BooksChatter: ℚ Once Upon a Time, Bitches

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Branden LaNette to talk about Once Upon a Time, Bitches (5 October 2019, Success In 100 Pages, 109 pages), a Self-Help book.

“This is one of the best books I’ve ever read. My only complaint is that it is too short! Branden, and yes, I can call her by her first name because we are best friends now, tells it how it is. She opened my eyes to things I should have already been able to tell myself but that I didn’t have the guts to. Read this book. You won’t regret it!” – Charlotte A., Netgalley Reviewer

“Branden, I am almost begging you - please write more. Anything. Everything. One book is amazing but the world needs more of you. This book speaks truth in an honest way, with the kind of brutality that doesn't hurt people but opens eyes and minds to what is really going on. [...] OUATB will stand out forever because the message is different and the writing style is truly unique.” – Andrea N., Netgalley Reviewer

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

A very warm welcome to Branden LaNette; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

What compelled you to write Once Upon a Time, Bitches?

"The industry I’m in demands a level of personal development. I was compelled to write this book out of self discovery, I was always waiting for someone, or something to save me. At the end of the day, I discovered the truth. I had to be my own hero.

I want to make sure other women out there aren’t wasting time, and understanding that they can only save themselves."

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in writing Once Upon a Time, Bitches?

"Writing this book taught me a few lessons, growth and development will never have a cap on it. There’s always room for change and there’s always something you can be better at."

Why should we read Once Upon a Time, Bitches and what sets you apart from the rest?

"I am not a cookie-cutter face, I am unapologetically me and that shines through the words on the pages in my book, not just the profanity, but in everything I do and say, there is no fillers, no fake, no BS.

Anyone who wants the straight truth about what it takes to have a better life needs to read this book."

Can you share with us a favourite passage / section?

"Here is an excerpt"

Success is different for everyone, clearly. Right now, with an 8-month-old baby in my arms as I type this, I define success as getting clothes onto both of us.

Success doesn’t have anything to do with your bank account, either. So don't think you can’t speak up in a meeting or approach someone with a business idea just because you think they’re “more successful” than you are. Fantastic Fran may be making $1 million per year and you’ve only got only $47.22 in the bank.

Your idea could be worth $10 million, maybe more, who knows? You’ll never know unless you speak up and take a chance. Success also has nothing to do with followers, likes or clicks. And it sure as fuck isn’t about approval from friends and family.

Move the f on with that sh*t.

“Success” is what you say it is. It is waking up 😊AF to be alive. Success is wearing your heart on the outside and sharing a gift with another human. Success is happiness in the things you do, not in the things you have.

What has been your greatest challenge in writing this book? What was the hardest part to write?

"The greatest challenge I faced in writing this book was organizing ideas and staying on track, which is why I thank God every day for an incredible publishing team, and their gift of editors to straighten out my beautiful mind.

The hardest part of this book isn’t the writing. I would say for any author that’s the easy part. The challenge is after it’s published. I’m here for it."

Who would you recommend Once Upon a Time, Bitches to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"Seriously my favorite part of the book would be the warnings. Yes, that’s plural. There are three of them.

I really thought this book was for women in their 20s and 30s, 40’s but the feedback has been incredible, as teenage daughters are reading it and loving it. I’ve also got Women in their 50s and 60s loving it just as much.

The only warning I would give people is that the truth hurts. It’s not always fun to have to face the demons in the mirror.

And my publisher wants you to know there is A LOT of language. Not for kid’s eyes! Or work for that matter!"

And here are those warnings from the book (readers definitely cannot say they have not been warned!):

Warning

This book contains a fair amount of what some people consider to be foul language (you know, like the occasional fuck-this and you’ve-got-to-be-shitting-me that) plus an enormous amount of explicit honesty (which can be more difficult for some people to tolerate than a few curse words).

But my publisher wants you to know that, at no time, is anyone promoting the irresponsible use of swear words. As such, every shit, fuck, bitch and bastard in this book has been used intentionally, appropriately and with the utmost care.

—Branden LaNette

(while flossing my teeth and searching for a fresh roll of toilet paper)

Another Warning

I probably need to address the use of the word “bitch” in the title and at various times throughout the book.

The Urban Dictionary considers the word bitch to be one of the most versatile words in the English language, used to express a multitude of emotions:

Anger (“Bitch makes me so damn mad”)…
Envy (“That bitch has a Birkin bag?”)…
Horror (“You scared the living hell out of me, bitch”)…
Warning (“Don’t test me, bitch”)…
Awesomeness (“That party was bitchin’”)…
Difficulty (“Life’s a bitch”)…
And an endless list of other uses.

But “bitch” can also be used to suggest an empowered, assertive woman.

That is the way it is intended here.

(BTW: Do you know who invented the word bitch? Shakespeare! I shit you not.)

Oh, Shit, One Last Warning

Unless you checked this book out at the library or it was “gifted” to you, you laid out hard-earned cash to read what I have to say. So, thanks.

But what I really need from you is something more valuable than money—I need you to trust me. And to have faith that nothing I’ll be sharing is designed to hurt you. It is designed to create emotional and financial freedom and save your damn life—maybe even to save you from yourself, like I have finally done.

You may not agree with everything I have to say, but the most important takeaway is that YOU have to be your own fucking hero. No more damsel-locked-in-a-tower waiting for some guy to climb your Rapunzel-length-hair bullshit. If the words please save me are currently in your vocabulary, get them the fuck out of there right now.

I am going to make you uncomfortable.

Back out now if you aren’t ready.

Shit is about to get real, bitches…

Which do you think you have the most of: talent, intelligence, education, or persistence? How has it helped you in your life?

"I am not a person who can be defined with gifts of talent, or intelligence. The biggest gift that makes Me, me, is that I’m a dreamer and I don’t give up. I can’t stop dreaming, so I have to show up fearlessly."

What has been the worst advice you received as a writer? What has been the best?

"Best advice: Publishing a book is like having a baby, and that makes so much sense. Right now I am introducing an infant to the world, hoping that it becomes a toddler to learn to walk on its own soon.

The worst advice I’ve ever received would be the time I was told to quit."

Do you feel differently about yourself now from how you felt when you were younger? Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to your younger self?

"I am nowhere near close to the same person I was when I was younger, but this book, was written to the eight-year-old me that believed in the wrong kind of fairytale.

I would’ve told myself a long time ago that no one was coming to save me. I would’ve told myself that I wasn’t being rejected because of something that was wrong with me. There was a bigger plan all along."

Which would you say you enjoy the most: to write, research, or to read when you can?

"I am not, nor will I ever be, a fan of research. I love to read and I love to write… I love reading more than anything for sure."

Can you tell us about your writing process?

"I am a hot mess when it comes to writing, there is no process. I am a mom of six, a wife, and a business owner, so writing comes in right behind those things... I get it done when I can, and it’s usually very last minute."

Branden with her family

If you could have three wishes, what would they be?

"If I could have three wishes it would be this. Number one, that we really did have a fairy godmother to grant our wishes.

Number two, I wish I could eat all the food that’s terrible for me without any repercussions...

Number three. I wish anyone that has ever had ill will towards me, would read this book and realize it was never about me."

What’s the one thing you’ve always wanted but still don’t have?

"I’ve always wanted 11 kids. I have six and my tubes are tied so we know that’s always going to be a want."

What’s in store next for you as a person and writer?

"So, I am just a mom. That is my life. That will be my life for every day I open my eyes and take that breath.

I am still building my coaching and home based business, and now that book number one is out for the world, we are working on book number two!"

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"Every question came easy to me to answer until it was time to share something that special to me.

I’m not a materialistic person, there are pets in the house, but at this moment in my life, they are assholes.

It is going to be my kids, they are my absolute life. pic included of my youngest nugget who has yet to leave my arms. She’s attached at the boobs. Haha!!"

Beautiful picture! But then you have lots of incredible pictures on your facebook and instagram profiles :-)

Thank you for sharing, and we hope you are having a great tour!

Design Your Fairytale Life, Control Your Destiny, and Become the Hero in Your Story