Dragon Update: Carissa Finneren Debuts 'A Gentle Eruption'

Can you tell us a bit about your new book, A Gentle Eruption, and the inspiration behind it?

Step into the shoes of someone who experienced something we can all relate to: self-reflection during the tumultuous pandemic lockdown. Through my personal accounts and raw recollections, my Covid-era journey of self-discovery takes me down memory lane, revisiting a sometimes difficult and challenging past. 

I explore themes like family, belonging, culture, spirituality, identity, healing, and more. Each story is told in a unique format — poetry-like tales that bring to life the core memories that have shaped who I am today. My past often floods into my work, producing a gentle eruption of honest and curated content that was published years after I wrote the book.

I was inspired by the people around me, those who were really using the lockdown to explore their creative side. I asked myself if I was brave enough to do what they were doing, and then I found out I was. Being at home also inspired me, as I was in a very familiar and comfortable environment, to remember all sorts of memories in the stillness of it all.

Your book offers a very personal look into your life while exploring the themes of belonging, identity, and healing. What do you hope your readers will take away from your story?

I am generally comfortable sharing personal stories and being vulnerable in this way because I want my stories to resonate and connect with readers. I aim to provide something real and raw — honest and authentic. I hope my stories can benefit them in some way, whether through personal growth, healing, or their life journey in general. I want readers to know that they, too, can create something that brings them happiness, and that they can transform difficult situations into something meaningful, whether it’s a book or another form of expression. I believe art can serve as a powerful healing modality, and I hope my stories inspire and give readers the courage to pursue their dreams.

Proceeds from A Gentle Eruption will go toward supporting women survivors and funding future workshops through arts for women. What inspired you to connect your book to this cause, and what impact do you hope these contributions will have?

I have known women who were hurt in this way in the past, and standing by those who are doing their best to heal from unimaginable pain will always be close to my heart. I want to support them in any way I can. In this case, I can contribute by donating a percentage of proceeds from book sales when purchased through Arts for Women. I dislike feeling powerless, a feeling I’ve often experienced when trying to help women going through abuse. Now, I am taking action in a way I can, making a positive difference. 

The impact I hope to create is to provide these women with opportunities to heal further and to feel loved and supported by others. I want them to know that I stand with them and that a better future awaits. I also want them to understand that they are not alone.