Cori Wamsley of South Hills, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Cori Wamsley shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Cori, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
An incredibly fun opportunity fell in my lap over the summer. A friend started a theatrical group, The Basement Players, and I got cast in their inaugural show: Forbidden Broadway. I have always enjoyed singing and dancing, so I decided to show up and see what the tryout was all about, and I certainly didn’t regret it! From casting to rehearsals to actual performing, we did it all in just one month, and we had a blast doing it. I was cast as Liza Minelli, Bebe Neuwirth, and Donna McKechnie (from A Chorus Line), and I had solos for all three of those songs. I definitely impressed myself with how much I grew in that month, having always been in the ensemble, never a lead. But with a company of only ten performers, we all had to step up and own the spotlight. Now, I’m excited about the winter show they were thinking about. I definitely have the itch to get back on stage! (Here’s a link to the show, if you’d like to check it out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFA_xIEMqA4&t=3310s)

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m both an author and a publisher, so I split my time between the two tasks. Currently, I’m working on my twelfth book, Ashes and Other Inheritances, which will be the fourth in the Soul Sisterhood series. It’s a story about a woman, Morgan, who gets connected with the soul of a woman who passed in a fire in her hometown over one hundred years ago, and the connection between the women plays a major part in the story. Morgan traces some hints from this spirit’s diary and some other places and tracks down the answer to a long unsolved mystery while also changing her own fate and rekindling a former love. She not only discovers a hidden truth about the town but also some hidden feelings within herself that have kept her from going for what she truly wants. It’s a beautiful story, and I’m thrilled that it’s almost finished!

In my other life, I work with business owners, speakers, and coaches who want to write a book to use with their brand. Many people think they should just write a book to check the box and be done with it, but my philosophy of book writing leans heavily on the storytelling aspect to connect people with the brand. We have several books coming out this fall through my publishing house, Aurora Corialis.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
I was taught that creativity is nice, but that’s for hobbies. Unfortunately, I’m a very creative person, so I found myself pushing for success in other areas to prove that I could do something with my life. As an adult, I’ve had to learn unique ways to support myself with my creative gifts because trying to muscle through life without a little fun is incredibly dull. Just today, I’ve been able to work on three different client’s books, write a little on my own, and take a break by playing the piano and singing. It’s been delightful. I do have to put on different hats to handle organization and management of the business, but when I get to play, I’m happiest. I think it’s sad that so many people are shoved away from their creativity by well-meaning adults who want to make sure that they make sensible choices so they will be “successful” and be able to support themselves. Paying your bills is important, but if more people could do that while having careers that they love, the world would be a better place. And we would have more art, which no one would complain about either!

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has definitely taught me that it’s hard to find the right people to support my crazy ideas. I think that if I had been successful with other ventures, I couldn’t have pushed so hard with my own books and become the author I am today. I’m crazy proud of how I write now, the stories I create, and the paths I lead my readers down.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
This is a funny question! It’s absolutely a part of me, but not the whole thing. Most people think I’m quiet and reserved because I’m a listener who rarely finds the right people who want to be smacked in the face with my sense of humor and creativity. When I’m in public, at events, etc., I’m usually listening, watching, waiting. I sometimes find times when I can join a conversation and enjoy myself. I love a good joke and making people laugh. Those take the right moment, though, so often, I don’t find it and move on. People were shocked when they found out I was in a show this summer, performing on stage loudly, because there just aren’t enough opportunities in everyday life for me to burst into showtunes safely–there is always dancing involved, so it can get messy with tight spaces or stairs. I will continue to look for the right spaces for me and shine when I find them.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
When you’re passionate enough about something, it doesn’t matter what others say. You’ll find those who love what you do eventually. It has taken me years working on my books to get to the point where others praise my work. I have mostly 5-star reviews, and two people stopped by my booth at a recent event to say that they had just started reading one of my books and love it. After years of not getting praise, I know that I had this coming, and I’m glad I pushed myself to get to the point where others could enjoy my work. Many authors quit before then, but because I love writing so much, I kept going.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.coriwamsley.com www.auroracorialispublishing.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coriwamsley_author/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cori.smithwamsley/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoriWamsley
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coriwamsleyauthor
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/soulsisterhoodseries/