interview with Marilyn R. Wilson
Please share a bit about your journey to become a published author?
My first foray into writing began when I answered a Craigslist ad looking for magazine submissions. Having 2 accepted launched me into a whole new career that included co-owning and running a magazine and doing freelance articles for others; interviewing over 150 amazing people from around the world; stepping on stage as a speaker; doing social media and author support for my publisher, working on contract with Eco Fashion Week Australia for their first event and mentoring young talent. What a wild ride. How incredible it all began at the age of 50!
In 2012, circumstances forced us to fold our magazine. I fell into a very dark space. I had poured four and a half years into building it. Did I have the energy to start all over? It was then I heard Julie Salisbury of Influence Publishing and InspireABook speak at a WOW Woman of Worth monthly get together. From the moment she began to speak, I felt an emotional response and knew immediately this was the mentor I needed who would take me in a new direction – writing my first book. I met her within a week to present my book idea, attended one of her weekend workshops soon after to lay it out and signed a publishing contract only a few days after.
I started the writing process with great confidence in my abilities, only to quickly realize that writing a book is very different from writing magazine articles. There was a steep learning curve. What should have probably been a 6 month process stretched out to 18 months as I dealt with procrastination, self doubt and difficulties getting the additional material I needed. But Julie kept me on track and in 2015, I launched my first book surrounded by a large group of family, friends and the community who supported and continue to support me. I am thrilled to share that on June 14th I will be launching book #2. More on that later.
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How does the writing process work for you? Do you schedule a time every day, work madly when inspiration hits or ?
Writing for me is never the same from one day to the next, although I think that’s the best way to organize it. There is no routine I follow each day. Getting started is the hardest, but once I’m about half way through a chapter I feel the excitement build and can’t wait to finish. I have no advice in this area other than you have to sit down and start. Finding a way that works for you is often just trial and error. The best part of writing my latest book was that for the first time, I was putting my own thoughts onto paper. What a difference! This one poured out of me in three weeks. I couldn’t wait to write each day.
What did you find most difficult about the writing and publishing process? What was the easiest?
What was hardest and easiest was completely opposite for the two books I have published.
Hardest – For my first book, I wrote while referencing interview transcriptions. It could be tedious at times. I had to scan through 10 – 30 pages of notes, select just the right moments in their lives to share, find the perfect quotes to make their story come alive and combine them in a way that creates an interesting story line that flows easily. I want the person whose story I am sharing to see themselves clearly when they read what I’ve written. It is a lot of responsibility and I don’t always get it right the first try. On my second book, it was the editing process that was hard. The book was personal this time around – my journey, my thoughts. It also poured out of me, so the rough draft was a lot more chaotic. It took time to bring it into shape.
Easiest – For my first book it was, unlike most writers, the editing process. Life Outside the Box offers ten chapters, each a mini-biography of someone with a unique life. Getting the interviewee’s approval was my main goal. Once I knew they were happy, I was content. The editing process wasn’t personal – just a polishing to hone my writing. I zoomed through it easily. For my second book, the easiest was the writing process. After 11 years of writing the stories of others from notes, this one came from my heart and poured out onto the pages in only three weeks. What a joyful experience. I hope I have a chance to enjoy this type of writing experience again
What titles have you released?
Life Outside the Box: The Extraordinary Journeys of 10 Unique Individuals was released in February 2015. After almost a decade of interviewing and writing the stories of others in magazine articles, I selected ten to be shared in the book. Each chapter introduces you to someone who inspired me through their unique journey – shoe designer, textile artist, spoken word poet, charity founder, dancer, publisher and more. My desire in writing this book was to not only give their story wings, but to show how diverse we all are. You are exactly who you are meant to be. Embrace your own unique life and live it without apology.
The Wisdom of Listening: Pieces of Gold From A Decade of Interviewing and Life is launching June 14, 2018! During every single one of my more than 150 interviews I have been handed “pieces of gold” that over time had a profound affect on how I approached life. It was time to give these gifts of wisdom wings – to pay it forward by reaching out to a wider audience. And I want to encourage each of you to open your hearts to those around you every day. Be brave. Start up a conversation with someone on transit or in line in the coffee shop. You never know who might have the “piece of gold” you’ve been waiting for or who needs you to share one you are holding in your own deep pockets.
Do you have any new books in the planning or writing stage?
Yes, yes and yes again – and I continue to think up new ones all the time. First will be Life Outside the Box #2. I already have two of the ten chapters finished. I also want write a book called Behind the Seams that will focus on people working in the world of fashion who have unique stories. Then there is passion project that’s been on the back burner for several years now called Celebrating Sexual Diversity. Last but not least is a series of eBooks that will feature favourite articles from my blog – Olio by Marilyn. And the list goes on.
What would you like readers to know about you?
I think what I am most proud of is taking a blind leap of faith into the unknown at the age of 50 to embrace a new career. The world was not waiting for me to decide to be a writer. It didn’t welcome me with open arms saying, “We’ve been waiting for you. Thank goodness you’ve finally arrived!” It took being determined and being willing to create my own opportunities. Ageism does rear its head from time to time, but I refuse to let it be a part of my story. I have a passion and a purpose that will not be denied.
Over the last 11 years I went from being a stay-at-home mum who sewed dance costumes on the side to become: a freelance writer with over 150 articles to my credit; bylines in over 5 magazines; co-owner of a magazine where I wrote, edited, scheduled issues, found and developed writers, sold advertising and attended events; a published author with two books to my credit; a mentor; and a speaker. If you’d told me I could become all of this after being a stay at home mum, I wouldn’t have believed it. So dream big and know that your future is calling. There are incredible new adventures just waiting for you to take a leap of faith. Be brave. Be fearless.
“Everyone has a story to tell. It’s just a matter of asking the right questions.”
— Marilyn R. Wilson