Meet Colleen Baldrica

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Colleen Baldrica. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Colleen below.

Colleen, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

Being the oldest of five children, I was always doing something. Yet, it was my Dad that really taught me a work ethic. He showed by example and would say things like: when someone is counting on you being there, you always show up on time with a willingness to work. When I wanted to quit a job he told me, give your two week notice and do it with kindness as you never know when you might have to go back through that door. If you need a recommendation or a different job you want them to think well of you. I have never forgotten those words. I believe they are important and where ever I have worked I was positive, work hard, made friends, and never left a position by closing a door.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I was a young, single mother, working two jobs, trying to pay bills, and struggling with low self-confidence. It was a difficult time in my life, and I knew something needed to change.

I started college at twenty-seven. My intention was to finish a two year degree, yet after my first year, I knew I wanted to go into education. Once I graduated, I was lucky to get a position with St. Paul Public Schools. Working for a large district opens you up to many opportunities. I taught, worked as a School Counselor, in Administration. I loved working inner city, my job, my students, staff and families. It was a great twenty-seven years!

During my first year of college, I met Lakota Medicine Man, named Charlie, Charlie and I would talk about his Lakota history and what I knew of my Grandmother’s Chippewa (Ojibwe) background.

One very difficult day, I took off to hike in the woods behind the college. As I walked, I prayed and cried. Somehow, I found myself standing next to an old oak, and I stopped. I could feel the life force of the tree. It was like the blood running through my veins. With my eyes closed, I prayed and asked about my faith, my children, and my future. 

I could sense the tree speaking. I could feel its life force telling me to let go and lift up my branches. I was told I must be like the tree and trust that I would never be alone. Then, without any conscious intention from me, my arms moved toward the sky, my hands gnarled, and I felt all the “junk” I’d been carrying inside being pulled out through my fingers. 

I believe God spoke to me that day in the woods, and He changed my life. I felt a powerful peace within me.  I felt like I vibrated with a new energy — almost as though I could glow in the dark!

When I entered the college, the first person I saw was Charlie. I told him everything that had just happened. He said, “Colleen, that is a powerful experience. I am giving you the name ‘Tree Spirit Woman,’” which he first uttered in Lakota. Charlie was there only one quarter; he was out of my life as quickly as he had entered. I never saw or heard from him again.

About two years later, I had a vibrant dream. It told me someday I would write a book entitled, Tree Spirited Woman. It would be in the style of The Prophet and Siddhartha. It would be about an older woman meeting a younger woman and it would all take place in the woods.

I believe we must listen when we are given such a clear message from the universe. I wasn’t a writer, and – as much as I loved to read – writing a book of my own was a scary idea. Yet, I believed it was something I was meant to do. When the time was right, I trusted I would know what to write.  

About 13 years later, I started writing Tree Spirited Woman. When I quieted myself and listened to the voice within, I would write. During that time I also worked in education and continued to obtain advance degrees. I like to say “life happened.” In all, it took me eight years to complete my book.

I believe writing Tree Spirited Woman was a gift that I was able to share. Tree Spirited Woman is a timeless inspirational story. It takes place in the woods, has two characters, is a work of fiction, with much of my life within its pages and has won many awards. In 2026 Tree Spirited Woman will have been out for twenty years. It still makes a difference in the lives of those who pick it up and read it. It has sold over 33,000 copies and that is mostly in MN.

Writing Tree Spirited Woman has allowed me to meet many wonderful people, given me opportunities to present to many different groups, such as: church groups, women’s retreats, community organizations and book clubs, and meet and mentor other women writers.

Will I write another book? No. I have had some short stories published and Tree Spirited Woman still has many more women to reach.

I love to hike in the woods, travel, read, spend time with family, friends and my dog Molly. Every day I wake up and say, Thank you Heavenly Father and Earth Mother for this glorious day. Then it is up to me to find Joy and live it to the fullest,

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back what helped me in my journey was I always had a faith. My grandmother instilled that in me. God, and my ancestors are there to guide me. I learned to talk to my God, sent post card prayers and believe I am being lead and I trust all would be as it is intended. When I started college, I remember saying you got me here, you need to help me get through this. When I graduated, I never doubted I would find a job. My optimism and faith knowing I am not alone leads me in all I do. Be optimistic!

Another is to trust you intuition. Our bodies let us know when something doesn’t feel right, trust it. This alone has saved my life. I was in a line of traffic and I knew I would going to hit, I turned my wheel in preparation and a truck came over the hill fast and rear ended me causing me to ride the guard rail. If I hadn’t listened to my intuition I would have hit the car in front of me and causing a chain reaction. Trust you gut!

Believe you can. Do not let self talk go negative and don’t let others SHOULD on you. Sometimes you share a dream with someone and right away they share their ideas or tell you what you “should” do. It’s great to brainstorm with those who are encouragers and remember to trust gut. If you believe you can you will. Your direction my change as you learn more and that will be the path you take. Be open, follow leads, reach out and take the risk.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

Writing the book is the fun part. But…once it’s published, how do you get it out there? My author friends would tell you I’m good at it, yet making calls, stopping in shops is hard. I believe people will buy my book now I have to convince a shop owner to carry it.

When trying to sell a product you need to identify your market. For me, I know women’s boutiques, gift shops, and resort areas are perfect for my book. Yes, bookstores carry it, yet my book is unique and does extremely well in shops.

First, I always carry books in my car. Sometimes, it feels right to just give one away to someone I feel needs to read its pages or I might be in a shop and think this would be a good fit so always have one handy. Early this fall my husband and I took a trip to the North Shore of Lake Superior. I brought about 30 books and stopped along the way and sold them all. If I sell to one shop in a small town, I do not go to another shop. That makes it unique to one store and shop owners appreciate it.

Before I even contact a shop I do my research. I check out their web page to see if I “feel” my book will be a good fit. If I believe it will, I will make a call. Before I even dial the number, I take a deep breath, because making cold calls is the hardest thing for me to do, I can feel the stress in my body. I visualize kindness, put a smile on my fact (when you are smiling your voice is softer) and make the call. Always ask for the buyer of the store. I have a short promo I give and offer to send them a copy to preview. It is important to do your research as every book I send out cost me, with postage, about $8.00. I do this as if they carry my book year after year it is well worth it.

I love to travel and I think of places I love and check out shops in those areas. I have gotten my book in a few Hot Spring Resorts this way. For me I have found talking to the person works best, being in person or by calling. Everyone gets so many e-mails so it is easy to just hit delete, it is harder for them to hang up on you.

In 2026 Tree Spirited Woman will have been out for 20 years. Right, now I am trying to be creative and come up with new marketing ideas. I have brainstormed with friends and have a few ideas, now it is up to me to reach out and make them happen. Which I have mentioned isn’t easy for me. So one way I am resolving this is I am putting it in print and hopefully puts internal pressure on me to follow through.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://treespiritedwoman.com
• Instagram: treespiritedwoman
• Facebook: Colleen Baldrica or treespiritedwoman

Image Credits

Jim Baldrica photographer