10 QUESTIONS FOR…Pulitzer-nominated author Ric Morgan

Author interview with Ric Morgan

As an award-winning and -nominated writer, I have been living amongst the bears on the edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee for the last eight years. Indiana University Press published my first book, The Train Of Tomorrow, in 2007.

1. Tell us about your latest book.

The Keys: The Textbook to a Successful Life is an easy-to-read and understand 80-page power-packed, life changer. It is about the K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple and Smart) philosophy and talks about three major keys…thought, choice and action…plus a smaller secret key, and a set of lessons that will help you learn how to live a smarter, simpler and saner life. The book is under consideration for a 2009 Pulitzer Prize in General Nonfiction and is up for two 2009 Nautilus Book Awards. There are several editions available including one in large-print, an e-Book and one called The Keys for Teens. Radio talk-show host, John Fleming called the book a condensation of the “Wisdom of the Ages in an easy to read book with a lot of clarity. The amount of wisdom is astonishing.” Don McCauley, Business Executive and Radio Host, says, “Whatever that elusive ‘it’ might be we collectively seek, Ric Morgan has found ‘it’. I am amazed at his ability to take complex roadblocks to success and offer simple, easy to understand solutions that can be implemented easily and immediately. Ric offers an easy, step-by-step approach. He is a consummate public speaker, motivator and teacher whose ability is to communicate to his listeners the simple keys of life. Pay attention to this man…” The book is published by SimpleWords Press.

2. How did you get started as a writer?

By accident years ago. It was never something I set out to do, but got caught up in it. As a matter of fact I hate to write, but for many, many years people have told me I was a good writer.

3. What does a typical day look like for you?

I have so many things I do besides write I don’t write everyday…only when I feel like it, even if facing a deadline for a magazine or newspaper article.

I have decided that I am going to change that. Monday and Tuesday, do the research, Wednesday and Thursday, write, and Friday, proof-read, edit and submit.

4. Describe your desk/workspace.

BIG desk, with an All-In-One (AIO) printer, talking book machine, 17” large screen laptop and a little space for the thing that wind up on my desk and need attention. I sit looking out a window at the surrounding mountains, noting the ever-changing weather and seasons.

5. Favorite books (especially for writers)

Anything by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and O. Henry.

6. Tell us 3 interesting/crazy things about you

I see the humor in EVERYTHING. I have a very odd sense of humor, and people laugh a lot of times at what I say when I don’t think it’s so funny.

I am held up, by many people, as someone very special, full of courage and wisdom, and yet, I see my self as a low-maintenance average guy.

I love to go naked. (Others don’t think so because I’m fat.)

7. Favorite quote

You are what you think about all day long. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

It’s true….

8. Best and worst part of being a writer

WORST – I hate writing.

BEST – I like the fame that has come to me as the result of it.

9. Advice for other writers

Write…write…write, and read, read, read writers you think do it well.

I don’t understand why people think it is so hard to figure out what to write about when there is so much going on in this world. Take a photo you like and write about what you see. Look at a house, or building, and write about what you think is going on inside. I have more ideas than I’ll ever be able to write about, and it should be that way with every writer.

10. Tell us a story about your writing experience.

There is nothing better than to get feedback from a reader of your book that says that what you wrote saved or changed their life…literally. To be able to reach out to someone who is in pain, or going through a difficult period in their life through your words on the written page, makes all the effort in writing and everything else associated with a book worth it.

Where can people buy your book?

The Keys: The Textbook to a Successful Life – http://thegreatkisser.com

Buy the book on the website ($10, autographed and shipped free) instead of Amazon ($15, plus shipping).

Blog – Just Some Thoughts (http://ric-morgan.blogspot.com) is going to gear up again on March 1, 2009.

 

10 QUESTIONS FOR…Mitch Temple, author of “The Marriage Turnaround”

Author interview with Mitch Temple

1. Tell us about your latest book. 

It’s called The Marriage Turnaround: How Thinking Differently About Your Relationship Can Change Everything.  As I have worked with couples through the years I have noticed that most marriage books focus on behavior: “5 Steps to better intimacy”; “3 Steps to resolving conflict.” But what about attitudes, expectations and beliefs in marriage? Psychology 101 teaches us that these things definitely affect how we feel and behave. Same is true in marriage. I discovered this principle in my own marriage as well couples who were thinking about walking out.  If our thinking is wrong, our beliefs and expectations based on the wrong things the outcomes will typically be less than desired.  So a good place to start in turning a bad marriage around or taking a good one to the next level is make sure that our expectations, beliefs and thinking is accurate and realistic.  This book identifies over 10 common myths that many couples buy into today.  We tackle the myths and help couples replace the bad thinking with more realistic ones.  My writing style reflects the real me. I am a guy who celebrates common sense and practical things and who is doesn’t like books that buzz way over the heads of its readers.  I use a lot of stories, humor and practical common sense stuff to help husbands and wife start “thinking” about what makes a successful marriage and not simply emoting and reacting all over the place. 

2. How did you get started as a writer? I

had all these great ideas about books and kept pushing them to friends of mine who were well recognized writers and their response was always: “You write it, dummy.” So, I did.  I didn’t see myself as a writer because I slept consistently through High School and College English. Another thing that was against me was that I am from the south.  However, I am a very creative person and I enjoy helping people see things about themselves, life and marriage that they possibly overlook in the everyday rat race.  I also had a younger friend was an editor and English major. She kept telling me “Mitch, just write! It don’t have to be pretty, just write.” I took her advice and started putting pen to paper and fingers to key boards and years later topics, patterns and ideas began to emerge.

3. What does a typical day look like for you? 

I am the Director for a large international nonprofit so my day begins early and often ends late. However, I write at least some every day: during a break, during work or in the evenings and weekends. I have found that daily blogging helps me keep my writing fresh and provides some great ideas for other books. I am contracted to write another book for the publisher of The Marriage Turnaround, so my fingers are pointed in accomplishing that goal. 

My day begins in the evenings upon returning home by kissing my wife, talking about her day and mine (when she lets me), talking to each of my practically grown kids and then going out on the deck with a cup of coffee and leaning back in my gravity defying chair staring out at the Colorado Rockies watching the sun go down.  That is my daily therapy and occasionally a few good book ideas will float past me in the process. 

4. Describe your desk/workspace. 

Moderately cluttered. But my intentions are clean.  Everyone is in a cube at work so dreams of a nicely decorated office with a door is not realistic for me.  I once had the nice office and door for about 14 years. I miss it. However, I have a corner cube so I get to hear everyone’s gossips and complaints.  Provides great stories for my books.  At home, I grab a quite place usually situated by a window for Mountain Inspiration in the basement or an unoccupied bedroom.  My daughter and 10 month old granddaughter have been living with us while our son in law has been serving in Iraq.  So, peace and quite has to be sought after creatively which often includes closets, typing out on the deck in freezing weather, ear plugs and long bathroom visits.  The vent fan provides great white noise.

5. Favorite books (especially for writers).

Bird by Bird (Anne Lamont); Favorite Poems by Robert Frost; anything by Garrison Keiler.

6. Tell us 3 interesting/crazy things about you- 

One of my friends was one of the band members for Lynard Skynard; I love to help hurting people, and I once won a Prize Ribbon at the local horse show for chasing down a goat and tying him up the fastest.

7. Favorite quote:  

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.”

8. Best and worst part of being a writer: 

Best part: having permission to look deep into your heart and pull out the stuff that you would never say out loud with hopes that your vulnerability and realness will bring help and direction to others.  Worst part: the carpal tunnel, ongoing neck and back pain and criticism from rude people who don’t know your own heart as well as you do.

9. Advice for other writers:

Write. Write. Write. You don’t have to have an outline or solid ideas, just let the words seep out of your relaxed thoughts.  Save everything- notes on McDonald’s napkins, notes you wrote to your spouse and kids and even writing pieces you felt were terrible. Everything can be valuable later, down the road.  Listen to your critic’s but go with your gut and heart. 

10. Tell us a story about your writing experience. 

I got a call from a publisher friend who turned me down: “Let me give you some advice, don’t pursue this. You have other talents, pursue those.  Some of us have it, some don’t. I am sure you will help a lot of people in other ways. Hope this doesn’t hurt your feelings.”   I got a call from a much larger publisher three days later and they asked me to sign a two book contract with a major marketing promise.  What a dumb head! Glad I didn’t listen to him.

Where can people buy your books?

Buy The Marriage Turnaround online at Amazon.com or your local book retailer.  Visit Mitchtempleonline.com to read an excerpt from the book and read blog posts and articles from Mitch.  

10 QUESTIONS FOR…self-help/inspirational author Karen Sherman, Ph.D.

Author interview with Karen Sherman, Ph.D.

  Most of my time is spent as a practicing Psychologist and also teaching.  But I love to do lots of things rather than the same routine.  After lots of different experiences, I felt the need to share them with others and felt the best way to do it was through a book.  Initially, I co-authored “Marriage Magic! Find It, Keep It, and Make It Last” to help couples rejuvenate their stale relationships.  I tend to write about what I have experienced.  I also write for various websites regarding relationships, which is one of my specialties.

1. Tell us about your latest book. 

My latest book, “Mindfulness and The Art of Choice: Transform Your Life” is a self-help book that enables the reader to get past their past.  It’s the result of a personal journey that was quite devastating from which I recovered with a lot of lessons on how to live a life of choice, a life of joy rather than being a prisoner to your past.  After going through such an experience, I felt compelled to share with others what I had learned so that they, too, could live a better life.

2. How did you get started as a writer? 

As I said, after going through my own experiences I guess I was a bit egotistical in thinking others could benefit from what I had learned!

3. What does a typical day look like for you? 

Each day varies – which I love.  But generally, it’s a mix between seeing clients, teaching, writing, and Fridays is left for watching my grandson.  That’s really the best day of the week.

4. Describe your desk/workspace. 

Organized clutter.  I can find anything as long as I don’t get frustrated going through the piles.

5. Favorite books (especially for writers). 

Just about anything Deepak Chopra has written and I have fun with James Patterson’s Alex Cross series when on vacation.

6. Tell us 3 interesting/crazy things about you. 

     –  As a psychologist, I’m a bit unusual in that I’m willing to share personal information if I think it will benefit the client.

    –  My next book is about in-laws.  Yep – you got it, another experience I’m going through that I think might help others.

    –   I couldn’t care less if alcohol was never on the face of this planet again; but bagels and ice cream – not that’s a whole different thing!

7. Favorite quote:  “I took the road less traveled and that has made all of the difference.” (Robert Frost)

8. Best and worst part of being a writer

     Best – People hold you in high regard.

     Worst – Marketing the book so you can get your message out.

9. Advice for other writers: 

It’s true what is said – writing the book is the easy part; getting it published and marketing it is the real work.  You need to be persistent and believe in what you have to offer.

10. Tell us a story about your writing experience. 

After self-publishing my first book, I decided to go the more traditional route for the second one.  It was a challenge finding an agent to represent me (also part of the process).  I still remember the day he signed me on – I felt so validated – someone believed in my work!  A year and a half later, though there had been a couple of bites, none of the larger houses wanted to take me on.  Supposedly, my title wasn’t sexy enough.  My agent and I parted ways – certainly not the same exhilarating feeling as the initial one.

A small independent house, however, showed an interest in publishing my book.  I was apprehensive in signing on with them.  But I had heard all sorts of stories about how I would still be required to do a large portion of the market with a large publishing house and that if the book didn’t take off in 90 days, it would be problematic. 

So I took the risk and signed.  I have such a nice relationship with the company and get such personal attention and backing.  I’ve never regretted it!

 Where can people buy your book?

My book can be purchased through any online bookstore (Amazon.com, Borders.com, Barnes&Noble.com) or through either of my sites: www.drkarensherman.com or www.ChoiceRelationships.com.