This is a bit of a departure from the normal musings on my blog but I am very proud to present the following interview with Madison Johns.  As a fan of good mystery novels and admirer of those who write them, it is a pleasure to be able to interview an author of that genre.  Here are Madison’s responses to my questions.

  I’m 48 and I drive a 2002 Sunfire that you might notice has smokebillowing from the hood. I’m a bit nutty, but in a good way. I’m the one withthe freaked out hair you’d see at Walmart. I love to make people laugh,especially people that are sick. I work as a certified nursing care assistant,it’s a hard job, but full of rewards. I love taking care of others, and havefound a way to make people smile even when they are very ill.

2.  When did you start writing?

  WhenI was a child, I had all these stories inside my head. You know the ones whereeverybody thinks they’re great. Everything from being an Indian to a maincharacter in some sappy romance novel. Four years ago, I decided to starttyping them out, and as a result, I finished short stories, two novels. I’mcurrently working on polishing them for publication.

3.  You are a crime writer.  How do youdo your research?

 Ihave also written two horror short stories, but yes, I’m geared towardmysteries. I find it very interesting how crimes are solved. I research onlinefor the most part. It takes time and patience to find good websites. For my yetunreleased thriller, The Bone Extractor, I researched extensively. Everythingfrom how to lift fingerprints to details on how autopsies are done. For Armedand Outrageous, I researched the Michigan State Police website. I researchedwhat you need to do to obtain a concealed gun permit, and how to get a privateinvestigator’s license.

4.  You describe your main character in yourbook, “Armed and Outrageous” as follows, “Agnes Barton is not your typicalsenior. She drives a red, hot Mustang, shops at Victoria’s Secret, and has aknack for sticking her nose where it does not belong.”  Tell us how youcame up with Agnes.  

 Laughs, I thought it sounded like a name a senior would have. Her partner in crime, Eleanor, is the name of a former resident. When I worked fora nursing home, I took care of three Eleanors, all of them bat shit crazy. Manyof the names I used in Armed are based on real people, but I created Agnes outof my imagination. I know many senior citizens that don’t fit the mold of whatpeople think a senior should be. 

5.  Since Agnesis a senior, you must have some thoughts on ageing. Tell us about them.

 I think we shouldhave fun until our bodies break down or minds go bad enough that we drive ourkids crazy. I believe in longevity. Doing that means we need to take care ofourselves. Growing older isn’t that bad of a thing.  

6.  What otherbooks do you have available?
 Coffin TalesSeason Of Death, it includes two short stories Jack-o’-lantern and Hell Crow.Both stories are horror, but not the grossed out kind.

7.  Any advicefor new authors?
 Try to beoriginal as you can be, which is practically impossible these days. Be yourselfand write what gets you excited. Make lasting friendships with other writers,read their blogs. Grow a very thick skin because you’re going to need it.Growing as a writer means honing your craft. Listen to feedback with an openear. It’s hard to take sometimes, but it will help you improve. Hiring aneditor is a great idea. Surround yourself with positive people.

8.  What is themost difficult part of the writing and publishing process for you and how do youovercome it?
 Trying to findtime to write without interruptions and of course editing. I’m not a grammarwhiz that’s for sure. Hiring an editor is a huge investment, something I willbe doing soon. Formatting for Amazon is not a treat. I hired a formatter, butlearned how to do it myself now. It’s been a learning experience.

9.  What is yourmeasure of success in your writing?
  
  That people areinterested enough in me that they’ll buy my books. I’ve gathered interest in myupcoming senior sleuth, which is huge to me. I’m excited about this book andhopeful looking toward the future. I spent time getting to know people onFacebook on a personal level. I think it’s important to be a “real”person. How many people can say that an author takes the time to interact withyou. Best selling authors can’t do that, but I can and will continue to do so.

10.  Where can the readers find yourbooks?

 Coffin Tales Season of Deathis available on Amazon.

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond to the questions, Madison!

Madison’s website is Madison Johns

Thanks to the Atma Foundation, a box of supplies will be on its way to the two schools we have been involved with in Tanzania.  According to Executive Director, Alysha Atma, this will be the first of many. The box will include:

20 Workbooks
3 boxes of crayons
2 paints – Watercolors
20 Sidewalk chalk
1 Desk Pencil Sharpener
9 Rulers
25 Pink Erasers
10 Dozen Pencils

Is that awesome or what!!??

I am very proud to be associated with the Atma Foundation and the work that they do.  Drop in to check them out at the link.

Atma Foundation

I enjoyed being interviewed by Kris Wampler, author of the book, Love Train.. Check out the interview and his book.

http://kriswampler.wordpress.com/2012/01/30/barry-finlay/

There is a new interview on Inspiration Forum.

Interview with Barry Finlay

I did an interview about my Kilimanjaro experiences with Writer Madison Johns on her blog.  There were some very interesting questions!  You can check it out at the link.

Kilimanjaro and Beyond

I thought it would be fun to write a series of short essays on leadership since I have spent most of my life leading in some capacity or another.  I think I have had the opportunity to learn what to do and, maybe more importantly, what not to do.

I thought it would be three or four short essays but when I started to think about topics, I came up with about 15 without too much effort. I have decided to start a new blog for my essas called, “LeadershipWould Be Easy…If It Weren’t for People.”

I hope you will check it out, leave your comments, start discussions, add topics or whatever you would like to do.  In the meantime, I will continue to post Kilimanjaro and Tanzania-related things here.

You can find the new blog at the link:

Leadership Would Be Easy…If It Weren’t for People

Monday brought a new experience for me. I have been on community television a few times.  Locally, it involves sitting in a small “green room” with other guests until the hosts come blasting in prior to the show. The hosts of our community show bring an amazing energy level into the room as they swoop in. The atmosphere quickly goes from quiet conversation to a raucous review of the day’s topic with each of the guests. Then you sit and wait for your turn. The show is live so what is said is well, said.  The hosts are professional and VERY upbeat.  It is a professional and enjoyable experience.  The interview itself lasts about five minutes.

Monday was a little different. It was a taping on the national show 100 Huntley Street in Toronto. The Crossroads Centre where the taping takes place is massive, the green room is nicely appointed and there is a quiet calm about the whole experience. The host, Moira, is a lovely and very professional lady.  For the first time I had to wear makeup and I must say I look pretty good with eyebrows!  I sat quietly before the interview, we said a little group prayer before taping started and Moira took me through the interview with leading questions. I have to say I was disappointed when it was coming to an end. Fifteen minutes went by very quickly!

I always spend the next day thinking about things I wish I had said or things I wish I had said better.  Maybe you stop doing that with experience. I don’t know. I always cringe a bit when I watch myself.  I think that is probably natural too.  In any event, the 100 Huntley Show will be aired sometime in the next few weeks and after I have seen it and if I like it, I will post the link.  LOL 

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!

This year, the new year was brought in by watching our son and his band in Nashville, Tennessee! Great music! Great city! I love the vibe here. There is something about the city that gets the creative juices flowing as I am sure any musician will attest to.  I am finding myself rejuvenated with plans for new events to continue to help the children of Africa and with a desire to promote Kilimanjaro and Beyond and maybe work on a new book. Hopefully, all of that won’t disappear when we had back to ice and snow in a few days!

I hope that 2012 brings everyone what they would like it to. I personally would like to see a reduction in poverty around the world. Everyone should have access to food and clean water and other basics of life and we will continue to do our bit to help out the young women in Tanzania start businesses so they can provide the basics for their familes.

We hope we can continue to count on your support for 2012. In the meantime, Happy New Year to you and yours!  Let’s hope 2012 is the best year yet for all of us!

As 2011 is coming to an end, I have a lot to be thankful for.  Of course, there are the friends and family for whom I am eternally grateful.  I consider myself blessed.  But there are a myriad of others I would like to thank for everything they have done.  Let me see…here goes in no particular order:

• For all who have donated to our cause to help the children of Africa.  You have contributed to making some lives better and maybe even helped some young people become the leaders of tomorrow.
• To those who have volunteered at our events, we could not have done it without you.  You are special people and you are so desperately needed when an event rolls around. Thank you!
• Thanks to everyone who has purchased our book, Kilimanjaro and Beyond. We are very proud of the book and our story and it is satisfying to know that there are so many people interested in reading our story.
• Thanks to the people who give us venues to sell the book.
• Many thanks to Plan Canada and other organizations like yours who make it possible to help where help is needed. 
• Thank you to all the followers, likers, friends, etc. and whatever else you are all called on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Goodreads.  Of course, it is mutually beneficial to form networks but I have also met some people online whom I would call friends if they were standing right in front of me. I have also learned alot and I thank everyone for being part of that.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas and that 2012 is everything you hope it can be!