Let’s just put it out there, up front. The temptation to begin this interview with “Nobody doesn’t like Saralee…” is almost insurmountable. While no doubt author/speaker Saralee Rosenberg has heard that song before, it happens to be the truth—less a thousand calories. A visit to Saralee’s website tells us about her writing success, a colorful array of accomplishments, ranging from New York Times essayist to being a guest on Oprah.
Saralee is also my Girlfriend’s Book Club blog-mate, and one of my favorite author friends. Recently, I had a chance to catch up with Saralee—an uncommon soul, to say the least. Read on to learn more about Saralee’s ability to reach out and reach beyond.
Saralee and Long Island Medium phenomenon Theresa Caputo
Q. Saralee, even you have to admit that your life and literary experiences are exceptional—everything from appearing on Oprah to interviewing Theresa Caputo, the Long Island Medium. Were there surprises along the way, or did you feel certain life had path and a plan?
A. When your name is Saralee, I think it comes with the territory that life is going to be full of surprises. I never saw it coming that I would leave Indiana at 21, move to New York to seek fame and fortune, go on a blind date a month later and marry that man. Thirty-seven years later we are still together (although if I had committed a felony I’d be out already) and I can say without hesitation that we all make plans and God laughs. But did I always expect to be a writer? No. I wanted to be a model and somebody missed the memo. And yet. I’ve always been funny and loved to write so I’m guessing it was my destiny. I can’t breathe if I can’t write. As for being on Oprah and spending time with Theresa Caputo, icing on the cake.
Q. And now that we’ve mentioned the popular psychic phenomenon, tell us a little about your own intuitive gifts.
A. When I was five, I discovered that my name wasn’t the only thing that was odd about me. I could also sense spirit and understand things that were well beyond my years. But it didn’t always serve me well as people didn’t take kindly to hearing things come out of my mouth that I would had no way of knowing. My father went nuts on me when I told him his father died. Shortly after he received a call from the hospital that he had passed. I learned over the years to keep any predictive powers to myself. Today I am more comfortable with my spirit connections although I believe, and Theresa Caputo said the same thing, we ALL have this ability to communicate with the other side. Sadly, we tend to write off our intuitive thoughts as wishful thinking or an over-caffineited brain. But trust me, we can all connect with the spirits of loved ones if we listen to what is in our heads and our hearts. There are signs everywhere.
Q. How has your gift influenced your writing?
A. I often joke that I’m not a writer, I’m a designated typist. I absolutely channel voices, but I believe every writer does. When we get immersed in our characters lives, we descend into this deep subconscious part of the brain that lets us pull back the curtain and explore different emotions. And though we hear we’re supposed to write what we know, the best advice I ever got was to write about what scared the living crap out of me. When I’m in the zone, I can do that. As for writing about our relationships with the other side, my first three novels focused on spirit communication and my fourth, DEAR NEIGHBOR, DROP DEAD, was a hilarious suburban romp through fences and defenses that also dealt with destiny. But it is my latest work-in-progress, a novel for younger readers, that I can relate most to in terms of my personal experiences. It is called THE MIDDLE SCHOOL MEDIUM, and it explores different beliefs about life after death. My hope is that children, who are already innately curious about the afterlife, will be relieved to discover that their intuition is spot on.
Saralee where she’s most comfortable, behind a podium
Q. In addition to writing fabulous books, you’re also the founder of the Women’s Intuition Workshop, a program for learning, laughter and shared experiences. Can you tell us more about this venture? And how can women’s group get in touch?
A. The only thing I like better than writing is talking. For me, heaven is a place where they give me a microphone, a podium and an audience with a great sense of humor. I don’t know. Maybe I was a stand up in a past life. But after many years of doing book talks, I finally decided to focus on a subject that is also dear to my heart. Women’s intuition is dismissed as a joke but it is no laughing matter. I am speaking all over the country to groups that want to better understand their inner senses and use them to deal with challenges. I believe that the answers to our deepest hurts are within our capacity to solve if we listen to our best friend- ourselves. The program I’ve created is inspiring, insightful and a huge amount of fun. The best part for me is when I look out and see a room full of bobbing heads. The international sign for, Thanks! I get it! It’s a great program for fundraisers. For more information on the workshop, email saralee@saraleerosenberg.com
Q. Tell us specifically how writing and the workshop tie together.
A. I tell audiences that happy endings are not just for the characters in my novels. Which, by the way, is the pact I make with mine after putting them through hell. Other authors can write sad stories or ones with unfinished business, but I prefer to envision my readers hugging my books to their chests and feeling uplifted. So whether I’m writing a novel or speaking at an event, my goal is to entertain and inspire. Our lives are stressful and confusing, but my message is the same. Stop worrying. No matter how much you do, it never changes the outcome. Equally important, if your blessings outweigh your burdens, and they always do, then you are way ahead of the game.
Q. Your bonus question! Finish this sentence: In ten years I’ll be… And I’ll have…
A. I already have everything I could ever have hoped for. A beautiful family, an amazing husband, dear friends, good health, a sense of humor and enough money to have my hair blown out every week. But if I had to make a prediction about my future, I would hope that it is exactly the same with one possible exception. I’ll take a best-selling novel or two as a sign that I came back into this life to make people laugh and think. That would truly be icing on the cake.
