Category Archives: Author Interviews

Interview of Tasher

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Hi there:

In this installment of the author interview series, I have with me Tasher, an entrepreneur and the author of “Divorced and Scared No More! Bk 1: Emotional Support for the Newly Divorced,” “Divorced and Scared No More!: Practical Advice for the Newly Divorced,” and “Divorced and Scared No More!: Dating after Divorce From Lemons to Zesty Lemon Sorbet.”

Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I was born in Flint, Michigan to Mary and Houston Asher. I have an older brother named C. Robert Asher.  We lived on a farm in Linden, Michigan until I was in middle school, at which time my family moved to the suburbs of Flint so my parents could be closer to the factories they worked in.  Mom worked for Chevrolet at the Metal Fab plant and Dad worked in Buick City on the North end.

I understand that you suffer from Dyslexia.  How have you dealt with it?

I suffered from undiagnosed dyslexia until my high school teacher, Ms. Burdick, recognized the symptoms and sent me for diagnosis. Ms. Burdick had a big impact on forming my view of the reading disorder. She taught me how to use various strategies and techniques along with technical aids to help with the management of dyslexia. Within a short time, she taught me how it really was a gift that I just needed to learn to control.  After learning to control my gift, my grades quickly improved and I graduated Ainsworth High School with a scholarship.  I attended Northwood University in Midland, Michigan and graduated in four years with three degrees. Upon graduation, I was hired by General Motors Corporation in their Memphis Zone. So I really don’t look at dyslexia as a challenge – rather as my gift.

What got you interested in writing?

I have dyslexia and writing is something everyone told me I couldn’t do  – especially my ex.  So, after my divorce, and with the encouragement of friends, family and my divorce attorney, I decided it was time to try.

What inspired you to write the Divorce and Scared No More series and start the website?

I married my ex-husband on January 14, 1984, in Columbus, Mississippi.  We had 3 children together.  He was a pilot in the U.S. Air Force and we relocated from Columbus, Mississippi to San Antonio, Texas.  That's when I decided to quit my job as a district manager for General Motors Parts Division and became a stay at home mother. We got divorced on our twenty-sixth wedding anniversary – January 14, 2010.  After moving to Houston, I launched the website and became a frequent contributor to various online magazines. Along with co-author Tony Haynes, I published a 3 book series called “Divorced and Scared No More.” My main objective in writing this series was to help others deal with divorce. I consulted therapist and clinical author Justin Nutt, LSCSW, LAC as a technical advisor for the series.

How did you come up with the title?

The name of the series is a continuation of my website.  I named the website as a way to help people understand that there's no reason to be scared after a divorce.  I wanted to help them understand that now is the time to make your life yours and do what you want – the time to create a life where you are in control. If you need help, look to your higher power to forge a new life you will enjoy.

How did you come up with the logo for your books and your website?

The logo design is a broken set of pilot's wings.  My ex-husband was a pilot. When they get their first set of wings in the U.S. Air Force, they break them in half and give one half to someone they love.  They throw the other half away. The point being that those wings will never come together again.  Just like our marriage after the divorce.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

My daughter and two grandchildren live in the Houston area near me.  I love to  watch the wee ones’ activities in my spare time.  My family is my world and I enjoy spending as much time with them as I can.

What tips or words of encouragement do you have for other writers?

No matter what your challenge is while writing, stick with your passion.  Do not listen to others who say you can’t.  If they say you cant, think to yourself: “Wanna bet?”  You can do anything you want to do, just be prepared to work a little harder or to find tools that can help you.

You are an inspiration. Thank's for joining me tonight.

That's all folks. Pick up your copy of Divorce and Scared No More today.

Peace

Kimberly Kaye Interviews L.J. Taylor

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Hi there:

Kimberly Kaye at WFKX 96kix FM radio in Jacksonville, Tennessee interviewed me as their “Author of the Week.”   She was a great interviewer with tons of energy and great personality.  I'm really grateful to have had the opportunity to appear on her show.

We talked about the first two books in my Brooks Sisters Dreams Series – “Just Dreams” and “Dreams Deferred.”  We also talked about my new book – “The Monrovian Affair” – which just came out on pre-order on Amazon.

I'm happy to report that I didn't sound like a maniac although I did  talk a little too fast. I tend to do that when I'm nervous. You can hear the interview for yourself below.

Audio of Kimberly Kaye's Interview of L.J. Taylor

As for me, I'm going to get back to working on publicity, etc. for the release date of “The Monrovian Affair.”  You would not believe all that goes into publishing a book.  I'm also working on finishing the third installment in the Brooks Sisters Dreams Series – “Caged Dreams.”

I've been flirting with the idea of writing a holiday novella featuring the Brooks family.   What do you think?  Send me an e-mail and let me know.

Peace.

Interview of Troy Gathers

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Hi there:

In this installment of the author interview series, I have with me Troy Gathers – an entrepreneur and PhD student who has successfully marketed and sold his products globally. As a youth, Gathers attended eight different grade schools and dealt with the obstacles of constantly moving and being the new kid on the block. Over the course of his teen years, he encountered every type of friend and peer pressure imaginable.  As time progressed, Troy became unaffected by the distractions and focused solely on education and making the grades to excel. Currently, Gathers travels to churches, schools and prisons providing words of encouragement to those who may share in a similar situation.

Take Me With You Cover

 

Tell us a little about yourself and your background?

First, I would like to thank you for inviting me to speak to your subscribers and those that support your platform. My name is Troy Gathers and I am from the great City of Charleston in South Carolina. My background is in Psychology and I have been writing since grade school. I decided to release my first book titled “Take Me With You,” because I believe the time is now. Initially I wanted to release a book while in my undergraduate studies but I started a business around that time and my focus was on building my foundation in business. Fast forward to today, I have gained more knowledge and insight to share with my readers and I believe the words are more potent today than they would have been back then.

Which writers inspire you?

I am inspired by many authors but my favorites are John Maxwell, Dr. Stephen Covey, Zig Ziglar, Les Brown, and Dr. Myles Monroe. These authors are elite in my opinion and will change your entire perception of the world if you're ready to be encouraged. Don’t just take my word for it, check them out.

What is your favorite quote/motivational phrase?

My favorite quote is by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Not everybody can be famous but everybody can be great, because greatness is determined by service.”  The first time I saw this quote it was on the memorial wall on the campus of South Carolina State University and it really made me think. The Big picture in life is greatness not anything artificial.

Where do your ideas come from?

My ideas come from my life experiences. I’ve been very blessed to travel thoroughly and I have met tons of really great people. Throughout my travels I’ve tapped into many different ideologies and mentalities. Once you're exposed to greatness, it’s very hard to turn away. God has positioned me perfectly in this lifetime and I’m appreciative.

Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven’t included?

Yes. I’m an advocate on staying positive and blocking out negative influences. I just want the people reading this – especially the youth – to understand that whatever is standing in your way is simply a distraction. No one can hold you back but you. Don’t let the naysayers get you off your A game. Stay sharp and stay authentic.

Where can we buy Take Me With You?

Take Me With You is currently available on Amazon.com and Kindle for purchase. We are currently working out an agreement with Barnes and Noble. By the time this is released it will be available on all major online retailers:

How can readers discover more about you and you work?

The best place to keep up with my literary works is on the Facebook page for Take Me With You. Visit  and be sure to like the page and engage. It’s me. I’ll answer as soon as I can.

Many thanks to Troy Gathers for agreeing to be interviewed and providing his inspirational message.  I hope you enjoyed it.

Peace.

Interview of Keli Lenfield

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Hi there:

Welcome to the second installment of my author interview series. Today, I have Keli Lenfield with me, author of “Everyone Is A Supermodel: Secrets For Any Career Based On My Modelling Experiences.”

Keli Lenfield

In addition to being an author, Keli Lenfield is a collaborator and the founder of www.kelilenfield.com.  As a published author, course developer, internationally accredited achievement coach, and workshop facilitator, she focuses on raising awareness, improving intercultural understanding, and helping others find their talents and achieve their successful careers.

Tell us a little about yourself and your background.

Born to an Estonian father and a Danish mother, I grew up in Canberra, Australia. I began dancing when I was 3 and made it to the Australian youth ballet when I was 12. When I became too tall for the Australian ballet, I started modelling. By the time I was 17 I was doing more catwalk shows than study, so I completed my IB at college and went on to study in Paris at the Sorbonne University. Modelling again became part of my life and I ended up walking on the international circuit until bulemia took hold and I was back in Canberra on suicide watch. A number of abusive relationships followed until I had my son and chose to be a single mother. This is when I began to write.

So, what have you written?

I have written a Certificate II course aimed for national accreditation here in Australia as well as my first book “Everyone is a Supermodel. Secrets for any career based on my modelling experiences.”

What made you decide to sit down and actually start something?

I was 36, a single mother, in serious debt and back home with my parents. I needed to start something that could keep me at home with him and help people at the same time. So I started on an intense personal development journey, used my background in vocational education and began writing down my last 20 years' experience in the most competitive industry on the planet!

Where do the your ideas come from?

Lately, my ideas have been extension of my book and how personal branding is essential to differentiate yourself. I also get my ideas from situations that annoy me and go against my social entrepreneur side that sees greed and industry treating people badly – especially in the modelling industry. I am researching my next book about social sustainability which is a whole other interview 🙂

Who edited your book and how did you select him/her?

As part of my writing practise I joined sourcebottle.com and answered an ad for some articles about body image and health. The enquirer was Nicole Russin-McFarland from New York and the articles were for her magazine The Comeback UK. She liked my articles and posted them. We stayed in touch and about 18 months later Nicole contacted me and asked what was happening with my then shelved book? We negotiated terms, she edited my book and has been my publisher and publicist ever since. She is remarkable, creative, tireless, focused, generous, dynamic, sassy and very clever!

What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?

I have learned that any review good or bad is great for exposure and growth. Like any type of feedback you have to put it in perspective and use your power of choice to either take it on or ignore it.

What is your favorite positive saying?

My tagline – “Be the Difference to make a Difference.”

Any tips on what to do and what not to do?

Really dig deep and discover why you want to do something, even if you don't know what you want. Be brave and stay true to yourself and express your own voice in whatever form. Don't take negative feedback too personally. Listening to someone who hasn't done what you have done is a complete waste of your time and your energy.

How can readers discover more about you and you work?

Everything about me is available for view and contact at www.kelilenfield.com

Thanks to Keli Lenfield for agreeing to an author interview and giving us some insight into her important work.  I hope that you enjoyed it.

Peace.

Interview of Ken Williams

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Hi there:

Today, I have the pleasure of bringing you the interview of Ken Williams, a Santa Barbara author who writes books about the homeless. His latest book, “Fractured Angel,” deals with the homeless in California.

Ken Williams

Tell us a little about yourself and your background

I was a social worker for the homeless in Santa Barbara, California for thirty years. My main clientele were the mentally ill, the physically disabled, those impacted by drugs and alcohols, families and veterans. I now write full time.

Which writers inspire you?

I was greatly impacted by John Steinbeck. Also, the author of: I NEVER PROMISED YOU A ROSE GARDEN. I read this novel after being medivaced to the hospital ship, USS REPOSE in 1969 during the Vietnam War. This novel of a teenager suffering her first psychotic break helped me see beyond the horrors of that hospital ship and the war, and launched my life-long desire to work with the mentally ill. The book changed my life by giving it direction. It also taught me the incredible power of the novel to influence the individual. Later, I would come to appreciate the novel’s ability to move society. President Abraham Lincoln is quoted as saying to Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author of UNCLE TOM’S CABIN: “So you are the little woman who wrote the book that started this great war.”

So, what have you written?

CHINA WHITE: During the Vietnam War, a CIA field agent becomes addicted to the adrenaline rush of combat. Now, thirty years later, this need for the rush collides with his attempt to resurrect the old pipelines for China White from the Golden Triangle. This interplay forces two men who were enemies during the war-an ex-Marine and an ex-North Vietnamese soldier-to work together when this highly potent form of heroin brings death and destruction to their community.

SHATTERED DREAMS, A STORY OF THE STREETS: Shattered Dreams is a memorable story about the pain, fears, hopes, and dreams of the homeless and those who commit their lives to serving them. It portrays the human side of the mentally ill who find the streets their home.

THERE MUST BE HONOR: In one of the world’s most beautiful places, amid swaying palms and ocean breezes, Ken Williams battles death and hopelessness. In There Must Be Honor, Ken traces a journey behind the golden façade of Santa Barbara’s scenery and into the panting heart of its streets.

FRACTURED ANGEL, How would you go about trying to help your daughter who, suffering her first psychotic break at fifteen, is chased by her wounded mind to the streets of Santa Barbara? FRACTURED ANGEL is my newest novel.

I've written several other unpublished novels, screenplays, short stories and poems. All my published books can be bought on amazon.com, kenwilliams-writer.com and other outlets. To see my blog, stories and poems, please visit my website.

Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?

Kerry Wilson is a Marine combat veteran who is haunted by the war. He has not only dedicated his life in helping the mentally ill homeless but finds refuge in that work. When Lynne Swanson arrives in Santa Barbara to look for her mentally ill homeless daughter, it sets into motion a series of events that forces Kerry to realize just how much he has hidden his pain and loneliness in his work.

What are you working on at the moment?

GAIA’S REVOLT takes place a few years in the future. Global Warming has let to constant war for energy resources while frying the planet. The economy of the United States and the world have been severely impacted leading to ever increasing polarization between the rich and the have-nots, widespread homelessness, poverty and an increasingly belligerent corporate elite. Devastating extreme weather events hammers the planet. In this background regular people struggle as they always have to work, provide food and shelter to themselves, families and people they care about.

When did you decide to become a writer?

A Hollywood scriptwriter attended a lecture I was giving. He came up to me and said that the stories I used to illustrate my talk would make a great script. I wrote several scripts then started writing novels. I also write articles, poems, and opinion pieces for various news outlets.

Why do you write?

A really good question! For several years, I've kept journals. I began journal writing when I realized that I was beginning to forget the particulars of my homeless clients who have died. During the AIDS and crack epidemics I was losing three to four clients/friends a month. Writing about them, their circumstances, who they were was like a pressure cooker being released. Since then, a friend of mine has inscribed the names of my homeless clients/friends who have died in Santa Barbara on a wall in his house. Over three hundred names are on that wall! Their memories give me inspiration to write. Their stories, even though fictionalized deserve to be heard.  Authors, artists and those with a caring heart must address this national disgrace. The political establishment will never come to grips with this issue unless we force them to. Much as the GRAPES OF WRAITH, THE JUNGLE and UNCLE TOM’S CABIN forced society to face the issues of their day, I hope my novels can likewise play such a role.

Many thanks to Ken Williams for agreeing to be interviewed and talking about this very important topic.  For more information about him and his books, visit http://www.kenwilliams-writer.com/

I hope you enjoyed this first installment of my new author interview series.  There will be more to follow.

Peace.

 

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