Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandy Soyke.
Hi Sandy, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi – I’m Sandy and I am known for my love of crystals and my forever smile. I believe whatever you give out in this crazy world of ours that eventually people will see it and give it back to you. Hence my smile – if I smile at people, most people smile back at me and maybe just maybe I made a difference in their lives just for a moment. I can’t help it, I have been like this forever. My sixth grade teacher used to call me Smiley. Here comes Smiley. It used to make me laugh.
So how did I start writing, you ask? Actually, I have been writing since I was young. My first book I actually wrote in sixth grade for the same teacher. It was called “The Adventures of Goofus and Gallant”. Goofus and Gallant when they were originally written, were identical twins but were complete opposites. Goofus was always bad and everything he did was wrong while Gallant was good and everything he did was right. I wrote the story around good and bad because I grew up with six brothers and sisters and we were always battling over good and bad. My sixth grade teacher liked it so much she kept it. Go figure – right!! Now you’re asking yourself that explains the writing but what about the crystals and the chakras. I am getting to that right now. Like I said we had a big family. My father had 3 and my stepmother had 4 which made things a little tight when my father was the only one working. We didn’t get to go on vacations in the summertime like most families but I loved looking for pretty rocks and stones in my yard or my friends yards and the prettier or sparkly the better. My grandmother had a place down in Bethany and she would bring me back sea glass and I loved collecting sea glass and seashells. I learned at a very young age that there was something special about pretty rocks and even though I didn’t know what, I wanted to learn more. Going to school and having seven children in the house, we didn’t have money for new clothes all year round so I only wore two maybe three different tops a week with the same skirt. I became very good at accessorizing. My grandmother would bring necklaces, bracelets or scarfs back from her trips to Spain or Mexico, made with beads or crystals and I would wear them with an outfit. My fashion for jewelry started really early.
Once I started working at Howard County General Hospital in 1987, is when everything clicked for me. I met these two wonderful women, Cindi Miller and Marianne Crouse, who became my mentors in both my work life and my crystal life. Both of these women showed me how crystals have physical healing powers and protection and their meanings and how you can grow spiritually and psychically all with the magic of crystals. I learned so much from both of them. We would go to crystal shows, classes, exhibits, anything crystal we could find. I was like a sponge soaking up as much information as I could. That is when I actually started my crystal collection for my crystal room. I was going through some rough times in my personal life and not too long after I got involved with learning about chakras so I could get my chakras back in alignment. Healing my chakras helped a great deal but it is something you need to stay on top of because life is so crazy and turns on a dime. Things happen so fast that we barely have time to react let alone check in on ourselves to make sure our chakras are aligned. We just need to stay focused and remember that life is all about being balanced. You will know when you are out of balance because you will feel it. That is when you take action – take the time to heal yourself because no one else is going to do it for you.
So to sum this all up for you, after a 32-year dedicated career in the healthcare industry and fitness coaching, I funneled my life’s passion for holistic well-being, mindfulness, and the earth’s natural elements into writing. To date, I have independently published two successful non-fiction titles: “Unlocking the Magic of Crystals for Beginners” and “Unlocking the Secret of Chakras Using Crystals”. I recently took a major leap and published my first fiction novel, “Unlocking Hope – One Woman’s Adventure from Loss to Light”. The story weaves my core expertise in crystal properties with a magical, mystical shamanic journey. Bringing hope to anyone who has suffered a loss and has felt broken, Unlocking Hope is a reminder that healing is possible, joy is within reach, and hope can always be found even in the most unexpected places.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My path as a writer has been marked by self doubt that creeps in during the quiet moments when I compare myself to other writers. Those who grace the New York Times best selling list. Wondering if my works will ever measure up to the polished stories that inspire me. Especially when I am writing in a certain genre that requires me to seek out the spaces where my books will be most welcome. Unlike mainstream fiction that might find it’s audience in traditional book stores, my spiritual themed book about crystals and shamanic guidance have taught me that it isn’t just about the quality of writing. It’s about understanding where your readers actually gather. I have learned to find my audience not in the typical venue but in crystal shops and metaphysical stores where people are already drawn to the very themes my books explore. Now with “Unlocking Hope” being my first fiction book, I am hoping people of all genres will want to read it so it will be able to be put in book stores and metaphysical stores alike. My writing has never been an obstacle because I love to write. The obstacles or the challenge is after the books are written. My obstacles are selling them because I am not famous, or on tv. So I bust my butt trying to get my books in as many stores as I can all over the United States. Let’s just say, I haven’t made a living off my books yet but my goal is definitely to become a New York Times Best Seller one day and actually say that this is my profession instead of my tax guy saying it is a hobby because I do not make money off of it. I keep smiling though and that is just who I am.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am happy to say I have been able to fulfill a passion of mine thanks to being forced into retirement early due to Covid19 in December of 2020. I became a Long Hauler or so they call me, because of Covid. I struggled with blackouts, falls and dizziness so I was told I couldn’t work or drive anymore. I wore a emergency pendant to push each time I woke up from my blackouts and so my life changed dramatically. I had to figure out who I was now and what my life was going to become and so my passion for writing began. I published my first mini book, “Unlocking The Magic of Crystals for Beginners” back in August, 2022. This book I actually wrote in 7 days and it is all about the ten most important crystals, I feel you should start your collection with. Six months later my second book was published, which is a full length book, “Unlocking the Secret of Chakras Using Crystals”. This book dives into your Chakras and how to align them, not only for yourself but also how you can help your pets. It covers what crystals to use, your auras, and your Zodiac signs just to name a few subjects in my book.
Who ever thought I would become a Published Author at the age of 64, but here I am and I love it. I spent over 32 years in the healthcare industry which I enjoyed immensely. I also enjoyed working as a Personal Trainer/Instructor as my second job. Yes – no grass ever grew under my feet that is for sure. I always worked two jobs and enjoyed both while raising my four beautiful daughters who are now grown and have given me five beautiful grandchildren who I just love to spoil every chance I get.
If you happen to read my books, you will learn that another one of my passions is crystals. I have been learning about crystals and collecting them since about 1987 thanks to two wonderful women who became my mentors: Cindi Miller and Marianne Crouse. They both taught me so much and not just about crystals and for that I will always be grateful to them. Anyway, thanks to both of them and my need to learn more, I have become obsessed with the wonder of all things crystal.
So I hope you will take the time to read my books including – surprise, surprise – my third book is now completed. This is my first novel, my first fiction book “Unlocking Hope – One Woman’s Adventure from Loss to Light”. This book is the story of a young woman’s journey through loss, discovery, and the power of self-love. I am very proud of this book and I hope everyone who reads it sees a bit of themselves in Hope. Oh and don’t worry, I found a way to work my crystals and even a Magical Shaman in this book. What – you thought I would forget? No Way!! LOL
If you enjoy reading this new novel or any of my books, please go ahead and review them for me so I will know your thoughts and hopefully I will earn a 5-Star Review from you.
Remember, “Crystals are like potato chips, you can’t just have one”. = Earth Family Crystals Thanks everyone and remember to Smile because you never know whose day you might brighten up when you do! A Smile will go a long way!!! See you on the inside of my books…..
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Risk Taking – wow that is a big one for me. I have been taking risks all my life starting in Elementary School. I would volunteer to sing solos in our Choir programs. I remember one program we actually performed at the High School and I was in the 6th grade choir and was scared to death but I sang a solo and the audience clapped for me. I was so happy that I hadn’t messed up but yet sad that noone from my family was there to hear me. As I stated, my first book was written in the 6th grade on Goofus and Galiant who were two twin boys (which guess who is the mother of identical twin girls – yep – me) – one would always be in trouble and the other was always a good boy who never got into any trouble. My teacher liked it so much she asked to keep it. I participated in Sports Days events and actually won the Bar Hang against boys my age and won a blue ribbon. I ran Track and Field and was on winning teams for relays, individual races, and Long Jump. I had never been in competitions like these against other schools but I enjoyed being a part of a team and a family that actually appreciated my talents. I was in my School Band and played the flute, piccolo, and oboe. It was fun being part of the choir and the band. My first real job was with the Social Security Administration where I started out in the typing pool as GS-2 and actually worked my way up to a Branch Secretary – GS-7. I left that job because even when making the Best Qualified List for a promotionto a GS-9/11 , I was passed over for the promotion because I would not compromise my intregity. Major, major stressor because I had been there 12 years. I went to work in an Animal Hospital as a Veterinary Assistant and then went from there to Howard County General Hospital as the Assistant to the Director of the Community Education Department. I left there after twelve years because I couldn’t go any further in my career without being a Nurse. I took a big risk and changed fields by entering the world of Nursing Homes as an Admissions Director. I had no clue what I was doing and was scared I wouldn’t be able to do it. I learned fast and became one of the best in my field. Promotions and Awards followed. By the end of my 32 year career in healthcare, I had become a Regional Marketing Director of 8 Nursing and Rehab Centers and 18 Admissions and Marketing Directors. Then came my next risk – after contracting Covid 19 the very worse one in December of 2020, As previously stated, I had become a Long Hauler and could not work anymore due to blackouts, falls, and dizziness. This was very scary and I had no idea what I would do with my life. After getting Covid two more times, I thought my fate was sealed as always being sick. I could not drive and had to wear a monitor because of my blackout falls and dizziness. So I took a course on how to publish and write a book in 7 days. This was the beginning of my career as as author. So if you want to learn more about me or contact me, I can be reached at ssandybottom.com or my website ssandybottom.com. All 3 if my books are on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and my website.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ssandybottom.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/isandysoyke/
- Facebook: ssandybottom@gmail.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linked.com/in/sandra-sandy-soyke-9aa135199
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@itsandysoyke
