Today we’d like to introduce you to Colleen Baldrica.
Hi Colleen, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
How did I get where I am today? It has been the assistance of the many people who believed and encouraged me in my journey. FYI: I am a member of White Earth, Pembina Band.
My grandmother was a very important person in my life and helped to influence who I am today. Grandma was 1/2 Chippewa (Ojibwe) and 1/2 French Canadian. She was born in Mahnomen and a member of White Earth. When she was young, Grandma along with 5 of her sister were taken from Northern MN and brought down to Pipe Stone to live in the Indian Boarding School. Usually, Grandma wouldn’t talk about her time there, however, she did tell me, “It wasn’t a good time”. I am also a member of White Earth, Pembina Band. My Grandmother lived with us from the time I was 7 until she died the fall of my senior year.
At the age of 27, ten years after high school, I was divorced and a single mother of two.At that time I was starting my first year of college. I went to the local Community College. There were many obstacles, yet I always had faith and trusted all would work out.
College was like a job for me. Each day after my daughter went to school and my son went to day care, I would leave for classes. I did most of my studying while at the school. The schedule allowed me to spend quality time with my children. Being a single parent, waitressing three to four shifts a week, and going to school full-time left me little time for anything else.
During my second quarter of college, I met a Lakota Medicine Man. I only ever knew him as Charlie and he was only there that one quarter.
During this period was a time, I was questioning my life, my faith, my parenting skills, and going to school. One day while walking the woods by the college, crying and praying, I found myself stopped in front of a huge oak tree. I could feel the life force of the tree, It was as if the tree was speaking to me. I was there for a long while. During this time, I was told to lift my branches and let go. I raised my arms and I felt as if all my pain and worries were being lifted from me. When I left the woods, I felt at peace. When I walked into the school, the first person I was was Charlie. I shared what had just happened and he told me that was very powerful experience. At that moment in the building, he gave me a name, . He pronounced it in the Lakota language. I later discovered it meant “Tree Spirited Woman.” About a year later I had a dream that someday I would write a book titled: “Tree Spirited Woman”. It would be in the style of Siddhartha and the Prophet. In the story there would be a young woman and an older women talking, The story would all take place in the woods, but I would need to grow into the ideas. I had a dream about their conversation a number of times. In the Native Culture, if a dream reoccurs, we are told; Listen!
It was was thirteen years later, after the completion of two degrees, that I finally began the writing the story.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I really never told anyone I was writing a book. I did bring it up to one of my groups and someone said, “You are going to write about… and….” I knew if I listened to others, the book would never be written. I wasn’t a writer and doubted myself all the way. Yet, I believed Tree Spirited Woman was something I had to write and I had to trust the words would come. I always knew the title, the format, the name of the chapters. When I would sit to write the words did come. If you are someone that writes, you will know when the voice comes to you. You trust. You write. It is a zone you go into and before you realize it, hours have passed. Psychologists call this a flow state. That was the way it was for me. I would wake up in the middle of the night and have to write. My style wasn’t one of everyday discipline. I wrote when I was in the right spiritual place to hear my inner voice, I would listen to the thoughts, like a voice speaking to me. I could hear the dialogue. I believe writing Tree Spirited Woman was a gift. I was given this story to share and I believe that is why it has touched so many.
When I finished the book and held it in my hands, I thought, I have to tell people my story, if I want to sell any copies. I hadn’t shared that I was writing a book, so telling people about my book did not come easily. Yet, so many people encouraged me and their support gave me the confidence to get out there and talk with strangers.
I submitted the book for a few book awards and won. I started calling gift shops where I believed the book would fit. I always would research the shop and if it “felt” right, I would contact them to see if they would like to preview my book for their store. Forty-five percent of those I contacted, did agree to carry the book. Before making those calls I would take a deep breath, put a smile on my face and call. I must admit, calling hasn’t come easier over the years. I still feel anxious whenever I make a call.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I worked in education for twenty-eight years. Most of those years as an Elementary School Counselor. Everyday I would go to school and think how lucky I was to be doing something I loved. I met so many wonderful students, staff and parents. Each day was different. It was when I was a school counselor that I started writing Tree Spirited Woman. This book took eight years to complete. I would work on the book for awhile, then write nothing for months. I like to say Life was happening. During those eight years I also completed an Administration degree, and my PhD.
In education and through writing Tree Spirited Woman I have had opportunities to mentor and encourage many people.
What are your plans for the future?
2025 Tree Spirited Woman has won the “International Impact Book Award” category: Inspirational – Life Changing Stories. Tree Spirited Woman is in its tenth printing and has sold over 32,000 copies This book has won a number of awards and I have never attended an award event. This year I have decided to attend. Award Gala In AZ later this year. Winning this award has fueled in me the energy to continue making those calls to gift shops.
I have met many wonderful people through this book. The letters and e-mails I have received have humbled me, sometimes I am overwhelmed by emotion. I am so thankful.
The gift of sharing time with other authors is an honor. We have shared stories, event tables, discussed marketing strategies and the opportunity to cheer them in their writing and marketing journey. I feel so blessed.
For years I was known for my work in education. After retiring, I am proudly known as an author.
Pricing:
- $14.95
Contact Info:
- Website: https://colleenbaldrica.com/
- Instagram: @treespiritedwoman
- Facebook: Colleen Baldrica
