We had the good fortune of connecting with Valerie J Runyan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Valerie J, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my “Ink Drop Space Virtual Writing Retreat” was following Toni Morrison’s most famous quote about creating the thing that you wish to see but it is not out in the world. I wanted to experience a Writing Retreat but then COVID-19 happened just as I was all set to attend a physical retreat for it’s ten year anniversary, also the pandemic isolated my writing community from one another. In April of 2020 I created my own virtual Writing Retreat for myself and my writing community. This year I have expanded my Writing Retreat to reach an audience I call my “Golden Woman” with “Golden Woman Soiree Virtual Writing Retreat” for women who are fifty-plus who are ready, willing and able to indulge in their writing dreams, by writing their legacy in their own words in their own way.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I would like the world to know that above all else, I am a writer I have claimed that title my whole life. I started taking my writing seriously at the age of fifty when I had my very explosive mid-life crisis but what emerged after the dust settled after a year in Texas was my first published book “Quandaries Of Love” also I discovered the universe that is Self- Improvement/Self-Transformation I settled into what my life and heart have been drawn toward but hadn’t known how to reach it. Being a Self/Indie Published Author of three books- “Quandaries Of Love” Caterpillar- Pieces For my Golden Woman” and “Gospel of the Wordsmith- Evolution Of A Life in Words” is becoming easier, but sometimes the challenge is just getting the word out about your book- especially virtually- and finding your audience, so being connected with the creative community at large helps a great deal. One thing I have learned along this glorious creative path, is that connections with all kinds of other creatives is the glue that bonds us all together, that way whatever challenges one of us is facing someone else can step up and lend a hand toward an excellent solution. As a Writing Life Coach, I I live to serve my fellow writers by helping them get out of their head and into their writing to write what they need written through my two Virtual Writing Retreats- “Ink Drop Space Virtual Writing Retreat” and “Golden Woman Soiree Virtual Writing Retreat” and to spread the sheer joy of writing the narrative I believe all of us have stored within us, I love serving my fellow human beings in this manner.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have lived in Las Vegas for three decades, this is one of the most famous “Bucket List” cities on Earth, that said I don’t go to the “Strip” therefore I take people to visit local spots such as: Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Cactus Gardens, Southern Nevada Zoological-Botanical Park, Sea Quest, Lake Mead Marina, Downtown Container Park, Town Square, Tivoli Village, Thai Paradise Restaurant, Lazy Dog Restaurant, The Fish Market Restaurant, Crown and Anchor Sports Bar/Restaurant. These places are where we, who live in Sin City take those who want to experience something more, than the tourist attraction that is the World Famous las Vegas Strip. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wish to give a great deal of credit to my amazing business partner Andres Fragoso, Jr, we are of the same heart and mind and with our hands we work together to serve so many in our writing community, also my writing community here in Las Vegas, Nevada who all nourish my writing soul.

Website: www.valeriejrunyan.com

Instagram: @pauviolet

Linkedin: Valerie J Runyan/ Ink Drop Space Virtual Writing Retreat

Twitter: Valerie J Runyan@pauviolet1

Facebook: Valerie J Runyan

Other: inkdropspace424@gmail.com

Image Credits
Valerie J Runyan, Andres Fragoso, Jr, Jeffery Kennerly, David De Haney

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.