Interview: Gabrielle Stone Discusses Her Inspiring New Book, ‘Eat, Pray, #FML’
Although Gabrielle Stone has never considered herself an author, the accomplished actress and director has always been an avid storyteller. But it wasn’t until a series of failed relationships — one which included a nightmarish divorce and another that ended with her traveling to Europe alone — that she decided to put pen to paper. The story of the events of her trip, the inspiration and thought processes are chronicled in her amazing new book, “Eat, Pray, #FML”
Told from the perspective of a woman seeking to find inner strength and resolve, Stone has documented a journey unlike anything she’s ever experienced. One that was not only personally cathartic for the author, but a story that’s sure to give others the inspiration they need to perservere.
In its truest form, “Eat, Pray, #FML” is an inside, pull-no-punches look at Stone’s personal diary, but it’s also a book that reads like a mystery novel and flows like a female-empowered Lifetime drama. Pulling you in from the start with its honest writing and heartfelt emotion. Better still, it leaves readers with the tools they can use to overcome any personal obstacle.
“Eat, Pray, #FML” is available in paperback and e-book exclusively through Amazon. Click here to order!
I recently spoke with Gabrielle Stone about “Eat, Pray, #FML” and more in this exclusive new interview.
What was the writing process like?
Everything was written in real time as it was happening. It just happened to be a crazy trip where some interesting things took place. This book will connect with any female who’s ever been in love, felt betrayed, or isn’t sure how to live with herself. I don’t embellish anything that happened on the trip and I wrote the book as if you were having a conversation with me. Yes, I slept with some people; I drank, and I smoked in Amsterdam. But I tell these things so that when I get to the golden nuggets of what I learned and how I found ways to heal, it will resonate that much more.
A lot of what happened in your relationship with your ex-husband and your discovery of his infidelity almost doesn’t seem real. Did you notice any warning signs?
I want everyone to know that I have no hate, resentment or anger toward my ex-husband. Having said that, I’m so happy to be out of that situation and being where I am now. The warning signs were there, but I always turned a blind eye and thought that we’d eventually fix things down the road. Once I started finding things it all unfolded like it would in a movie.
Soon after your divorce you met Javier, which eventually set you off on your solo journey through Europe. Do you think your relationship with him may have happened too fast?
A lot of people have asked that question but I don’t think it happened too soon after the divorce. It wasn’t a rebound thing. Javier and I had fallen deeply in love with each other. He’s a good person but had a lot of unresolved feelings from his past. It just sucks that I got caught up in the ordeal. But I wouldn’t give up that relationship for anything because it taught me what real love is supposed to feel like. It sent me on a crazy journey and I’m thankful for the way it all unfolded.
Was there ever a point when all of this was happening that you felt like just giving up?
100%. But even when I was talking with Javier and the decision was made that I would be going to Europe alone I knew it was happening for a reason. To make me face my fear of not being ok by myself. I came back from that trip a different person.
In the book you mention about using something called a Thought Onion. What is it?
My mom [Dee Wallace] is a healer who’s work includes removing subconscious blocks. Sometimes her work gets too in depth for me. So I wanted to come up with a way that was easy to explain and makes sense. A clear way to sort through all of the feelings I was having. I talk about it a lot in the book. The first thing you do is take the superficial thought that’s happening. The one that pops into your brain the instant you feel something. Then you go deeper, or “peeling away a layer of onion,” to get to the authentic thought and see what emotions are underneath. Once you’ve established what that is you peel away another layer and go even deeper. This is the subconscious thought where the golden nugget is. The Thought Onion is an easy process to follow when you’re having an emotional reaction that will help you figure out what’s really going on. It’s an awesome tool that can easily be implemented into your daily life.
What’s the biggest thing you learned about yourself having this experience?
It took me a long time to grasp it but it’s learning to love myself and making the commitment to turning my life around.
Are there any other projects you’re currently working on?
I’m currently in development to direct my first feature film based on a best-selling book. I also have a few films out on-demand right now. One is a road trip drama called “Swell” and the other is “Cradles For Cash [Maternal Instinct]”.
What would you like people to take away from reading “Eat, Pray, #FML?”
I think people will be able to relate and take away many different things from the book. My hope is that by me going through what I went through, and becoming better for it, it will inspire others to get through and help them heal. There’s so much gold at the end of all of the shit. So just keep going. It’s worth it.
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