Sandra MacLeod Humphrey
It is my great pleasure to introduce a very special guest today. She is the author of a wonderful book entitled They Stood Alone: 25 Men and Women who made a Difference. She has kindly agreed to let us to get to know her some. Today is also a special day in the life of her and her book, as it is the day of her Amazon Best Seller Launch, and she's hoping all you wonderful persons will hop over to her landing page, http://theystoodalone.com buy a copy of the book and follow the simple instructions to get yourselves bonus gifts.
Sandra McLeod Humphrey is a retired clinical psychologist, a character education consultant, and an award-winning author of nine middle-grade and young adult books. She's also the recipient of the National Character Education Center's Award for Exemplary Leadership in Ethics Education (2000) and the 2005 Helen Keating Ott Award for Outstanding Contribution to Children's Literature.
Good day Sandra and welcome.When did the writing bug bite, and in what genre(s)?
I’ve always loved to write! I was majoring in English in college and my Spenserian Stanza “Endymion” won a national award. Then during my senior year, I began wondering what I would do with a degree in English, so I switched to psychology.
When you started writing, what goals did you want to accomplish?
I had worked as a clinical psychologist for 31 years and, after I retired, I wanted to write books for kids that would help them believe in themselves, inspire them, and also help them cope with the ever-changing world around them. I call my retirement the “Dessert of My Life.”
Is there a message you want readers to grasp?
I want my readers to follow their hearts and never give up their dreams!
Tell us about your latest book. Series or stand-alone?
My latest book They Stood Alone!: 25 Men and Women Who Made a Difference is a collection of brief biographies of 25 men and women who refused to conform to the societal beliefs and expectations of their time and, by stepping out and away from the crowd, they changed their world and ours as well. I want kids to know that one person can indeed make a difference!
The Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA) selected They Stood Alone! for their annual list of best selections for young adults in the nonfiction category and it also received the 2011 Mom’s Choice Gold Award for Young Adult Nonfiction and was the 2011-2012 DIY Book Festival Winner for the Teenage category.
Share the best review (or a portion) that you’ve ever had.
The best “review” I’ve ever received was from a young Chicago girl who was being tormented by her classmates and wrote to tell me that she loved Hot Issues, Cool Choices: Facing Bullies, Peer Pressure, Popularity, and Put-Downs and was sleeping with it under her pillow every night.
What are your current projects?
My latest book coming out this fall is a problem-solving book for kids called Making Bad Stuff Good. The premise of the book is that how we respond to what happens to us is more important than what actually happens to us—Attitude Is Everything!
Tell us in your own words about the exciting event planned for today September 25th.
I have an Amazon BestSeller Book Launch and anyone who purchases a copy of They Stood Alone!: 25 Men and Women Who Made a Difference from Amazon that day will receive more than 20 great downloadable bonus gifts! It’s going to be an exciting time for my book and a great opportunity for people to receive some wonderful bonus gifts!
Do you have a book trailer?
I have six book trailers so far and the link to my They Stood Alone! trailer is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk-bp29YWdA&feature=g-upl
Do you have a favourite quote?
One of my favorite quotes is the one I used for my book Dare to Dream!: 25 Extraordinary Lives
The greater danger for most of us
Is not that our aim is too high
And we miss it,
But that it is too low
And we reach it. ..Michelangelo
Where can folks learn more about you and your books?
I love meeting other book lovers and these are some of my contact links:
http://www.kidscandoit.com
http://www.kidscandoit.com/blog/
http://www.facebook.com/sandra.m.humphrey
http://www.facebook.com/KidsCanDoIt2
http://twitter.com/Sandra305
http://pinterest.com/sandra305/my-books/
http://www.youtube.com/user/SandraMHum/videos
e-mail: Sandra305@aol.com
Thanks for sitting in with me Sandra.
It's been a pleasure Yvonne and thanks for having me.
Sandra McLeod Humphrey is a retired clinical psychologist, a character education consultant, and an award-winning author of nine middle-grade and young adult books. She's also the recipient of the National Character Education Center's Award for Exemplary Leadership in Ethics Education (2000) and the 2005 Helen Keating Ott Award for Outstanding Contribution to Children's Literature.
Good day Sandra and welcome.When did the writing bug bite, and in what genre(s)?
I’ve always loved to write! I was majoring in English in college and my Spenserian Stanza “Endymion” won a national award. Then during my senior year, I began wondering what I would do with a degree in English, so I switched to psychology.
When you started writing, what goals did you want to accomplish?
I had worked as a clinical psychologist for 31 years and, after I retired, I wanted to write books for kids that would help them believe in themselves, inspire them, and also help them cope with the ever-changing world around them. I call my retirement the “Dessert of My Life.”
Is there a message you want readers to grasp?
I want my readers to follow their hearts and never give up their dreams!
Tell us about your latest book. Series or stand-alone?
My latest book They Stood Alone!: 25 Men and Women Who Made a Difference is a collection of brief biographies of 25 men and women who refused to conform to the societal beliefs and expectations of their time and, by stepping out and away from the crowd, they changed their world and ours as well. I want kids to know that one person can indeed make a difference!
The Pennsylvania School Librarians Association (PSLA) selected They Stood Alone! for their annual list of best selections for young adults in the nonfiction category and it also received the 2011 Mom’s Choice Gold Award for Young Adult Nonfiction and was the 2011-2012 DIY Book Festival Winner for the Teenage category.
Share the best review (or a portion) that you’ve ever had.
The best “review” I’ve ever received was from a young Chicago girl who was being tormented by her classmates and wrote to tell me that she loved Hot Issues, Cool Choices: Facing Bullies, Peer Pressure, Popularity, and Put-Downs and was sleeping with it under her pillow every night.
What are your current projects?
My latest book coming out this fall is a problem-solving book for kids called Making Bad Stuff Good. The premise of the book is that how we respond to what happens to us is more important than what actually happens to us—Attitude Is Everything!
Tell us in your own words about the exciting event planned for today September 25th.
I have an Amazon BestSeller Book Launch and anyone who purchases a copy of They Stood Alone!: 25 Men and Women Who Made a Difference from Amazon that day will receive more than 20 great downloadable bonus gifts! It’s going to be an exciting time for my book and a great opportunity for people to receive some wonderful bonus gifts!
Do you have a book trailer?
I have six book trailers so far and the link to my They Stood Alone! trailer is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xk-bp29YWdA&feature=g-upl
Do you have a favourite quote?
One of my favorite quotes is the one I used for my book Dare to Dream!: 25 Extraordinary Lives
The greater danger for most of us
Is not that our aim is too high
And we miss it,
But that it is too low
And we reach it. ..Michelangelo
Where can folks learn more about you and your books?
I love meeting other book lovers and these are some of my contact links:
http://www.kidscandoit.com
http://www.kidscandoit.com/blog/
http://www.facebook.com/sandra.m.humphrey
http://www.facebook.com/KidsCanDoIt2
http://twitter.com/Sandra305
http://pinterest.com/sandra305/my-books/
http://www.youtube.com/user/SandraMHum/videos
e-mail: Sandra305@aol.com
Thanks for sitting in with me Sandra.
It's been a pleasure Yvonne and thanks for having me.
Elizabeth Chalker, Author of Hanging on by the Scratch Marks Left Behind(Raw Faith)
Today my very special guest is Elizabeth Chalker. The photos shown here tell their own story which will be expanded upon in our interview. Elizabeth is in the furnace of life’s' calamities and fighting the good fight of faith and endurance, keeping her eyes on the prize of heaven. Before serious, physical illness devastated her body, Elizabeth was on the fast track as a successful psychologist and addictions specialist, working with violent juvenile offenders and their families, near completion of her third graduate degree. Her life is a testimony of faith that is steadfast and remains no matter the seemingly dark, unjust, and treacherous circumstances of life. She resides in Lighthouse Point, Florida. Elizabeth continues to minister to those in need and aspires to show God's glory through every breath she takes.
In her own words "This is a real life story of being in the fire, where I currently remain, where my heart for the Lord has become increasingly insatiable. A deepened intimacy has developed and continues to grow even through this very moment, and will continue beyond. As you read, this is my hope and prayer for you as well."
In her own words "This is a real life story of being in the fire, where I currently remain, where my heart for the Lord has become increasingly insatiable. A deepened intimacy has developed and continues to grow even through this very moment, and will continue beyond. As you read, this is my hope and prayer for you as well."
Dear Elizabeth, it is a pleasure to have you as a guest today so that my visitors can get to know more about you, your incredible life story and your marvellous book, Hanging On by the Scratch Marks My Nails Left Behind (Raw Faith). If you're ready, let's begin.
What motivated you to begin writing?
I began writing as a catharsis to everyday life. Also, as an avenue to share raw insights, emotion, and to inspire and encourage others.
What is your favourite genre to write? Why?
My favorite genre to write is non-fiction. I believe there is more than enough to share about real life, our raw human expressions and dealings, events that happen in life, ponderings of our hearts and minds, to fill volumes without the necessity of fantasy. Our authentic lives hold many and continuous unfolding stories that we each want to share, and that we desire to have heard. When we share from an altruistic place, we make ourselves more vulnerable and hence, relatable to others. Such is an opportunity to connect with each other and share in all of the stories life affords.
My personal favourite subject in non-fiction is of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. He, Jesus, is my compass in life and my core. From this place, I exist and all of life is staged upon this foundation. Fiction has its place of course; I personally have the drive to write non-fiction.
How have other jobs and life experiences influenced your writing?
Other jobs and life experiences have largely influenced my writing. Currently, I am in the challenge of a life-time in enduring and persevering through serious physical illness that has no cure in the natural and is potentially fatal, yet causes a very slow, agonizing death rather than a relatively quick demise.
Before becoming debilitated to the point of being mostly bed-ridden, I worked as a Psychologist in the fields of Forensic and Sports psychology. My work was with violent juvenile offenders and their families. Additionally, I worked with athletes helping them hone their skills and on and off the playing fields. [I helped] them to raise their confidence and play whatever sport it was, with passion rather than intensity, a life skill as well.
Working in both arenas afforded me the opportunity to see diverse aspects of society and opened my eyes to the deep need we all have to be loved, to be understood, to be cared about. No matter the population, whether gifted athletes or youth who lived in battlefields and committed violent crimes as a means to survive…the core need of each is the same.
Nevertheless, writing with different lenses; the lenses of talented athletes or that of sitting in a court room testifying on behalf of a teenager who has never known the love of another human… inspiration and self-analysis presents in profoundly deep measure.
Having serious physical disease with no cure, no answers and no means to receive necessary medical treatment, has deepened my relationship with God and the intimacy in relationship. Such has poured out and into my other relationships and given me a deeper compassion for individuals. Living with these diseases, where I am not able to simply think them away or ‘push through’ as if they did not exist, has truly humbled me and deepened my character as a person, all of which is reflected in my writing and influences the perspective I have on the world around me.
What is the aim of Hanging On by the Scratch Marks My Nails Left Behind (Raw Faith)?
The aims of my book are several. One is to inspire individuals to self-examine and find their core; to realize that we are all children of God and therefore, one in Him. We tend to see as if from under a quilt as it is being made, where all that is seen is a bunch of haphazard threads from our view. God’s view is from above where everything comes together and forms a beautiful and complete picture. Another aim is to encourage individuals to seek love and extend love.
One of the most important aims of the book is to strengthen anyone who reads it, to cause him/her to embrace all of who he/she is, the parts we deem ‘dark’ and unacceptable as well as the parts we see as praiseworthy and pleasant.
Most importantly, my hope is that the reader will embrace intimacy with God and realize that raw expression of heart, no matter how unacceptable to the world, is honorable in the eyes of God and welcomed.
We live in a world where appearances are most important and true character; integrity, honesty, ethics, service, are balked at and mocked in exchange for superficial wealth’that only breeds hate and egocentricity. I pray that the God inspired messages in my book will lend permission’to the readers to step up within themselves and fully own all of who they are and share such with others, while also serving as a soft cushion for others to share.
What was your experience like with your publisher?
I had a wonderful experience with my publisher. They were very helpful, patient, generous, humble, with expertise and leadership for guidance.
Where do you look for inspiration when you are struggling?
Mainly I look to God. I see Him everywhere; through nature, other people, and the trials/triumphs of life.
What are some activities that you are involved in aside from writing?
Currently I am fighting for my life and doing all I can to promote my book in order to have some income for life-saving medical treatment. Due to severe limitations from physical illness, I am not able to participate in much of life. Nevertheless, I do all I can and push to do more. Encouraging others and giving to my loved ones in all the ways I am able…sharing my relationship with Christ wherever I can…to God be the glory.
What motivated you to begin writing?
I began writing as a catharsis to everyday life. Also, as an avenue to share raw insights, emotion, and to inspire and encourage others.
What is your favourite genre to write? Why?
My favorite genre to write is non-fiction. I believe there is more than enough to share about real life, our raw human expressions and dealings, events that happen in life, ponderings of our hearts and minds, to fill volumes without the necessity of fantasy. Our authentic lives hold many and continuous unfolding stories that we each want to share, and that we desire to have heard. When we share from an altruistic place, we make ourselves more vulnerable and hence, relatable to others. Such is an opportunity to connect with each other and share in all of the stories life affords.
My personal favourite subject in non-fiction is of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. He, Jesus, is my compass in life and my core. From this place, I exist and all of life is staged upon this foundation. Fiction has its place of course; I personally have the drive to write non-fiction.
How have other jobs and life experiences influenced your writing?
Other jobs and life experiences have largely influenced my writing. Currently, I am in the challenge of a life-time in enduring and persevering through serious physical illness that has no cure in the natural and is potentially fatal, yet causes a very slow, agonizing death rather than a relatively quick demise.
Before becoming debilitated to the point of being mostly bed-ridden, I worked as a Psychologist in the fields of Forensic and Sports psychology. My work was with violent juvenile offenders and their families. Additionally, I worked with athletes helping them hone their skills and on and off the playing fields. [I helped] them to raise their confidence and play whatever sport it was, with passion rather than intensity, a life skill as well.
Working in both arenas afforded me the opportunity to see diverse aspects of society and opened my eyes to the deep need we all have to be loved, to be understood, to be cared about. No matter the population, whether gifted athletes or youth who lived in battlefields and committed violent crimes as a means to survive…the core need of each is the same.
Nevertheless, writing with different lenses; the lenses of talented athletes or that of sitting in a court room testifying on behalf of a teenager who has never known the love of another human… inspiration and self-analysis presents in profoundly deep measure.
Having serious physical disease with no cure, no answers and no means to receive necessary medical treatment, has deepened my relationship with God and the intimacy in relationship. Such has poured out and into my other relationships and given me a deeper compassion for individuals. Living with these diseases, where I am not able to simply think them away or ‘push through’ as if they did not exist, has truly humbled me and deepened my character as a person, all of which is reflected in my writing and influences the perspective I have on the world around me.
What is the aim of Hanging On by the Scratch Marks My Nails Left Behind (Raw Faith)?
The aims of my book are several. One is to inspire individuals to self-examine and find their core; to realize that we are all children of God and therefore, one in Him. We tend to see as if from under a quilt as it is being made, where all that is seen is a bunch of haphazard threads from our view. God’s view is from above where everything comes together and forms a beautiful and complete picture. Another aim is to encourage individuals to seek love and extend love.
One of the most important aims of the book is to strengthen anyone who reads it, to cause him/her to embrace all of who he/she is, the parts we deem ‘dark’ and unacceptable as well as the parts we see as praiseworthy and pleasant.
Most importantly, my hope is that the reader will embrace intimacy with God and realize that raw expression of heart, no matter how unacceptable to the world, is honorable in the eyes of God and welcomed.
We live in a world where appearances are most important and true character; integrity, honesty, ethics, service, are balked at and mocked in exchange for superficial wealth’that only breeds hate and egocentricity. I pray that the God inspired messages in my book will lend permission’to the readers to step up within themselves and fully own all of who they are and share such with others, while also serving as a soft cushion for others to share.
What was your experience like with your publisher?
I had a wonderful experience with my publisher. They were very helpful, patient, generous, humble, with expertise and leadership for guidance.
Where do you look for inspiration when you are struggling?
Mainly I look to God. I see Him everywhere; through nature, other people, and the trials/triumphs of life.
What are some activities that you are involved in aside from writing?
Currently I am fighting for my life and doing all I can to promote my book in order to have some income for life-saving medical treatment. Due to severe limitations from physical illness, I am not able to participate in much of life. Nevertheless, I do all I can and push to do more. Encouraging others and giving to my loved ones in all the ways I am able…sharing my relationship with Christ wherever I can…to God be the glory.
Pastor Charles Carrin and Dr Corey Cameron wrote a stirring Foreword for your book which I''d like to share here.
"You—one person—an individual, can literally change this whole world with love. By focusing on love, making a choice to love, feeding all that is positive, good, and of the light with exuberance and abundance instead of feeding the negative and evil things of the darkness. You can literally change the world and yourself. One relationship--one interaction--one decision at a time.
If you are experiencing the dark night of the soul in affliction year after year, it will present you, as it has me, with opportunities not found in most other life circumstances.
This is a life story of being in the fire, where I currently remain, where my heart for the Lord has become increasingly insatiable. A deepened intimacy has developed and continues to grow even through this very moment, and will continue beyond. As you read, this is my hope and prayer for you as well."
I want to thank Elizabeth for this very special time with her and now that you know her story, I'm sure you will want to connect with her through her various links on the internet. Please visit her, connect with her, get a copy of her book and let's help this wonderful courageous lady who has done her part and asks you to do your part for her.
Book Website: www.elizabethchalker.org
Personal Website:www.helpelizabeth.net
Email: ecdonations@mindspring.com
Book Trailer:
http://youtu.be/JyYtlnXKCc8
Connect with Elizabeth:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elizabeth-Chalkers-Book-Page/168642796501683
Twitter: https://twitter.com/purplebu77erfly
http://www.publichealthalert.org/pdf/2010/2010_06.pdf (this is a link to Public Health Alert medical paper, the issue has some of my story, photos, and a letter to President Obama). I am happy to send a hard copy of this issue too?
For Book Ordering:
http://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781612151205&HC_ISBN=http://
http://www.amazon.com/Hanging-Scratch-Marks-Behind-ebook/dp/B007XHW4OS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1336402349&sr=8-2http://
"You—one person—an individual, can literally change this whole world with love. By focusing on love, making a choice to love, feeding all that is positive, good, and of the light with exuberance and abundance instead of feeding the negative and evil things of the darkness. You can literally change the world and yourself. One relationship--one interaction--one decision at a time.
If you are experiencing the dark night of the soul in affliction year after year, it will present you, as it has me, with opportunities not found in most other life circumstances.
This is a life story of being in the fire, where I currently remain, where my heart for the Lord has become increasingly insatiable. A deepened intimacy has developed and continues to grow even through this very moment, and will continue beyond. As you read, this is my hope and prayer for you as well."
I want to thank Elizabeth for this very special time with her and now that you know her story, I'm sure you will want to connect with her through her various links on the internet. Please visit her, connect with her, get a copy of her book and let's help this wonderful courageous lady who has done her part and asks you to do your part for her.
Book Website: www.elizabethchalker.org
Personal Website:www.helpelizabeth.net
Email: ecdonations@mindspring.com
Book Trailer:
http://youtu.be/JyYtlnXKCc8
Connect with Elizabeth:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elizabeth-Chalkers-Book-Page/168642796501683
Twitter: https://twitter.com/purplebu77erfly
http://www.publichealthalert.org/pdf/2010/2010_06.pdf (this is a link to Public Health Alert medical paper, the issue has some of my story, photos, and a letter to President Obama). I am happy to send a hard copy of this issue too?
For Book Ordering:
http://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781612151205&HC_ISBN=http://
http://www.amazon.com/Hanging-Scratch-Marks-Behind-ebook/dp/B007XHW4OS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1336402349&sr=8-2http://
Tom Blubaugh
Today, my special guest is Tom Blubaugh, author of the historical fiction novel, Night of the Cossacks. Tom has generously agreed to provide an autographed copy of his book to a lucky reader who leaves a comment. If you are in the USA it will be a print copy, if you are anywhere else, it will be a pdf copy.
Hello Tom, it is so good to have you as my guest and I look forward to the things you will share with my readers.
Are you a full-time writer or part-time, and how do you organize your writing time?
I’m a full-time writer who has a challenge when it comes to organizing my writing time. I write every day, but not necessarily on a novel. It’s easy for me to get involved with emails and social networking and find out at the end of the day I missed writing on my novel. I try to remember to set a time for an hour or so to remind me it’s time to get up and move around and to think about what I need to be doing. This works pretty well for me, when I remember to set a timer.
Which genres do you write, which do you prefer, and why?
I have written nonfiction most of my adult life. Night of the Cossack is my first fiction. It is a lot more difficult to write a novel, but I love the challenge. Historical fiction is my genre at this time. It’s funny, because I didn’t like history as a child, but now, I can spend hours researching historical events. I love movies that are based on true stories and that seems to crossover to books as well.
What is the toughest part about being a writer and how do you get past it?
Marketing, without a doubt. Although I have spent twenty-five years in marketing, book marketing is more difficult. There is so much competition, not just from big name writers, but also from the numbers of writers who want to be known. It’s kind of like the Tale of Two Cities—it is the worst of time and the best of times (loosely quoted). I get past it by being persistent in my pursuit of social networking.
What are you writing now?
I’m several thousand words into a sequel of Night of the Cossack. I’m also beginning a nonfiction story about four books that have changed my life.
Isn’t it hard to write two books at the same time?
Sometimes, but I’m what you might call a seat-of-the-pants-writer. I don’t write from an outline. Usually something comes into my mind and I think about it until it develops enough that it begs to be written. I’m sure other writers understand this process.
What if something doesn’t come to mind? Does this happen?
It does, but not too often. When I find myself in that situation for more than a couple of days, I close my eyes and start typing. I call it doing a brain dump. I write about whatever is in my mind. Usually an idea usually develops and I just keep writing. It’s fun. It may be totally different from what I’ve been writing, especially in fiction, and I have to decide if I’m going to allow my protagonist go it that direction now, later, in the next novel or never.
If you gave your protagonist, in Night of the Cossack, an opportunity to speak for himself, what would he say?
He would say that he is very happy I gave him a voice to tell his story so that my children, grandchildren and future generations have the opportunity to know him. I think he would also say that he is glad that I took the handful of facts I had about him and wove it into a story, although fiction, so that he would not be just a name on a tombstone.
Hello Tom, it is so good to have you as my guest and I look forward to the things you will share with my readers.
Are you a full-time writer or part-time, and how do you organize your writing time?
I’m a full-time writer who has a challenge when it comes to organizing my writing time. I write every day, but not necessarily on a novel. It’s easy for me to get involved with emails and social networking and find out at the end of the day I missed writing on my novel. I try to remember to set a time for an hour or so to remind me it’s time to get up and move around and to think about what I need to be doing. This works pretty well for me, when I remember to set a timer.
Which genres do you write, which do you prefer, and why?
I have written nonfiction most of my adult life. Night of the Cossack is my first fiction. It is a lot more difficult to write a novel, but I love the challenge. Historical fiction is my genre at this time. It’s funny, because I didn’t like history as a child, but now, I can spend hours researching historical events. I love movies that are based on true stories and that seems to crossover to books as well.
What is the toughest part about being a writer and how do you get past it?
Marketing, without a doubt. Although I have spent twenty-five years in marketing, book marketing is more difficult. There is so much competition, not just from big name writers, but also from the numbers of writers who want to be known. It’s kind of like the Tale of Two Cities—it is the worst of time and the best of times (loosely quoted). I get past it by being persistent in my pursuit of social networking.
What are you writing now?
I’m several thousand words into a sequel of Night of the Cossack. I’m also beginning a nonfiction story about four books that have changed my life.
Isn’t it hard to write two books at the same time?
Sometimes, but I’m what you might call a seat-of-the-pants-writer. I don’t write from an outline. Usually something comes into my mind and I think about it until it develops enough that it begs to be written. I’m sure other writers understand this process.
What if something doesn’t come to mind? Does this happen?
It does, but not too often. When I find myself in that situation for more than a couple of days, I close my eyes and start typing. I call it doing a brain dump. I write about whatever is in my mind. Usually an idea usually develops and I just keep writing. It’s fun. It may be totally different from what I’ve been writing, especially in fiction, and I have to decide if I’m going to allow my protagonist go it that direction now, later, in the next novel or never.
If you gave your protagonist, in Night of the Cossack, an opportunity to speak for himself, what would he say?
He would say that he is very happy I gave him a voice to tell his story so that my children, grandchildren and future generations have the opportunity to know him. I think he would also say that he is glad that I took the handful of facts I had about him and wove it into a story, although fiction, so that he would not be just a name on a tombstone.
How much is your protagonist like you? How different?
This is a hard question to answer. Since I created most of him, he has to be like me in a lot of areas. I would say primarily, he has strong morals. Of course his being a Jew and married to a woman who was also a Jew, I’m a Jew. We both accept the things that happen to us and make the best of them. We were both in the military. How is he different? I’ve never had to go through what I believe he did. I know he was a Cossack soldier and they were good equestrians. I’ve ridden horses a few times, but that’s all. I don’t know why he traveled from Russia to France to immigrate. That’s a long distance. I’ve never defected or had to run for my life like I believe he did. I’ve traveled to several countries, but never to live and have to learn their culture. He spoke several languages fluently, where I do well to speak one.
You said you had just a handful of facts about him. Why is that?
I know some of the reason, but not all. In spite of the fact that he was my grandfather, I don’t remember my grandmother talking much about him. Nor did my mother or her siblings. One of the reasons there wasn’t much information is because he and my grandmother spoke nine languages between them. It’s my understanding that when they talked about Russia, Poland, Ukraine and their families, they spoke in languages their children couldn’t understand. They wanted their children to be Americans. I have heard this is common of immigrants who have come from persecution. Also, my mother said her recollection differed from her siblings. I think this is also common in families. I know my grandparents didn’t realize they were depriving me of my ancestry and heritage, but they were.
How are you preventing this from happening to your children?
I have spent hundreds of hours developing a large website containing as much information as I can get my hands on about my ancestors—both sides. I have pictures, letters, writings and links to everything of interest I can find. I want my children and their children to know as much as possible about where they came from on their paternal side of the family. It’s a mystery to me about what age people become interested in their heritage, but it seems to be after most of their ancestors have died.
Is this what you want your readers to take away from your novel?
Part of it—we’re all just a few generations away from being immigrants. Some of us are—speaking of our country in general. When I speak to groups, I always bring this topic to their attention and encourage them to talk to their elders—get their story directly from them and record the information in some format to be handed down to those following. Both of my grandfathers died before I was born, and I’ve always had a longing in my soul for them.
You said part of it—what else do you want readers to take away?
Life is fragile. Circumstances can change fast. Decisions and acceptance can be tough. It’s intriguing to read about someone else’s life, but their life in different only in the circumstances. I tell young people that they are in the easiest place of learning when they are in school. They get to study the lesson and prepare for the test. When they finish school, life turns around on them—they get the test first and then they learn the lesson. If not, they get the test again. I hope they get the message.
Where can my readers find you?
Here are my links:
Night of the Cossack historical fiction ebooks available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble
Night of the Cossack historical fiction signed paperback at Night of the Cossack FREEshipping to address in USA.
Night of the Cossack historical fiction pdf file will be available soon.
Facebook fan page
The Write Trail Scribbling from the sometimes creative/sometimes scattered mind of Tom Blubaugh
Twitter @tomblubaugh
Goodreads
Authors Den
Info-line for writers promotion
Linkedin to join my network
Genesis Project my ministry site
Follow me on Pinterest
Thank you so much for sharing with us today Tom.
Thank you Yvonne for having me
This is a hard question to answer. Since I created most of him, he has to be like me in a lot of areas. I would say primarily, he has strong morals. Of course his being a Jew and married to a woman who was also a Jew, I’m a Jew. We both accept the things that happen to us and make the best of them. We were both in the military. How is he different? I’ve never had to go through what I believe he did. I know he was a Cossack soldier and they were good equestrians. I’ve ridden horses a few times, but that’s all. I don’t know why he traveled from Russia to France to immigrate. That’s a long distance. I’ve never defected or had to run for my life like I believe he did. I’ve traveled to several countries, but never to live and have to learn their culture. He spoke several languages fluently, where I do well to speak one.
You said you had just a handful of facts about him. Why is that?
I know some of the reason, but not all. In spite of the fact that he was my grandfather, I don’t remember my grandmother talking much about him. Nor did my mother or her siblings. One of the reasons there wasn’t much information is because he and my grandmother spoke nine languages between them. It’s my understanding that when they talked about Russia, Poland, Ukraine and their families, they spoke in languages their children couldn’t understand. They wanted their children to be Americans. I have heard this is common of immigrants who have come from persecution. Also, my mother said her recollection differed from her siblings. I think this is also common in families. I know my grandparents didn’t realize they were depriving me of my ancestry and heritage, but they were.
How are you preventing this from happening to your children?
I have spent hundreds of hours developing a large website containing as much information as I can get my hands on about my ancestors—both sides. I have pictures, letters, writings and links to everything of interest I can find. I want my children and their children to know as much as possible about where they came from on their paternal side of the family. It’s a mystery to me about what age people become interested in their heritage, but it seems to be after most of their ancestors have died.
Is this what you want your readers to take away from your novel?
Part of it—we’re all just a few generations away from being immigrants. Some of us are—speaking of our country in general. When I speak to groups, I always bring this topic to their attention and encourage them to talk to their elders—get their story directly from them and record the information in some format to be handed down to those following. Both of my grandfathers died before I was born, and I’ve always had a longing in my soul for them.
You said part of it—what else do you want readers to take away?
Life is fragile. Circumstances can change fast. Decisions and acceptance can be tough. It’s intriguing to read about someone else’s life, but their life in different only in the circumstances. I tell young people that they are in the easiest place of learning when they are in school. They get to study the lesson and prepare for the test. When they finish school, life turns around on them—they get the test first and then they learn the lesson. If not, they get the test again. I hope they get the message.
Where can my readers find you?
Here are my links:
Night of the Cossack historical fiction ebooks available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble
Night of the Cossack historical fiction signed paperback at Night of the Cossack FREEshipping to address in USA.
Night of the Cossack historical fiction pdf file will be available soon.
Facebook fan page
The Write Trail Scribbling from the sometimes creative/sometimes scattered mind of Tom Blubaugh
Twitter @tomblubaugh
Goodreads
Authors Den
Info-line for writers promotion
Linkedin to join my network
Genesis Project my ministry site
Follow me on Pinterest
Thank you so much for sharing with us today Tom.
Thank you Yvonne for having me
Author - Lynn Dove
Lynn Dove is a graduate of the University of Calgary, where she earned her Bachelor of Education degree in 1981, she has spent the last thirty years teaching children in the private and public school settings. In 2007, she earned a Masters of Religious Education degree from the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary, in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada.
Lynn’s blogs Journey Thoughtsand Word Salt have well over 10K in followers and readers. Journey Thoughts won a 2011 Canadian Christian Writing Award (the equivalent of winning a Christy Award in Canada). Lynn’s writing has also been showcased in a few compilation books the latest being in Mother of Pearl: Luminous Lessons and Iridescent Faith featuring essays from Robin Jones Gunn, Tricia Goyer and Suzanne Woods Fisher just to name a few. Lynn’s article “Cool Grandma” can be found on p. 56.
How do you describe yourself, Lynn?
I am a Christ-follower, a wife, a mom, a grandmother, a teacher and a writer (in that order). I wear so many different “hats” that I find prioritizing them tends to focus me better. I have been married to my best friend, Charles for over 33 years and we have three wonderful children: daughter, Laurelle (husband, Matt) grandbaby, Jaxon, and we have two live-at-home teenagers, Brett and Carmen. I have been a teacher most of my adult life, and I still substitute from time to time at the private Christian school my youngest daughter attends. I love volunteering and working closely with the youth in our church. I love to blog, camp and read.
Lynn Dove is a graduate of the University of Calgary, where she earned her Bachelor of Education degree in 1981, she has spent the last thirty years teaching children in the private and public school settings. In 2007, she earned a Masters of Religious Education degree from the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary, in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada.
Lynn’s blogs Journey Thoughtsand Word Salt have well over 10K in followers and readers. Journey Thoughts won a 2011 Canadian Christian Writing Award (the equivalent of winning a Christy Award in Canada). Lynn’s writing has also been showcased in a few compilation books the latest being in Mother of Pearl: Luminous Lessons and Iridescent Faith featuring essays from Robin Jones Gunn, Tricia Goyer and Suzanne Woods Fisher just to name a few. Lynn’s article “Cool Grandma” can be found on p. 56.
How do you describe yourself, Lynn?
I am a Christ-follower, a wife, a mom, a grandmother, a teacher and a writer (in that order). I wear so many different “hats” that I find prioritizing them tends to focus me better. I have been married to my best friend, Charles for over 33 years and we have three wonderful children: daughter, Laurelle (husband, Matt) grandbaby, Jaxon, and we have two live-at-home teenagers, Brett and Carmen. I have been a teacher most of my adult life, and I still substitute from time to time at the private Christian school my youngest daughter attends. I love volunteering and working closely with the youth in our church. I love to blog, camp and read.
Tell us a little bit about your “Wounded Trilogy”?
Shoot the Wounded, the first book of the Wounded Trilogy, is written for youth and young adults. It addresses how lies and gossip destroy a person's spirit and speaks to the heart of relevant themes such as bullying, teen pregnancy and family violence. The story points the characters, and ultimately the reader, to hope in Jesus Christ. STW was a finalist in the 2010 Readers Favorite Book Awards.
Heal the Wounded, is the sequel to STW and the second book of the Wounded Trilogy. HTW won a Bronze Medal in the 2011 Readers Favorite Book Awards in the Young Adult- Coming of Age category. HTW delves even deeper into the real world of teenagers trying to live out their faith in the midst of upset and struggle. Heal the Wounded, continues to follow the characters, Jake, Leigh, Mike (Jake's best friend), and Tim (Ronnie's brother) each of them dealing with the aftermath of their friend’s death in the first book. Jake is especially dealing with a variety of disappointments (“Job” experiences I call them) that cause him to question why God allows bad things to happen to good people. A new character is introduced into the story, Cassidy, a young cancer patient whose unquenchable spirit and faith impacts Jake, Leigh, Mike and Tim in a way that allows them all to experience God's grace and the power of His healing in each one of their lives.
Love the Wounded is the final and dramatic conclusion to the Wounded Trilogy series that has followed the lives of teenagers Jake, Leigh, Mike, Dylan and Tim as they come to terms with a series of tragedies and events that have made each of them question why God allows “bad things to happen to good people”. Released May 30, 2012, the book has already received a five star review from Readers Favorite.
My books deal with a variety of social issues: family violence, bullying, teen pregnancy, gossip and are listed as resources on the largest anti-bullying website in the world: www.bullying.org
Why did you become a writer?
I know this is a cliché answer, but I have always wanted to write. I have written poetry and short stories since I was in elementary school. I was always writing. In fact my biology teacher in high school signed my Gr. 12 year book: “To the only literary biologist I know”. My teachers could always count on me to give a lengthy treatise on any subject. I did not have aspirations to be a novelist. My debut novel, Shoot the Wounded, actually started out as a short story but 100 pages later, I realized I couldn’t call it a “short story” any longer. Then it sat for ten years taking up valuable computer memory space until one day as I was deleting files I came across the story again. It was my husband who encouraged me to finish it and then get it published.
Do you tend to base your characters on real people?
I have three children and because two of them are teenagers and I write novels for teenagers, I have been very purposeful not basing my characters on any one of them. It would mortify them! Instead I try to draw on my experience with working with teenagers in general as a high school teacher and as a youth leader, so I kind of create characters that have a smattering of many individuals I know personally all rolled up into one cohesive characterization. My kids still say that they see themselves in the characters. I suppose that’s to be expected, but I pray that when they recognize themselves they see the character as positively portrayed and not the otherwise.
Do you have any new book or writing projects now that the Wounded Trilogy is done?
I am working on a more autobiographical account of my journey with breast cancer in 2001 called “Life Lived”. I have a few projects I am working on, a devotional for one, as well as a few more articles set to be published in compilation book works.
Do you have any advice for beginning writers (authors)?
I am asked this question a lot and my advice is always: WRITE! If you feel called by God to write, just write. Decide in advance what your goals are for writing. Is it for pure enjoyment that you write? Is it something you do that is private or is it something you want to share? Decide to whom you are writing. Knowing your audience will also determine how you will write and what your focus will be when you write. Also determine your “success” goals before you embark on the publishing journey. Do you want to have a small, intimate audience or a world-wide audience? That will help you set realistic expectations when it comes to selling and promoting your work.
I had no idea when I embarked on this writing adventure that there would be so much work involved in promoting yourself and your work. As a Christian we revere humbleness, however for you to be noticed in the industry and to get your books into the hands of readers, you have to create a “buzz” about your work. It takes a lot of time and it takes a lot of effort and purposeful networking. I spend a lot of time building online relationships with hundreds of authors and industry professionals. I read and review books and I have blogs that showcase new and “seasoned” authors. I have learned so much for those who have been in the industry a long time, and I have been blessed with incredible mentors along the way.
What is your favourite work of literary fiction?
There are so many wonderful works of fiction it is tough to choose just one. I love the classics but the book that inspired me to read (and then write) was Lucy Maude Montgomery’s, “Anne of Green Gables”. I suppose being a Canadian; I gravitate naturally to Canadian authors and their work.
Who is your favourite contemporary author?
Again there are so many wonderful authors out there. I am an eclectic reader, meaning that I read all genres of fiction so my favourite Christian author(s) are Francine Rivers, Karen Kingsbury and Suzanne Woods Fisher and Janette Oke.
Who are your greatest encouragers?
I have a hugely supportive family, extended family and friends. My biggest fan is my husband, Charles. He has been the one who encouraged me to publish in the first place (and he had never even read the book at that time). My church family hosts my book launches and prays for me on a regular basis. They realize that this is a ministry for me, and they have bought my books and sent them all around the world! I am more than blessed!
Lynn’s books are available on Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, on Lynn’s website.
Readers may also connect with Lynn on Twitter, Facebook, on her blogs: “Journey Thoughts”, “Word Salt” and on her website: www.shootthewounded.org
Shoot the Wounded, the first book of the Wounded Trilogy, is written for youth and young adults. It addresses how lies and gossip destroy a person's spirit and speaks to the heart of relevant themes such as bullying, teen pregnancy and family violence. The story points the characters, and ultimately the reader, to hope in Jesus Christ. STW was a finalist in the 2010 Readers Favorite Book Awards.
Heal the Wounded, is the sequel to STW and the second book of the Wounded Trilogy. HTW won a Bronze Medal in the 2011 Readers Favorite Book Awards in the Young Adult- Coming of Age category. HTW delves even deeper into the real world of teenagers trying to live out their faith in the midst of upset and struggle. Heal the Wounded, continues to follow the characters, Jake, Leigh, Mike (Jake's best friend), and Tim (Ronnie's brother) each of them dealing with the aftermath of their friend’s death in the first book. Jake is especially dealing with a variety of disappointments (“Job” experiences I call them) that cause him to question why God allows bad things to happen to good people. A new character is introduced into the story, Cassidy, a young cancer patient whose unquenchable spirit and faith impacts Jake, Leigh, Mike and Tim in a way that allows them all to experience God's grace and the power of His healing in each one of their lives.
Love the Wounded is the final and dramatic conclusion to the Wounded Trilogy series that has followed the lives of teenagers Jake, Leigh, Mike, Dylan and Tim as they come to terms with a series of tragedies and events that have made each of them question why God allows “bad things to happen to good people”. Released May 30, 2012, the book has already received a five star review from Readers Favorite.
My books deal with a variety of social issues: family violence, bullying, teen pregnancy, gossip and are listed as resources on the largest anti-bullying website in the world: www.bullying.org
Why did you become a writer?
I know this is a cliché answer, but I have always wanted to write. I have written poetry and short stories since I was in elementary school. I was always writing. In fact my biology teacher in high school signed my Gr. 12 year book: “To the only literary biologist I know”. My teachers could always count on me to give a lengthy treatise on any subject. I did not have aspirations to be a novelist. My debut novel, Shoot the Wounded, actually started out as a short story but 100 pages later, I realized I couldn’t call it a “short story” any longer. Then it sat for ten years taking up valuable computer memory space until one day as I was deleting files I came across the story again. It was my husband who encouraged me to finish it and then get it published.
Do you tend to base your characters on real people?
I have three children and because two of them are teenagers and I write novels for teenagers, I have been very purposeful not basing my characters on any one of them. It would mortify them! Instead I try to draw on my experience with working with teenagers in general as a high school teacher and as a youth leader, so I kind of create characters that have a smattering of many individuals I know personally all rolled up into one cohesive characterization. My kids still say that they see themselves in the characters. I suppose that’s to be expected, but I pray that when they recognize themselves they see the character as positively portrayed and not the otherwise.
Do you have any new book or writing projects now that the Wounded Trilogy is done?
I am working on a more autobiographical account of my journey with breast cancer in 2001 called “Life Lived”. I have a few projects I am working on, a devotional for one, as well as a few more articles set to be published in compilation book works.
Do you have any advice for beginning writers (authors)?
I am asked this question a lot and my advice is always: WRITE! If you feel called by God to write, just write. Decide in advance what your goals are for writing. Is it for pure enjoyment that you write? Is it something you do that is private or is it something you want to share? Decide to whom you are writing. Knowing your audience will also determine how you will write and what your focus will be when you write. Also determine your “success” goals before you embark on the publishing journey. Do you want to have a small, intimate audience or a world-wide audience? That will help you set realistic expectations when it comes to selling and promoting your work.
I had no idea when I embarked on this writing adventure that there would be so much work involved in promoting yourself and your work. As a Christian we revere humbleness, however for you to be noticed in the industry and to get your books into the hands of readers, you have to create a “buzz” about your work. It takes a lot of time and it takes a lot of effort and purposeful networking. I spend a lot of time building online relationships with hundreds of authors and industry professionals. I read and review books and I have blogs that showcase new and “seasoned” authors. I have learned so much for those who have been in the industry a long time, and I have been blessed with incredible mentors along the way.
What is your favourite work of literary fiction?
There are so many wonderful works of fiction it is tough to choose just one. I love the classics but the book that inspired me to read (and then write) was Lucy Maude Montgomery’s, “Anne of Green Gables”. I suppose being a Canadian; I gravitate naturally to Canadian authors and their work.
Who is your favourite contemporary author?
Again there are so many wonderful authors out there. I am an eclectic reader, meaning that I read all genres of fiction so my favourite Christian author(s) are Francine Rivers, Karen Kingsbury and Suzanne Woods Fisher and Janette Oke.
Who are your greatest encouragers?
I have a hugely supportive family, extended family and friends. My biggest fan is my husband, Charles. He has been the one who encouraged me to publish in the first place (and he had never even read the book at that time). My church family hosts my book launches and prays for me on a regular basis. They realize that this is a ministry for me, and they have bought my books and sent them all around the world! I am more than blessed!
Lynn’s books are available on Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, on Lynn’s website.
Readers may also connect with Lynn on Twitter, Facebook, on her blogs: “Journey Thoughts”, “Word Salt” and on her website: www.shootthewounded.org
Carol A Brown - Author of Sassy Pants Makes Amends
Big Launch day TODAY - June 19th, 2012 with loads of free gifts.
Christian author and friend Carol Brown proudly launches her children's book Sassy Makes Amends, today on Amazon. I heartily recommend this book for children and adults too, having read it and enjoyed it thoroughly. Please see my review below. When you have finished reading, hurry go here get your copy and pick up a host of free, yes free gifts just for buying today. But you MUST buy today to get the free gifts.
My Review:
The moment I started reading Sassy
Pants Makes Amends I felt myself being transported back to my days of
Beatrix Potter. There is something endearing about animal stories and Ms Brown
brought a host of emotions to bear in this her second in the Sassy Pants series,
bringing to life the characters in a positive and lovable manner.
Her characterization is spot on as one does not have to stretch the
imagination to come up with a rude, disobedient and thoroughly obnoxious pig,
whom everyone will love to dislike. After thoroughly alienating all the other
farm animals with her bad behavior, in the first book, readers will welcome the
complete turnaround in the heroine, Sassy Pants, as she makes amends.
Ms Brown tackles a difficult subject with a great deal of wisdom
that makes this book not just a delightful read but a teaching tool for all of
us who have struggled with forgiveness questions like, what is forgiveness, how
does one forgive, what should my attitude be when I approach forgiveness, and
not to be overlooked, how do the persons on the end of forgiveness respond. Not everyone who is hurt and is asked
for forgiveness readily capitulates. Some struggle.
Sassy Pants has to face each of her former friends whom she has hurt, individually and construct a form of apology that is in line with the offense caused. By setting the plot in this way Ms Brown presents varying scenarios to help persons faced with having to say sorry with a correct way to do so. For instance in one situation Sassy Pants discovers that just apologizing is not enough and in another, asking for forgiveness should not have a qualifying statement.
As a teaching module for children, this is an exceptionally good
idea. Whereas children probably
find it easier to forgive and accept forgiveness, as they grow older it becomes
more difficult and good grounding in this subject at an early age will reinforce the innate traits of children.
This book is written in such a manner and style that adults will
find it useful in their own walk as they too face forgiveness issues.
At any age, readers will understand that misspeaking, uttering hurtful
words and displaying bad behavior is a common everyday occurrence.
How to repair these breaches are critical and is shown in good simple,
not simplistic, story form throughout the book, making it easy to assimilate and
to follow along.
I highly recommend this book as essential reading for both children
and adults.
Get your copy to day by visiting http://sassypantsmakesamends.com and get your free gifts as well.
Big Launch day TODAY - June 19th, 2012 with loads of free gifts.
Christian author and friend Carol Brown proudly launches her children's book Sassy Makes Amends, today on Amazon. I heartily recommend this book for children and adults too, having read it and enjoyed it thoroughly. Please see my review below. When you have finished reading, hurry go here get your copy and pick up a host of free, yes free gifts just for buying today. But you MUST buy today to get the free gifts.
My Review:
The moment I started reading Sassy
Pants Makes Amends I felt myself being transported back to my days of
Beatrix Potter. There is something endearing about animal stories and Ms Brown
brought a host of emotions to bear in this her second in the Sassy Pants series,
bringing to life the characters in a positive and lovable manner.
Her characterization is spot on as one does not have to stretch the
imagination to come up with a rude, disobedient and thoroughly obnoxious pig,
whom everyone will love to dislike. After thoroughly alienating all the other
farm animals with her bad behavior, in the first book, readers will welcome the
complete turnaround in the heroine, Sassy Pants, as she makes amends.
Ms Brown tackles a difficult subject with a great deal of wisdom
that makes this book not just a delightful read but a teaching tool for all of
us who have struggled with forgiveness questions like, what is forgiveness, how
does one forgive, what should my attitude be when I approach forgiveness, and
not to be overlooked, how do the persons on the end of forgiveness respond. Not everyone who is hurt and is asked
for forgiveness readily capitulates. Some struggle.
Sassy Pants has to face each of her former friends whom she has hurt, individually and construct a form of apology that is in line with the offense caused. By setting the plot in this way Ms Brown presents varying scenarios to help persons faced with having to say sorry with a correct way to do so. For instance in one situation Sassy Pants discovers that just apologizing is not enough and in another, asking for forgiveness should not have a qualifying statement.
As a teaching module for children, this is an exceptionally good
idea. Whereas children probably
find it easier to forgive and accept forgiveness, as they grow older it becomes
more difficult and good grounding in this subject at an early age will reinforce the innate traits of children.
This book is written in such a manner and style that adults will
find it useful in their own walk as they too face forgiveness issues.
At any age, readers will understand that misspeaking, uttering hurtful
words and displaying bad behavior is a common everyday occurrence.
How to repair these breaches are critical and is shown in good simple,
not simplistic, story form throughout the book, making it easy to assimilate and
to follow along.
I highly recommend this book as essential reading for both children
and adults.
Get your copy to day by visiting http://sassypantsmakesamends.com and get your free gifts as well.
An introduction to my Guest Dr Saundra Dalton-Smith
Author of the book
Special Christmas Devotional Series based on Set Free to Live Free STARTS TODAY, DECEMBER 12TH 2011
*************************************************************************************************************
Welcome Saundra, it's so good to have you here to talk about your book Set Free to Live Free. Let's plunge right in. What motivated you to become a writer? I've always loved reading and for me writing is a natural extension of that love. My writings began with my own personal journals. I never thought I would ever pursue publication, but a few precious women helped change my mind. One was a patient who presented to my office during a particularly busy day. I just did not have the time to spend with her that I desired. That night I thought, "I wish I had something I could have given her that shared my heart on her issues." From that I started putting together ideas for handouts to use at the office and it just escalated from there into a book. In Set Free to Live Free, you address not only patient’s physical issues but also their emotional and spiritual ones. To be able to give this type of guidance it seems like you would need longer than normal appointments with your patients. How much time do you set aside for appointments? My office operates like most medical offices in that appointments are set at 15-30 minute intervals depending on the type of appointment. Every patient visit does not have the dynamics of those discussed in the book. There are quick visits for acute issues as well as longer visits where I manage chronic medical issues for my patients. During all visits I pay attention to the non-verbal language of my patients. I ask pointed questions based on my observations and see if a patient is ready to discuss further those areas. Some will be receptive leading to an extended visit and some will still have their personal walls up cutting our time short. So for every visit that goes over 10 minutes there is usually a corresponding visit that will be under the allotted time. It all just seems to work out in the end. 3. Was there a section or chapter of Set Free to Live Free that was more difficult for you to write? If so, why? The section on balance (chapters 9 and 10) was definitely the most difficult for me to write. Balance is an area I am still working through myself, so it was as if I had to take a dose of my own medicine with each word. A much needed dose I must add. I think learning how to balance family and career is one of the hardest things a working mom faces. When I finally got to the point of writing Chapter 10 I had a hard time wording what I was feeling. So instead of just talking about what I was feeling I began that chapter actually describing the feelings as an analogy. Sharing your raw emotions has a healing quality of its own. It began as the hardest chapter to write and ended as the one that gave me the most joy and peace. 4. There are many practical responses recommended in Set Free to Live Free. Do you recommend women go through the book on their own, join a study group, or go to a counselor for help in implementing the principles on a deeper level? It really depends on the woman. I've had women come to me that have such a difficult time with self-disclosure that they would do best beginning the process alone (or one on one with a counselor) and then branch out to a group setting. I love small groups and I wrote the book with small groups in mind. It's beneficial to be with other women who are going through similar issues. You can build each other up and support each other. I would love to see little Diamond Societies popping up all over with women bound together in God's love and a shared journey to living free. 5. What’s next for your writing pursuits? That's a great question but I don't have an answer for it! I do not currently have any other books penned. Of course I have some ideas and other areas I feel strongly about, but Set Free to Live Free is the book which discusses the issue I'm most passionate about: women living a flourishing and fulfilled life in Christ. For now I'm just thankful for the opportunity to share it with others and elaborate on applying it’s principles through online webinar bible studies and e-newsletter devotionals. ~You can download the entire first chapter of Set Free to Live Free at www.setfreetolivefreebook.com ~ Please drop by the following places to find out more about Dr Dalton-Smith and how you can obtain copies of her book ****************************************************************************************************************************************************** My Review of Set Free to Live Free
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Amanda Stephan and her sweet Christian romance novel - Lonely Hearts
I read this delightful romance novel recently and recommend it as a must for the romantics amongst us. Of all the great lines and characters in the book, one thing appealed to me most and that was the way the apple pie Becky made for Pearce charmed both himself and his daughter Emily. It was equally enjoyable to her matchmaking children Jen and Jeff.
It seems hearts are captured once they have eaten the pie and more so those of Pearce and Emily when they discover who made and gifted it to them. Food and all things related have an appeal for this website, so I took the opportunity to interview the author, Amanda Stephan about her book in general and the apple pie recipe in particular.
YPW Is Lonely Hearts your first book?
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