Ep. 25: Award-Winning Fantasy Author Barbara V. Evers on Creativity, Storytelling, and Giraffes

Have you ever wondered what it takes to create an entire world from your imagination? In this fun episode, Dr. Yasmine Ali explores the “C” for Creativity in her ORCHID Model for Positive Living™ with award-winning fantasy author Barbara V. Evers. Barbara is the author of multiple fantasy novels, many of which are award-winning, and all of which she describes as “matriarchal fantasies with clever animals.” Her fantasy trilogy, The Watchers of Moniah, won the Imadjinn Best Fantasy Novel twice, and her collection, Pieces of Her, includes award-winning stories, including a Pushcart Prize nominee. Together, Dr. Ali and Barbara discuss the creative process, worldbuilding, storytelling, publishing, personality types, and the winding paths our lives and careers often take. Along the way, they also dive into one of Barbara’s greatest passions: giraffes. You'll learn about giraffe conservation, fascinating giraffe physiology, and how a chance encounter with a giraffe helped spark a lifelong fascination that ultimately found its way into Barbara’s fiction. Find Barbara V. Evers online at: https://www.barbaravevers.com/ And sign up for Dr. Ali’s monthly Positive Vibes e-magazine and get a free guide to Positive Living! Visit https://www.YasmineAliMD.com In this episode: How Barbara created the fantasy world of Moniah and its telepathic giraffes The realities of writing and publishing fantasy fiction Why creativity often flourishes through unexpected detours The difference between fantasy, speculative fiction, and epic fantasy The surprising story behind Barbara's award-winning trilogy How personality types can influence creativity and storytelling Why giraffes are more fascinating—and more endangered—than most people realize What giraffes can teach us about resilience, adaptation, and wonder Barbara's enthusiasm is contagious, and this conversation is a joyful reminder that creativity can enrich every stage of life. More Links & Resources: Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6xsWFXA8AzQ Support the Positive Vibes podcast: https://BuyMeaCoffee.com/onthesunnyside Barbara V. Evers’ website: https://www.barbaravevers.com/ Books by Barbara V. Evers: The Watchers of Moniah: https://bookshop.org/a/447/9781959859093 The Watchers in Exile: https://bookshop.org/a/447/9781959859116 The Watchers at War: https://bookshop.org/a/447/9781959859130 The Nature of the Beast: https://bookshop.org/a/447/9781959859185 Pieces of Her: https://bookshop.org/a/447/9781959859055 The Giraffe Conservation Foundation: https://giraffeconservation.org/ Article on giraffe blood pressure/cardiovascular physiology: https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/animals-ecology/giraffe-blood-pressure/ Dr. Ali's episode on natural ways to lower blood pressure: https://www.positivevibessunnyside.com/e/blood-pressure/   Visit Dr. Ali’s online bookstore and get an autographed copy of Walk through Fire or The View from the Cliffs! Available at https://www.LastSkyWriting.com.   About Yasmine S. Ali, MD: Known as "The Positive Cardiologist," Dr. Ali is an internationally recognized preventive cardiologist and bestselling author of both nonfiction and fiction. She focuses on the science of happiness and the importance of optimism for health and longevity. She is an award-winning speaker and is the creator of the ORCHID Model for Positive Living™. Her work unites science, storytelling, and optimism. She brings three decades of medical experience to her teaching and writing, along with a lifelong devotion to creativity and the pursuit of optimum health. Yasmine S. Ali is also the bestselling author of Walk through Fire: The Train Disaster that Changed America and The View from the Cliffs: A Novel. Find her books at her online bookstore, https://LastSkyWriting.com   The material contained in this podcast is for informational/educational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice.