A Cleaner Ocean

Sullie Saves The Seas

Goffinet McLaren is on a serious mission! Her enthusiasm for the topic that resides deeply in her heart is hard to ignore. This feisty author and Pawleys Island, SC resident strives to raise awareness about the negative impact of plastic pollution that is so prevalent in our society today.

Goffinet McLaren

I met Goffinet a couple of years ago when she walked into a publishing workshop that I was teaching at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Coastal Carolina University’s Litchfield, SC location. Navigating the Publishing Highway was a class that I had developed to help people understand exactly what their publishing options are today, provide the facts and allow them to decide on an informed course of action for their particular projects.

Goffinet told us about her wonderful idea for a book, and she had already begun roughing out a manuscript. She wanted to learn more about publishing options, and she wowed everyone in the class with her adorable Irish accent and the information that she passionately shared. She explained that until people are presented with the facts, many do not realize that, at alarming rates, plastic ingestion is harming and killing our ocean wildlife.

Her book is now a reality, and although Sullie Saves the Seas is targeted at educating children, the powerful message it conveys is a subtle warning to adults as well.

I asked Goffinet two important questions:

1-What is most difficult about publishing a book?

The most difficult thing about publishing Sullie was knowing that I had very important information to impart to children and their parents, but being unable to find a traditional publisher to pay attention. Having read some books that were best sellers, I felt that Sullie had a much more substantial message and could be become a real icon for cleaner oceans, if given a chance.

2-What is the most rewarding aspect?

The most rewarding aspect of publishing the book was knowing that now I could spread the word about the damage that plastic is creating in our oceans and to marine life. And Sullie could  tell children about his mission.

Written from Sullie the Seagull's point of view and featuring his bird friends of the Secret Society, this book tells the story of beach litter and presents the startling revelation of the proven existence of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an enormous collection of plastic waste that threatens the ocean environment and its inhabitants. While it tells a compelling tale, it also offers a complete list of suggestions for eliminating as much plastic waste from our world as possible.

You will want to obtain a copy of Sullie Saves the Seas for your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews so they will understand these critical issues, but please take the time to read it for yourself—for the benefit of our planet!

Look for Sullie at Litchfield Books in Litchfield, SC or on Amazon at:

 http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Sullie+saves+the+Seas. 

Also available on Kindle!

7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing:

I had the recent privilege of speaking to a wonderful group of ladies (and one gentleman) at a meeting of the Archibald Rutledge Club (a private book club) in Murrells Inlet. What a friendly, receptive group! A few shared some of their family history bits and pieces, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them. I love having the opportunity to speak to small groups about the importance of preserving our life stories while it is possible to do so. We can't rewind.

Inspiration: 

In Never Say Perfect, Laina Strickland (normally very upbeat and positive) becomes involved in a tragedy that has shaken her life upside down and caused her to plunge deeply into a pit of depression for a period of time. Her friends come to her rescue and propel her from her state of despair. Do you have a friend who has lost a loved one and you really don't know what to say or do to help them? Please don't just ignore them because that's the easiest way to handle it. Certainly, it's difficult to know when it might be a good time to call or stop by. At least send them an occasional "Thinking of You" card, or an email or text. Just let them know they are in your thoughts and prayers. See if they would like to go to lunch or a movie when the time is right. They may just be feeling incredibly lonely, and your contact with them could be exactly the boost that they need today. Be an encourager, and the benefits come straight back to your heart.

See you soon with more author interviews and chats with fascinating people!!

Best of my love,

   Mary Anne

Becoming a Turtle

Well, I can hardly believe that I have three books out there now for the world to read! I'm so thankful for every single person who has been so supportive and enthusiastic about my work and to those who help spread the word, I am eternally grateful! All three books are available on Amazon, Nook and Kindle, and there will be more publications in the future. Thanks again to fans and to friends old and new!

Today, I'd like to feature Dr. David W. Powers, author of a fascinating book about his travels. Not only does he chronicle his literal paths, but he also offers his straight forward thoughts and observations with no sugar coating attached. 

The following is my book review and a special interview with Dr. Powers:

Becoming a Turtle

If someone asked you what animal most closely represents your personality and approach to life, what would it be? Would you choose the intimidating tiger, stalking its prey? Would the vision of a tiny, adorable Yorkie with a pink bow in her hair, hopping around on miniature legs and waiting for someone to pat her on the head be your choice? How about a graceful dolphin, skimming along the open ocean waters on a brilliantly sunny day?

Interestingly, Dr. David W. Powers opted for the turtle as his symbol of personal likeness. In his book, Becoming a Turtle: My Journey Across North America, he not only explains his similarities to the turtle, but also takes us on an amazing journey. He was engaged in a solo automobile trip from South Carolina to Alaska commencing May 26, 1999 in his 1991 Ford Explorer named Betsy, otherwise known as his "turtle shell." With 168,903 miles already logged on Betsy, it was intriguing to see exactly how far the shell would actually be transporting this turtle.

His extensive journey was not merely a wanderlust-induced road trip, but was also fueled by the ultimate purpose of participating in an Alaskan marathon that would benefit The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. There would be may miles to cover before reaching intended objective.

Complete with “Event Stops,” which were special breaks in the trip that were pre-planned for visiting friends, family, parks and important landmarks, Dr. Powers provided a day by day diary of his adventures, informing us of many fascinating facts and opinions about a wide variety of locations along his path.  His sidebars offer information about different types of turtles, as well as key data about “must see” stops that he had encountered.

As a passionate travel lover, I could truly appreciate that he had taken the time to include details and helpful information as seen through the eyes of an enthusiastic and curiosity-driven turtle. Part of the adventure, as he points out in the book, is in the numerous characters one meets during the journey.

Don’t think for a moment that this turtle was living it up in the shell of luxury. He actually opted to spend most nights sleeping (or not) in his shell, Betsy, having parked in truck stops and campgrounds. So much for the thrill of the open road!! He even offers valuable tips of hygiene rules for travelers.

One would expect that his story would end on Day 46, which was July 12, 1999; however, he surprises the reader with an Epilogue bonus accounting of an ambitious climb of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa.

I enjoyed the vivid descriptions, factual information and personal observations during his travels, as well as his habit of displaying his Christian flag to commemorate special moments. If you’ve ever had a desire to pack up your vehicle and head out on the open roads, you will absolutely devour this book! Visit http://www.drdavidpowers.com for additional information. LINK to purchase Becoming a Turtle is:

http://stores.ebay.com/Museum-of-Unnatural-History/_i.html?_nkw=becoming&_sid=10428586

Interview with Dr. David W. Powers

                  Q. From reading your Web site, it appears that you are all of these:

     Author, mountain climber, professional scuba diver, founder/Pastor of The Pilgrimage Church, martial art black belt, civilian and military combat paramedic, veteran of two branches of military service-Marines & Army, founding member of the Department of Homeland Security, trained improv actor, long distance marathon runner, bicyclist, husband, dad to three feral boys.You speak to groups on Teamwork, goal setting, perseverance and inspiration with a “get off your butt and do something” theme. Is there anything you’d like to add to these? You sound like someone with some amazing stories to write!

   A.  I'm definitely not a 'motivational' speaker, but I do love inspiring people to do something more, bigger, or better.

                 Q. I read that you are Founder/Pastor of The Pilgrimage Church-Could you elaborate more about this? A little bit of history of the church and its statement of faith?

   A. We started on January 1, 2012, the first day of the year that the Mayans told us the world would end. We're non-denominational, more of a community church model, and very non-traditional in how we do things. Our focus is on social justice efforts, living out our faith in action. Our philosophy is that we're not a church, but a movement where church happens.

              Q. I saw Becoming a Turtle—My Journey Across North America being offered on your Web site. Can you elaborate about the book? What message are you conveying in the book?

  A. The book was written after I set off on a three month solo journey by automobile across North America. I drove from Myrtle Beach to Anchorage Alaska to run a marathon. Three months by myself, sleeping out of my car like a vagabond. It was an awesome adventure, and the book tells about it.

4            Q. Have you written other books that are available?

  A. I have written several other books. One is on my Africa trip when I summited Mt. Kilimanjaro. In your line of work, another of my books is the collected stories and illustrations of my grandfather, a World War II Marine Corps veteran.

5      Q. What is the main message that you would like to convey to people through your business?

   A. My main message that I try to convey through everything is that you have to find life balance before you can really enjoy life.

6       Q. You certainly are an action kind of guy—briefly, what journey has led you to where you are today?

  

A. I was inspired early on by my heritage. My people were Vikings, always exploring and seeking new lands. After all, it was the Vikings that first discovered the New World. That's in my blood and comes out as a wanderlust that keeps me wanting to travel and try new things.   

Q. What makes Dr. David Powers smile? 

I smile so much when my kids do silly things. They'll draw pics of me fighting zombies or these big huge superhero parties. Or they'll say the funniest things.

8          Q. After such a diversified background, what would surprise us about you?

      A. I'm a softie and love romantic comedies.

Thank you for visiting today! May God richly bless you and keep you safe in His loving arms.

   Mary Anne

Second Chance

Author Interview with Eileen Hinkle Rife

Today's post features author, Eileen Hinkle Rife, and her new book, Second Chance. Eileen tells us that "Second Chance is the poignant story of middle age, surprising friendships and unexpected places."

A brief synopsis is: Mave Robertson, a recent empty nester, wants the fire back in her marriage, but her husband, Jerry, remains aloof. Is he having an affair? A midlife crisis? When a neighbor suggests she "get a life," Mave accepts the challenge and volunteers at an inner-city teen ministry where she is thrown into a culture of drugs, gangs and unwed teen moms. She soon discovers someone she can help, but might he also be the cure for both her stale marriage and her crumbling relationship with her father?

One theme in Second Chance that was close to Eileen's heart is having purpose in the second half of life. Eileen said, "My central character, Mave, spends her adult life rearing her children. Now that they're grown and out of the home, she wonders if her best days are over. Her neighbor helps her see that she can enjoy midlife if she'll get involved in something bigger than herself. Maintaining a meaningful purpose in every season of life is central to our well-being, and thus a powerful theme in Second Chance."

She continued, "Another theme is redemption. Mave, her husband Jerry, and Dareece (a teen from the projects) come together on the common ground of needing to forgive their fathers for past abuse. This theme bridges social and economic status, helping the reader realize that whether s/he lives in a middle class neighborhood or the projects, s/he can still struggle with some of the same fundamental issues of life."

I like to look deeply into the hearts of the authors I interview, and Eileen didn't disappoint me. In fact, her answers to my questions brought a golf ball-sized lump into my throat and a mist to my eyes as I frequently struggle with doing everything my way, in my power, in my time and of my choosing instead of being careful to inquire with God to see if I'm on His path rather than my own. Her answers reminded me of how important it is to remember that all of our efforts are to His glory and not our own.

The following are my questions and Eileen's inspiring answers:

1-I understand that the idea for Second Chance was born out of your desire to raise awareness about Roanoke Valley's Straight Street, an inner-city teen ministry where your son-in-law and daughter serve full-time. I'd love to hear more about Straight Street. How long has it been there, what programs do they offer and exactly what do they do for teens?

Straight Street of the Roanoke Valley in Virginia was started by Keith and Heather Farmer 17 years ago. The ministry exists to reach out to lost and hurting teens and their families with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their ministries include a weekend drop-in center where teens come to play games and participate in "Straight Talk" when staff and speakers share a devotional and/or testimony about what the Lord has done in their lives. SS also hosts a TeenMOPS program on the first and third Mondays of every month. Multiple unwed teen moms have been cared for--instructed in childcare, equipped with supplies and loved into God's kingdom. A prison ministry reaches out to incarcerated parents and teens. Also, SS ministers weekly at a local detention home where staff spend time with the teens, pray with them and share the hope and healing found in Jesus Christ. SS also adopted one of Roanoke's local parks where they host block parties and fun days as a means of outreach to the inner-city community. Local churches often assist in the ministry as a way of bridging the gap between para-church ministry and local church ministry. The goal is to funnel the kids into the local church. For more information about Straight Street, log onto www.straightstreet.org.

2-I loved the idea that your central character, Mave, wants to give back to her community during the second half of her life--that she is seeing life from a perspective that she has never before experienced. How do you recommend that others proceed in stepping out of their comfort zones and into action for others with whom they might not otherwise (from a socioeconomic standpoint) ever come in contact?
I believe outreach of any kind must begin with prayer. I encourage women to ask the Lord to place on their hearts the burden He wants them to carry. Since He's much more concerned about the world around us than we are, He will be faithful to distribute "passion" as He sees fit. Often, He will do so in accordance with our unique personalities, interests and giftedness. At other times, He will lay a burden on our hearts that is totally new and foreign to us, as He did in the case of my character, Mave.


We might respond, "Whoa, what's up with that? Not sure I can do that, or go there."


It's at this critical crossroads that we sometimes falter. We've felt the heart tug, but to actually follow through takes initiative, courage and action. And mega-doses of trust in the One who guides the entire process. If we surrender to His guidance, He will be faithful to equip us for the platform that will carry out His purpose: to share the love of Jesus.


After we sense God's leading, we begin asking questions, seeking out information. It's amazing how the Lord will bring people into our paths who have a connection to our burden. At this point, the pieces will begin to fall into place, as we have the courage to walk through the door God opens.


That open door may be gathering a group to pray. It may be giving (money and/or supplies--diapers, bottles, food). It may be rolling up our sleeves and getting directly involved in serving food to the homeless, or playing games with inner-city youth, or listening to an unwed teen mom share her anxiety, or counseling at-risk teens, or painting a room or leading a devotional. Whatever the role you feel God wants you to pursue, do it.


Prayer, courage, trust, research, action. It takes individual initiative at every turn!

3-What has your empty nest experience entailed?
If I could sum up my empty nest experience in one word, it would be: relinquishment!


But that lesson didn't come easily. I struggled, wept and grappled for control. But the Lord used the empty nest to press me deeper into Him. And helped me develop a stronger relationship with Him as my provider, protector and lover. Now, most mornings you can find me in my prayer chair gazing out the window with hands uplifted in an act of release to Him.

But it's been a journey over the past ten years...


When my oldest daughter, Rachel, graduated home school in 1997 and seven years later left for India as a career missionary, I entered a period of transition. As I moved my other two daughters through schooling and into the world, cared for aging parents, entered menopause, lost my mother and helped my husband start a new business, I felt overwhelmed and out of control. Life seemed to be moving faster than my ability to cope.


While I knew in my heart the girls would eventually leave home, I wasn't fully prepared for what that would mean. My role as a full-time mother was over.


I'm so thankful God gave me the passion to write and speak a few years before Rachel graduated. I had already invested time and energy in growing my abilities and platform so that when the nest emptied, I had purpose--something bigger than myself to invest in.


Still, I struggled with depression that first year after our youngest left home. I needed something new for just my husband, Chuck, and me.


That new thing was dancing, much to his chagrin. But he humored me. Even purchased a dance instruction video a few months after I expressed my desire. Since that time, we've taken lessons on occasion. If you peek into our living room window at night, you might catch us practicing a step or two.


After almost 36 years of marriage, we still have trouble leading and following at times. Yes, dancing can open up some other areas that need work. Mostly, it's prompted us to look eyeball to eyeball. What's not to love about that?


The empty nest also forced me to develop deeper friendships with other women--so vital for adjustment in the transitions of life especially.


Today, my three daughters are married, all mommies and serving in full-time Christian ministries alongside their husbands. Their burdens have inspired much of my fiction writing thus far: The Born for India trilogy and Second Chance. My six grandchildren, ages five and under, provide further motivation to leave a godly legacy to the next generation.


Truly, there is life after kids! God showed up with many sweet surprises for me! Made me feel ashamed, like a puppy with her tail between her legs, for pitching such a fit in that transition time of life. If we wait on the Lord, He will fill up the empty places in our hearts. I think the key is relinquishment, continually releasing everything and everyone to Him, knowing He has our best interests and His kingdom purposes in mind.

Eileen, thank you so much for spending this time with us today. You have been incredibly direct and honest, and you have touched my heart. I know that your inspiring words will touch many others as well.


Please visit Eileen Rife at www.eileenrife.com and www.eileen-rife.blogspot.com and allow Second Chance to warm your heart and stir your soul!

Special Note:

Never Say Perfect and 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time! are both now available for your reading pleasure.  Visit www.awriterspresence.com for the links to all formats. I'd love to hear your thoughts after reading these books.

Walk in His light today!
    Mary Anne

Amazing Writing Connections

This Writing Life:

I absolutely LOVE connecting with other authors. We all share the same concerns:
1-The Time Factor-Basically, there are not enough hours in the day for everything we are trying to accomplish!
2-We need quiet time in order to be productive.
3-To self-publish or continue seeking an agent/publisher?
4-Formatting, editing, proofreading...our eyes are crossing!
5-Effectively marketing and promoting our books--no effort equals no sales.
6-Concerted exertion to write quality books that will attract readers who don't personally know us.

The list could go on and on, but the Internet is an amazing tool. Through Social Media sites, it is easy to connect with others who struggle with the same trials and challenges. The benefit is an exchange that enables us to help one another in marketing and promotion, and to ascertain that we are not alone.

Through an awesome authors' Facebook Group, Grace & Faith Author Connection, I met Sharon Srock, who writes a blog especially for avid readers, as opposed to an audience of other writers. Not only do I appreciate Sharon's calling to write about faith-based circumstances, but I love her vivid imagination!

When I first viewed her blog at http://www.womenofvalleyview.blogspot.com, I seriously thought that she had gathered a few friends to collaborate and contribute to the blog. It is very helpful to read her "In the Beginning" post, as it explains the actual identities of the fictional contributors. I discovered that it pays to read everything carefully and not skim and assume!

Her contributors are Callie, Pam, Terri and Karla--the four original women in her book series. Sharon has a contract with Harbourlight for the first two books in her series. She is hopeful that The Women of Valley View: Callie will be released by Christmas, 2012 and that The Women of Valley View: Terri will be a 2013 release. She is also working on a short Valley View Christmas story.

Don't get the idea that all Sharon does is sit around writing all day, however! She works full time at a local Air Force Base and sells Avon. She has been married to Larry for seventeen years, has two daughters, three step-sons and a whopping 23 grandchildren & great-grandchildren. Stating that she lives "in the middle of nowhere" in Oklahoma, Sharon and Larry love their gigantic family and their grown Labrador Retrievers, Sara and Ziva.

I asked Sharon if, with their huge family, they are ever all able to get together at the same time, and she responded, "Only at Christmas, and we have to reserve the fellowship hall at our church to get together then. We've outgrown anyone's home."

I was curious about the blessings versus curses of living "in the middle of nowhere" in Oklahoma. Sharon's response was rapid: "Blessings--Peace and quiet. Room to spread out. We have 3 acres, and in the spring and summer I love mowing. Something about those nice neat rows and the smell of fresh cut grass--I'm weird. Curses--Living on a dirt road that barely qualifies for the name 'road' when it rains. I drive a 4 wheel drive SUV for a really good reason. Being 20 miles from a decent store when I run out of something in the middle of a recipe. Two years ago, a tornado took out the local grocery store. I ran out of white corn syrup in the middle of my cinnamon rolls. It was ugly--very ugly!"

Wondering how she became interested in the hobby of panning for gold, I couldn't help but inquire. She explained, "Like so many things I've tried and liked, my love of gold panning came from my husband--one of his many hobbies that bled over onto me.

We used to spend our vacation at a working gold mine in North Carolina. We'd spend the day water washing a huge pile of dirt. Then after dinner, I'd pan the black sand. Seeing those flakes of gold in the pan, and knowing that you're the first person in the whole world to see those pieces--it's very addictive."

She is also an avid NASCAR fan and a Trekker. Perhaps some day, we'll see her Trek novel being released from its hiding place!

Her advice for fellow and/or future bloggers is, "Write about what you know, and don't be afraid to use your imagination and ask lots of questions."

We'll be watching for the release of The Women of Valley View: Callie in the not too distant future. This is the cover, along with the description on the back:

Three dire circumstances. Three desperate prayers. One miracle to save them all.

Callie Stillman is drawn to the evasive girl who's befriended her granddaughter, but the last time Callie tried to help a child, her efforts backfired. Memories of the tiny coffin still haunt her.

Samantha and Iris Evans should be worried about homework, not whether they can pool enough cash to survive another week of caring for an infant while evading the authorities.

Steve Evans wants a second chance at fatherhood, but his children are missing. And no one seems to want to help the former addict who deserted his family.

For Steve to regain the relationship he abandoned, for his girls to receive the care they deserve, Callie must surrender her fear and rely on God to work the miracle they all need.

In the interim, please stop by http://www.womenofvalleyview.blogspot.com for a visit with the girls! Sharon was kind enough to recently feature my upcoming novel, Never Say Perfect, on her blog, as Karla's page offers "coming soon" posts, where she introduces upcoming book releases.

A special thank you to Sharon Srock for stopping by to connect with us, and we'll be eagerly anticipating the release of her books!

Update on 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time: This book was released at the end of January in print, as well as for Nook and Kindle. It simplifies the process of jump-starting a memoir project in order for important life stories to be passed from generation to generation. Also featuring examples of taking one memory and writing a story, the book offers story contributions from a few of my amazing former workshop attendees. It is a compact book, but packed with an arsenal of tools to help anyone easily tackle a memoir writing project. Visit the home page of http://www.awriterspresence.com to click on the various purchase options available. I hope you'll buy it for yourself, as well as for loved ones!

Update on Never Say Perfect: This novel is just days away from release!! God blesses us in countless ways!

See you soon....

 Mary Anne

Nightmare at Emerald High

 I absolutely love featuring author friends in my blog! I learn from their experiences and advice, and truly enjoy passing these conversations along to you.

Author Joana James is an AMAZING 28 year old, living on the island of Saint Lucia in the Caribbean. Her writing efforts began with a two-part short story series entitled Alana & Alyssa's Secret: Rise from the Ashes, which told about the lives of two young girls who were dealing with extremely difficult circumstances.

One of the reasons that I chose to describe Joana as being AMAZING is because she has boundless energy and enthusiasm for all things related to writing, as well as for helping other authors promote their books. In spite of a busy schedule as an I. T. professional, she has carved out time to write another book, Nightmare at Emerald High, and is working on a third novel.

I asked Joana how she manages to squeeze writing new material, in addition to marketing and promoting her current book and the works of other authors, into her already busy day. Joana explained, "Time management is the most difficult thing for me right now, and I still don't have the balance quite right just yet. But I try to focus on the thing that is the most important at the time. When I have a new story brewing, I give it most of my attention and stop only to come up for air. Because of my day job, I write only on evenings and the weekends. However, the high stress job is a strange benefit--when I get home, I use writing as a way to unwind and relax."

How are her friends and family reacting to being in such a close relationship with an author? "My friends are pretty excited, and my family is extremely proud. My mother goes around telling all her friends about her daughter the author. They're all pretty comfortable with the idea, maybe more comfortable than I am..."

Nightmare at Emerald High is about Malcolm Drake, a young man who is one year away from his high school graduation. Discovering a golden scholarship opportunity, Malcolm and other classmates enroll in a program called Alternative Science, which could pave the way to receiving that coveted scholarship. What they don't realize is that they are actually stepping into the evil world of the occult and must learn through grueling developments that there is no easy way out.

I was curious about what influenced Joana to write a novel that features high school kids. She displays a real heart for teens, having been a youth leader at her church for several years. Joana said, "I spent most of my time working with high school kids so I have several stories about them and the situations they face floating around in my head. To write about teens seems almost second nature to me. As a matter of fact, I find it difficult writing about people who are older."

When asked what message she wanted to convey in Nightmare at Emerald High, she succinctly stated, "Nightmare at Emerald High may seem a bit controversial with its subject matter being secret societies and organizations, but in the society that I live, it's an everyday thing. Our children get tangled up in so many things that warp their thinking and confuse them and their perception of good and evil and right and wrong. My hope is that Nightmare at Emerald High will be an eye opener for both parents and teens."

Will her future books be geared to teens? "I will never stop writing for teens or young adults. They hold a special place in my heart because of the work I've done with them. However, I do hope to branch out into other genres."

Always interested in invading the thoughts and extracting the wisdom of other writers, I asked what advice Joana would give others who are thinking about writing a book. "It's a long and difficult process, but it's not impossible. If you have a passion for writing, then go after it. There will be critics along the way and maybe even the occasional horrible review. But perseverance brings success. Also, find out all you can about the writing process, and don't stop learning about the craft after you've published a few books."

As we authors have a way of abruptly discovering, the hard work is just beginning when the book is published! Because marketing and promotion are critical for driving sales, what advice would Joana offer on this topic? "I'm still learning the book marketing field, as I'm pretty new to all this. But, I can say that it is a job that will never really end. Look for groups of authors who write similar material to you and learn from them. Social networking is one of the most powerful tools available to us, so use it to your advantage. Remember to be friendly and don't accost every person you meet with a sales pitch."

I'd like to offer a huge thank you to Joana James for sharing her thoughts on her own writing experiences and for allowing us to gain insight into the life of another author. Joana, we wish you every possible success with Nightmare at Emerald High and all future endeavors!

Visit Joana at http://joanajames.blogspot.com and locate Nightmare at Emerald High at
http://amzn.to/A57ysn.
My next blog post will update everyone about the recent release of 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing: Build a Priceless Legacy One Story at a Time!  Never Say Perfect will also be released within the next two weeks, God willing!! Busy, busy, busy.

See you next time...

Paul DiStefano's Behind Criminal Minds

Still smiling although I've been glued to my  computer!

Happy 2012 everyone!  I personally have a fabulous feeling about this new year. I'm juggling four, yes that's 4, writing projects and two are coming down the home stretch for having soon-to-be-announced release dates. Never Say Perfect is in final, final, final editing stage, and 7 Easy Steps to Memoir Writing is just awaiting cover design. I've been spending hours upon hours fiddling with formatting--something I've never done before, but didn't feel that I was incapable of learning some new skills for my publishing operation, so I plugged away at it.  I was gathering information from a variety of sources, and it finally all came together. I think God was feeling sorry for me when He saw from Above that I was ready to flip out. Fortunately, I made good notes when I found what actually worked to produce the desired results, so my next formatting job will be far easier.

I want to wish all of my writing friends a wonderful, adventurous new year filled with much success, blessings and favor!

Speaking of my writing friends, I recently had the opportunity to interview Paul DiStefano, author of Behind Criminal Minds . Let me give you a little background first.  It wasn't until I moved to the Albany, New York area in 1970 that I began to hear a great deal about organized crime families. Growing up in Southern California, I was truly unaware of this arena of life--either because I was simply never exposed to hearing or reading about it or because I was actually oblivious and self-absorbed in my own little world.

Once I discovered that there was this very real element of organized crime in existence, I became fascinated with it and would read most anything I could get my hands on regarding the topic. So it was with great interest that I came across a newspaper article about a book entitled Behind Criminal Minds by Paul DiStefano, a former NYPD officer and detective. I could hardly wait to order it on my Nook, and it proved to be intriguing reading material.

Paul was gracious enough to allow me to interview him, and I have to be honest with you--I could have talked with him for hours. I hated to end the conversation, but figured that I had kept him on the telephone long enough.

After watching the Donnie Brasco Story about Joe Pistone, the FBI agent who infiltrated the Mafia as "Donnie the Jeweler," Paul came to the conclusion that he had encountered many similar experiences and that he should also write a book. Attempting to find a publisher, however, ended in multiple roadblocks.

Following his retirement from the police department, he became Head of Security for L'Oreal in New York and kept a notebook in his pocket. For three years, he jotted down notes and ideas about the topics he wanted to cover in his book and then finally put it all together.

Faced with the fact that the traditional publishers only seemed to be interested in contracting with celebrities, he tried to reason with them by suggesting, "Well, if you publish my book, then I WILL be a celebrity!" He said they didn't buy this seemingly logical reasoning.

He researched and located Xlibris to self-publish his book when the manuscript had reached its final stages of completion. At this point, his working title was Not Your Ordinary Day at the Office. His editor recommended changing the title to How to Commit the Perfect Crime. After giving this some consideration, he decided that it wasn't his goal to teach criminals how to get away with crimes and made certain that his manuscript was slanted more toward his personal experiences in New York City law enforcement. Another recommended title was Death Under a Magnifying Glass, which he found rather distasteful, but was agreeable to the change to Behind Criminal Minds.

Paul explains in his book that police work can make you cold and heartless.When asked how long it took him after retirement to feel as though he was once again emotionally balanced, he replied, "About five to seven years. It wore on me. I didn't know how close I was to a nervous breakdown. Today they have a psychology unit to help them. Twelve years in a homicide unit where you go every day into a negative situation just wears you down. There was never a happy situation--only in the respect of catching who did it, but it was always such a tragedy--lives ruined. And it wasn't easy to get along with the brass--the boss--there were personality conflicts that made it really tough."

He didn't hesitate to mention specific names in his book. I wondered if that worried him once the book was published and out there for everyone to read. "I only worried about one guy, and I didn't use his real name in the book. I called him The Candy Man. He said he would get me for my part in his arrest, but he got 55 years. I figured when he gets out, what would be our method of confrontation? Dueling canes? I'd be 96 and he'd be 88!"

"I was an excellent interrogator and interviewer. I found it pretty easy to flip people. I was a good actor and a great liar. Things are always changing though. About the time I was retiring, they started a profiling unit, and you go to a specific school for this specialty."

Considering that there are no second chances when your life is constantly on the line, I couldn't imagine how Paul dealt with that day in and day out. He explained, "You had to put it out of your mind or you'd go crazy. As a detective, you're wearing a suit and it's not as risky as being on patrol. You're coming in after the crime. But there is an accumulation of everything related to what we saw and experienced, and it took its toll. I began to have no feelings--nothing fazed me any more. And toward the end, I literally began to get shaky when I knew it was time to report for work. I honestly didn't know why. Then I began to realize I couldn't do this any longer. I had to get off this job."

Regarding any advice to other writers about the do's and don'ts of publishing, Paul offered, "Don't expect that you can easily get a publisher. Self-publish, and don't expect it to be a big money maker!"

Will we be seeing future books from Paul DiStefano? He thought for a second and replied, "I could write about the years when I was Head of Security at L'Oreal or when I worked in the Attorney General's office. I also worked as a private investigator for some top defense attorneys and had some dealings with the John Gotti case. I might just have more books to write. I'd also be happy to do some consulting for television producers because I've lived it. I know what it's all about. That could possibly happen in the future."

Something I really appreciated about Behind Criminal Minds, besides getting up close and personal through the eyes of an undercover officer, was that it wasn't written with a plethora of foul language. So many times,  books and movies on the topic of law enforcement are peppered with language that actually detracts from my enjoyment of the story. My husband, Fred, always says, "Well, that's the way they talk. That's real life." But I get so offended by this and find it so unnecessary, it's hard for me to gain anything positive out of the movie or book. Paul's book tells the stories and his memories without the use of polluted language. Now, I must say that there were a couple of chapters about working prostitution duty that were rather boldly descriptive and contained elements of crudeness, but it was easy to understand why these stories had to be written in this manner. According to the author, "I really made an effort to clean it up unless it was a direct quote."

I loved some of the titles of the chapters in his book: The $85 Million Heist That Almost Got Me Killed, Moonlighting Working for the Mob, Good and Bad Times at the 1st Precinct, The Ultimate Assignment: Homicide Detective, and The Dead Speak from Beyond the Grave. There are several more fascinating chapters, but these are just examples of his straight forward topics.

So if you've ever been mildly curious about the inner workings of the New York City Police Department and organized crime, this is one intriguing tell-it-like-it-is book to devour! Paul DiStefano tells the stories as though he is talking to a friend, and as the book is nearing the conclusion he says, "I don't know about other cops, but I can tell you for sure, I function better with a heart than without one."

Behind Criminal Minds is available on-line through Amazon and Barnes & Noble, or you can purchase it directly from the author.  Contact him at 843-215-0785 or by email at Coachpaul74@aol.com. While you're in touch with him, how about encouraging him to write another book?

Blessings until next time!