We are not the first to ponder the mysteries of the universe and hope to
find its key. What we are now "discovering" may have been known
thousands of years ago. "Wisdom of the Toga" is both entertaining and
thought-provoking as it delves into the realm of interpretive mythology,
storytelling, science, and pop culture to uncover a common thread woven
through time...mythic patterns that shape our lives. Laying out a
pathway from ancient humankind's struggle for survival to our
fascination with space exploration, the reader is guided on a
captivating journey along a metaphorical stream of time and space to
reveal that "long ago and far away" the course was set to determine the
part each of us will play in humankind's unfolding story; for as long as
the Fates allow. The story you tell can alter lives and change the
course of history.Paperback | Kindle
An Interview with Monica Davis
Tell us a
little about yourself...
I've lived in so
may places that friends and family write down my address in pencil, knowing it
might soon be erased and written over by another, and then another. Such is the
adventure of life. Experiencing first hand the nuances of cultural variations
has taken me along a winding path . One which now crosses with you on your own
path, together on this blog.
Did you plan to
be a writer...
Writing is not
something I set out to do as a profession. It sought me out, lurked in the
shadows, and followed me around until I succumbed to its lure. I seemed to
always be the one asked to write the latest “whatever”, from marketing blurbs
and news articles to computer manuals and business plans. Once upon a time I
wrote material for college level cost accounting text books. I used stories as
examples; creating practical scenarios with characters named after friends,
family, co-workers. Stories are terrific teaching tools because a well told
tale sticks in memory more readily than dry boring facts.
The majority of my
writing is in the non-fiction genre, but I write with the spirit of a
storyteller and use much of my material in lectures and seminars. Through a
local university I taught a popular community education course on the subject
of storytelling in ancient cultures. From that material I developed my current
book, Wisdom of the Toga: Mythic Patterns That Shape Our Lives.
What kind of
research was involved for Wisdom of the Toga?
This was quite a
lengthy and involved process over several years. For the core I pulled and
compared translations of ancient documents, read and re-read the ancient
classics (Homer, Ovid, Aristotle, Plato) and the more modern classics (H.G.
Wells, Jules Verne, The Brothers Grimm), and revisited the Bill Moyers/Joseph
Campbell “Power of Myth” series.
What draws you
to a book.
When I'm deciding
on a book to read or purchase I browse though the “look inside”
feature or download a sample. I want the writing to draw me in, to know that
the author is a true storyteller. I want to witness (and taste) some of the
magic that mesmerizes and conjures images in my mind. A well-crated, engaging
story is key, regardless of the topic.
What were your
favorite books as a child..
One book from my
school library, which I read while in third grade, left a lifelong impression
on me. That book is Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. “It
was a dark and stormy night.”, she begins the tale, and I was drawn in from
that very moment. A few years ago I saw a copy of her book at a local bookstore
and bought a copy. I'm not sure if I was buying the story or the fond memory it
holds...perhaps a little of both.
How do you
unwind after a long writing session?
During the writing
stage I am intensely focused, absorbed in each and every moment, agonizing over
the 'best' words to convey my message. Once I break from this I like to get
outside in the fresh air and take a walk, or go to the gym and physically
release the tension.
What is the
best piece of writing advice you've received?
Just keep writing!
Laptop, desktop
or notebook, and pen/pencil for writing?
Great
question! Depends on what I'm writing. Blue ink on paper for notes (later
notes added in red ink) The desktop PC in my office provides a 'serious' place
where the foundation is laid out. I move around with my laptop for a change of
pace and draw creative inspiration from my surroundings. My final “go through”
is always (read aloud) from a print version.
Describe your
book.
“Extraordinary
ideas travel the currents of time like actors in search of their next great
role.” This is my
favorite line from the book. One that came crashing down around me with a
“BOOM!”. We tend to think we're more advanced than our ancestors, but perhaps
“advanced” is merely seeing the same things interpreted through the perspective
of our modern ideals. These are the notions I set out to explore and put forth
for you to ponder...mythic patterns that shape our lives.
“Story is the
age-old method of teaching and recording history, which holds the key to unlock
the mysteries of the universe. Story is who, and why, we are. Without it, we do
not exist.”
I developed the
website www.wisdomofthetoga.com
to accompany the book, including a companion guide with pictures and an
interactive facebook page for readers to share thoughts and opinions. (I'm also
hoping to get the Twitter account “tweeting” on a regular basis.) On the
website you 'll find chapter excerpts from the book as well as bonus articles
on a variety of topics to enjoy. Readers are free to email me with comments.
Articles on the website have been used by teachers (just email a request via
the contact form for permission.)
Meet the Author
Monica Davis began her writing career in the world of academia. A cross
country move prompted her to enter the corporate sector where she spent
many years as a business executive. Always up for a good challenge, her
adventurous spirit led her to take on an extensive research project;
delving into ancient cultures and fantastic tales. She used some of that
material to develop a course called "Wisdom in Story", which ultimately
became the basis for the "Wisdom of the Toga" book.
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