***INTERVIEW with Author LISA CERASOLI***

It is with great pleasure, and an honor to Interview Author Lisa Cerasoli! Author of: "On The Brink of Bliss and Insanity" Subtitle: "A comedy about sex, drugs, sex, religion, sex, crime, love & happiness" Genre: Chick Literature (that guys will dig reading) www.myspace.com/lisacerasoli www.FiveStarPublications.com www.onthebrinkofbliss.com www.lisacerasoli.com www.amazon.com www.barnesandnoble.com Lisa Cerasoli left her hometown of Iron Mountain in the upper Peninsula of Michigan upon graduating from its one and only school, Iron Mountain High. Michigan State University was her first stop. She tested into Lyman Briggs School of Science, majoring in pre-med. That dream quickly deflated when she realized she's a complete hypochondriac, and the last thing she needed was to feed her neurosis by being around "sick people" all day. Feeling lost, she fled to Arizona for spring break, and didn't get back on the plane to return home. Instead, she applied to Arizona State University. Four years, and a few beers later, Lisa got a very practical theater degree, and transported herself by way of Honda Accord(that would be stolen twice by year's end) to the city of Angels. L.A. was pretty good to the girl. She booked her first series, Acapulco Bay, within nine months. After that she spent two-plus years as a series regular on General Hospital, playing the quirky role of "V." She then booked a string of guest star roles including Oh, Grow Up, Diagnosis Murder, Pensacola Wings of Gold and two recurring roles on The Pretender as "Zoe and Boomtown." In the fall of 2002, Lisa and her manager Sandra Siegal, met with Ken Atchity of Atchity Entertainment International in regards to her screenplay, On the Brink of Bliss and Insanity. Ken thought it sounded like a novel, so she went home, and blew out three chapters. That's when she fell, for certain and truly in love with writing. AUTHOR INTERVIEW Geri: When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer? Lisa: I never realized I wanted to be a writer. I just started writing ten years ago out of boredom and frustration, with a stagnant film career. I was on General Hospital, but prior to that, I had always pictured myself doing Indies, so I started writing one. Geri: What type of books do you enjoy writing? Lisa: Comedies, novels, and screenplays! Twisted, adorable, vaudevillian, possibly grazing on autobiographical comedies. Geri: Did a special person in your life inspire you to write? Lisa: Two people inspired me to write. My sister, Lora Cerasoli, and my manager, Sandra Siegal. They were both sick of hearing my redundant whining, and within the same week told me to, "Shut-up and go write something!" One month later, On the Brink of Bliss and Insanity, the screenplay was born. Geri: Have you written any books based on a true life story? Lisa: I'm working on several. I recently wrote an essay about my late father. It's on my website at: www.lisacerasoli.com. It's under, "Dedication to Dad." I may elaborate on that. I am also writing a novel based on my grandmother, her life, and her life with dementia. She lives with me. It's heartbreaking and hilarious, and sometimes the conversion from one to the other is nearly indiscernible. I think that story needs to be told. Geri: Who is your favorite author? Lisa: I sort of have favorite books over favorite authors. I don't read many authors more than once. Whatever I grab onto in the first book of the authors tend to overwhelm any that succeed it. I'm mad for The Fountainhead, The Catcher In The Rye, White Oleander, and The Secret Life Of Bees. Also, Henry's List Of Wrongs. John Scott Sheperd is probably my favorite modern day writer, because his style is in one word, cool! Geri: Are your characters created from people you've known in real life? Lisa: I think somewhere in the deep, dark depts of "brain Lisa" I met every single one of them, at least once! Geri: How many books have you written? Lisa: I have my debut novel, On the Brink, three finished screenplays, and three unfinished novels. Also, I have about a hundred other books, films, and TV series roaming about my brain from midnight to six. Geri: Where can your books be purchased? Lisa: www.lisacerasoli.com www.onthebrinkofbliss.com www.amazon.com www.barnesandnoble.com www.sears.com www.borders.com The Trunk Of My Mother's Car (no dot com) and recent addition, Barnes & Noble land stores. Yeah! Geri: Describe how you felt the first time you were published? Lisa: Getting my book published felt like watching my favorite Hugh Grant flick on a constant reel, and the best part is, that reel circled for five months. "About A Boy!" In case you were wondering the name of my fave H.G. flick! Geri: Do you have any current work in progress? Lisa: I'm envisioning On the Brink, the screenplay being made by year's end. Also, I have another Rom Com that is simply incredible! I can say that because I wrote the script, but the story was conceived by my brilliant manager, and a protege of hers. It's a big budget Sandra Bullock type piece, and will find the right studio home soon, I'm certain! Geri: Do you have goals set for the future? Lisa: My goals as a writer? Destination Oprah, and sell two movies to Hollywood by 2010. Geri: Are you exactly where you want to be with your writing? Lisa: I didn't plan my career around writing, so this is a tough question. I thought I would have won an academy award by now for acting. When I was five, that was the goal! Now, I just want to sell millions of copies of On the Brink! I think the story is an important women's piece and worthy of book circles, and again, Oprah! Then, I'll have bags of money to feed the hungry, clothe and house the needy and make movies, and really show my daughter "the point of life." Follow your passions, and be of service to those in need! Geri: What can help authors to reach their dream? Lisa: I think the one and only key to great writing is to steal everything you got from your subconscious, and don't give a shit about who will ever read it! Also, take plenty of notes, and criticisms from people smarter than you, it really helps grammatically! Geri: Have you ever experienced writer's block? Lisa: I've never experienced writer's block, mainly because I am not a disciplined writer. I mostly write when I feel inspired. Now, I have experienced "scared-shitless" block! That's when a studio tells you to rewrite a section of your screenplay, and you have no idea how to do it, and you have a week to get it done! But then you eventually whine to your manager, Sandra Siegal , who tells you to, "Go shut-up and write something!" You manage to pull it off! Geri: What advice can you give to prevent writer's block? Lisa: Go talk to someone, anyone, and not about writer's block! I mean, get out there in the world, and hang in there until something hits you. Also, read your favorite book all over again. Then, watch your favorite movies with a pen and paper, and write down everything that works! Geri: As a child, did you have favorite books? Lisa: I swear, as a kid, I was a math freak! I slept with my geometry book under my pillow, so I could solve all the extra credit questions through osmosis. The only reading I mostly did was required. Geri: As a child, did you enjoy reading a lot? Lisa: No! Geri: If you had the opportunity to live one day the life of a famous author, who would it be? Lisa: Is Oprah considered a famous author? She does have her magazine. Alan Ball is a screenwriter and TV producer, American Beauty, Oh, Grow Up! Also, Six Feet Under, True Blood! I met him when I guest starred on the set of his first TV series, the sitcom, Oh, Grow Up! I love his writing style. His characters are really outer limit. They're funny, they lack emotional boundaries, they're pensive, and generally in a static state of turmoil. The best part about them is they are unlike anyone you know, yet you root for them, and hope they find freedom from their predicaments, and themselves. I don't know if I want to be Alan, but it sure would be great to work by his side. That would be a dream come true! Geri: Many authors feel a sense of self-satisfaction, or a sense of achievement after having a book published, can you relate? Lisa: I feel fantastic! I'm a rock star! Geri: How do you balance occupation with writing? Lisa: There is no balance! I need so much assistance, it's pathetic! A daycare provider, an accountant, an in-home nurse to help gramsy and ten thousand books to sell per month to even come close to balance. Also, a therapist, and a massage therapist couldn't hurt. Geri: How did you feel at your first book-signing? Lisa: I felt perfect, like being on a set when I was acting. I smiled until my cheeks hurt! Geri: If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would change? Lisa: I would be executive producing On the Brink of Bliss and Insanity, the movie. It's a small budget Indie flick. I could do it easily for two million, and half of that if I had to! Geri: We begin with a manuscript, and end with promotions. What was your most difficult task? Lisa: Waiting, waiting for feedback, waiting for a publisher! Waiting for publicity, waiting for sales, waiting! Geri: Some writer's listen to music, or look at flowers, or the ocean while writing. Do you have a particular scenery? Lisa: I have no special needs beyond a semi-functional computer, or notebook to write on. I wrote my debut novel, while caring for my dying father. I have a four year old who loves to hang all over me. Writing is the only time I'm not high maintenance! Geri: Thank you very much for your time with this interview. It was quite interesting, and enjoyable! Lisa: Your Wellcome!

***INTERVIEW #3 with JEFFREY B. ALLEN***

I Welcome back today author Jeffrey B. Allen! It is an honor, and a pleasure to work with him! author of: "GoneAway Into The Land" *****REVIEW Posted on: http://www.amazon.com/ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ http://www.authorgeriahearnsbookreviews.blogspot.com/ http://www.goodreads.com/ http://www.worldcat.com/ Jeffrey was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1953. New Bedford was home to Herman Melville, author of Moby Dick. Jeffrey believes that the first paragraph of Moby Dick was the best first paragraph of any novel he has ever read! His father moved his family around the country nine times. Jeffrey spent many good years, and many difficult years growing up. Both the good, and the bad contribute to his writing. While in High School in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Jeffrey began to gravitate away from academics, and lean more toward the arts. He went to art school for painting, and later studied set design at Boston University. Jeffrey loved the process of writing the very minute he started. GoneAway took three and a half years to complete. It is loosely based on a childhod story that he told his children when they were very young. They never forgot the story, and encouraged Jeffrey to write it down for posterity. Today, Jeffrey lives with his wife in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. His two children are grown, one living in Deleware, and the other in Hong Kong China. Jeffrey's children, and his wife have been a great inspiration to him. http://www.jeffreyballen.com/ http://goodreads.com/about/how_it_works www.myspace.com/jeffreyballen AUTHOR INTERVIEW #3 Geri: Have you ever had the pleasure of discussing your book with a fan? Jeffrey: Yes! I have had several discussions with my readers about GoneAway! One thing I wish, however, is that my readers would not feel intimidated to express what they got out of the book, because everyone of them said they could not put it down once they reached a certain point. Only a couple of readers were personally affected by the tragedy of the story. And surprisingly, not one had noticed when John makes the transition into the World to the Land that the story goes from first person to third person. When I decided to do the switch, it was a very difficult decision, because doing that as a writer is said to be very dangerous, and hard to pull off. The reason I changed from First to Third person would be a whole subject for discussion, in and of itself. I would love to speak to people about the deeper meanings behind GoneAway, so anyone who reads this interview is welcome to contact me through my website. Geri: Are you the only writer in your family? Jeffrey: Yes! I am the only novelist in my family. Everyone in my family are very good writers, and avid readers. That is the way I was brought up, and that is the way I brought up my children. Geri: Is there a particular author who inspires you to write? Jeffrey: No! There is not one particular author who inspires me to write. What inspires me to write is a desire from within myself to paint pictures with words, and to tell a story that other people will enjoy reading. But if I were to name a few authors, I would have to say writers such as Hemingway, Jules Verne, Arthur C. Clarke, and Frank Herbert. They have been very influential in motivating me to write well. Geri: What is the age group for your reading audience? Jeffrey: I am trying to always write to the adolescent, and adult audience. I usually write for age sixteen and over, although I found out that a twelve year old loved GoneAway as well! The subject matter, and the vocabulary is not typically suited for young children. One of my reviewer's made a point of saying that exact thing. She read the fantasy portions of the book to her children, because they are very suitable for that, but the underlying story is absolutely not suited for below age seventeen. Geri: Do you believe that the cover of a book can draw a reader in faster to your story? Jeffrey: Yes! I would have spent much more attention to the cover if I wasn't so involved in editing the manuscript at the time. I approved the cover, thinking that it wasn't that important. In fact, my publisher convinced me that the cover wasn't all that important, but I have come to disagree. Geri: In your opinion, what does it take to become successful? Jeffrey: Good writing, good story are paramount, but in this day and age, unfortunately are not the drivers toward success as they once were. Marketing now plays a huge role in an author's success. I never guessed that the marketing of my first novel would take so much of my time. Geri: What motivates you to write? Jeffrey: My motivation is to write stories that people will find interesting, but also provocative enough for them to think about what they have read for a while, after they finished reading the book. Another thing that motivates me is that I find writing novels the most challenging thing I have ever set out to do. Having the book published was like reaching the summit of a mountain. Now that I know the way, I feel I can do it again, only quicker, and better! Geri: What books do you read for enjoyment? Jeffrey: I love Ancient History. I just finished a book about Hannibal's march over the Alps on his way to conquer Rome. Sometimes, history is as good, if not better than fiction. I like Science Fiction, but it has to be either very surreal, like Larry Niven's Ringworld, or real science like Arthur C. Clarke's Rama books. I cannot leave out Frank Herbert's Dune, which stands in a class by itself. Geri: Has television ever inspired you to write about a certain topic? Jeffrey: No! Now, wait! I take that back! There have been some things on television over the years that I have found tremendous, but in general television is the devise that brings sports into my living room, and I enjoy watching Football in the fall, and basketball in the spring. I watch golf inbetween. Without TV, those events would be out of reach. The older I become, the less I watch TV! Geri: Has a particular classical movie ever given you ideas to write about a new topic? Jeffrey: No! I can't think of any in particular! Although the subliminal messages that accumulates in our brains come from all kinds of stimuli. One of those is certainly movies, and TV. All of that stimulus must have an influence on our creativity, and thought processes. You know, I say that none have influenced me, but there have been a few movies that I have to put on my top ten list that have definetely influenced me. The 1933 King Kong, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea, Forbidden Planet, and the first make of War Of The Worlds influenced me. Also, The Day The Earth Stood Still influenced me. Great acting is like great writing, it stays with you forever! Spencer Tracy in Old Man And The Sea, and Peter O'Toole in Lawrence Of Arabia. I am out-dating myself! How about Mickey Rouke in The Wrestler? Geri: Thank you very much for today's interview! Your responses were very interesting, and enjoyable indeed! Jeffrey: You're welcome!

**INTERVIEW with Author/ Publisher LINDA F. RADKE

It is with great pleasure, and an honor to Interview Author/Publisher LINDA F. RADKE! Author of: "The Economical Guide To Self-Publishing" Subtitle: "How To Produce and Market Your Book On a Budget" Genre: Business www.FiveStarPublications.com www.myspace.com/fivestarpublications http://twitter.com/fivestarpub Since 1985, veteran publisher Linda F. Radke, owner of Five Star Publications, has been ahead of her game-self-publishing before it was commonplace, partnership publishing before the rest of the world even knew what it was and producing award-winning traditional and nontraditionally published fiction and nonfiction manuscripts for adults and children. Radke's odyssey to becoming one of the nation's leading consultants in the areas of book production, marketing, publicity and distribution, began simply enough with the desire to print a few books to complement the household employment agency she owned. For Radke, who on more than one occasion has been teased about having "printer's ink in her veins." The experience of publishing the books was exhilarating, prompting her to change careers, and launch Five Star Publications, without looking back. Eventually, Radke added services and acted as a publishing consultant for other self-publishers, ventured into traditional publishing and pioneered partnership publishing to allow her to publish more authors, and make them a more integral part of the creative process of publishing. Among her many accolades, Radke is the author of The Economical Guide To Self Publishing (a Writer's Digest Book Club selection that is now into its second edition) and Promote Like a Pro: Small Budget, Big Show(a Doubleday Executive Program Book Club selection). She is a founding member of the Arizona Book Publishing Association and was named Book Marketer of the Year by Book Publicists of Southern California. "Every book, no matter how well written, will languish on the shelf unsold without a comprehensive and creative publishing and marketing plan to support it." __Linda F. Radke AUTHOR INTERVIEW Geri: What type of books do you enjoy writing? Linda: I enjoy writing non-fiction, and poetry! Geri: Did a special person in your life inspire you to write? Linda: My cousin Dorothy, she kept a poetry journal. This started me on the road to writing poetry. Geri: Have you written any books based on a true life story? Linda: No Geri: How many books have you written? Linda: Seven Geri: Where can your books be purchased? Linda: www.amazon.com www.barnesandnoble.com www.FiveStarPublications.com Geri: Describe how you felt the first time you were published. Linda: Proud Geri: Do you have any current work in progress? Linda: The Economical Guide To Self-Publishing-2nd edition Geri: What are some links to your websites? Linda: www.SelfPublishandSave.com www.FiveStarPublications.com Geri: Do you have goals set for the future? Linda: My goals are for children of all ages to experience the thrill of being a published author. www.KidsCanPublish.com Geri: What can help authors to reach their dream? Linda: To work with an experienced team of experts! Geri: Have you ever experienced writer's block? Linda: Yes! Geri: As a child, did you have favorite books? Linda: I loved reading comic books. I could hardly wait to take my fifteen cent allowance, and walk a few miles to a local drugstore for the next issue of my favorite comic books. Okay! Ten cents for the comic book, and five cents worth of candy! Geri: As a child, did you read alot? Linda: I loved my comic books! Geri: If you had the opportunity to live one day the life of a famous author, who would it be? Linda: Me! Geri: Many authors feel a sense of self-satisfaction, self-achievement after publishing a book, can you relate? Linda: Absolutely! Geri: How do you balance occupation with writing? Linda: My writing goals are always put on the back burner. My Five Star authors always come first! Geri: How did you feel at your first book-signing? Linda: Proud! Geri: As writers, we begin with a manuscript, and end with promotions. What was your most difficult task? Linda: Promotion, promotion, and promotion! Too many authors think too late about promotion. You start with your market in mind, and then write a book for it. It's like having a baby, and not thinking beyond the birth. Geri: Some writer's need to listen to music, or look at the ocean, or flowers while writing. Do you have a particular scenery? Linda: I am consumed with my thoughts when writing, and I am oblivious to all other sounds. Geri: Thank you kindly for today's interview. It was quite enjoyable! Linda: Your welcome!

**INTERVIEW with Author HEIDI M. THOMAS**

It is an honor to interview Author Heidi M. Thomas. Author of: "COWGIRL DREAMS" Genre: Western Historical www.myspace.com/heidiauthor http://heidiwriter.wordpress.com/ http://www.heidimthomas.com/ Raised on a ranch in isolated eastern Montana, Heidi Thomas has had a penchant for reading and writing since she was a child. Armed with a degree in journalism from the University of Montana, she worked for the Daily Missoulian newspaper, and has had numerous magazine articles published. COWGIRL DREAMS is the first in a series about strong, independent Montana Women. INTERVIEW Geri: When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer? Heidi: Before I could even read, I made up stories. Then, when I learned my letters, I kept asking my mother how to spell words. Geri: What type of books do you enjoy writing? Heidi: COWGIRL DREAMS, a western historical, is my first published book. I have three more in the series, and they are all novels based loosely on family history in Montana. Geri: Did a special person in your life inspire you to write? Heidi: I'd like to say that I was born with ink in my veins. My parents always encouraged me in my writing pursuits, and my senior High School teacher encouraged me to study journalism in college, which I did. Geri: Have you written any books based on a true life story? Heidi: Yes! COWGIRL DREAMS is based on my grandmother, who rode steers in rodeos during the 1920s. Geri: Who is your favorite author? Heidi: I enjoy another Montana author, Ivan Doig, and I like Jane Kirkpatrick's historical novels. Geri: Are your characters created from people you've known in real life? Heidi: Yes, and also from the imagination! Geri: How many books have you written? Heidi: I have two more manuscripts in various stages, and a fourth book started. This will be a series. Geri: Where can your book be purchased? Heidi: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ http://www.amazon.com/ http://www.trebleheartbooks.com/ http://www.heidimthomas.com/ And Baker & Taylor distributors Geri: Describe how you felt the first time you were published? Heidi: Ecstatic, on cloud ninety-nine! For several weeks, I kept shaking my head to clear the cotton candy rosy glow, I couldn't believe it was really true. I had started writing COWGIRL DREAMS ten years ago! Geri: Do you have any current work in progress? Heidi: My sequel to COWGIRL DREAMS, with a working title of FOLLOW THE DREAM is in the final revision stages, and I will submit it to my publisher soon. Geri: Do you have goals set for the future? Heidi: I want to continue to publish this series, and keep writing. I've become so fascinated with the subject of old-time cowgirls that I've started research for a non-fiction book on the cowgirls of Montana in the 1920s and 1930s era. Geri: Are you exactly where you want to be with your writing? Heidi: Yes, I am! Looking back at this long journey, I would not have been ready five or ten years ago for the intensity of marketing, and public speaking I have to do. I think God knew when I'd be ready to do this! Geri: What can help authors to reach their dream? Heidi: Preseverance is the key! Don't give up, keep learning, improve it, and send it out! Geri: Have you ever experienced writer's block? Heidi: Yes! Geri: What advice can you give to prevent it? Heidi: Give yourself permission to write out of order. I wrote an article about this on my blog at: http://heidiwriter.wordpress.com/2009/02/28/ overcoming-writers-block/ Geri: As a child, did you have favorite books? Heidi: I loved Nancy drew, and Zane Grey! Geri: As a child, did you enjoy reading? Heidi: I read everything I could get my hands on. I lived in an isolated, rural area served by a monthly bookmobile. I would check out thirty books, so that I wouldn't run out of reading material before they came back. Geri: If you had the opportunity to one day live the life of a famous author, who would it be? Heidi: I have a hard time thinking of myself as famous, and I don't know that I'd like to be a national household name. I think I'd have to waffle a bit, and say I wouldn't mind being one who lived in Hawaii for a day. Maybe I'm just eager for spring to be here. Geri: Many authors feel a sense of self-satisfaction, or a sense of achievement after publishing a book. Can you relate? Heidi: Absolutely! It is a validation of my life's work that someone believed in me to publish a book. I feel proud that I reached this goal. Geri: How do you balance occupation with writing? Heidi: I freelance editing for other authors, and I teach adult community classes in memoir, and beginning fiction writing. It's difficult to find the time to write now, especially with all the marketing I have to do. But, I'm trying to get better at time management. Geri: How did you feel at your first book-signing? Heidi: I was so excited! It was at a local Farmers Co-op during a Saturday Christmas sale, and I kept stopping people saying, "I 've just had my first book published!" Geri: If you won the lottery tomorrow, would anything change? Heidi: Only that I would have more money for promotion, and travel. Geri: As writers, we begin with a manuscript, and end with promotions. What was your most difficult task? Heidi: I think promotion might be even harder than writing the book, especially because some writers like me are somewhat introverted, creative types, and it's difficult to put yourself out there. Geri: Some writer's need to listen to music, or look at the ocean, or flowers while writing. Can you relate? Heidi: Sometimes I listen to music, either classical, or Mozart, and sometimes country to put me in the western mood. Sometimes I have a picture of the area I'm writing about to inspire me. Geri: If you were to publish a book in a different genre, what would it be? Heidi: That's a tough question. I didn't set out to write a western. It was just a story tribute to my grandmother. I suppose I could try writing a romance! Geri: Thank you Heidi for your time with today's interview, it was quite enjoyable! Heidi: You're Welcome!

**INTERVIEW with Author JOHN WAYNE CARGILE**

It is an honor to Interview Author John Wayne Cargile. Author of: "The Cry Of The Cuckoos" Genre: Mystery www.thecryofthecuckoos.com John is a writer, author, and publisher. He has won many writing awards, including Associated Press, Sigma Delta Chi, etc. He worked as a newspaper writer, and a magazine editor for nearly forty years. He spent a year with the FBI as a clerk in the late 1960's, regional sales manager for Bantam Books, and took his first job at the Birmingham News, after taking a Creative Writing Class from the city editor. He holds a Doctorates in philosophy and religion, and writes a weekly column titled Integral Life for two nespapers in his state. He is currently working on a sequel to The Cry Of The Cuckoos, and is also planning on writing a script. INTERVIEW Geri: When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer? John: When I was about ten years old, I wrote a story about Rinny, based on the Rin Tin Tin German Sheperd dog that was popular in the 1950's. Geri: What type of books do you enjoy writing? John: Fiction, and non-fiction! Geri: Did a special person in your life inspire you to write? John: Not really! No one in our family were writers. The city editor of The Birmingham News offered a Creative Writing Class, while I attended Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. After I had written a couple of stories for him, he invited me to work for the newspaper. Geri: Have you written any books based on a true life story? John: The Cry Of The Cuckoos, my current novel, comes as close as it can to drawing out similarities between the main character, and myself. Geri: Who is your favorite author? John: Sydney Sheldon Geri: Are your characters created from people you've known in real life, or are they from the imagination? John: Both! I took some family characters, and exploded them into colorful composites with a lot of flawed characteristics that they didn't actually have. I had some family members in mind as I built the characters. When they read excerpts of the book, each of them said, "Is That Me?" I left them guessing! Geri: How many books have you written? John: One, and one eBook, From Mount Olive Road, a collection of my newspaper columns over the past three years. Geri: Where can your books be purchased? John: www.thecryofthecuckoos.com www.amazon.com www.barnesandnoble.com www.booksamillion.com And Available soon on: Authors Edge Geri: Describe how you felt the first time you were published? John: My first newspaper story was published when I was eighteen years old. I was estatic when I saw my byline on the story. I still get a buzz when I write a good article for newspapers and magazines, and see my name as the author. Seeing my book for the first time in print will be the ultimate for me as this is what I set out to do when I retired, write novels. Geri: Do you have any current work in progress? John: The Cry Of The Cuckoos! Geri: Do you have goals set for the future? John: Lots of them! I plan on a sequel to The Cry Of The Cuckoos, and a script! Geri: At this point and time in your life, are you exactly where you want to be? John: I am exactly where I wanted to be at this juncture in my life. I am sixty-four years old. When I was young, I dreamed of writing for newspapers for ten years, magazine writing and editing for ten years, and publishing for ten years. I owned a printing company, and produced magazines in the 1980's, now comes the sunset years, novel writing! Geri: What can help authors to reach their dream? John: Never give up! Practice, practice, practice! Don't let critics get in in your way! Polish your writing, read other works that capture your imagination. Become your own authentic self as a writer. Geri: Have you ever experienced writer's block? John: Oh yes! When it comes, I sit in meditation! I ask the universe to be my guide. I hold two Doctorates in philosophy and religion, and I am ironically something between a practicing Christian, and Buddhist. Prayer and meditation offer me insight when I get writer's block. Geri: What advice can you give to prevent writer's block? John: De-clutter the brain! I just recently wrote an article about Taming The Monkey Mind to De-clutter the brain. We have to free our minds of all the clutter that goes on inside our brains when we are trying to be creative, at peace with ourselves. Geri: As a child, did you have favorite books? John: I can't remember reading that much as a child. Nothing sticks out in my mind. Geri: As a child, did you enjoy reading? John: No! Geri: If you had the opportunity to one day live the life of a famous author, who would it be? John: I like to think I am my own authentic self, so I don't want to be like any other writer. I just want to be me. I'm not tied up in knots about being famous. If someone likes what I write, and it becomes a best-seller, then that's great! But, I do not set my goals on being famous. Geri: Many authors feel a sense of self-satisfaction, a sense of achievement after publishing a book, can you relate? John: Yes! If it is not truly vanity! Self-satisfaction is seeing a project through until the end of the day when you can say to yourself, "Well done!" Geri: How do you balance occupation with writing? John: I am mostly retired now, but what keeps me in the community is driving special needs kids to school each day. Each kid is something special, even though they have various challenges. I get to spend about three hours a day with them, and I continously learn from them. In my sequel to The Cry Of The Cuckoos, there will be a special needs kid in the book. Geri: How did you feel at your first book-sgning? John: I am waiting on my first complementary copy, and copyright copy. Geri: If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would change? John: It would allow me to continue to write, without any outside financial pressures. Geri: As writers, we begin with a manuscript, and end with promotions. What was your most difficult task? John: For some authors, writing is the only thing they know, they leave marketing up to other people. But I like to market and sell as much as I like to write. I guess that's because I'm a salesman. I worked at Bantam Books as regional sales manager in the early 1980's. Geri: Some writer's need to listen to music, or look at flowers, or the ocean when writing. Do you have a particular scenery? John: I listen to new age music when I write. It's soft, and some of it includes sounds of the ocean, or waterfalls. It's soothing, and I can listen for hours. It provides tranquility of mind, and goes back to the question about writer's block, and meditation. My office looks out into the wooded area on my ten acres of land. We live in a log house. I can sit and watch the critters of the earth for hours as they scamper around the woods, Deer especially! I have a redbird and bluebird that perch on a limb nearby everyday. They fly to my windowsill as if they are wondering what the heck I am doing watching them. I recently wrote an article about The Redbird In My Window Sill-A Spirit Guide! Geri: If you were to publish a book in a different genre, what would it be? John: I'm unsure! I don't intend on The Cry Of The Cuckoos to become a mystery. It just evolved into it. It started out as a historical romance of a man and a woman during World War Two, and the romance between the two. But things changed as I continue to write it, and I wanted to be up tempo, and contemporary. So voila! That's what I got! Geri: Thank you kindly for your time. Your interview was quite interesting! John: Your welcome!

**INTERVIEW with Author Darryl E. Robidoux**

It is a an honor, and with Great Pleasure to Interview today Author Darryl E. Robidoux. Author of: "HOME AFTER DARK...One man's memories!" "HOME AFTER DARK" is an emotionally raw story of a man who-despite "escaping" home at age sixteen-achieves the American Dream. By forty, he's comfortably wealthy, and retires from a prestigious career. Robidoux's journey will inspire hopefuls to transcend circumstances, and achieve unimaginable success, without succumbing to societal and corporate pitfalls. Darryl Robidoux, who is currently undergoing treatment for bone cancer, shares the intimate details of his dichotomous life-rich in business acumen and corporate accomplishment, yet bankrupt in affairs of the heart-in hopes that his story helps others realize their dreams, without sacrificing what's truly important in life as he did. INTERVIEW Geri: When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer? Darryl: After my first retirement at the age of forty, family members and friends urged me to write about my life, and I was excited about the idea. However, writing "HOME AFTER DARK" was delayed until late 2007 when I retired again for the second time from a long stint at entrepreneurship. Geri: What type of books do you enjoy writing? Darryl: I enjoy writing non-fiction, and factual based stories. Geri: Did a special person in your life inspire you to write? Darryl: It was not one person, but several of my friends, and acquaintances. Geri: Have you written any books based on a true life story? Darryl: Yes, my first book contains memoirs from the first forty years of my life. Geri: Who is your favorite author? Darryl: John Grisham! Geri: Are your characters created from people you've known in real life? Darryl: All characters are created from real life in "HOME AFTER DARK." Geri: How many books have you written? Darryl: One, and I'm working on the sequel to "HOME AFTER DARK." Geri: Where can your book be purchased? Darryl: http://www.amazon.com/ http://www.borders.com/ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ http://www.fivestarpublications.com/ http://www.walmart.com/ http://www.target.com/ http://www.indiebound.org/ Geri: Describe how you felt the first time you were published. Darryl: I felt like I achieved another dream, and goal in my life! Geri: Do you have any current work in progress? Darryl: I am working on the sequel to HOME AFTER DARK, and I hope to complete it by the end of 2009. Geri: What are some links to your websites? Darryl: http://www.homeafterdark.com/ www.fivestarpublications.com/books Authors and Experts PRLog Myspace Facebook Shelfari Geri: Do you have goals set for the future? Darryl: Yes, the sequel to HOME AFTER DARK, and at least two others. Geri: Are you exactly where you want to be with your writing? Darryl: Yes, since writing was not a high priority during my business career, and I'm hoping to go forward with writing from here. Geri: What are some factors that can help authors to reach their dream? Darryl: To stay focused, and pace yourself with creative breaks, try not to rush with writing, and have a plan with a book outline. Geri: Have you ever experienced writer's block? Darryl: Very mildly, but I usually take a break. I walk, or sit and read, while thinking my way through the difficulty. Geri: What advice can you give to prevent writer's block? Darryl: Focus on the task by rehearsing in your mind, stretch, take deep breaths. Walk, or sit and read, but relax, and reenergize. Geri: As a child, did you have favorite books? Darryl: My childhood was preoccupied with working on a farm, and then I left home to begin working elsewhere, and concentrating on survival. I was left with little time to read, but I had dreams constantly about my life, and goals to reach. Geri: As a child, did you enjoy reading? Darryl: Yes, but my parents were poor, and could not buy books for us to read, so living out my dreams became a priority. Geri: If you had the opportunity to one day live the life of a famous author, who would it be? Darryl: Robert Crichton, or John Grisham! Geri: Many authors feel a sense of self-satisfaction after publishing a book, can you relate to such feelings? Darryl: Yes, I can feel self-satisfaction because it helped me to deal with my past, and achievement in the sense that I documented my past life to share with others, and that they may learn from my experiences and make better decisions in their own lives. Geri: How do you balance occupation with writing? Darryl: I am retired for the second time, and have the necessary time to write, and travel. Geri: How did you feel at your first book-signing? Darryl: I felt like I was exposing myself to the world of readers, and others who could benefit from the experiences as described in my book, but also like I achieved a new goal. Geri: If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would change? Darryl: Nothing, winning the lottery would not change my life, because I am an accomplished individual, and live as comfortable as I wish. Geri: As writers, we begin with a manuscript, and end with promotions. What was your most difficult task? Darryl: Promotions, because I was entering a world of unknowns, and searched for priorities among all the activity. Geri: Some writer's need to listen to music, or look at flowers, or the ocean while writing. Do you have a particular scenery? Darryl: Soft music, the sea with Whales and Dolphins, and a beautiful landscape setting. Geri: If you were to publish in a different genre, what would it be? Darryl: A suspense, or crime level fiction based on some factual data from the past. Geri: Thank you very much for today's interview, it was very enjoyable, and you are a pleasure to work with! Darryl: It has also been a pleasure to work with you!

**INTERVIEW #2 with Author Mack Beasley**

It is an honor, and with Great Pleasure to bring back Author Mack Beasley! Author of: "FALSE JUSTICE" *****REVIEW Mack was brought up in Dothan, Alabama, and lived there until 1993. He finished High School in 1961, and attended college in 1968, and 1969. He took business, and customer related courses. He completed his studies at Wallace Community College, was a sales manager for an automotive parts warehouse, and handled government contracts for his company where he worked with Army bases. Welcome back Mack! INTERVIEW Geri: Is writing a passion, a stress reliever, or both? Mack: Writing is a passion for me. I don't know about relieving stress, sometimes it creates stress, but it's good stress! Geri: Do you write everyday? Mack: No, I have too many other things I enjoy doing! Geri: How many book-signings have you been to? Mack: I would say about fifteen in the past year! Geri: How do you promote your book? Mack: I use any way I can to get my name, and the name of my book to the public. I've done TV Interviews, radio interviews, ads in newspapers, and book-signings. Also by email, Myspace and Facebook, shout life, and my own website. Geri: Have you written books in different genres? Mack: No, but I plan on trying! Geri: Do you plan on writing a book every year? Mack: Yes! Geri: What has inspired you the most to write? Mack: The joy I get from reading. I want to pass that on! Geri: What factors place you in the comfort zone while writing? Mack: Being at home, quiet, and relaxed with nothing major on my mind, except my book! Geri: Have you written a series, or a sequel for one title? Mack: Yes, I'm working on a third, and last in the Justice series, unless of course it sold real good. Then, I might do some more! Geri: After having one book published, do you now find it easier to write? Mack: Yes, but on the other hand, you feel that you have to do better than the one that was just published! Geri: Thank you very much for your time with this Interview, it was enjoyable! Mack: Your welcome!