Hi Lori and welcome to The Phil Factor. Thank you for taking some time from your busy schedule to answer some questions for my readers. For those of you not familiar with Lori’s work yet, she is the author of the blog and the book, both titled Raising My Rainbow: Adventures in Raising a Fabulous, Gender Creative Son.
TPF: Your blog and book are about raising a son, C.J., who from a very young age hasn’t fit the societal gender stereotypes when it comes to his dress, choice of activities or behaviors. How has having such a creative son enriched your life in ways you never expected?
Lori: First, thanks for acknowledging that raising a gender creative child has enriched my life. So often, people assume that it has had only a negative impact on my life. C.J. is so fun and sparkly. He’s creative and free and so set on being who he was created to be. He’s taught us not to care what other people think and to have more empathy. He’s taught us to judge less and accept more. He’s so entirely authentic that it makes everyone around him want to live that way too. It’s inspiring.
TPF: When I read your accounts ofhow C.J. looks at things from a very different point of view I imagine that he often unintentionally educates you or changes your perspective. What is the most impactful thing you’ve learned from C.J.?
Lori: He’s taught me to just let people be themselves. He’s taught me to let go of expectations because they can be so foolish. And, he’s taught me that as a parent, I’m here to love my children and support them, not change them. That’s really freeing in many ways.
TPF: Has C.J. realized yet what a celebrity he has become as a result of your blog and book? How does he react to the publicity?
Lori: Both of my boys know about the book and blog. They are very proud of what we have done as a family, but their lives are largely the same as they were before all of this. They go to school and their extracurricular activities and, on the weekends, we spend time with family and friends. We’ve never been recognized when out in public. The moms at school gossip about us, but the boys don’t notice. We do get to go to special events and sometimes get spoiled by readers, and they really like that.
C.J. wants “everybody in the world and even America” to read the book so that everybody will know he is gender nonconforming and he’ll never have to explain it again. But, alas, that has not happened.
TPF: Speaking of celebrities, Neil Patrick Harris wrote the Foreword for your book. How did that come about?
Lori: Neil and David have become friends of our family and are so supportive. They are great parents and C.J. knows that around their family and friends he can totally be himself. He sees them singing and dancing and wants to be them when he grows up. Which is cool with me, because when your son aspires to be like Neil and David when he grows up, you have to think he’s chosen wisely.
TPF: What’s the best reaction you’ve ever seen from someone who has met C.J. ?
Lori: People are usually surprised that he’s such a happy kid. That’s what most people say and that, in turn, makes me happy. That’s what I want for both of my kids, to be happy. So many kids like C.J. aren’t, because they are being stifled or told that who they are is wrong. C.J. is really comfortable with himself and there are no signs of distress, anxiety, depression or unhappiness. He thinks he’s awesome.
TPF: How long did it take you and your husband to go from panic and worry to enjoying C.J.’s uniqueness? Does the worry ever go completely away? What helps?
Lori: It’s been an evolution for sure. The first year was really hard and there were definitely parenting moments that I’m not proud of today. It’s been an evolution for every member of our family and for those friends who have decided to remain in our lives. There were certain things that helped us get to a place of acceptance: reading the book “Gender Born, Gender Made,” blogging, connecting with other families like ours and meeting with a gender therapist. Other than those things, time and patience were huge helpers.
TPF: What is your absolute favorite story related to C.J.’s gender creativity?
Lori: Right before school started one year C.J. wanted girl’s underwear. My husband and I drew a line and wouldn’t let him get girl’s underwear. We explained that there wasn’t enough room up front and they would hurt his boy bits. A few days later, I was standing in a long line at a retail store when he wandered away. He was up by the register in view of the entire line when he held up a package of Little Mermaid underwear for girls. He held them high above his head and yelled to me “Mommy, will these hurt my balls and weiner?!” I was so embarrassed and had to remind myself that one day the scene would be funny. And, here we are today.
Lori, thank you for your time and your sharing. For those of you who want to read Lori’s blog, which has something in every post that makes me smile, you can find it at RaisingMyRainbow.com. (For those of you blogging on WordPress, she’s one of us) Her book can be found in paperback and for Kindle, Nook, iPad and everything else. As always folks, if you like what you read here at #ThePhilFactor please share by one of the social media buttons below.
Thank you to Sue Pilski of Between the Pages and Beyond for making me the Author Spotlight on her website yesterday. You can read it here. She’s looking for book reviewers for her site, so if you’ve ever dreamed of getting free books, go to her site and send her an e-mail.
At 7:30 a.m. I boarded a flight to Detroit. I made my way down the aisle to the coach section where we were packed into our tiny seats like eggs in a carton. I found myself seated next to a young serviceman. Army I think. He was in uniform and had carried on a duffel bag as if he were headed back to his base. A moment after we had both gotten situated, a guy makes his way back from the first class section, stops at my row and says, “Go take my seat. I’ll switch with you. You deserve it.” Woo Hoo! It’s my lucky day, I thought. He must be a fan of The Phil Factor.
As fate would have it, he was talking to the young serviceman next to me. Little did I know that both the young serviceman and I were in luck that day. My new but extremely weary travel companion was magician James David. He must have pulled at least $40 in change out of my ear during the hour long flight. I’m kidding of course. His real trick was staying awake. He had performed until late in Buffalo the previous evening and then during the night drove over an hour to get to Rochester where his flight was leaving from and he hadn’t slept all night. He was exhausted but was patient and pleasant with the guy sitting next to him who kept peppering him with questions instead of letting him sleep. So now, a little over two months later I’m again pestering him with questions, some from me and some from my readers.
TPF: Hi James.Welcome to The Phil Factor. Thank you for taking some time for my readers. I’ll get right to the questions. When watching magic people enjoy the surprise seeing the impossible happen. When you watch other magicians, is it more fun to know how it’s done or is it more fun if you don’t?
James: It’s definitely NOT as much fun to know. The enjoyment comes from the look on someone’s face when I disturb their reality. I traded my” inner-child” for the adrenalin rush of watching people become excited again. I really don’t know another job that transcends to most ALL ages, races, religions of people. Most 4 year olds to 104 year olds enjoy the art of magic. That’s the enjoyment I get from magic now. I just really like giving someone a break from their day!
TPF: Did you ever have another career?How did you come to the conclusion that you wanted to pursue magic as a career?
James: Hahah YES! I have always been a “jack of all trades” kinda guy. I worked construction, bar tended, was a substitute teacher, varsity basketball coach, ran a basketball shooting clinic, and sold knives. Yes, knives! Shout out to all of the cutco reps trying to make that “$15/hr.”
Previously, I knew that I was always meant to be a college basketball coach. It was my passion. So when I was offered my first varsity coaching job I was so excited. While substitute teaching I took up magic as a way to entertain the students so they wouldn’t mess around in class. It was so much better than the previous job I had, which was roofing when it was -35 degrees outside for $8/hr.
I soon fell in love with magic and performing. My big break came when my neighbor introduced me to a famous magician out of NY. He happened to be here for a show in Stevens Point, WI. After seeing me perform, he asked me what I did for a living. I told him I was a basketball coach and was pursuing my dream of being a college coach one day.
Then he said it. The quote that changed my life. He said, “Do you want to travel the country and perform at colleges, corporate events, celebrity functions and make your yearly basketball salary in ONE show? Or do you want to have parents yell at you? Ummm… no brainer.
Did you hear that? I think somewhere I just heard a coach just pick up a deck of cards. 🙂
TPF: Although I know that you’re now married with children, one of my readers wanted to know how magic affects one’s love life. Is it a repellent or a total chick magnet? (and when I say chick, I’m only quoting the reader who asked the question and of course meant chick in the most respectful way possible)
James: First, lets not jump to conclusions. He could have been talking about young chickens. In which case, a pocket full of corn can get him all of the chicks he can handle! Ok so… is this a trick question? (Sorry to be punny) I mean, are you TRYING to get me in trouble? HaHa. Well, the answer to your question may surprise you. The answer is… BOTH. It can help AND hinder you.
Because I started to learn magic later in life, I wasn’t exposed to the typical “Pull a rabbit…” kind of magicians. I was exposed to David Blaine. He was the first magician that made me realize you don’t have to fit a stereotype to be a magician. He was natural and yet “unnatural” all in the same breath. Magic has opened so many doors for me to meet people. It can do the same for anyone. However, the common mistake is that a lot of people try to be something they are not. Magic is a personality enhancer. If you are a jerk, you will be a jerk that does tricks. There is a fine line between confidence and cocky, funny and cheesy and doing it all while being charming. You want to be charming. Magic will open doors for you to meet women if that’s what you want. But it’s how you use that skill to keep that door open or have it slammed in your face.
Speaking of magic leading to meeting women, here’s a picture of James with Heather Graham. I think that answers any questions you have about magic and meeting women.
TPF: Another reader wanted to know if the digital age and newer technology has impacted magic performing?
James: Yes, it has DEFINITELY impacted performing. I can be exposed to thousands or even millions of people with just the click of a mouse. Everyone can see anything at anytime. The internet has become saturated with material. You can only do the same trick so many different ways. It’s really hard to find GOOD new things to do. That’s why you have to be creative. Which in turn leads to using technology to your advantage. There are a lot of cool tricks you can do because of the “smart phone” as well as other technologies. Just like any other business, you have to adapt with technology or die.
TPF: Have you ever completely botched a magic trick in front of an audience? What is the worst magic fail that you’ve ever seen?
James: No, I’m a professional. I’ve never messed up! Well, that’s what most magicians want you to believe. I MAY have messed up on stage, but did the audience know that? Nope. Magicians have what’s called a “magic out.” If they would ever mess up, they just make it look like they messed up on purpose. It can lead them right into the next trick.
Or…. I could be lying. Because that’s what magic is. It’s lying. I am making you believe something that didn’t really happen. So the truth is, all magicians mess up. Just not me. 🙂 Come on, you didn’t really think I was going to tell you that? Did you?
The worst magic fail I have ever seen was a guy performing “smash and stab.” It’s a trick where the magician puts a knife or steel spike under a cup. The magician typically has someone from the audience mix the cups up and then the magician begins to smash every cup using his hand. Obviously trying to avoid the sharp object. Let’s just say I know a guy who DIDN’T avoid the sharp object. Google “smash and stab gone wrong.” You’ll see what I mean.
TPF: How do you feel about magicians who reveal the secrets behind others tricks?
James: It really depends on the situation. I absolutely hate it when someone who knows secrets of magic exposes what you’re doing to an audience. ESPECIALLY if it’s another magician. If I’m caught because I am technically not good, then I totally deserve to be exposed. The truth is, most people don’t want to know the secrets behind magic. It wrecks the fun for them. I just think it’s common courtesy that if you are privileged enough to have been taught the secrets, you should keep your mouth shut. But that rarely happens.
If you’re talking about the “masked magician” then that is a completely different story. I think this guy saw a hole in the market and took advantage of it. Whatever his motives were, he made his family financially secure. Do I think it’s right? Absolutely Not. The funny thing is, people may watch the show to learn the secret, but no one ever remembers how it is exactly done. I’ve had a few people approach me after a show and say, “I know how you did that trick!” My response is always, “Cool, so how did I do it? Not ONE time has anyone even come close to the correct answer. So revealing the secrets behind magic does not bother me in the slightest. Chances are you will forget anyway. And if anyone ever gets it right… Still no big deal.
In a fist fight between you and David Copperfield, who wins?
James: David Copperfield. He owns an island. You can’t fight a guy who owns his own island! I would just keep thinking, “Why am I fighting David Copperfield? I can’t believe he has his own island.” I would be distracted. One of his body guards would sneak up and kick the crap out of me. You just don’t fight a guy that has an island. Everyone knows that.
TPF: Doing my research for this interview, I found a video of you performing magic for ESPN’s Monday Night Football crew. What other interesting and fun opportunities has magic led you to?
James: Actually, let’s start here. I am a huge football fan and especially a Green Bay Packer fan. Not only was I lucky enough to attend a MNF game, but it turned out to be one of the most historic games in the NFL’s history. The play that ended the “lockout.”
On a plane I was sitting next to a guy who just happened to work for ESPN. His name was Rob, and we were both fighting the bitter cold and early morning sleep deprivation. Sound familiar? After striking up a conversation, we both realized we have a love for sports. We kept in touch over the course of a few months and eventually he invited me to a MNF game to entertain the ESPN crew. After doing this for a while, I’ve found that it’s not as much fun if you can’t share these experiences with your friends. So I invited Tom, my brother-in-law, who is also a huge Green Bay Packers fan. After the production meeting I got to perform for Coach Jon Gruden and Mike Tirico, as well as the other crew members. During that performance we also met Gerry Austin. Gerry is one of the most experienced refs in the NFL and now the head replay official for ESPN. After chatting for a while we went to our seats to watch the game. When that infamous play happened, “the interception/no interception” play, we realized they weren’t showing the replays on the big screen in the stadium. So when the ref came back after the booth review and said it was a touchdown, we had no reason to not believe it. We didn’t know anything was wrong until we got back to the airport to catch red-eye flight back home. We really wanted to see the replays on TV. I had a Delta sky lounge pass saved to finish the trip off our already amazing experience. When the door opened and we stepped in, we couldn’t believe it. The first person we saw sitting there was none other than Gerry Austin.
If there was ONE person who we ever wanted to run into at that time, it was Gerry Austin! Gerry invited us over to sit with him and have a beer. We peppered him with questions about the call on the field. As we were watching the replays on SportsCenter, Gerry explained the botched call. I then realized a guy sitting next to us was listening to our conversation. He had a Seattle Seahawks shirt on, so of course he had a different opinion on what Gerry was explaining. He began to argue with Gerry on his view of the call. Tom and I just looked at each other and realized, this guy has NO CLUE who he is talking to. After a few minutes of discussion between the two, the end of the story goes like this:
Seattle fan: “It WAS a touchdown because he had one arm wrapped around the ball when he went to the ground. Tie goes to the offense.”
Gerry: “No, it was an interception because the defender had BOTH hands on the ball and cradled it to the ground. One arm around the ball does not constitute possession.”
Seattle fan: ” Well, what makes you such an expert anyway?”
Gerry: ” I was an NFL ref for 24 years, I reffed two Super Bowls, I saw it on 29 different camera angles, and I’m also the head replay official for Monday Night Football! “
Seattle Fan: “oh…. I guess that does make you an expert.”
This is a memory I will have forever! I’ve also performed at a few children’s birthday parties.
TPF: As far as magic tricks go, is there a white whale out there for you? Is there one incredible trick that no one else has done that you want to create and perfect?
James: No, there really isn’t a trick that’s unattainable. My job is to create something that no one else has done. But I’m also a little bit different. I’m a sarcastic comedy magician. So the “grand illusions” that are out there don’t do me any good. I like to have fun with the audience. However, I am currently discussing a concept with some close friends and confidants. I guess you’ll have to wait and see what that is. I’ll get you some tickets to a show…..for half-price. 🙂 Ok.. you get it for FREE!
TPF: Awesome! Free tickets! Count me in. Ok, last question. (Yes, I know on our flight you probably wish I had said “last question” as soon as they closed the cabin door) Your name. A lot of magicians come up with creative names like The Astounding Incredible James David or Burt Wonderstone. Why did you choose James David?
James: Well the story might be kind of boring but David is my middle name. My real last name is very hard to pronounce. When I started performing, people were butchering it. So I made the decision to just use my middle name and thought it would be a lot easier. Sorry to disappoint you.
Or…I could tell you the real story. I was on a fishing trip in the Florida Keys when a freak storm appeared out of nowhere. The captains name was David. His boat was called “David & Goliath.” We were getting beat up by the waves and wind. Captain Dave decided to move the boat to the backside of the islands to get us some shelter. He accidentally got too close to the island and we got stuck on a reef. The waves were crashing into the boat and we started to take on water. We had to use a life raft to get to shore. Luckily there was an EPIRB (Emergency Positioning Indicator Radio Beacon) on the raft. It sent out a distress signal and we were picked up by the coast guard some 8 hours later. I was so grateful to the captain for keeping us alive, I decided to use the captains name in my show. Hence, James “David.”
Or…. I could be lying. Because that’s what magicians do.
Ha Ha, thanks James. It’s been a lot of fun talking to you again. If you want to follow James and find out when he might be coming to your town you can find him on Facebook and at his website MindGameJames.com. As always, if you’ve enjoyed #ThePhilFactor please share by one of the social media buttons below. Have a great week. See you Thursday. ~ Phil
I guess I should rephrase the title. As you can see from the picture below, Marie Lanza is not a Zombie author. She is an author who writes Zombie stories. Not that I have anything against Zombies. If a Zombie who is also an author wanted to be on my blog I would happily invite him or her. Rob Zombie, if you’re reading this feel free to drop me a line. BTW, do I really need to capitalize the word Zombies? Who’s going to be offended if I don’t?
Since The Walking Dead premiered on AMC in October 2010, teenage witches and amorous vampires are all but forgotten. Zombies are everywhere. Marie Lanza published her first zombie story The Colonyin September including the short story As They Laid Me Down To Die. In addition to being an author Marie is also a radio show host and producer on The DiRTwhich can be heard on iHeartRadio, Spreaker and as a podcast on iTunes. She is also the Production Director for TradioV. If it involves media Marie is involved, but today she’s visiting The Phil Factor to talk zombies.
TPF: Hi Marie and welcome to The Phil Factor. Thank you for taking a few minutes for my readers. Let’s get right to the important questions. In the event of a zombie apocalypse, if your twin sister were to become a zombie would you shoot her or let her continue to live on as a human flesh-eating zombie?
Marie: I would do all the living a favor and shoot what’s left of her body then take her bike… it’s a really nice bike.
TPF: Would you want her to do the same for you?
Marie: I already know she would do the same for me. We’ve had plenty of conversations about it. In fact, not only do I know she would shoot me if I were turned, I’m pretty sure she would sacrifice me if it came down to one of us. In 2012 we did a Zombie Run together and she threw me in front of the Zombies. She survived that race. I died.
TPF: You were once in an episode of BRAVO’s Orange County Housewives. Which are scarier, zombies or Orange County housewives? Why?
Marie: While both are flesh eating man-eaters, Orange County Housewives are much scarier because they are completely unpredictable!!
TPF: If there were a real zombie apocalypse, 1. Are you prepared? And 2. Would you be afraid or excited?
Marie: It’s not “if”, the question is “when!” and of course I’m prepared! I’m certainly not excited about it, although I imagine Zombie-killing is great cardio.
TPF: Both of your stories in The Colony are told in the first person point of view of a strong female lead. When you’re writing are you picturing yourself as that character?
Marie: I hope I would have the strength of Emma on her journey alone in a post apocalyptic world. I like to think I would. There’s always a small part of myself within my characters. It’s a form of escapism for me. Creating new worlds and putting myself right in the middle of it is like putting a kid in a jungle gym for the first time.
In the short story, As They Laid Me Down To Die, I pulled from my sisters. I’m in a family of very strong women, my mother and three sisters are grizzly bears when it comes to their children. It’s fascinating to watch the transition of a woman when she becomes a mother. Exploring what a mother would go through when…. Well I’ll stop there so I don’t spoil the story.
TPF: You’re releasing a new book Fractured: Outbreak Zom-813 sometime in 2014. Is that a continuation of The Colony story or is it a different story line?
Marie: Fractured: Outbreak ZOM-813 is my first full-length novel and it is a stand-alone work. The Colony is an e-book series and will be continued. I’m excited to see where Emma’s journey takes her.
TPF: If my readers were to tune in to your radio show, what can they expect to hear?
Marie: Zombies and gardening. Ha ha. We talk a lot about life, everyday stuff. Zombies do come up, so does gardening. We do DVD reviews, discuss TV shows and my favorite strange news stories from around the world.
TPF: Ok, you’re locked in a room with a zombie. You don’t have a gun. If you could have only one weapon with you, what would it be? And don’t tell me you haven’t thought about this.
Marie: A machete. I sleep with it by my bed and when I travel, it travels. True story.
TPF: How do you get the machete through airport security? Is it in your checked luggage? My choice of weapon would be a baseball bat. It has longer reach.
Marie: Ha ha. Well I haven’t traveled by plane with it but by car it’s always with us…. two of them. Everyone asks me about the reach. Just a little shorter than a baseball bat. 😉
TPF: Good to know. I’ll make sure to stay on your good side if I ever meet you in person.Last question. Why do zombies always have really bad teeth? Certainly some of them had good dental hygiene just before they became infected. They’re not all British are they?
Marie: I don’t think it’s that they have really bad teeth. They’re just eating so much flesh, blood and guts that their teeth get dirty, or they may break off in fights. And really, what Zombie carries a tooth brush?
TPF: Marie, thank you for your time. If you want to check out Marie’s book you can find it available from Amazon and other e-bookstores. You can learn about her radio show The DiRT here, follow her on Twitter, and you can read more about everything Marie Lanza on her website. You can also follow Marie’s writing on Facebook. As always, if you’ve enjoyed #ThePhilFactor please hit the Facebook or Twitter share button below.
Hi Lorenzo and welcome to The Phil Factor. I appreciate you taking the time to talk about your book and answer some questions. For those of you not yet familiar with Lorenzo he is the first-time author of the recently released book Anything is Possible: Thought Provoking Quotes to Inspire Your Mind. As a child Lorenzo was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis which presented him with obstacles throughout life. In spite of this Lorenzo grew up to have a successful banking career and recently retired and published Anything is Possible, the story of his life interwoven with inspiring quotes, thoughts and perspectives.First off Lorenzo, how has your health been?
LV: Hi Phil, my health has been ok thanks. I continue to have doctor appointments to monitor my neurological disorder as well as my heart condition, but I stay positive and confident as always.
TPF: For my readers not familiar with neurofibromatosis, could you explain a little about it?
LV: Sure, there are two types of NF. I have NF1. NF type 1 is a neurological disorder that affects about 1 in 4000 people. It affects the nervous system, skin and eyes and more. It causes tumors to grow on your skin, nerves and spine causing pain in many cases. It can cause scoliosis, brain tumors, severe headaches, learning disabilities, hearing loss and more. It can also cause disfigurement of the face in many patients.
“For one day make it your goal to make five people smile”
TPF: You went from banker to author. Is writing something you’ve always wanted to do, or did something inspire you to share your story?
LV: Well, I have always considered myself a confident, positive person. I’ve always enjoyed people and helping coworkers and clients to be their best. In July of 2011, I started having some pain in my ribs and spine. I went to the doctor and had an x-ray done. This was the start of what would cause me to end my career in banking. Further scans at the Cleveland Clinic uncovered severe deformity of my spinal canal that were a result of my NF. The tumors were growing inside my spinal canal eroding my entire spine. This was incurable. My neurologist and the Cleveland Clinic recommended permanent disability. Like other times, when diagnosed with a brain tumor and scoliosis, I stayed positive and carried on. This inspired me to start writing and posting positive messages on social media. All my messages came from my inner thoughts and personal experiences. I wrote original quotes that were either positive and inspiring or quotes that made you think deeply about life. After a few months, I developed a heart issue that caused over 2 liters of fluid to fill a cavity in my heart. This caused heart failure and nearly killed me. I was hospitalized and a surgical procedure was performed. This time, I went on permanent disability. Despite my medical issues, I continued to post on social media from my hospital bed. My friends kept encouraging me to compile my quotes into a book. I decided I needed more than a quote book. So I thought about writing about my life experiences dealing with and living with my medical condition yet still having a successful banking career. I also thought that incorporating my quotes into the book would be an interesting idea. Thus, the book was born.
TPF: Had you always been philosophical about overcoming the obstacles neurofibromatosis posed for you?
LV: Yes. I found out at the age of 12 that I wasn’t scared of having NF nor how I would overcome this disease.(This is also when I first learned I had NF). In fact I was more concerned for my parents worrying for me than I was for how I would handle it strangely. I think the reason for this is because I had a series of medical events in a row, so there wasn’t much time to reflect on what was occurring. My parents were very worried for me. I had to be strong to show them that I was going to be ok. I stayed confident and had a positive attitude. My doctors were also so confident, positive and friendly which boosted my mental attitude. I also had great family support surrounding me.
“Your life is like a movie. It can be played and replayed in people’s heads. People will remember you for your role.”
TPF: Was there at some time a turning point with you that changed your perspective?
LV: I would like to say that I wondered –why me- . Why did I have this disease that caused all my medical issues. I have had people say to me- “You’re like the bionic man”- 8 surgeries and still around to talk about it. But Phil, I can honestly say that from day 1-I have never had a different outlook at life. I have never been upset with my life despite my medical issues even while laying in the hospital. In fact, I consider myself the person I am today-positive-caring-goal oriented and always looking to inspire others because of my NF. I feel that I have always been this way, even from the beginning. I recall my doctors and nurses as a child being amazed that I would respond to treatments as I did. I attribute a lot of that to my family and great doctors.
“Smile and be happy. Every day you smile is another day that you live. Frown and be mad. Every day that you frown or or are mad is a day that you aren’t able to live.”
TPF: Now that you are retired. What comes next in your life and in your writing?
LV: Well this was my first book. I would like to move on to speaking engagements centered around being positive and believing in yourself regardless of any obstacles you may be facing. I also want to help young people realize that they are capable of endless possibilities. It all starts in their mind. I am starting a blog soon. I continue to write positive, original quotes and my blog will have content with quotes, inspiring stories, book giveaways, and a feedback section. I’m still new at this so I’m exploring some other options.
“Blaming others for misery is useless. Focus on happiness. Blame someone for your happiness. This is healthy.”
Lorenzo, thank you for your time and for stopping by #ThePhilFactor. If you want to learn more about Lorenzo Victory you can visit his website www.lorenzovictory.com, you can follow him on Twitter @cwbys022, and you can find his book on Amazon, B&N and other online bookstores. As always, if you enjoy The Phil Factor feel free to share it by hitting one of the social media buttons below.
Hi Jodyne and welcome to The Phil Factor. Thank you for taking a few minutes to answer some questions for my readers about your book Dump ’em: How to Break Up with Anyone from Your Best Friend to Your Hairdresser.
Jodyne: My pleasure and might I just say what a lovely first name you have. I’m lucky enough to have two dads and both of them are named Philip, although one of them goes by his middle name, Donald.
TPF: Well, thank you. Although I can’t take credit for picking my name I have become rather fond of it. So, what was the impetus for your decision to write Dump ‘em?
Jodyne: Like most people, I was terrible at ending any kind of relationship: cleaning ladies, dentists, hairdressers, friends, etc. I avoided those people I was too scared to dump like the plague. Unfortunately as the toll of people I was avoiding went up, so did my chances of running into them when least expected; like the checkout lane at CVS, the movies or my favorite restaurant. I was once cornered in Barney’s in New York City and forced to explain why I didn’t go back to see a former hairdresser that I really cared about, who just stopped cutting my hair evenly. It was awful running into her because at that point I had avoided her calls for a few months and here I was standing in front of her with a new hair cut. I didn’t want to lie, but my first reaction was to make up excuses and I just felt awful. She didn’t deserve that. She deserved the truth. I left that day with the clear intention of not wanting to be that person anymore, too scared to nip something in the bud when it came up. So I figured I would go to Borders (R.I.P) bookstore and find a book that would teach me how to politely dump people. When I discovered there was no such book, I decided it was time to teach myself, so I started gathering information and interviewing different people, both professional and personal. The more people I talked to, the more I got the consistent feedback that I should write a book. When enough people tell you that you should do something, you listen.
TPF: Was your intent for the book to be a therapeutic book that’s funny or funny book that turned out to have some therapeutic value?
Jodyne: Good question. I wanted the book to be both. I think everyone of us has struggled at some point with having to dump someone, and many of those stories are funny. Some not so funny, but at the very least relatable, so my intent was to share my personal stories, but at the end of the day make sure to include practical tips and tools so my reader would know how to do it in their own life. I genuinely wanted to share what I learned because I knew there were a lot of people out there in the world, like me who were looking for a kind and respectful way to end relationships.
TPF: Dump ‘em isn’t just about ending romantic relationships but relationships with anyone from your …ahem…manicurist/waxer to a neighbor to friends. In your personal life, whom have you found is most difficult for you to dump and why?
Jodyne: Personally, I find friendships the most difficult to end, because unlike romantic relationships which we enter into knowing there’s a good chance things won’t work out, with friends we go into it thinking they’ll be there for the long run. But like any relationship, sometimes they run their course. The problem is that sometimes only one person feels that the friendship has run its course. I’ve had friendships where the other person expects more from me than I am able to give, and not every friend understands that. When I was younger I had a number of toxic friendships; people that spoke disrespectfully towards me or who drained me emotionally and physically. I tried unsuccessfully in the past to to dump a lot of them, but most of them had such strong personalities that they wouldn’t let me! After researching and writingDump ‘Em I learned how to dump those toxic relationships. I learned that not every break up has to be done in person, that sometimes the best way to end a relationship is write a solidly constructed letter.
TPF: You interviewed quite a list of luminaries for this book including Kato Kaelin, your sister Sarah Silverman, trainer Bob Harper of The Biggest Loser, Adam Corolla, and several professional experts. Of all those people, who surprised you and what did they say that you weren’t expecting?
Jodyne: Kato Kaelin surprised me the most. I knew I wanted to write a chapter about how to dump a houseguest since I used to live in New York City and I had never before had I been as popular as when I had my apartment in Soho. I had people I hadn’t seen since 2nd grade show up at my door hoping for a place to crash. Oddly since moving to Los Angeles, I haven’t had that problem, but I knew as soon as I decided to write the chapter on how to ask a houseguest to leave that I wanted to interview Kato and by sheer luck I happened to know someone who had his email address. I fully expected it to be the wrong email or just not hear back from him, but he ended up writing me back right away. I met him a few days later at the National Lampoon office on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles where he worked. Not only was he incredibly charming and charismatic, he was funny and smart. And the best part was that he actually had great advice about dumping a houseguest.
TPF: Your columns in The Huffington Post have been about relationships, or rather the end of relationships. Between those and your book, one might think that you’re a pessimist about relationships. Is that the case?
Jodyne: Actually, quite the opposite, but I can see how one could think that. I come from a broken home, so I saw first hand how relationships can fail without kindness. Observing my parents I thought all relationships ended either by fighting or by avoiding each other, so that’s what I did for many years. However I craved a different type of closure, I just didn’t know how to do it. My writing has always been personal and I think my path ultimately led me to write Dump ‘Em because I learned what was missing for me, that voice that stands up for myself in a kind and respectful way. I am in no way trying to say that dumping people is easy, but my book advocates that there is a way of doing it where everyone gets closure and that for me is a hugely important part in ending any relationship.
TPF: Did you catch any flack from former friends, hairdressers, trainers or others who may have recognized themselves as examples in your book?
Jodyne: Funnily enough I didn’t. I actually went on Rachael Ray to apologize to my old hairdresser who reached out to me numerous times to see if I was okay after not hearing from me for some time. It didn’t help that I kept hitting delete on my answering machine. In all fairness she did give me a mullet before I graduated from college. But still, I knew this woman and saw her outside of the salon and she deserved to know that I was going in a different direction with my hair and not to expect me back. See that’s the thing, I think sometimes we build up saying good-bye to a relationship as the most difficult thing ever, when the truth is it can be very simple, it’s comes down to how we say it, and I advocate for less is more. Don’t go into long lists of excuses as to why you are leaving the relationship, keep it short and sweet with a potential opening for a return, because sometimes when we leave a relationship, we realize that we want to return and so leaving the door open is a great way of knowing you can return if things don’t work out.
TPF: Did you ever speak to or hear from your former assistant French Fry?
Jodyne: Sadly, no.
TPF: I’m sorry to hear that. Your story about that particular relationship was heartbreaking.
Jodyne: Ugh. I know! That one in particular got me where it hurts because he did absolutely nothing wrong. whereas with other relationships we have a way of justifying our actions by thinking that person was an ass anyway. but French Fry was salt of the earth.
TPF: Well, who knows, maybe French Fry reads The Phil Factor and will see this and understand. It’s been a couple years since Dump ‘Em came out. Are there plans for another book of any kind?
Jodyne: I’ve been talking to people about turning the book into a television show, which would be a lot of fun. I also just finished a screenplay for a production company in Los Angeles based on an article I wrote for the Huffington Post. I’ve got a few other things up my sleeve, but you’ll have to follow me on Twitter to find out!
TPF: I think a show based on the book is a great idea! I’ll follow you on Twitter and look for Dump ‘Em in next seasons Fall line up.Jodyne, thank you for visiting #ThePhilFactor and thank you for your time. I’m glad you didn’t decide to dump me when I e-mailed to ask for this interview. For those of you that would like to read more you can find Jodyne’s book in both hard copy and e-book in bookstores and on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and all the other online retailers. You can also follow Jodyne on Facebook and Twitter. As always, if you enjoy what you read here please share it with your friends by hitting the Facebook, Twitter or other share buttons below.
Hello Dave and welcome to #ThePhilFactor. Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions for my readers. For those of you not familiar with Dave’s work, he is an American humorist and Pulizter Prize winning columnist that the New York Times has referred to as “the funniest man in America.” For those of you wondering about the picture above, yes, Dave is also a guitarist. Dave’s syndicated humor column has run in the Miami Herald since 1983. Then in 1999 he branched out into humorous novels. In an effort to learn how to duplicate his career I asked for a few minutes of his time and he was nice enough to respond.
TPF: First off Dave, congratulations on being named a finalist for this years’ Thurber Prize for American Humor for your novel Lunatics. When you began your career as a humor writer, did you even suspect you could make a career at making jokes and that there would be prizes for it?
Dave: No. I always assumed that at some point I would have to get a real job and do something meaningful and productive that would actually benefit society. Fortunately this never happened.
TPF: In 1999 after many years of writing your humor column you published your first fiction novel Big Trouble. You were doing very well with your column and humor books, why did you decide to go into fiction and was it difficult to change your style for that genre?
Dave: I just thought, hey, this might be fun, writing stories. I mean my columns were full of lies anyway, so why not try writing something that was all lies? The hardest part for me (it’s still the hardest part) was plotting – learning to construct stories that made some sense, and were compelling enough to read, and had satisfying endings.
TPF: For your novel Lunatics you collaborated with former Saturday Night Live writer and Thurber Prize winner Alan Zweibel. What are some of the challenges to writing a novel with a partner?
Dave: You have to work with somebody you like, whose judgment you trust, and who’ll trust your judgment. Like when I tell Alan that he’s an idiot, he listens to me, because he knows I’m right.
TPF: This may not come as a surprise, but there is a Dave Barry Wikipedia page. I know what I would do if it was my page. Are you ever tempted to make some humorous additions or changes to it, and if so, what would you add?
Dave: I long ago stopped reading my Wikipedia page. There always seemed to be mistakes, and if you correct them, more pop up. It’s frustrating, and I decided at some point it was better to just not worry about it.
TPF: It’s hard not to notice that many of your books start with “Dave Barry” in the title. Is that a strategy you would recommend to other humor writers looking to emulate your success?
Dave: That has long embarrassed me, but the marketing folks at the publishing houses pretty much insist on having my name be in the title, because… I’m a brand! Like Ex-Lax!
TPF: You’ve got another humor book, You Can Date Boys When You’re Forty, coming out in January. What else can we look for from you in the coming year?
Dave: I’ll be working on another novel. Also I plan to continue drinking beer.
Dave, I’d like to thank you and your assistant Judi for putting up with my e-mails and for taking a few minutes to answer some questions for my readers. Myself and the rest of Rochester look forward to seeing you at the annual Rochester Fringe Festival on Sept. 27th. For those of you who want to cyber stalk Dave Barry you can always find the latest on his writing at his website davebarry.com and you can find links to his Facebook and Twitter. As always, if you enjoy what you read here at ThePhilFactor.com please share with your friends via the Facebook and Twitter share buttons below.
With about 2 million views this past week, you just have to watch the video below before reading the rest of the interview.
Over the centuries there have been many impressive inspirational speeches and quotes by men and women who have shaped history. “I have a dream today!” by Martin Luther King Jr. “All of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.”~ Walt Disney. Last weeks Georgia Tech freshman convocation speech has people wondering if “If you want to play theme music during your convocation speech like a bad ass, we’re at Georgia Tech! We can do that. I am doing that!” by Nick Selby destined to join that illustrious list? Only time will tell.
Hi Nick, and welcome to The Phil Factor. Typically when I feature an interview here it’s an author or other writing industry professional, but when I saw your video I knew I had to make an exception. I found your video both hilariously awesome and inspiring. For my readers, Nick is more than just a great public speaker. Nick is a sophomore Mechanical Engineering major at Georgia Tech. He co-leads the Mechanical Sub team in Solar Jackets, which is Georgia Tech’s team that built and raced a solar-powered car in the Formula Sun Grand Prix. Nick is also a president’s scholar, representing the top 2% of enrolled students at the university. Needless to say, after the afterglow of The Best Speech Ever wears off Nick should be just fine.
TPF: Nick, how and why were you chosen to give the convocation speech?
Nick: I applied in May by submitting a written abstract online along with several other students. Mine and a few others were selected to also submit audition tapes of the full speech. I did so, and was chosen as the speaker.
TPF: How did you come up with the idea to use the music from 2001: A Space Odyssey?
Nick: Back in my hometown in Phoenix, I learned how to public speak with Desert Vista High School’s speech and debate team. One of my coaches there, Andy Stone, had performed a speech in college about sci-fi literature that used the idea of the finale theme music. When I saw that speech, I thought it was the most amazing thing ever, so I asked him for his permission to use the idea in my own conclusion. He very graciously agreed, and everyone loved it.
TPF: Do you have a background in drama or theater?
Nick: I competed with my high school’s Speech and Debate team.
TPF: How has your daily life on campus changed since your speech?
Nick: A few people have stopped me to ask for pictures or to compliment the speech. I’m really honored that people have enjoyed it this much.
TPF: If you were offered your own sit-com would you drop out of college to pursue that?
Nick: Haha! No; engineering is my passion. I love speaking, and there are plenty of opportunities within this amazing field to utilize good public speaking skills.
TPF: Has there been any negative reactions or consequences related to your speech? (aside from dopes like me taking up your time with interviews)
Nick: There were a few news organizations who pursued the story that I had plagiarized the speech from my coach. To be honest, I’m a little disappointed—a simple phone call or checking of my Facebook could have cleared that up quickly. That being said, those accusations started because my coach is a really amazing man with a lot of friends who really care about him. How were they supposed to know that I had asked for his permission beforehand?
TPF: If you could really do something outlandishly awesome with the technology you’re learning in pursuit of your degree, what would it be? The Iron Man suit or something else?
Nick: I understand that the science behind the Iron Man suit hasn’t quite caught up to the artistic vision, but science has a way of progressing society quicker than we might expect. Right now, I’m focusing on using the technology we’re learning to build a solar-powered race car with Solar Jackets and put a satellite in space with the PROX-1 research team.
TPF: What is your ultimate, long term career goal?
Nick: I want my inventions to continue helping people long after I’m gone. While I don’t know what path I will end up in right now, my dream job is to work for a program like SpaceX or another company that pursues the impossible.
Nick, thank you again for visiting #ThePhilFactor. I appreciate you taking a few minutes for my questions during what must be one of the busiest weeks of your life. For my readers, as always, if you like what you read here please hit the Facebook, Twitter or other share buttons below.
“So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.” ~ Dr. Seuss
(I was going for Interview with the Vampire Editor” for the title, but the program won’t let me do cross outs in the title.) When I published my first novel, White Picket Prisons, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. One of the things that I didn’t know was what an editor does for an author. I figured that the spelling and grammar check on my computer was an adequate editor and and, if I passed that testtest, my book was good to go. I then impulsively published a bad first edition. After some feedback from some very good friends friends, I decided to have my book edited by a professional and to re-issue it. I found Cynthia Shepp’s book review website, initially hoping for a review, but when I saw that she did editing editing, I asked for that instead. As a new author there was so much I didn’t know. and I’m grateful to Cynthia for taking the time and effort it required to revise my first edition into a much better second edition. She also taught me the importance of commas. As you can see from the first paragraph, I asked her to edit this interview and I’ve left the edits in so you can see what an editor does.
TPF: Hi Cynthia and welcome to The Phil Factor. Just for fun, feel free to edit this interview as well, and I’ll leave you’re your edits in for people to see. How and why did you get into editing as a career? Also, what was your education to prepare you for being an editor? I’m really curiouscurious about that because apparently I got through seven years of college without knowing how to use commas until you edited my manuscript.
Cynthia: Hi Phil, thank you so much for having me. I feel privileged to be on the Phil Factor. I love your blog. I have loved to read ever since I was big enough to pick up a book. I used to think that I wanted to be a writer, but later on, I decided that I was better at editing. I love to take people’s stories and help make them the best that they can possibly be. Really though, it was just a dream that I didn’t think would ever happen because I live in a very small town in Alabama. There are no major publishing houses here and I always thought to be a successful editor, you had to live in a big city with resources. Then came the independent publishing era and I realized that this was the time to make my dream come true. I could do everything I wanted to from the comfort of my living room, with a computer on my lap and my kids screaming in the background. I started on a fluke with a book review on Amazon and noticed that the author, Elle Casey, posted a Facebook link. From there, another author informed me that there was a huge market on Facebook and that authors would give me books FREE in exchange for reviews. That was all it took to convince me to start a Facebook page and blog. That same author, Jason Brant, decided to take a chance on me and gave me his manuscript to edit. Everything blew up from there. Now I have so many projects that I work non-stop all the time and I love it!
As for education, I am two classes away from a BA in English/Literature. I agree with you, though. I don’t feel that my education prepared me for editing. I have learned through extensive trial and error, working on my own time to teach myself the skills I need to be successful. It is an ongoing learning experience. I feel that I discover new things every day.
TPF: What is the funniest mistake you’ve ever seen anyone make in a manuscript they submitted to you? Don’t use their name of course, unless it’s me.
Cynthia: Oh Phil, don’t make me call you out, honey. I actually can’t think of anything that was funny in a manuscript that I edited, but a mistake that you made does come to mind. When I received your manuscript, I almost fell out of my chair when I opened it. 😉 You had characters speaking in the same paragraphs and unannounced POV changes on every other page. It took extensive work before I even got to the meat of the story. For people that do not know, characters never speak in the same sentences. You must always put dialogue on a different line. Also, POV (point of view) changes should transition well, and be announced clearly, so that the reader does not get confused. Once that was ironed out, however, I realized that you had an extremely great book on your hands.
TPF: I don’t mind being yourexample. Like I said, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. (Did you hear that everybody? She said “great book.” Now click that link to the right to get it on your e-reader right away) Cynthia, What is the most common mistake you see new authors make?
Cynthia: I would have to say that it would be the mistakes that I mentioned above. Also, I would say tenses are another huge problem. You cannot start a story out in one tense and then start switching between them. In my opinion, past tense is the best to write in. Trying to write in first person, present tense usually does not work out well. It is jarring to the reader. Unless, of course, it is the Hunger Games. I am one of many who believe she is a rare author who successfully wrote an amazing book in first person, present tense.
TPF: There are different levels or types of editing. Could you give a brief explanation of those?
Cynthia: There are many different levels of editing and people actually give various names. There is everything from a content edit (which I do not do) to a simple re-edit. Content editing usually means that an editor will work with a writer from the very first draft. They will give their opinion on everything from plot to characters in an extensive role.
I am a final-draft editor. The services I offer are explained below.
Re-Edits*
Re-Edits are done on books that have already been edited that you are not happy with. I simply go through and edit them again, correctly. I don’t charge full price because I know that the authors have already paid someone to edit it once. This is ONLY for books that have previously been edited and that have already been published. Re-Edits only get ONE thorough read through. If you want a more comprehensive edit, please choose a Proofread or Detailed Copy Editing package.
Proofreading*
Proofreading is done on a final draft and includes line-by-line correction of spelling, grammar, and minor sentence structure issues.
Detailed Copy Editing*
Detailed Copy Editing is done on a final draft and includes detailed, line-by-line editing for sentence structure, grammar, spelling, and, if needed, other issues that do not require major changes, such as plot consistency, character analysis, and style.
Detailed Copy Editing and Proofread Package*
The Detailed Copy Editing and Proofread Package combine both services. This package has two different steps. First, Detailed Copy Editing will be done to a manuscript and sent back to the author. The author will then make all of the changes needed and re-write sections that have been suggested need work. Once the author has finished this stage and sent it back, a thorough Proofread will be done on the finished product. Please refer to the above explanations for each service to see what they entail. This is the most cost-effective package if you desire both a detailed copy edit as well as another edit after the changes have been made.
Blurb Editing and Critique*
Need help making your blurb great? Need a fresh pair of eyes to check for errors and readability? This is your option. This is a flat-rate service with a one-day turnaround.
TPF: Do you have a favorite style or genre you enjoying reading and editing?
Cynthia: I love most books and genres. I do have reading preferences, as well as genres that I do not enjoy. I also go through stages. For the last year, I have been addicted to Dystopian and Apocalyptic novels. There is something about them that I cannot resist. I also love paranormal and modern Sci-Fi. I do not like dungeons and dragons type fantasy. I love just about anything else though. It depends on my mood. I like books that make me laugh, cry, groan, scare me, and even blush with embarrassment. It just has to be well written and keep me entertained.
TPF: With your background and experienceexperience, you would probably be a great writer. Have you ever thought about writing your own novels?
Cynthia: I used to think that I would be a New York Times Best Seller one day. I now laugh at myself for thinking that. I am not a writer. I am an editor and I am happy in that role.I have been such an avid reader, I would be worried that the ideas I ended up with would not be my own. I have had a few poems and newspaper articles published, and I write a mean term paper, but other than that, I lost the urge. Even the poetry that I write comes in fits and bursts. I will go for years without writing anything. I just do not have that burning NEED to write, so I do not think a book of my own is in my future. Although, I do think that the anthologies that I publish (with help from Rene Folsom, author) fill that need inside of me. It allows me to create a work of art and fill it with the creativity of others. I simply give a topic and they run with it. The upcoming anthology, STALKERS, has exceeded even my expectations. It will be one of our best anthologies yet.
TPF: If there is one piece of advice you’d give to authors before they send their manuscripts to an editor, what would it be?
Cynthia: I love this question. My main advice would be to PLEASE make sure that your manuscript is double-spaced and in Times New Roman size 12 font. It makes it so much easier on the editor when it is formatted that way. It makes it clear, easy to read, and easy to edit. It makes my job less complicated and more enjoyable. I would also suggest beta readers before and after an edit. Betas are a great source for authors. They offer feedback that helps the author as well as the editor in first and second drafts. After editing, Betas also help find those pesky little mistakes that linger. No matter how good the editor, one person cannot find every mistake in an 80,000 to 100,000 word manuscript.
TPF: Cynthia, thanks for stopping by #ThePhilFactor and thank you for helping us indie authors publish better books. In addition to editing, Cynthia offers book reviews as well. She has a partner, Cassie, who assists with reviews and is an admin on her Facebook page. Her website is a great source of book reviews from indie authors of all genres. Her Facebook is a great follow because she post links to free e-book downloads almost every day. As always, if you enjoy what you read here at #ThePhilFactor, please share on Facebook, Twitter Twitter, and anywhere else you can!
Hi Jane and welcome to The Phil Factor. For the most part the internet brings the whole wide world to our fingertips and allows us to meet people from virtually everywhere. As indie authors many of us realize that it’s not a competition, but a race everyone can win. There’s an audience for every story. In the spirit of supporting other indie authors we often “Like” each other’s Facebook pages. About eight weeks ago Jane McBride and I liked each other’s Facebook pages. I didn’t know Jane from the President of Australia. That could have been where she was from for all I knew. Over the last several weeks through reading each other’s posts we discovered that Jane was born in the city where I reside and her books are based on a fictionalized version of the small town she grew up in, which coincidentally happens to be quite near the camp that I go to on the weekends in the summer. Then I discovered that Jane has dogs in her books! Big ones! How could I resist that interview?
TPF: Aside from there being dogs in your books, could you give my readers a general synopsis of your Ann & Henry series?
Jane: My main character, Ann Bixby, is a 27 year old Mormon woman who is returning to the hometown of her childhood. She and her father had left some years before when her mother died. Now her father has died suddenly, and she decided she wanted to come home. One of the first things that happens to her is that she discovers a fellow orphan, a 180 pound Great Dane named Henry. She takes him without hesitating (and without really thinking). While out walking him, she meets Kyle Mendez, who fancies himself the town hermit. He is an Iraq War vet and suffers from PTSD and anger control issues. After their meeting, all three of their lives change for the better.
TPF: Are the dogs’ personalities in your novels based on the personalities of your real life dogs, and if so, did you change the names to protect their privacy?
Jane: The dog situations in the books are absolutely based on real experiences with my own dogs. When I was a little girl, we actually even had a Great Dane named Johann, and I have never been without a dog. Ann’s near psychic connection with Henry is a very real relationship I had with a shepherd/chow cross named Abraham. We always knew each other’s thoughts and anticipated each other’s every move. He was an insulin dependent diabetic and died of that disease when he was only 6. Rarely had I ever felt such profound loss and I tried to channel those feelings into the book and into her relationship with Henry. I never had a dog named Henry. He’s really the only dog in book one, but in book two we are introduced to a little Silky Terrier named Molly. Molly the Horrible. Molly is as real as they come. If she were human she would probably be certified insane, and everything the book Molly does is taken directly from the real life adventures of my Molly-if you were to read book two, that fact would frighten you, literally. And I did not change her name!
TPF: Are there plans for any future novels from a pooch’s perspective?
Jane: Well, there are two more books coming in this series. After that, I have no doubt that future books will feature dogs, but they aren’t thought of yet!
TPF: Is that your own dog on the cover of Reigning Cats and Dogs (Volume2)?
Jane: No, but the Great Dane we had when I was growing up looked exactly like that.
TPF: Could you talk about your dog rescue work? And if people wanted to donate to support that, is there a particular way they could online?
Jane: I wish I were more involved with the Great Dane rescue work. Both of my own dogs are rescues, two little terriers. Harry came from the pound in Salt Lake County here in Utah, and Molly, at age 9, came from a rescue in Albion, NY. Right now I donate a portion of proceeds from all book sales to the Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love. I also try to repost on Facebook their rescues, adoptable dogs, and about their needs and try to help them in whatever small ways that I can. One of those days, I’m gonna get me one a them dogs, too! And yes, here’s the link! http://greatdanefriends.com/
TPF: I know you’ve got your third novel in the works, could you give the readers a little preview of what they can look forward to?
Jane: In book three, Ann and Kyle are continuing their journey together and have a young baby. Cantankerous, unpredictable Aunt Leona (age 89 and counting) has broken her arm and is with them until she gets her cast off. Cast and crew from the past books are all still there, with the addition of some new characters who are introduced when a stranger knocks on their door and turns Ann’s world on its head. That book is currently with beta readers and after suffering through some more editing, should soon be available (bites nails).
Jane, thank you again for stopping by #ThePhilFactor. If you love dogs, romance and small town U.S.A. please take the time to check out Jane’s books on Amazon and follow her on Facebook. As always, if you like what you read here please support your indie authors by hitting the Facebook share button below.
Self-proclaimed grand poobah of leisure, parapsychologist, author of several humorous suspense novels and one of the longest running blogs in the world, The Phil Factor.
thephilfactor.com
