Pump Up Your Book Chats with Naturopath and Holistic Healer Malana Ashlie, Ph.D.

Malana Ashlie, Ph.D., is the author of Gringos in Paradise: Our Honduras Odyssey and Pathways to Inner Peace. A certified naturopath and holistic healer, Dr. Ashlie is also an interfaith minister and ceremony leader.

A scholar of ancient wisdom, she has been privileged to study with Mayan elders, sacred teachers of Native American traditions, and Hawaiian kupuna. She is also an adept of the Hermetic Principles. Exploring the mysteries of indigenous cultures has expanded her abilities as a Reiki Master and enhanced her awareness of other subtle energies. She travels extensively throughout the United States and Central America, lecturing, teaching, and leading retreats.

After five years in Hawaii, Malana and her husband Ordin, along with Pueo, their shamelessly spoiled cat, relocated in 2006 to the tiny beach community of El Porvenir, on Honduras’s little-known Caribbean coast. There they participate in the life of the community while managing Wisdom Pathway, a business that offers the spiritual retreat /eco-tour portion of the personal discovery seminars and workshops Dr. Ashlie teaches.

For more information about the author, visit www.wisdompathway.com or www.gringos-in-paradise.com

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Thank you for this interview, Malana.  What inspired you to write your book Gringos in Paradise: Our Honduras Odyssey?  Is it your first published piece?

My husband and I had decided to relocate into Honduras. Here we were on this amazing adventure and I had no one to share it with. We had purchased a beautiful home on a river, just a block from the beach in a small rural community. We were far enough from a large town that we had no phone service, no internet connection and we were just about the only folks who spoke English. I needed someone to share the emotional roller coaster; so I began to write.

Gringos… is my second published work. The first was a small booklet written for a workshop I was facilitating. The title: Pathways to Inner Peace. I have taken it out of print to make revisions and it will soon be available as a free e-book on my website.

What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?

“Becoming a published author?” That would be submissions. My husband and I published my first book ourselves while living in Hawaii. I did the writing, he the proofing and formatting. We had were living in Honduras when I finished writing Gringos… So here I was a novice, so to speak, in the world of publishing, no contacts other than an agent I ran into in Mexico who encouraged me because she liked the first 20 pages, and residing where one waits for sometimes 6 weeks for a letter from the States. The only sensible solution was to use a POD publisher, and that’s where the education on publishing began.

“…the most rewarding?” Winning first place in the Readers View annual book awards for self-published or small press. Another reward is when reviews and e-mails tell me that my writings have helped others. It’s my confirmation that I’m on the right track.

Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life?  Do you have support?

My husband, Ordin, loves a project and always keeps one on the back burner. When I have a deadline it allows him to stay happily engrossed in his tasks. He also is a great help with graphics or proofing when I need a second brain. Only our fur children get stressed with a break in schedule.

Gringos in Paradise by Malana Ashlie (click on cover to purchase)

Do you have any pets?

We have a Hawaii born cat named Pueo. Before our move to Honduras her only two experiences with travel were 1. To be taken from her mother and 2. A trip to the vet to be spayed; Pu sees no good reason to travel.  Moving to Honduras has been an education for her in snakes, crabs, and self assured, aggressive birds.  Our second year here we purchased a young rabbit as a playmate for Pu in our enclosed yard. The rabbit, Patch, spent the first couple of weeks defining ‘natural predator’ for us. Three years later they are amiable sibs sprawling on the lawn chairs together in the afternoon for happy hour.  The only disturbance in the tranquility comes from the newest family member, Magna. She’s a rat terrier puppy we acquired this spring.  Pueo and Patch consider her a terrorist.

What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing?  Where do you like to vacation?  Can you tell us briefly about this?

I visit special and interesting sites for my personal growth and when I lead retreats. My vacations are different. They have no agenda. I have close (single) female friends that live in Hawaii, Phoenix and on the coast of Florida. I visit them and we drink wine, watch chick flix, eat out and girl talk for hours… totally female self indulgence.

If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?

The Valley of the Gods in Utah. I never even knew the place existed until 2001 when I received an impression to visit 11:00 at the four corners. I vaguely remembered four states that met in a cross so I dug out my Rand McNally and looked.  White people tell me there is nothing there; red people tell me its sacred land. If I were there now, for 1 hour, I would be able to sit in the silence and gaze at the stars.

Who is your biggest fan?

I am so blessed with supportive friends but my biggest fan…my daughter Mattie. She’s an avid reader and reads for content without judgment. She’s my head cheerleader and the lift needed when my wings are tired.

Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

I have a large bedroom with big corner windows that look out to the mountains and overlook a small farm. My writing table sits facing the windows. When I am creatively blocked I sit on the love seat in the same room or wander out onto the veranda with notebook and pen. Sometimes ideas and words flow easier in script.

What’s your favorite library and why?

Do you remember Book Mobiles? Your question put me right back onto the huge van lined with shelves of books when it would arrive at our school once a month. As a young adult I was impressed with the new larger libraries, offering everything from books, art, movies and computers. Now I’m finding myself drawn to the small town libraries again. You may have to wait for your turn at a computer or order the book you want but the personal contact is worth it.

What’s your favorite bookstore and why?

The Alma Libre (spirit book) Bookstore in Puerto Morelos, Mexico. The town is a small fishing village south of Cancun that tourist have begun to find. The store sells art along with new and used books. It advertises ‘buy, sell and trade.’ The (gringa) owner is very personable and has water or herb teas for people who want to spend time wandering through her little shop.

What are you reading right now?

Urban Shaman by Serge Kahili  King, PhD. I read it years ago but have been feeling drawn to read it again. Next on the list is to re-read Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield.

Tell us a secret no one else knows.

But, then it wouldn’t be a secret anymore.

What’s the first thing you notice when you meet someone?

Their eyes if the meeting is up close and personal; otherwise their bearing.

Have you ever won anything?

YES!!!! A first place book award for Gringos in Paradise: Our Honduras Odyssey and one hundred dollars from a radio show Christmas give away sponsored by a department store.

What’s on your to do list today?

After this interview?  Finish addressing my Christmas cards and then complete the syllabus on Meditation for my new Independent Study Program: Dynamics of Healing and Happiness.

I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in November and December via a virtual book tour.  Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?

1. Its soooo much less expensive than airfare. 2. Between the rainy season in Honduras and the inclement winter weather of the States (my wardrobe does not include a coat) it seemed wiser. 4. It would be an interesting (affordable) experiment. 4. I love working in my house jammies.

I chose this time for 2 additional reasons: One was to help Honduras get better press. Ever since the Honduran congress decided to clean house and remove a president who was trying to corrupt the country’s constitution, most U.S. news coverage has been showing preference to the corrupt official instead of unbiased reporting of the event. I wanted to balance the viewpoint and thought during Honduras’ national election would be well timed.

The second reason was to plant a Christmas shopping seed. There are so many baby boomers moving to affordable areas outside the U.S. to retire that books about travel and relocation make great gifts.

Thank you for this interview, Malana. Good luck on your virtual book tour!

Thanks for the well wishes. I’ve already made new friends through the tour and look forward to making more.

You can visit Malana’s official tour page here!