Author Spotlight

It’s a priceless feeling to get special attention from readers and other authors. Knowing this, IBP has decided to publicize authors under the author spotlight category. Check out who the ‘author of the week’ is, connect with them and enhance your marketing strategies.

June 24, 2018

An Interview with Troy Gathers

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Take Me With You by Troy Gathers

#1 What inspired you on this book?

Take Me With You Volume 2 was actually inspired by my relationships with others. Over the past 10 years, I’ve really embraced the fact that we are dealing with character types more so than people. Have you ever met someone who reminds you of someone you knew your whole life, just by their actions? That’s what inspired me to write this book.

#2 Why did you want to become a writer?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer. In middle school, I would enter all the writing and drawing contest to display my interest. I won a few of them and received awards of participation for others, but the passion was always there.

#3 What was the hardest part of creating this book?

The hardest part of writing this book was actually finding the time that I could sit down and just write. Currently, my day revolves around finishing up my Ph.D and running multiple businesses. I did find the time to finish up the book but it usually came at the price of sleep.

#4 What do you hope people gain from reading it?

After reading Take Me With You Volume 2, I want the readers to leave with a sense of discernment. This book is packed with biblical scriptures, wisdom and lessons. I want people to gain a better understanding of who’s in their life. The wrong friendships could really hurt your future.

#5 When you were a kid, what were your favorite books?

Great question. When I was growing up my favorite books were the The Trumpet of the Swan, James and the Giant Peach and The Scarlet Letter. These 3 books will always be on my favorites list.

#6 What is your advice to people who are not excited about reading?

Usually those that don’t like to read a whole lot are more visual people, which is fine. What I would tell them is, just imagine a movie that only you could see and you make up the faces of the characters and you determine the imagery of the story. Reading is the only pastime that gives you that experience.

#7 Why should we buy your book?

Everyone reading this interview should buy my books because I put real life aspects in my books. I guarantee with all my books you will learn and adjust from my writings. I only deal with facts and personal experiences of others and myself. When you buy any one of my books you are buying information and not opinion.

All book projects by Troy Gathers are Available on Amazon.com

About Troy Gathers

“Not everyman can be famous, but everyman can be great!” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “When I first read those words from a memorial wall at South Carolina State University, I was touched,” Gathers said. “In life, sometimes all we can hold on to is words and a belief that they will manifest.” “Growing up, all I could do was dream.”

These words continuously push Troy Gathers towards his dream to strive for excellence. When asked about his childhood, Troy explains how it has played a major role in his future; Troy said, “The pain from my past has prepared me for the future.” “In college though, I found that I was very different. I found that welfare and section 8 were foreign to some college students.” The entrepreneur said that he began to see his purpose for his upbringing; “I have the voice to help people grow through trials.” After graduating from South Carolina State University, Gathers sought out to be a voice for the young and an inspiration to all. “As a public speaker, I have the stage to reach people far and near with my message”, he says joyfully. I’ve actually spoken to inmates on a continuous basis across the state of South Carolina in penitentiaries.” I have spoken to groups ranging from age eight to forty. Since I am one with the generation it is possible to hold their attention throughout the entire speech,” Gathers said. “Knowing that the speaker went through a similar situation less than ten years ago allows the audience to leave with a sense that there is a way to overcome their present adversities.”

By the time Troy reached seventeen years old, he had attended seven different schools and lived in six different neighborhoods. To escape the everyday troubles of society, Troy focused on success. In High School, despite the constant moving Gathers still managed to join NJROTC, the newspaper staff, and Future Business Leaders of America to name a few. Gathers stated, “Because of the constant moving, I spent a lot of time wishing for stability and praying for strength. Throughout my life I remained positive and knew that if I continued on this path I would be successful. Given my life experiences, I am able to communicate and relate to the younger generation.”

Once Gathers got settled at South Carolina State University he finally got a chance to show one body of students what he was capable of achieving. At South Carolina State University Gathers formed Intramural Sporting teams, served as the Vice President of freshman dormitory, joined the Young Democrats, SGA, wrote/directed two short films with students and made the grades for The National Deans List. Troy was also the host of the radio show B.E. Y.O.U. which aired on WSSB 90.3FM. (SCSU Radio) The show was based on positive individuals and their accomplishments. Gathers credits his focus at SCSU to his mother and mentors that assured his faith and head was always high. “Even in college people doubt you and try to bring you down, but I have special people that kept me focused on the big picture”.

After successfully completing his MBA program, Troy is currently enrolled in the Public Policy and Administration PhD program. B.E. Y.O.U. is Troy’s Educational Lecture Program for the youth that promotes success in their lives. B.E. Y.O.U is Troy’s cry to the youth to be themselves and step out of the crowd. Under his B.E. Y.O.U. imprint, Gathers has published 3 book titles. In all of Gathers endeavors he keeps God first and only expects great things for the future.

June 9, 2018

An Interview with Gabriella Goddard

 

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GABRIELLA GODDARD

Author of “Gulp!: the 7-day crash course to master fear and break through any challenge”

http://www.gulptime.com

Describe yourself in five words:

Visionary, creative, empathetic, adventurous, agile

What fact about yourself would really surprise people?

I have a fear of deep water. So a few years ago, I decided to do a diving course to try and overcome it. Luckily I was so distracted by the beautiful fish swimming past me that I forgot I was 100 yards under!

How do you work through self-doubts and fear?

Firstly, I dig deep and try to understand what the root of the fear is and where the emotion is in my body. Then I try to imagine a better and more positive outcome, and notice where that emotion is in my body. The secret then is to dial up the positive vision and feeling so that it drowns out the fear.

What scares you the most?

Being bored.

What makes you happiest?

Working on my creative projects and being around people who are doing cool stuff.

Why do you write?

Writing is an important part of my job as the coaching director at the brainsparker academy. Every day I’m writing blog posts, articles, top tips and course content. Writing for me is a great form of self-expression where you get to say exactly what you think and feel – without any interruptions. (lol)

Have you always enjoyed writing?

Actually for me, sitting down and typing words on my laptop is quite a painful process. I live for the day when the ideas in my head can be telepathically transferred to a recording device. What I do enjoy about writing is the editing process. This is where true magic can happen.

What motivates you to write?

Words are a powerful form of communication. How many times have you read something and found that it triggered a new insight that shifted your thinking? This is the power of words. And I am grateful that I have the confidence and ability to express myself in this way, and make a difference in people’s lives as a result.

What writing are you most proud of? .

I am very proud of my first published book, “Gulp! : the 7-day crash course to master fear and break through any challenge,” which was a dream come true.  I’d suffered a cancer scare and this was a real wake up call. I had always wanted to write a book, but just never got around to it. After my cancer scare, I asked myself – if not now, when?

What are you most proud of in your personal life?

I’m really proud of finally finding work/life balance.  Throughout my career I’d always been a workaholic. It wasn’t until I started developing my creativity that I realized the importance of taking time out. Most days are now a healthy balance of work, rest and social.

What books did you love growing up?

My favorite author growing up was Nancy Drew. I loved how she solved mysteries and the fact that she was a girl. If she could do it, so could I!

What do you hope your obituary will say about you?

I’d love it to say “she made life happen no matter the obstacles.”

Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?

I was very lucky to grow up in New Zealand which is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. And like most Kiwis, I travelled around the world and lived in worked in countries like Japan, France, UK, Mexico and USA which was an amazing experience.  These days I’m based between the South of Spain and London, UK and get the best of both worlds – beach and city buzz.

 What else do you do, other than write?

I run a company called “brainsparker” which helps people boost their ability to think creatively and come up with better ideas. Our free brainsparker app uses random prompt cards to spark new ideas and is very popular with writers. And our brainsparker academy offers a range of online training and coaching programs to help people develop their creativity and innovation skills.

What other jobs have you had in your life?

For the past 15 years I’ve been working as an Executive Coach and Leadership Development Facilitator in the corporate market which has been incredibly rewarding. And before that I worked in international marketing and branding in the telecom and technology industry which was very exciting.

Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you? 

For me, success in writing is about getting words on paper. Once they’re there, you can do so many things with them. But you have to get them down first. Plus, as soon as they’re out there in black and white, you leave space in your brain for new ideas to ferment. And you never know what might pop out.

Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?

One day, out of the blue, I found a lump in my breast. It was devastating. And while I was waiting for the doctor’s results, I spent many hours reflecting on my life and the dreams I never made happen.

One of those dreams was to write a book. So when I got the all-clear from the doctor, I decided to make that dream happen. After a few false starts, I ended up writing a book about my experience called “Gulp! : the 7-day crash course to master fear and break through any challenge.”

Luckily for me Penguin UK liked it and published it, followed by Random House in the USA.

It was amazing to make that dream come true, and now I coach other people to do the same through our Brainsparker creativity app and academy.

What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?

“Gulp!” is all about helping people to make their big dreams happen. It includes loads of inspiration, tools and techniques to help people overcome their fears, and find the inner courage and confidence to step outside their comfort zone.

So many people have amazing ideas that never see the light of day, which is such a shame. I really hope that Gulp! can give them the inspiration to at least get started.

We’ve just launched a really cool Gulp! eKit which includes the digital ebook for Gulp!, plus 25-page workbook and 8 weekly coaching lessons.

If you have a big dream or a creative idea but you feel stuck or lack confidence, check out our Gulp! eKit at http://www.gulptime.com
If you are a writer and want a cool app to inspire your writing with random prompts, then check out our free brainsparker app at http://www.brainsparkerapp.com

April 18, 2018

An Interview with Len Trappe

Where are you from?
I am from Philadelphia, Pa. USA

Why do you write? 
I enjoy telling stories and the art of imagining characters and scenes.

What do you write about? 
I write fiction about immigration and anything that invloves children.  I like detective novels.

Do you have a specific writing style?
I usually write in 3rd person.  I tend to follow the hero’s journey but I’m trying to learn new techniques everyday.

What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? 
Name it.  Everyday life.  A job, family, errands.  And then writers block on top of it all.  It’s not easy.

Whats the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?
That the book was fantastic.  You know when someone generally loved it or not.  When they do, it’s thrilling.

How long have you been writing?
Since high school.  I wrote songs, poems, etc.  I wrote short stories all throughout college but I was too hyper to sit and write for hours at a time.

When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?
After money stopped becoming the focus.  It is really an enjoyable process.  It’s hard and stressful at times but the journey always ends with excitement.

What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
I can go for 14 hours straight in a good day or lose it after 20 minutes.  I try to write consecutively everyday for at least 4 hours.  If I do that, the book will get done.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Not sure.

How long does it take to write a book? (if you’ve written one -published or non)
The first one is the long one.  It’s like anything else, the first time you do something, you critique it so many times that you stretch the process.  I’d say on average it should take 6 months.

Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?
Research, listen to other writers, take a course, keep writing-practice makes perfect.

What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?
Changing the outline mid story is a big one.  Getting the characters down so they’re consistent throughout the book.  Thinking of a story that is different.  Very challenging.

What do you think makes a good story?
Characters having passion about something makes the story.  And also making it exciting.

Check out Len Trappe’s book at https://www.amazon.com/Vanguards-American-Coyotes-Book-1-ebook/dp/B07BQ24QS3

April 15, 2018

Author Interview with Paige P Carranza

Paige P. Carranza

Paige P. Carranza

Describe yourself in five words

Witty, Optimistic, Loving, Thoughtful, Dedicated

What fact about yourself would really surprise people?

I am a musician! I sing and play six instruments: Piano, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Flute, Viola and Cello.

How do you work through self-doubts and fear?

One of my favorite quotes right now is, “Give someone a book they’ll read for a day. Teach someone to write a book, they’ll experience a lifetime of paralyzing self-doubt.” When I first finished my book Lethal Quantities, I hid it in a box for years until I decided it was good enough to publish. I work through my doubts in two ways. My brother is my writing-confidante. I send him my thoughts and works-in- progress, and if it is up to his standards, I know I am doing well. The other way I get through it is by writing. Free writing not only helps me get ideas, but it is like a therapy session for me.

When did you start writing?

My mother has a box filled with little books that I wrote when I was three. I don’t know specifically what sparked my love for writing at such a young age, but I would hide away for hours writing and illustrating little books.

What makes you happiest?

My family. I have two little girls, ages 2.5 and 6 months, and a wonderful husband who supports every endeavor I set on.

Why do you write?

I am a very talkative person who has a lot of creative ideas. Writing excites me and it gives me an excuse to talk for 200+ pages without anyone judging me for being too chatty.

Have you always enjoyed writing?

Absolutely! English was one of my favorite subjects in school and I could whip up a quality five paragraph essay in minutes! Writing is one of the best ways to express yourself.

What inspired your book Lethal Quantities?

There is a song, “What Love Really Means” by JJ Heller. The last stanza of the song is “He’s waiting to die as he sits all alone. He’s a man in a cell who regrets what he’s done. He utters a cry from the depths of his soul saying ‘Lord, forgive me. I want to go home.” I remember thinking “that would be a good book,” and I began to write. Those three lines in a song inspired a ten-chapter, 230-page novella.

What writing are you most proud of?

Of course, I’m very proud of Lethal Quantities, but my current project Carly Ann (to be released July 2018) is really exciting me! I’m trying my hand at horror, and I’ve got to say, I am enjoying it. I want it to be gritty and make people wince when they read it, and with the no-holds-barred attitude I am taking on while writing, I really think I am going to achieve that goal.

What are you most proud of in your personal life?

My children and my role as their mother. My older daughter has Autism and she is making leaps and bounds with progression. My whole day, every day, revolves around her various therapies. My younger daughter is such a happy baby and it makes me proud to know my children are feeling every bit of love I am pouring out for them.

What books did you love growing up?

My favorite series as a child was Junie B. Jones. The “B” stands for Beatrice, except she doesn’t like Beatrice, she just likes B and that’s all.

What do you hope people say about you at your funeral?

“Look! She’s breathing!”

Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?

Linden, New Jersey. I’ve never lived outside of New Jersey and I feel like if I leave I will always come back.

What are you writing now?

My current project is titled “Carly Ann.” It is a revenge-horror about a young girl who is regularly used as a pawn by her father to make money. During an assault at a party, she snaps and taps into a part of her she didn’t know she had and gets her revenge on the people who have harmed her throughout the years. I don’t want to give too much away.

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?

I am an Indie-author, so the publishing is easy, and writing is fun for me. Marketing is the worst. I’m starting from scratch and I have no experience in marketing. It’s been a real challenge.

What marketing works for you?

Giveaways seem to be working, especially to help me get reviews. I like giving people the opportunity to read and reply to my books.

Do you find it hard to share your work?

Sort of. The adult content of my books makes me nervous to let people who know me as the happy, innocent, bubbly girl see the crazy things my imagination can come up with. For example, the five pages of detailed sex in the middle if Lethal Quantities. My grandfather casually mentioned to my boss the wide array of profanity in Lethal Quantities and my boss, jokingly, called me a “shameless hussy.”

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?

My family is incredibly supportive, more than I expected them to be. All my siblings have purchased a copy of my first book, and my husband is great at taking the girls away, so I can write for a few hours. I have the best support system in the world.

What are some of your hobbies other than writing?

I have an insane amount of hobbies. I love music, painting, crafts, reading, blogging, dancing. If it has to do with expressing oneself, I do it.

What other jobs have you had in your life?

Somehow, I always end up working with feet. I worked at a shoe store for a while, then I sold shoes at a department store, and now I am a podiatric medical assistant. I actually really love my job and I am not planning on leaving for at least four more years.

Were there any challenges with editing your book Lethal Quantities?

That’s a long story. In chapter three, the main character and his new “friend” decide they are going to cook Methamphetamine to lower the cost of their high. Initially, they go to a desert…in a van…get naked…and cook the Meth. My husband pointed out that this was the exact same thing that happened in a popular TV show that I SWEAR I NEVER WATCHED. When he showed me the scene, I knew I had to change it. So now they go to a storage unit.

How much research did you have to do for this book?

I did so much research, before, during, and even after my writing. Although it is a fictional story, I wanted it to be accurate. I make jokes all the time that I thought the DEA was going to tear my door down an arrest me for all of the research I was doing on Meth. “How to cook Meth” was one of my top google searches for a while. I also watched multiple documentaries about Death Row, reaction videos of people being sentenced to death, the specific process of Capital Punishment in Texas, and PTSD.

Tell us about your family?

I have five sisters and one brother, a mom and a step-dad (who I consider to be my real dad) and two handsome little nephews. I married my incredible husband when I was nineteen and pregnant with our first daughter. We started dating when I was fifteen and he is my best friend. My first daughter is going to be three in June and she has Autism. I wrote a blog about her on Goodreads.com in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day. We also have a six-month-old baby girl who is my happy little sunshine. She looks just like her daddy and it warms my heart.

How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?

I write in bed on my laptop. A lot of times, though, inspiration strikes me and I will whip out my cell phone to jot down ideas.

How much sleep do you need to be your best?

Well, I’m a mom of two little girls so anything over four hours is perfect.

Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support?

Three people: My mother Denise, my husband Bryan, and my grandfather John. My mom read the very first draft of Lethal Quantities and she was the first to purchase it went it went on sale. She is so proud of me and I couldn’t possibly thank her enough for supporting me. My husband is an ideal father and partner. He inspires me and encourages me and kicks my butt to make sure I am accomplishing my

goals. Pop has always been my number one fan, mostly with my music, but his pride is so great, he tells everyone he meets about his granddaughter who published a book. I couldn’t survive without these three wonderful people.

Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?

Going to my ten-year high school reunion and having people ask me for my autograph. It’s not necessarily the money or the fame that I am after. It is proving to everyone who ever doubted me that I am capable of greatness.

Do you like to read? What is your favorite genre?

I love reading. It had lost me for a bit, but I have picked up the habit again. I always have a book in my hands now. I love reading memoirs. There’s nothing like a good story about someone who has come from a difficult background and triumphed in the end.

If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask?

Gina Rodriguez and Shane Dawson! She is such a beautiful person inside and out and we have a lot of the same values. Shane Dawson because he is hilarious and would add the much-needed zing to any party.

When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?

I sing a lot of karaoke to my babies. The little one smiles and coos and the toddler will sing and dance along. It’s quality time.

What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?

I want my writing to be so effective that it shocks the readers. I want them to feel the grittiness that I feel when I write. I want them to want to read more, hang on my every word. At the same time, I want them to be inspired by the young working mother who achieved her dreams of becoming an author. If I could do it, anyone can.

Do you have links that you’d like to share for others to read?

Purchase Lethal Quantities E-book here:

http://www.lulu.com/shop/paige-p-carranza/lethal-quantities/ebook/product-23577218.html

Purchase Lethal Quantities Paperback here:

http://www.lulu.com/shop/paige-p-carranza/lethal-quantities/paperback/product-23583277.html

Follow Paige on Instagram:

@paigepcarranza

Follow Paige on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17808060.Paige_P_Carranza

Follow Paige on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Paige-P-Carranza-1036498083165059/

March 22, 2018

Author Interview with Bernie DiPasquale

My Special Gifts

 

Describe yourself in five words.    Love my Family and Friends

What fact about yourself would really surprise people?  I write Childrens Books

How do you work through self-doubts and fear?  Just face them one step at a time.

What scares you the most? Something harmful may happen to those I love

What makes you happiest? When my family is happy

Why do you write? To get my thoughts and feelings on paper to preserve

Have you always enjoyed writing?  Not really, this is pretty new.

What motivates you to write? My Grandkids

What writing are you most proud of? .Both books.

What are you most proud of in your personal life?  My family…wife, kids and Grandkids 

What books did you love growing up? I loved to read plays…all types

What do you hope your obituary will say about you? He loved his family and was there for them

Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live? Grew up in East Baltimore and currently live in Joppa, MD

How did you develop your writing?  Never developed, just did it.

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing? Getting Published.

What marketing works for you? Still working on that.

Do you find it hard to share your work? Not at all…I share with anyone that asks.

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you? Very, very supportive.

What else do you do, other than write?  Hang out with my wife, kid, and Grandchildren.  I work in Financial Services.

What other jobs have you had in your life? Spent a lot of time in Education & Financial Services.

If you could study any subject at university what would you pick? World History

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? Right where I am.

Tell us about your family? They are awesome!  Wife, 4 kids, 6 Grandchildren…full of life.

How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk? Pen and paper…wherever I am.

How much sleep do you need to be your best? .7 hours would be nice

Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support? Absolutely…my wife Patti and my Daughter Lindsay.

Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you? If I’m happy with the finished product, I’m successful

It is vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign? Still working on that one too.

Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?  It’s a simple book about simple everyday ideas written from the perspective of my Grandson Bryn.  Lessons that all of our children need to navigate life.  I wrote the book so my thoughts would be remembered long after I am gone.

If you could have a dinner party and invite anyone dead or alive, who would you ask? My HS Drama teacher, Robert Gunther

When you are not writing, how do you like to relax? Hang with the family, dinner with my wife, watch movies.

What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel? Peaceful

Check out the author’s books below:

What Does God Sound Like? 
We tell our kids that God is everywhere. Pray and maybe He will answer. But if God is everywhere and has created all things, then He must be talking to us all the time. This is my short story to help my Grandchildren understand they can talk with God all day, everyday, everywhere.

http://amzn.to/2tPsW5Q

My Special Gifts 
Life gives us all many gifts, we only need to pause, look around, and appreciate. Bryn, my 3 year old Grandson, tells his story about his gifts. Gifts given by family, friends, and everyday life. We need to teach our children at a young age the tools for happiness and contentment.

http://amzn.to/2GqWTw3
http://sunbernbooks.com/

March 22, 2018

Author Interview with Kristin Anderson Cetone

buckaroobuckeyeamazon

Buckaroo Buckeye by Kristen Anderson Cetone

Winner of the 2016 OneBookAZ and 2013 Mom’s Choice Silver Award! Buckaroo Buckeye grew out of author Kristin Anderson Cetone’s imagination and joy of reading.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, she traveled many miles before putting down roots in the Arizona desert. Influenced by family, education, life experiences, and a desire to teach others, Mrs. Cetone discovered her purpose—just like Buckaroo Buckeye did.

Her true calling and passion is writing and helping others become successful readers. She created Buckaroo to encourage children to believe in themselves and follow their dreams while dodging the bumps and bullies along the way. Reading will help guide the way. Being a Reading Specialist, she has also created Nuts About Reading™ an informal, supplemental, online reading service. She shares her insights and suggestions to help parents strengthen their children’s reading process and become successful readers.

Her joy now is to inspire and help kids to find the Buckaroo Buckeye in themselves.

We hope that you will enjoy this interview we had with her.

Describe yourself in five words: determined, creative, nostalgic, reading educator,

How do you work through self-doubts and fear? I keep pressing forward and believe in myself

What makes you happiest? Seeing a child’s face light up when they can read

Why do you write? To inspire kids and empower parents to guide their child’s reading success

Have you always enjoyed writing?  I have always found I can express my thoughts better through writing instead of the spoken word

What motivates you to write? To share my stories through my unique characters I create and relate their messages to all

What writing are you most proud of?  My first book, Buckaroo Buckeye™-A Little Nut with Big Dreams as like all moms, I have a special place in my heart for my first born .

What are you most proud of in your personal life? My education, my life experiences with family and my two children 

What books did you love growing up? Stories of dogs and horses like “Call of the Wild,” and “Misty of Chincoteague”, humorous stories like Amelia Bedelia, and stories that related to my life experiences.

What do you hope your obituary will say about you? She dared to Dream, Believe, and Achieve

Location and life experiences can really influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?  My roots are in the buckeye State of Ohio as I grew up in Dayton, Ohio and now reside in Scottsdale, Arizona.

What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?  marketing

Do you find it hard to share your work?  No, because I think it relates to all our life journeys of self-discovery.

Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?  Yes all have been very supportive and encouraging.

What else do you do, other than write?  I am a Reading Specialist and educator, and I offer reading tutoring for grades 1-3 in an online format.  My tutoring service is entitled “Nuts About Reading™”

What other jobs have you had in your life? Medical library assistant, administrative assistant, teaching

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?  Right where I am.  Though I have travelled a lot, without my experience living in Arizona my character, Buckaroo Buckeye might not have come to life. 

Tell us about your family?  I have a husband of 45 years, one son, and one daughter.  My husband is a cytotechnologist and screens for cancer, my son works for local courts, and my daughter was a professional ballerina, and transitioned into human resources upon her exit from the stage.

How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?  I put pen to paper first, before then going to the computer.  I am old school.

How much sleep do you need to be your best?  7-9 hours to stay alert.

Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support? I have had several key members on my team through the years, most recently in marketing.  Thank you Suzanne Jameson and Monica Kelly, for your support and encouragement and spreading my messages of inspiration, encouragement, and arranging personal appearances. 

Every writer has their own idea of what a successful career in writing is, what does success in writing look like to you?  Providing inspiration and encouragement to young children, especially for children who struggle to read, and empowering their parents as they guide their child’s reading journey. 

It is vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign? I believe every writer must have a local presence in their area while also developing a wider following through social media.  You must key in on the audience for your specific offerings, and not just a large general audience, and provide them with what they see as important to them first, and then also broaden their scope to what they might not have thought was possible for them, such as my message of their importance in guiding and nurturing their child’s journey to reading success.

Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it?  I have three sequels in the publishing pipeline.  They all relate to my original character’s dream and life journey of self-discovery, to find his special place in the world, and so do my three new characters.  These three characters were chosen to honor three very inspirational women from my family, but again their journeys relate to everyone’s life journey of self-discovery. It is not your ‘size’ in life that determines success.  Like Buckaroo, these three, tiny little nut-seeds follow their dreams of finding their own special place in the world.  Success comes from a tiny ‘seed’ within each of us.  This seed contains our roots, our hopes and dreams, and interests and passions. When we receive encouragement and nourishment from family, culture, education, and life experiences, this seed will sprout and grow mighty, to rise above the bumps and bullies and setbacks along the way.

 

When you are not writing, how do you like to relax? Walking, reading, daydreaming, travel

 

What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?  I hope children and their parents take away inspiration and encouragement and a feeling of self-esteem in themselves.  My focus is to write only hopeful words, and words that encourage us and not words that might hurt us.

“Discouraging Words…Discourage Dreams,

Encouraging Words…Sprout Dreams,

Parents Plant the Seeds!”-Kristin Anderson Cetone

We hope you have enjoyed this interview. Do check out her social media links and website address below.

Reading success begins at birth with parents reading to their children! Buckaroo Buckeye™ – A Little Nut with Big Dreams is a read aloud book for parents and their children. Life is a journey of self-discovery on the path to building self-esteem.

This journey is nourished by the encouragement and guidance from family and culture, life experiences, and education…of which reading success is the foundation.

A Mom’s Choice Award Winning Children’s Book.

2016 ONEBOOKAZ Award Winning Children’s Book.

https://buckaroobuckeye.com/
http://amzn.to/2GpZMgi
https://buckaroobuckeye.com/shop/buckaroo-buckeye-book/

https://www.facebook.com/BuckarooBuckeye

February 12, 2018

An Interview with Steve Wilson

The Everyday Student

The Everyday Student

Author Steve Wilson had formulated the basic building blocks, the “key ingredients” to dynamically obtain the success you desire. Inside his latest book: LIQUID ETHER PHYSICS, he analyses our responses and reactions to patience, vision and purpose.

Regardless of the situation you are in or the dilemma you desire to improve – patience, vision and purpose are the initial focal points for advancement to solution and success.

 

Steve Wilson: Champion Trainer, Mental Enthusiast and Expert Coach. Coming from Bristol,VA, He has over ten years of experience coaching people to new levels of wholeness in their life. Downtime for Steve consists of playing chess and reading. This Miami Hurricanes Football Fan prides himself on telling the untold story. The love of the unknown story led him to create this website.

  • Where are you from?

Bristol, VA

  • Why do you write?

To Help Others With Their Problems

  • What do you write about?

Mental Health, Business & Relationships

  • Do you have a specific writing style?

No

  • What are obstacles that come in the way of writing?

Writer’s block, sitting down to translate what’s in your mind to bring it to light

  • What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?

Phenomenal

  • How long have you been writing?

4 Years Seriously

  • When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?

When I Wanted my relationship advice to be accessed in books

  • What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

Depends on the topic. Now writing a book could take up to a year

  • What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Advice( Relationships)

  • How long does it take to write a book? (if you’ve written one -published or non)

Up to 1 year

  • Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?

Constantly Researching & Learn to be creative

  • What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?

Patience & The fear of someone not liking your content

  • What do you think makes a good story?

The person who is reading your message

  • What does your family think of your writing?

They are excited

  • Do you see writing as a career?

I see it as a investment

  • Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?

I love my fans and constantly search for knowledge

  • When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I first learned the English language

Do you have links that you’d like to share for others to read? 

https://www.loyaldetermined.com/shop/e-books/33-the-everyday-student.html

This is our latest ebook ` The Everyday Student ´

My Email: admin@loyaldetermined.com

Twitter: @ Loyal Determined

January 28, 2018

An Interview with Dr. Yatin J. Patel

Photo Credit (Dr Kaushik Patel)

Dr. Yatin J. Patel Source: https://www.yatinjpatel.com/about/

Dr. Yatin J Patel, a board-certified pulmonologist, and sleep physician is a passionate advocate for his patients’ overall health. He has made it his mission to alleviate their suffering, and views each day as a new opportunity to promote a lifestyle founded on healthy and happy living. At his private practice, Sneeze & Snooze Clinic, Indiana, he oversees the care of the patients suffering from a variety of sleep disorders.

As a published author and public speaker, Dr. Patel strives to be a source of inspiration, sharing his message of good health globally. Whether it’s through his video series, or at a live speaking event, he is out to motivate not just his patients, but anybody in need of a physical, mental or spiritual awakening.

As the Medical Director of the Center for Sleep Studies at Goshen Hospital, Dr. Patel is held in high esteem as a selfless leader and a visionary in the field. His writing explores the intricacies of his chosen field and demonstrates his compassion for those he serves. In addition to an ongoing informational blog, Dr. Patel is a published author, and touts himself as “The World’s Only Sleep Doc with a Notre Dame MBA.”

Outside the office, Dr. Patel is either relaxing through the healing powers of meditation or taking in the world from the vantage point of his bicycle. As a humanitarian and philanthropist, he is also part of many social health initiatives, including campaigns on Safe Driving and empowerment through rural education.

CPAP is Sexy by Yatin J. Patel

Tell us about your new book? Why did you write it? 

This book, CPAP is Sexy, takes the fear of sleeping with CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure machine) machine, and in fact makes it fun. CPAP is the most successful treatment for a potentially fatal disease, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, in which a person’s throat repeatedly shuts off during sleep robbing the person of deep sleep.

I wrote this book because I kept on hearing from my patients that they were scared of CPAP treatment. They had this preconceived notion that sleeping with CPAP is ugly, cumbersome, and uncomfortable. In this book, I have tried to convince them that it is sexy!

Have you always enjoyed writing? 

I hate writing the same way a mom hates labor pains! I do love the final product! I do love public speaking without any reservation. I love talking as if I am talking to my patient, but a book certainly can reach a wider audience. It can explain complex ideas in a graphic manner. I pray my ideas, written or spoken, help people live a long life full of energy, enthusiasm, and elation.

What motivates you to write?

Being a physician, I have this constant urge to help others and a book is the best way to help the widest possible audience for the longest period. This desire to help motivates me to write and keep writing.

Location and life experiences can influence writing, tell us where you grew up and where you now live?

I grew up in a family of avid readers in a dusty little village in Gujarat. Our village library, well-stocked with over ten thousand books, and my grandpa’s voracious appetite for reading introduced me to the world of words. I owe everything I know to that humble but literate beginning. My success, first in the high school and then medical college, was the result of that relationship with words. My quest for advanced study brought me to the USA, where I became a pulmonary and sleep physician. Practising in a small town in the USA, I realized that people were living a sleep-deprived and hence a truncated, sleepy, and grumpy life. To help them live a life full of energy, enthusiasm, vigor, and vitality, I started writing.

How did you develop your writing?

I write as if I am talking to a patient in the examination room at my clinic. I write what is important to them. I write it in a way they can understand and implement it hoping that it will change their behavior and their life.

How much sleep do you need to be your best? 

Most people need seven hours to be alert all-day long. I need eight. My wife needs six and a half. It is also vital to realize that we need seven hours of sound sleep and that can occur only when we follow sleep hygiene religiously. Keep a regular sleep-wake schedule even on weekends. Avoid caffeine after 1 PM. Avoid alcohol within three hours of bedtime. Exercise daily for twenty to thirty minutes. Keep a cool, calm, comfortable, and a quiet bedroom. Disengage from social media thirty minutes before bedtime. Say a brief prayer before bedtime. These steps will ensure sound sleep.

When you are not writing, how do you like to relax? 

I read when I am not writing. To relax, I do daily yoga, meditation, and walking. I enjoy listening to bhajans in the morning and ghazals in the evening.

What do you hope people will take away from your writing? How will your words make them feel?

This life is a rare blessing. My sincere hope is that the readers will take my words to the heart and change their behavior and as a result live a long and healthy life.

December 30, 2017

Author Interview: Rajeev Saxena

Media for author Rajeev Saxena

Rajeev Saxena Image Source: https://www.bloomsbury.com/author/rajeev-saxena

  • Where are you from?

It’s global world now. How do you decide where a person is from? I was born in a place about which I have no memories as moved out when I was six months old. My parents come from a place called Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh that I have visited only once in my life. I’ve spent my childhood in small towns of Uttar Pradesh such as Atrauli near Aligarh, Mainpuri and Orai. US has been my home too. I’ve been staying in US almost for one third of my age so far. I hope this gives you the idea.

  • Why do you write?

To express myself. I feel that you have the full control of the world when you have pen in your hand. It gives wings to my imagination.

  • What do you write about?

This is my first novel so it’s difficult to answer this question. I’ve got great feedback so far including from several celebrities that my book cannot be bound to a genre. This is a book about a scientist who wants to change the world through his inventions. The main theme is that I want to bring scientists to the mainstream, I want them to be the part of our daily lives the way we have politicians or film actors. So instead of working on pure science research which is difficult to understand by general public, my character solves day to day problems through innovation.

  • Do you have a specific writing style?

I don’t want to be bound with any style. I’d choose a different style for different scenarios. For this novel, I’ve tried to write in simple English with a lot of humor inside so that the book reaches the general public.

  • What are obstacles that come in the way of writing?

The biggest issue was to find a publisher. As a new author, I had to wait almost for a year to get a publisher. Finally I was really lucky that Bloomsbury is publishing my book, the same guys who have published Harry Potter.

  • What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work?

Readers comments are coming in as the book was released just two weeks ago. ‘The book is simle and 90% of people will be able to relate to it,in a way.’

‘Pinto has an idea , can not be bound to a genre, that’s rare to come up with a book that is more like a life.’

I’m also honored to get great feedback from a few celebrities:

‘The moment I got the book, I could not resist finishing it in one go.
I hope the author writes a series based on Pinto.’
– SRIDEVI, Actress

A strong plot full of emotions, love, pragmatism and very importantly,
humour. The author has touched a genre which doesn’t exist in traditional
publishing in India. A must read, you shouldn’t miss it.’
– BONEY KAPOOR, Film Producer

‘Superb story. It brings you back to college days and soon takes you to your
professional journey. The humour is amazing.’
– MANU AGARWAL, CEO and Founder of Naaptol

‘Looks like the author is going to be a trendsetter.
It’s the first time I see romantic fiction raising social issues in a
highly entertaining and interesting fashion.’
– SANDEEP PANDEY, Social Activist and Magsaysay Award Winner

 

  • How long have you been writing?

It took almost two and a half years to complete the book. It’s not a simple story. It’s about innovative ideas which need a lot of thinking. Please also keep in mind that I was writing only during the week-ends as I am not a full time author.

  • When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer?

When I was eight-year-old, I wrote my first story. As there was no social media back then, the circulation of my work was very limited. Since then, it has been in the back of my mind that I have to write a book. God has been kind to me. Finally I got this opportunity, though after a couple of decades.

  • What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

For me writing should not follow any schedule. Mostly I used my week-end to write. At the same time, whenever a thought comes to my mind, I immediately note it down and expand it later on. It all depends on the mood and the topic. Sometimes in one hour I can write several pages but other times I hardly produce any output for the whole day if I get stuck on one para.

  • What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I keep on thinking passively whenever I’m doing some other regular activity such as driving, taking shower or just watching TV. Whenever a thought comes to my mind, I’d immediately note down on my mobile phone and will eventually use in my writing at appropriate time.

  • How long does it take to write a book? (if you’ve written one -published or non)

It depends on three things:

  1. What is the book about?
  2. Who is writing?
  3. What is the environment around the author?

Now, when I’m well-versed with the book writing process, I can probably write another one in one month. Ideally one can write a romantic novel where a lot of research is not needed, in six months. A book which I’ve written which is a novel as well as a little different novel i.e. talking about ideas and innovations, would take around one to one and half years.

  • Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer?

I think I’m too new to give this kind of suggestion. If my opinion really matters, I’d say the plot is extremely important in a story. It’s like the heart. Without the heart, the body does not have any meaning. Give enough time to conceptualize the plot.

  • What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story?

As a first time novelist, the biggest challenge is to avoid contaminating your characters from reality. A lot of things which happen around you make a space in your first book knowingly or unknowingly. When you write your second book, it doesn’t happen as you have already talked about it.

I’ve tried my best to make sure that my characters are 100% fictionalized. At the same time I’ve taken some liberty in using some of the locations and places which have been the part of my life. It’s my way of giving them respect.

  • What do you think makes a good story?

As I mentioned earlier, the plot is the most important. If you are a good author, you’d be able to craft characters and write dialogues. I have seen sometimes even very well-known authors have struggled with plots in some of their writings.

  • What does your family think of your writing?

They knew that I’ve been writing a little bit here and there. But I never produced anything significant which would put me in an official category of a writer. When my book was accepted by Bloomsbury, it came to them as a surprise. They are really proud of me.

  • Do you see writing as a career?

I’d be very frank. It’s not easy to decide writing as a career. Do I have willingness? Yes, of course. Readers will see more and more books from me. And If I get their blessings, yes, I’d love to switch to writing as a career.

  • Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers?

Good books are like your true friends. Keep reading. Keep motivating new authors. I’d love to get your feedback about my book. Happy reading.

 

Do you have links that you’d like to share for others to read? (if so please include in your mail.)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/5a0f0465e4b0e6450602ea33

http://www.thecrazymind.com/2017/11/pinto-has-idea-interview-with-author.html

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=cQr6YmlloT4

https://rollingstonepictureproduction.wordpress.com/2017/12/26/interview-with-rajeev-saxena-author-of-pinto-has-an-idea/

Please feel free to connect me at Rajeev@RajeevSaxena.com or iAmRajeevSaxena@gmail.com or

just join me on my social media at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRajeevSaxena/ or at

https://twitter.com/iamrajeevsaxena . I’ll try to respond to you to the best of my ability.

Book Purchase… http://amzn.in/3BQ7NpA

and my website http://www.iamrajeevsaxena.com/

December 17, 2017

Author Interview: Roxanne Burkey & Charles Breakfield

 

  • Where are you from? Breakfield is a Native Texan from Austin. Burkey moved to Texas from California and Breakfield bestowed the term ‘Naturalized Texas’ to her about 5 years ago, saying that she was more Texan than most Natives. It was a very moving ceremony of her touching the Texas flag and accepting citizenship in this state.
  • Why do you write? We write fictional stories because they are a lot more fun than stogie old technical documentation manuals. We simply like to convey a thoughtful and entertaining story.
  • What do you write about? With our over 25 years in the technology field we decided to focus on a combination of techno-thriller and science fiction. We take real technology and position it within relevant story lines to help spark the imagination of our readers.
  • Do you have a specific writing style? Storytelling for us is all about the personal interaction first, then the plot weaved in around the bad guys then the good guys. Taking today’s relevant technology and weaving the uses and misuses by the adversaries is our framework. From a co-authoring perspective, we rough out the direction of the story, not necessarily knowing where we actually expect it to end, and then rough out chapters. Chapters are reviewed by each of us to add elements we feel are needed or remove things deemed unnecessary upon review. It is a literary ping-pong match of sorts which in the end we assemble in to a story with one united voice. Polishing the chapters and the whole story is the writing exercise we feel is important to bring the best possible product to the literary market and our readers.
  • What are obstacles that come in the way of writing? As the phrase goes “Technology never sleeps”. Each of us have professional careers with separate companies. Breakfield is a renowned techno-geek who consistently works in the outer edges of technology for major companies. Burkey focuses on driving business value with optimizing technology and workflow practices to drive customer and workforce experience improvements. At times all that work and the demands of customers does cut into our writing time, but it provides great fodder for our stories.
  • What’s the most memorable thing asked/said by a reader about your work? There have been a comments and points of success we have really enjoyed. A review of our 1st book in the series, The Enigma Factor said in their review “Move over David Baldacci, Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, and Clive Cussler. Burkey and Breakfield have created a storyline for the new millennium”; or winning the Texas Authors 2017 Best of Texas Books award for the entire series; or the ABR Reviewer’s Choice Award Winner for our second audible The Enigma Rising; or being on Good Morning Texas. We have so many more goals we want to achieve.
  • How long have you been writing? Counting today? Probably more years than we’re willing to admit. Burkey’s been writing since high school with poetry as a start, so a while at the least. Breakfield actually began in high school as editor and writer for what turned into an underground newspaper much to the high school faculty consternation. Apparently, he has always been Avant-guard when it comes to writing/publishing. Breakfield has been at it a bit less than Burkey.
  • When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer? Burkey was bit by the writing bug when she wrote technical white papers and suggested Breakfield do a few. They both wrote a couple of non-fiction technical documents which was the point where they decided that technical documentation was just not our best destiny. It was shortly after this that Burkey suggested writing for fun and Breakfield reluctantly agreed. Halfway through writing The Enigma Factor, Breakfield was totally hooked on the idea of fictional writing. The first clue was when he quoted Bette Davis “Hang on, it’s going to be bumpy night, or something like that.” Where else can you take apart people who have been negative in your life, personal or professional, and make them beg for mercy? It’s like a liberation and you simply change names to protect the innocent. After all, Technology is today’s weapon of choice!
  • What is your work schedule like when you are writing? We each write as time permits, outside of our professional work schedules. Sometimes early mornings or late evenings and the weekends. But always back and forth for that polishing effort.
  • What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? Even our editor cannot tell who wrote what in the book. For us, it is the co-author thing and sounding like a single voice. We want to make certain we sound in the end the way the story was envisioned and then some.
  • How long does it take to write a book? (if you’ve written one -published or non) With 9 books in the series so far, we average two books a year. Recently we have worked a bit more on the marketing side so the latest released 8 months but we also won first place in Texas Authors with our short story
  • Do you have suggestions on how to become a better writer? Writing like many other things, such as humor from Burkey, is a practiced item. The more time you spend at the craft, the better the results. We also find get early readers to review and make comments a great way to see if the stories are resonating. We are always looking for committed beta readers.
  • What challenges do you come across when writing/creating your story? It is a combination of choosing relevant technology and how we want to present it. Frankly, the biggest problem is trying to focus since there is so much relevant info to work with. Each of our stories has a theme. Though it means more research to prove our points it is totally exhilarating to make a plausible tale that makes our readers think.
  • What do you think makes a good story? A good story is a mixture of many elements. For our focus it’s a balance of character interaction, technology and situations with dashes of humor, romance, travel, and intrigue patterned after real people.
  • What does your family think of your writing? We both have very supportive families for writing. Breakfield’s wife is our editor and the time she spends is awesome. We get a lot of encouragement but frankly some of them want to know if they are in the will.
  • Do you see writing as a career? At some point down the road have writing and speaking be the full time effort and career would be a dream come true. Some of the folks who have reviewed the stories have asked about them being made into television shows or movies which would also be a blast.
  • Do you have anything specific you’d like to tell the readers? We want reviews from our readers. Of course, the highest review possible would be awesome, but mostly a respectful reviews posted on outlets such as Amazon, Goodreads, or Audible Reviews are appreciated. Reviews help us do better writing as well as sharing with others.
  • When did you first consider yourself writers? Honestly when we started receiving checks for Technical White Papers and were asked to put together our first non-fictional technology book. The jump-in-with-both-feet happened when The Enigma Factor hit Amazon.

 You can follow the authors via the following social media links.

www.enigmaseries.com

https://twitter.com/EnigmaSeries

https://www.facebook.com/TheEnigmaSeries/