Authorpreneur Dashboard – Kathleen Varn
Ameera, Unveiled
Literature & Fiction
At the age of forty-eight, happily remarried and retired from her legal assistant, gerbil wheel, Kat decides to break out of her shell and try her hand at belly dancing. What begins as a hobby leads her to filling a coveted spot in Palmetto Oasis Middle Eastern Dance Troupe. With less than eight weeks to prepare, Kat's thrown into a world of performing she is terrified to face, all leading to a week of giving lessons and performing in Jamaica. Traveling with eight glittery strangers, she forges deep bonds under outrageous circumstances at what they'd soon all discover was a clothing-optional resort. Struggling with paralyzing stage fright and searching for the deeper root of her fears, Kat feverishly seeks a way to release Ameera, her inner dance queen. By the end of the week, the audience is mesmerized by the powerful presence and synchronicity of women joined at the hip by scares and some glitter. Kat soon knows, with the help of eight sisters in dance, that she is finally part of a tribe, discovering an oasis to refresh her thirst to be a part of a circle of women.
Book Bubbles from Ameera, Unveiled
Are you in the spotlight... or work backstage?
Like my protagonist, I walked in the shoes of a stagehand for most of my childhood and young adult journey. After I retired, my daily routine was lighter and more about me. My personal goal to conquer a dance class pushed me to confront performing under a spotlight. It was the fire that revealed my real challenge. Leaving the shadows and accepting center stage. I do not require to be in a spotlight all the time. Sometimes being a supporter is the proper place. Does anyone else find this a balancing act?
Coping with the surprises!
So, as I get comments on Ameera's journey to bust a fear and find a healthy female bonds-- it gives me another challenge to face criticism. I admit to a thin skin but I always have a well oiled funny bone. My sisters and I survived many monkey wrenches throughout our childhood using humor. There are still many "I almost(did) wet my pants moments." I'll deal with the ghosts ---- how do you?
Facing Forbidden Zones
In spite of the progression for women in the 1900s, there were still gender barriers throughout Kat's childhood. Her father's military career transplanted the household from Rhode Island to Florida. As the oldest daughter, she was expected to shoulder the responsibilities for sisters and eventually her own households. In spite of the skirmishes in her life, there was a resilience and spirit to face what appeared to be a simple matter--- dance. Little did she know what it would shake and shimmy from her past.
And So It Begins
It was something akin to sheer terror, Kat's facing this demon... wanting to enroll in a dance class, and yet terrified she wouldn't measure up. Why would she, after being trounced on as a tiny ballerina... told she'd never be much good. Have you always wanted to do something everyone said you couldn't? Join me on this journey...
