Interview with Poet
Wendy Slater
1. Have you always been a writer?
Yes, I have always written poetry–or at least, from a young age. I was first introduced to children’s poetry at about age 5. A.A. Milne’s (author of “Winnie the Pooh”) book, When We Were Very Young, was in the library of my childhood home. I recall having it read to me and then later reading it myself. My father always encouraged writing and poetry with me, and he introduced me to other children’s poetry as I got a bit older. I wrote my first poem as a lyric when I was about 10. I had my first poem published in a school anthology when I was in 6th grade. Writing has always been and continues to be a source of inner exploration for me.
2. When did you realize that maybe writing was actually a "thing" you could do, get published and even sell?
Ever since my first poem was published in my school anthology in grade 6, I have felt no barrier to having my words and poetry published.
3. What was your first sale as a writer and how did it feel to sell your work?
I didn’t really pay much attention to the first sale. I was most interested in seeing how readers interacted with the poetry.
My first sale as a writer was when my first book of poetry, Into the Hearth, was published in 2015. I took a 20-year hiatus from writing, starting when I was about 19. In the late 1990s (when I was about 35), a few poems spontaneously flowed from me. Then, in 2000 or 2001, when I was on a mystical journey to Scotland and England, poetry started to flow out of me like a faucet. I subsequently wrote 18 volumes of poetry over a 13-year period, and all the books are part of my poetry series: The Traduka Wisdom Poetry Series. As of 2024, six volumes have been published.
4. How has writing helped you in other areas of life besides being something you could earn money from?
The writing is a wonderful compliment to my professional life as a healer and medical intuitive. The poetry is written as a guided journey of healing for others to step into the healing of self-blame and judgment and to awaken to self-compassion and their own personal Truths.
5. What was your biggest accomplishment as a writer?
My biggest accomplishment is compiling my poetry series to help others heal.
6. Who has inspired you the most in the writing field?
I am a voracious reader of all types of books and genres. In the field of poetry, Anne Sexton, Rumi, and Adrienne Rich had a profound impact on me when I first read their works.
My readers who have written reviews are the biggest inspirations for me. Reading their words and seeing how my poetry has positively affected their lives is empowering. For example, some have written about reading the poems before meditation or reflecting on a single poem for the duration of the day. Others have noted that they read a poem of mine first thing in the morning or in the evening to find calmness, reflection, and mindfulness.
Otherwise, I don’t think there is a “who” but a “what” has inspired me. The “what” is seeing the beauty in what often goes unnoticed in our reality, and my inspiration comes from being able to convey via poetry the subtleties that are often missed by others.
7. What are some of the challenges you have faced as a writer and how did you overcome them?
The challenges are many. Initially, I chose to self-publish because I wanted readers to convey to me their experiences from reading my poetry rather than having a publisher tell me what the poetry was. But doing it all yourself means you do the promoting, marketing, etc. It’s a lot of work.
I think the most difficult thing to have overcome was my avoidance of social media before the release of my first poetry book in 2015. I had never been present or active on social media before.
8. What is the best writing advice you have ever received, and why do you feel it is important?
Join a writing group of some sort.
9. What sort of writing do you do now?
Poetry. However, I am looking forward to writing magazine articles on the topics of self-compassion and energy healing.
10. Where can we find some of your work online?
My work can be found on Amazon under Wendy E. Slater.
I can also be found here:
Instagram: @wendyeslater
X: @wendyeslater
YouTube channel: @mysticalpoetry
Bluesky: @wendyeslater.bsky.social
11. What advice do you have for aspiring writers thinking of taking the leap of getting their work published?
Join a writing group and take writing workshops. Also, trust yourself and take constructive criticism as a gift being given to help hone your craft. Lastly, be aware some individuals can be very competitive and will not want you to succeed.
12. What are your final thoughts about being a writer?
I have been writing my whole life, and it’s an integral part of my expression as a being. My ability to heal others and my intuition have always been a part of my life. Both my writing and my healing abilities are an integral part of my essence, like the air we breathe.
ABOUT WENDY:
“I am the founder & creator of the TRADUKA method of healing. A healing method that combines the powerful healing frequency that channels through me with my unique blend of education, training, intuitive insight, alchemy, and healing poetry for unique solutions to heal the inner self.
I presently live in New England, and when I am not writing or seeing clients in my healing practice, I can be found swimming, cooking, gardening, in the woods, or looking up at the night sky.”
