Gina Rae Mitchell

Guest Post by the Author of Kissing Asphalt

Where are you from? Tell us a little about yourself!

I was born and raised in California. Although I had a year where I was kidnapped and taken to Baghdad by my biological father. This was in 1974 just before the Iran/Iraq war. You can read or listen to this in Kissing Asphalt’s, We’re Going To Disneyland chapter

Tell us about your book? How did it get started?

If you had asked me a few years ago if I ever saw myself as a writer, I would have laughed at the idea. Writing wasn’t something I ever considered seriously, despite the repeated urgings from various psychics who told me that my story would someday be turned into a movie. Their confidence in my narrative potential was intriguing, but I never felt that I had a positive message to share. My life was filled with the echoes of past traumas, and I didn’t see how sharing those painful memories could benefit anyone.

A Turning Point

Everything changed when I read The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel van der Kolk. This book was a revelation, offering profound insights into how trauma is stored in the body and how healing was possible. Intrigued and inspired, I attended one of his workshops. It was there that the true turning point in my journey occurred.

During the workshop, surrounded by people who had their own stories of struggle and resilience, I realized that my life wasn’t just a series of traumas. I had survived, grown, and emerged as a happy and well-adjusted person. This epiphany was monumental. I saw that I had not only made it through my life’s challenges but had also found a way to thrive. I did have a positive message to share after all.

The Birth of the ResilientAF Memoir Series

That transformative weekend, I began writing Kissing Asphalt. For the first time, I felt a compelling need to put my experiences into words, not just as a therapeutic exercise but as a way to inspire and help others. The process was cathartic and empowering, allowing me to revisit my past from a place of strength and hope.

Writing this book was a journey in itself, filled with moments of reflection, revelation, and healing. As the pages filled up, I felt a growing sense of purpose. I realized that my story wasn’t just about trauma; it was about resilience, survival, and ultimately, triumph. I wanted to use my story to encourage others to know that we are all ResilientAF and we can all make it through anything that life throws our way. It takes works, but no matter what we have been through we can find joy and I am living proof of that.

The Audiobook Experience

Turning Kissing Asphalt into an audiobook was the next natural step. I wanted to bring my story to life in a way that could reach even more people. Hearing the words spoken aloud in my own voice, I’d hoped would add a powerful, personal dimension to the narrative, allowing listeners to connect even more deeply with my journey.

A Message of Hope

Today, as I promote Kissing Asphalt, and the upcoming second book, Not My Circus, I do so with a heart full of gratitude and a mission to spread hope. My journey from doubt to self-acceptance, from trauma to triumph, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. I hope that my audiobook will inspire others to find their strength, embrace their stories, and move forward with hope and determination.

How do you create your characters?

It wasn’t hard they came from my life. I had to change some of their names for protection (Issac, Trustworthy Monster #1 and his son David) as well as one of my friends wanted their name changed but they are all real people that have been part of my life.

What inspires and what got you started in writing?

See above

Where do you write? Is there something you need in order to write (music, drinks?)

Currently, I’m writing in my yurt. This property holds a sacred place in my heart. My land was part of the devastating CZU fires in the Santa Cruz mountains that destroyed over 1,000 homes. This fire-ravaged land stands as a testament to the strength in both myself as well as my land.
For two years, I’ve called a 24’ yurt attached to a converted 1976 Greyhound Rambler bus home.

Once I have my new home built I plan to start my ResilientAF podcast.

I need quiet to write and often, a cup of warm hot cocoa 😊

How do you get your ideas for writing?

My life. I do have a great idea for a play I’ve been working on.

What do you like to read?

Mostly I have been editing my book lately, trying to make it the best it can be before I release Not My Circus, the second installment in the ResilientAF series. When I’m not editing, I’ve been spending the majority of my time wiring my new home! When I do have time to read, I enjoy self-help books or books that teach me things. My favorite author is Deepak Chopra, as one example.

What would your advice to be for authors or aspiring in regards to writing?

Just do it! What do you have to lose?

Anything else you’d like to share?

Thank you for allowing me to share my story with you. My main goal is to help people realize that we are all ResilientAF!