I am an Audit Director, married, with two small children. I work part-time and like to spend my free time writing.
Why do you write?
Writing has become my main hobby over the last two years.
What do you write about?
I write about all the beautiful things in life that I like. However, I only write about things I know a lot about.
My work as an author began with a first small book on “Rare Gemstones And Other Precious Stones” because I always wondered what is out there apart from the well-known diamonds, pearls and so on.
As a second book, I wrote about “How to Generate and Earn Royalty Income” because I know a lot about it and myself own some music royalty income. This book helps people to generate a side income from royalties.
My very recent book is the first try in fiction, wherein I use my experiences from 20 years of auditing. “Too Deep In With The Auditor” is somewhat my third child and I am very proud of it. I am now writing a second part. You can follow the progress on marinapetersbooks.com or my Goodreads page.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I try to keep my work easy-going, casual and easy to understand.
What are the obstacles that come in the way of writing?
You need so much time until a book is born. The funny part is writing itself but then you need a cover, you need to format, you need to publish, you need to market …
What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?
“Wow, I didn’t know that the auditing business is so cool!”
When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?
About two years ago.
What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
I normally write the day I am not working as an auditor. Sometimes I also write late in the evenings or at weekends.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
In “Too Deep In With The Auditor” I tried to keep the pace high. So the writing style is very casual and moving forward. I think you will like it when you read it.
Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?
Always have something with you to take notes – always!
What do you think makes a good story?
As simple as it sounds: People should like to read it, they should always want to know how the book moves on.
Do you see writing as a career?
Well, not for me, but generally speaking, yes, absolutely!
It was 1992 when her father saw the economic collapse coming, he had two choices, the rough path or the easy path, and he chose the rough one… Dad began.Then, I interrupted, “DAD, ITS MY MEMOIR!” And then my Mompiped in and yelled, “OH MY GOD! I RAISED A BUNCH OF NARCISSISTS!” Let’s try again… Meet Michaela: she’s the girl nextdoor–except that “next door” happens to be a 27-foot 5th Wheel Trailer with no electricity or running water in the Sierra Nevada’s. At 17, she sets out to take on the world, but 10 years later, she finds herself right back where she started…in a small mountain town in the middle of nowhere. You’ll laugh and you’ll cry-sometimes at the same time- as she stumbles upon a few Mr. Right Now’s and other adventures on her quest to find love and uncover the girl she always was but had lost somewhere along the way. Join ‘Crazy Kayla’ and her nutty cast of characters for a little muddy-path Rock Crawlin’ through the true story of how her American Dream survives and thrives, in the face of life’s inconveniences and heartbreaking setbacks that sometimes leave her Teetering on Disaster.
Review:
I loved the first part of Michaela’s memoir. Her family moved from a house into a trailer with no electricity and basic necessities. I am not sure if I could cope with a life similar to that of the one she lived but all I can say is that I admire the family’s tenacity to stick together during tough times.
The second part describes her life post marriage and divorce, which can be a little depressing as things turn hard for her in her marriage life.
However, I enjoyed the sense of humor the author incorporated into the book.
Michaela Renee Johnson is an award-winning author, licensed psychotherapist and host of the top iTunes podcast, Be You Find Happy which encourages people to speak their truth with grace and live a courageous life of authenticity. Her initiative, Be You Find Happy, holds workshops and conversations on finding happiness in spite of life’s setbacks and has landed her speaking opportunities across the nation.
She is an avid adventurer, having traveled to over 20 countries, and self-proclaimed “Boho Mom” who loves all things metaphysical as well poetic quotes.
She is a Sagittarius and an ocean-lover who lives in Northern California with her husband and young son, and a homestead full of animals. In her spare time she’s often hiking, doing yoga, gardening, golfing or reading.
Bachelor’s of Arts in Journalism Communications, Master’s of Arts in Psychology. California State Licensed Psychotherapist.
What fact about yourself would really surprise people?
I have sung the national anthem at major sporting events on five different occasions.
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
I recognize that self doubt and fear is a motivator for pushing through uncomfortability. Without it we would self limit our growth. I talk to self doubt like it’s a friend, ask why it’s there and explore ways to push through it.
What scares you the most?
I mean, the obvious horror movie things like drowning in a car, but also not living life to the fullest.
What makes you happiest?
Making memories makes me the happiest.
Why do you write?
It’s probably different each time I pick up the pen, at the end of the day I could summarize it to inspire myself or others.
Have you always enjoyed writing?
My first “journal” was in the third grade, so I’d say so.
What motivates you to write?
Anything that pisses me off. It doesn’t take much, but if I feel flabbergasted by something you can bet I’m going to sit down and hammer it out with the pen.
What writing are you most proud of?
That’s hard to say…I feel mixed emotions about my work often. If I had to pick something I would say Teetering on Disaster because it helped me process some of the toughest emotions I’ve had, and I think inspired a lot of people.
What are you most proud of in your personal life?
This is where I feel like, as humans, we have to list all the tangible things we’ve done, marathons, Summitting Mountains, the birth of our children…but for me, I’m most proud of the fact that I am open to other perspectives.
What books did you love growing up?
Let’s start with PD Eastman Are You My Mother, my all-time favorite when I was young…I was a huge Beverly Cleary fan as pre-teen.
What do you hope your obituary will say about you?
Is it sad to say that this is kind of a morbid question I live by? I hope they say she loved photography to a fault, laughed a lot, especially at herself and loved deeply. No one ever wondered what she was thinking or how she felt and she shared herself wholly with those around her.
Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I grew up in the rural Sierra Nevada Mountains, where the town shuts down with the sun. Creative writing was definitely inspired by my upbringing as it was something I could do with my spare time, and it was something that was heavily influenced by living a simpler life.
How did you develop your writing?
I have had a lot of great mentors along the way, but I believe just writing from the heart, without worry of what others would think inspired my greatest growth as a writer.
What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?
The publishing world is by far the most difficult to keep up with. It’s sort of like trying to fling a shoe on a moving fan (which I don’t recommend trying).
What marketing works for you?
I have found that my real life connections grow my business the most. It seems word of mouth is still a very powerful tool, whether it’s social media or otherwise.
Do you find it hard to share your work?
I’ve never been one to shy from sharing, I wish there was more transparency in the world in general.
Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?
My friends and family are incredibly supportive. My family has always been supportive in a very “tough love” type of way. They ground my crazy ideas and never let me forget where I’ve come from.
What else do you do, other than write?
I wear a lot of hats, but primarily, psychotherapist, podcast host
What other jobs have you had in your life?
In my prior life I was a marketing director, in marketing for 12 years.
If you could study any subject at university what would you pick?
If I were to go back I’d probably want to get into marine biology or astronomy.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
I would want to live right where I am…but travel everywhere.
Tell us about your family?
Loving, supportive, challenging and fun.
How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
Yes, Yes, Yes, all of the above.
How much sleep do you need to be your best?
I’m a solid 8 hours a night, no negotiation. I take my sleep very seriously.
Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support?
All of the people who have guided my journey.
Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?
My husband often jokes about my royalty checks being “bacon bits.” So I guess seeing the financial rewards from making the best sellers list. I say that because it’s easy to get on various best sellers lists these days…but when the royalty checks go from bacon bits to bacon, I guess I’ll know I’ve made it. Other than that, I feel like I’ve already achieved great success, just in inspiring others.
If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask?
I’ve thought about this often…so it changes frequently. Probably Thich Naht Hahn.
When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?
Hiking, reading, sitting on the beach…anything outdoors really.
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?
I hope people realize that happiness is a constant reset and is absolutely attainable in spite of life’s setbacks.
Where are you from?
California
Do you have a specific writing style?
Conversational.
What are obstacles that come in the way of writing?
Time.
What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?
That they laughed and cried at the same time. That’s a good emotion. I feel honored to have inspired that.
What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
I’m always juggling a lot of oranges. I try not to put pressure on myself to stick to a solid schedule, I look at the week, and lay out the days with a general sense of check list items and just work to tick them off.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
The ellipsis…
How long does it take to write a book? (if you’ve written one -published or non)
Depends on the book, children’s books verses self help verses fiction…anywhere from a week to a year.
Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?
Stop judging whether you are writing well enough and just write.
What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?
In my newest fiction novel there are 4 main character (so James Patterson style) jumping between their personalities and staying in “character” has been a really fun challenge for me.
What do you think makes a good story?
Any story that encourages you to think about things differently.
What does your family think of your writing?
I think they’ll think a lot more of it if I make the New York Times Best Sellers List.
I came across 15 FREE writing course offers from International Writing Courses. You may want to check check it out. Do enrol and keep your time occupied with your writing task. Here’s the link below
Timothy J. Garrett lives with his wife Cynthia near Athens, Georgia. He spent 16 years working as an E.R. physician and is now a healthcare executive. He also finds time to play bass guitar, both electric and upright, and is learning to play the banjo. History and historical fiction is his writing passion, with his favorite authors including Anthony Doerr and Doris Kearns Goodwin.
It is an honor to be featured on the International Book Promotion website. What a great opportunity for readers to check out books and authors you might like! I am excited that International Book Promotion is talking about my book and I hope that people who like historical fiction will give A Place Called Jubilee a try. Maybe even if you don’t like or know much about historical fiction, you’ll decide to see if my book is one you might like.
In A Place Called Jubilee, ambitious young clergyman Coleman Hightower leaves his mountain home and arrives in Washington D.C. in 1961 as the Civil Rights movement is exploding across the nation.
In Washington, his plans for a prestigious life are torn apart by his love for fiery civil rights activist Rosalee. His pursuit of love and meaning take him to Jubilee, Alabama – a place where deception, witchcraft, and the secrets of a long-dead former slave combine to make Coleman wonder if he will win Rosalee’s love or even leave the tiny town alive.
It’s as if Anthony Doerr’s “All The Light We Cannot See” was dropped into the world of Kathryn Stockett’s “The Help”.
Why do you write?
I have always been drawn to stories – reading them, telling them, seeing them played out in movies. However, I had rarely put them down on paper. When I eventually had the thought that I would like to write the stories in my head, life had gotten in the way. My career as an emergency physician was almost all-consuming – the little bit of time and energy left over went to my family.
After I left the emergency room and transitioned to a business career – and after my kids left for college and then started their own lives after college – I suddenly could see a path toward following my dream of writing. I began to cultivate the mind of a writer, words and phrases appearing to explain the things that I saw in my daily life. I became more aware of the arc of stories through my life and the lives of others. It was almost like I could hear the voice of the narrator of my own life.
What motivates you to write?
The big noble theme is the one that calls to me. I sometimes wish that light funny stuff was something that I could produce but that is definitely not my strength.
Having ordinary people as characters who are put into extraordinary situations with far-reaching implications is my biggest motivation. Well, that and a deadline or a goal for so many words before such and such a date.
What writing are you most proud of?
My editor for A Place Called Jubileefelt that chapter 9 of my book was the part that contained the best writing. However, I felt most satisfied with chapter 10.
In chapter 10, two of the main characters are on two different trains going in opposite directions. The inner thoughts of both of the characters are explored, with the depravity in one of them becoming clearer and the inner longing of the other one more obvious.
I also liked the imagery in the chapter, bringing back memories of my childhood:
“A Farmall tractor sat idle in a field, glowing scarlet against the fallow brownness.”
“The engine belched a thick cloud of black diesel smoke that for a second, through a trick of the wind, floated motionless in the interior of the track’s curve before slamming directly into the windows of Coleman’s car causing him to flinch backwards.”
What are you most proud of in your personal life?
Without a doubt, I am most proud of my children.
My wife and I did our best to raise them to be responsible adults, imperfect as our efforts were. The way they have turned out has exceeded my wildest dreams.
My daughter and son are both loving and accomplished people who treat other people well and who strive to make the world around them better. My daughter is married to a wonderful man (ironically a clergyman in training) and teaches pre-school. My son will soon graduate from law school.
What books did you love growing up?
The books I checked out from my elementary school library were invariably historical books. I remember checking out a book about Civil War prisons about twenty times.
I later fell in love with Tolkien’s works. I recall reading “The Hobbit” as a 13-year-old while I hiked on the Appalachian Trail in the north Georgia mountains, Tolkien’s Misty Mountains practically coming to life before my eyes, goblins ready to grab my leg and pull me under every rock along the trail.
What do you hope your obituary will say about you?
Tim was a kind godly man who loved life and loved other people.
Location and life experiences can really influence writing. Tell us where you grew up and where you now live?
I was born and raised in the South, in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia. My father’s family had moved to the area around 1820 and my mother’s family had lived in the mountains for many generations and thus I have deep roots in the region. I left Georgia for only a few years but have now lived back in my home region for almost 30 years.
I am the first one in my family to earn a college degree and am very grateful to my parents for allowing me to pursue my dream of becoming a physician.
Writing about the South and about people who came from humble origins seems to be only natural.
How did you develop your writing style?
My style is influenced by writers such as Anthony Doerr, Cormac McCarthy, and Flannery O’Connor though, if I am being honest, is probably more guided by my English teachers in high school and college.
I try to listen to dialogue in movies to learn how to better give voice to characters. The Coen Brothers movies are the best for this, especially when you combine Coen Brothers with Cormac McCarthy in No Country For Old Men.
How do you work through self-doubts and fear?
I spent 16 years as an ER doctor and so I had all of my self-doubt and fear beaten out of me.
Do you find it hard to share your work?
I used to be timid about letting other people read my work. I remember being very self-conscious when about to submit one of my early short stories to a magazine.
After pitching my novel to lots of agents, I got over being shy about my writing. Now, I just put it out there.
What else do you do, other than write?
As I have mentioned, I was an emergency physician for 16 years. For the past decade, I have been an executive in the healthcare payment integrity field.
What other jobs have you had in your life?
I have been actively working since I was 14 years old in jobs that include a custodian, a salesman in a department store, a camp counsellor, and an orderly in an operating room.
If you could study any subject at university what would you pick?
I feel like I have already studied them all. I have an undergraduate degree in chemistry, a medical doctor degree, an emergency medicine residency done at Wake Forest University, and a master of business administration degree plus fellowships and certificates from a variety of other organizations.
I don’t feel the need to get a master of fine arts in writing degree but I would like to sit in on some of those courses. The great thing is that much of that content is available outside of a university setting.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
I love visiting London. I am amazed by how much history surrounds you – pre-Roman, Roman, Anglo-Saxon, Norman, all the way up to more modern history. I have always said that I would enjoy living in London for a while but I’m sure that I would eventually miss my native north Georgia and would want to come back home.
How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
I write on a laptop with attached monitors at my desk.
However, I keep a small notebook and jot down notes about story ideas, dialogue, other descriptions, etc.
I also keep a little leather notebook to write song ideas. I play bass, guitar, and some banjo and hope to someday record some of my songs.
If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask?
General Omar Bradley – I would like to ask him about leading troops on D-Day and I could depend on him to give honest answers.
Joan Jett – I bet she’s a lot nicer than you might think.
Abraham Lincoln – I might have to eventually tell him enough with the homespun yarns.
Aretha Franklin – I’d love to just talk to her…and maybe she’d sing at the piano after dinner.
Ernest Hemingway – I probably wouldn’t be able to keep him away from the bar.
Elizabeth 1 – I wonder what she’d think about Joan.
When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?
Like I’ve said, I play several musical instruments and am in a band at my church.
I like running and hiking and am currently preparing for a climb of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa with my son.
What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?
I aim to simply take people to a different place and to allow them to imagine a life different from their own. If doing this allows the reader to feel some sort of inspiration, that is even better.
How long does it take to write a book?
From the time I first got the idea for A Place Called Jubilee until I had the final draft was around four years. This includes the time it took to 1) write the first draft, 2) study about how to rewrite the book by reading several instructional books, 3) write the next two drafts, 4) send the manuscript to an editor, 5) do an extensive rewrite based on the editor’s recommendations, and 6) make the final clean-ups and write and format the final draft.
Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?
Read. Lots. Then write. Lots.
Seriously, read books in your chosen genre. Read books about how to write. Read books about the business of publishing – this will give you lots of pointers about how to be a better writer.
Then, hone your skills by writing. This will teach you how to think like a writer and will make your writing better and better.
What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?
Keeping up my momentum in writing. It is best to just plough through a scene or a section of a book and go back and tidy things up later. However, I sometimes get side-tracked by details, following some Google rabbit-hole or even reading about some completely unrelated topic.
What do you think makes a good story?
Characters that are in some way familiar to the reader put into situations that are not familiar to the reader.
Doing this allows the reader to imagine what they would do in similar situations and help them really feel what the characters are experiencing in the story.
Named Notable Indie #1 in the Shelf Unbound Magazine 2019 Best Indie Book Awards. Deception, witchcraft, and the secrets of a long-dead former slave churn the life of ambitious young clergyman Coleman Hightower – even as fear, bombings, and riots rock the nation. Timothy J. Garrett’s historical novel A PLACE CALLED JUBILEE tells Coleman’s story as he leaves his mountain home and arrives in Washington D.C. in 1961 as the Civil Rights movement explodes across America. Coleman’s plans for a prestigious life are torn apart by his forbidden longing for beautiful and fiery activist Rosalee. His search for meaning turns into a desperate journey that takes him and the woman of his dreams all the way to Jubilee, Alabama – a place where intrigue, betrayal, and murder combine to make Coleman wonder if he will win Rosalee’s love or even leave the tiny town alive.
Review:
This is a historical fiction that incorporates elements of civil rights, which is very relatable to the 1960s period of time. The story starts with Coleman telling his family that he wants to be a pastor and leaves to Washington. It was the time where civil right movement was being actively advocated for and Coleman joins the crowd to watch the inauguration of JFK. When he was heading back from the inauguration, he went to an unknown area and got beaten up by a group of black men. A young black lady by the name of Rosalee came to his rescue, and he fell for her. Coleman and Rosalee journeyed to a town called Jubilee, where more challenges await them.
This book has a lot of twists which will keep you hooked to the story from the very beginning, and most importantly, it invites you to relive the era where people look at love beyond skin color, and this is a beautiful element incorporated in the story.
A young woman is hurled back to 1954 to spend a week with Marilyn Monroe.
Together, they embark on their own personal journeys — one a coming-of-age — the other, Marilyn’s journey, a struggle to reconcile with her past and perhaps change the future.
A delightful and enthralling read! Elyse Douglas captured magic and put it on the page. —Ambling Bookworm Reviews
Time with Norma Jeane on Amazon
Review:
Loved the book as it transported me to the 1950’s. I have not lived in that era but reading this book made me appreciate the era my parents grew up in, and I could relate some of the descriptions in the book to the experiences that my parents have shared with me before.
The main character in this book, Darla, deals with the death of her mother by falling back to the things that she loves in life, and one of them is Marilyn Monroe. The adventure with Norma Jeane (Marilyn) begins when Darla went in search of her missing dog and bumps into Norma driving a car with the number plate “1954”. This is when Darla travels time backward and brings us all along the journey.
I love the way Darla channels her focus on the things that she loves when facing the adversity of life.
![Time With Norma Jeane: A Time Travel Novel by [Douglas, Elyse]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51CjBxjKFaL.jpg)
International Book Promotion 