Angels and Quilt Pieces…Our Journey with a Katrina Family

By: Stephanie Ehmen

1 - How did you get interested in the topic that's featured in your book?

When we volunteered at a shelter following Hurricane Katrina, we had no idea of the journey that lay ahead of us. Over the weeks and months we learned through our mistakes how to best help those in need.

2 - Tell us a bit about your background. What have you done in the past that relates to your book and that topic?

We had no background or preparation for this venture. We learned as we went, and this is why we felt that telling the story was so important.

3 - What advise would you give to someone who is interested in your topic?

For anyone who is interested in volunteering or charitable work, educating yourself ahead of time is imperative. It would have saved us a lot of headaches and heartaches. We hope that by sharing our story, it will inspire others to get involved helping those who need a “hand-up” and not a “hand-out”.

4 - What do you see as the benefit to participating in groups and organizations? My first thought would be networking opportunities and the chance for personal and business growth. What are your reasons?

The conversations that come with networking groups always leads to further reflection and education. The support we have received has resulted in more “Angels” being added to our list! Networking groups and blogs give the reader an opportunity to follow the progress of the family and has resulted in a lot of interest and support of “our kids”.

5 - Who is the ideal person to read your book? If each person that reads this was going to recommend your book to one person, what sort of person would they want to chose?

Along with pastors and clergy, I have found my target audience to be primarily Christian women who are interested in volunteer or charity work. My readers have included counselors, therapists, teachers, principals, community support groups, church leaders and lay people. The comments that I have received from readers are overwhelmingly positive. Many of the comments are in regards to what we learned about Generational Poverty and how to relate to people who come from different backgrounds than ourselves. Throughout our journey we saw many people who wanted to help out in the right way, but ended up causing more hurt and trauma because they did not understand those they were trying to help.

6 - What do you think ignites a person's creativity?

In my case, it was a personal experience that I felt was important to share with others.

7 - What have you found to be the biggest stumbling block for people who want to start writing?

At times it is hard to know where to start and how to put the story into a cohesive format. As a first time author of a full length book, the search for a publisher was overwhelming, and it resulted in my utilization of self-publishing, a choice I have been happy with.

8 - How would you suggest they can overcome that?

I found my format quite by accident. As I wrote my first draft I felt that the story went on and on, and I was afraid that the reader would get bogged down in the day-to-day details. After letting a few friends read the draft, I discovered that this format worked well, as the reader was left wondering what would come next, just as we had lived it - not knowing what to expect next. Most every person who has read my book has told me that once they started reading they could not put it down. I can't think of a better compliment!

9 - What do you find is the biggest motivator for people to succeed? Is it money, security, desire for fame or something else?

After the hard work and time put into writing, editing, designing and finally receiving the finished product, money is certainly a big issue. But I think a passion for the subject matter is my biggest motivator.

10 - Who is the “perfect” person to read your book?

Anyone interested in reading a good heartwarming story.

Anyone interested in volunteer or charity work.

Anyone who loves kids.

11 - Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I would like to share the following introduction, and invite you to read more at my website: www.eagleswingspublications.com

Come on a Journey with us . . .

September 2005, in the after-math of Hurricane Katrina, we had no idea that we were about to embark on an unexpected journey. Wanting to help in a hands-on way, we volunteered at a church sponsored shelter. Here we would meet Mr. & Mrs. Thornton from New Orleans and their seven precious children. By the end of our volunteer week, we had earned the trust of Mr. Thornton and the children had found a place of refuge in our arms. Our journey over the following months has changed our lives forever. As the days, weeks and months progressed, the Thornton's told us their extraordinary story in bits and pieces. We are telling our story through our own eyes, what we saw, heard and witnessed. Come on this journey with us and experience the joys and the heartaches, as we learned how to help others in need. It will make you laugh and cry; it will make you angry and warm your heart. Meet all the “Angels” who helped us out along the way by giving this family “pieces for their quilts”.

Thank you for the opportunity to share!

Stephanie Ehmen

Author of

“Angels and Quilt Pieces…Our Journey with a Katrina Family”

www.eagleswingspublications.com

ISBN: 1-4196-6990-7

233 pp - 6 x 9

Also available at www.amazon.com

Published by: BookSurge, LLC

Money and Manifesting by Dyan Garris

1 - How did you get interested in the topic that’s featured in your book?

My topic is money and manifesting. I got interested in this topic because it was a natural segue from the rest of my body of work which is about spiritual growth and transformation and integration. Also, I am a clairvoyant counselor and I had a lot of clients that were having trouble with manifesting. They had read and tried to apply the principles in The Secret and were getting nowhere. I wanted to teach people how to really manifest. It doesn’t necessarily take a year. It doesn’t take endless DVD watching and seminar attending. Once you get it, everything just clicks and you’re on your way. That was my goal – to write something that would help people just get it automatically without all the hype and frustration.

2 - Tell us a bit about your background. What have you done in the past that relates to your book and that topic?

As I mentioned I am a clairvoyant counselor. I’ve built a toolbox of spiritual tools. Anyone can come in and pick up whatever tool they need to help them progress on their healing journey. There is something for everyone no matter what level they are at. At the base of the toolbox is a deck of spiritual divination cards – Voice of the Angels – A Healing Journey Spiritual Cards. In the middle is a series of music and meditation CDs for healing, Automatic Chakra Balance,™ and vibrational attunement of mind body and spirit. At the top of that is Money and Manifesting. And I have two more things that I’m working on now that will complete the toolbox.

3 - What advice would you give to someone who is interested in your topic?

My advice is to for people to begin to understand that sometimes they are what is in their own way. Limited thinking and limited belief systems get in the way of manifesting. One must open to infinite possibilities. There are no limitations unless you believe there are.

4 - What do you see as the benefit to participating in groups and organizations? My first thought would be networking opportunities and the chance for personal and business growth. What are your reasons?

Being a part of groups and organizations gives one so many different viewpoints. This in itself is valuable because it helps you expand in many ways.

5 - Who is the ideal person to read your book? If each person that reads this was going to recommend your book to one person, what sort of person would they want to chose?

The ideal person to read my book is someone who feels very stuck and genuinely does not understand why. Also, the person who is maybe just on the brink of understanding, but isn’t quite there. This book will help them get to where they need to go to be able to create all they desire. If someone was going to recommend this book to someone, that person would be a friend that seems stuck and can’t seem to get out of the place they are in.

6 - What do you think ignites a person’s creativity?

Creativity is a combination of the integration of mind, body, and spirit. Most people maybe wouldn’t phrase it that way, but that’s what it is. When you’re focused and balanced, you’re opening a pathway for creativity to flow.

7 - What have you found to be the biggest stumbling block for people who want to start writing?

Focus. People have a lot of trouble quieting the chatter of the conscious mind and simply focusing on what they want to do, whether it be writing or anything else. It’s important to learn how to focus. You can’t really get anywhere efficiently if you’re taking detours down a bunch of side streets.

8 - How would you suggest they can overcome that?

Learn how to focus. That starts with learning how to breathe and focusing on breathing and quieting the mind. Has anyone ever heard, “Be still and know that I am God?” Nothing can get through the static of a bunch of white noise.

9 - What do you find is the biggest motivator for people to succeed? Is it money, security, desire for fame or something else?

It really depends on one’s definition of success. If someone really believes that money is the definition of success, they need to learn to work with the energy of money. As far as motivation, one should really study what their motivation is. In terms of money as a definition of success, sometimes that is exactly what is in the way of “success.” We’ve been taught that our self worth equates to these pieces of paper and that’s what’s really wrong here. Certainly we are worth more than pieces of paper. The motivation for success really needs to come from inside and not from the need for outside validation.

10 - Who is the “perfect” person to read your book?

The perfect person to read my book is anyone that really wants to know how to manifest, and anyone that really wants to know the real secrets, not just half the truth.

11 - Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Yes. Manifesting isn’t difficult. It really isn’t a secret. And when you read the book you will suddenly know that and you will close the book with the knowledge and confidence to finally get to where you want to be. No hype. Just the truth.

For the complete tour schedule -
http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/dyan-garris-april-tour-schedule

For much more information about Dyan Garris and Money and Manifesting, visit http://inspiredauthor.com/promotion/Dyan+Garris for complete tour details. To learn about the products Dyan offers, visit her website - www.voiceoftheangels.com. You can order your copy of Money and Manifesting from her website or from http://www.amazon.com/Money-Manifesting-Dyan-Garris/dp/0977614069

On the Wings of the Wind

Book Title: On the Wings of the Wind: A Journey to Faith

Authors: Patricia Eytcheson Taylor and Chaplain James C. Taylor, Th.D.

Web site: http://onthewingsofthewind.com

1 - How did you get interested in the topic that's featured in your book? My life changed when I started listening to the Holy Spirit, and I feel called to share what I've learned and experienced with others.

2 - Tell us a bit about your background. What have you done in the past that relates to your book and that topic? The book is based on my personal spiritual journey, and my husband has been a clergyman for 40 years, including 28 years as a military chaplain.

3 - What advice would you give to someone who is interested in your topic? Learn to listen to the Holy Spirit and let Him guide your life.

4 - What do you see as the benefit to participating in groups and organizations? My first thought would be networking opportunities and the chance for personal and business growth. What are your reasons? We take every opportunity to share our message to help others experience the Lord working in their lives.

5 - Who is the ideal person to read your book? If each person that reads this was going to recommend your book to one person, what sort of person would they want to choose? A Christian who seeks a closer walk with God, an individual searching for meaning in their life, or a military member/military family member

6 - What do you think ignites a person's creativity? The inspiration of the Holy Spirit

7 - What have you found to be the biggest stumbling block for people who want to start writing? People try to depend on their own ideas rather than the Lord.

8 - How would you suggest they can overcome that? Pray and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

9 - What do you find is the biggest motivator for people to succeed? Is it money, security, desire for fame or something else? The desire to do God's will is most important to us. Some people are motivated for worldly reasons, but success with this book for us will be determined by the lives we touch rather than by the money we make.

10 - Who is the “perfect” person to read your book? A person who needs to know the Lord and experience the working of the Holy Spirit in their life

11 - Is there anything else you would like to share with us? God is always with us - all we have to do is open our hearts to Him. Without Christ, I would be nothing. Without him I am nothing, but with Him I can do all things, through Christ that strengthens me (Phil. 4:13)

Book Title: On the Wings of the Wind: A Journey to Faith

The Walking Man

Walking Man: A Modern Missions Experience in Latin America

1 - How did you get interested in the topic that’s featured in your book?

I came to know the Lord as a young adult thanks to a generous family I met and since then it has been a passion for me. He has worked through me and has helped me accomplish so many things. I can no longer imagine my life without Him and letting others know about Jesus is one of my most important goals in life.

2 - Tell us a bit about your background. What have you done in the past that relates to your book and that topic?

I have worked in missions for over 30 years and there are so many experiences to tell. I dreaded the life of hard labor offset by nights of drunken stupor that my father modeled, I ran away from home after high school and lived a vagrant's life, surviving through delinquency, until through the generous support of a Christian family I came to know Christ. I left the jungle to study at a seminary in Lima, Peru and have worked as a pastor ever since.

3 - What advise would you give to someone who is interested in your topic?

I would tell them to be very patient and trust the Lord. There is no easy way to get things done in this field. It is hard to get through to people, it is hard to incentive others to work and it is hard to get things done even if the people are willing to accept Jesus and ready to do what it takes. But even if things don’t come easy it is the most rewarding job you can imagine. Knowing that you are making a difference in someone’s life is truly a miracle.

4 - What do you see as the benefit to participating in groups and organizations? My first thought would be networking opportunities and the chance for personal and business growth. What are your reasons?

Knowing people and maintaining relationships is essential to spreading the word of God through the world. Getting things done requires of all the help that we can get and building those lasting relationships has helped me get through the most difficult times in my life. A missionary relies many times on the help that others can give at the time, and having people to go to when in difficulty is an amazing gift. Also, having many to celebrate the successes makes those glorious times even sweeter.

5 - Who is the ideal person to read your book? If each person that reads this was going to recommend your book to one person, what sort of person would they want to chose?

This book is ideal for people wanting to feel the presence of God in their lives. Also, it is a great tool for those looking for a sense of purpose and those wishing to get inspiration to act upon a goal. This book is a testimony and allows others to understand more of what it is to be a missionary and what it takes to be one. It is great for those considering making positive changes in their lives and for those who need a way to channel the positive actions they do.

6 - What do you think ignites a person’s creativity?

In my case, the Lord has inspired me to do the most amazing things in life. He is the light that shows me the right path and the one that has given me the tools to build the life that I have. His actions in my life have given me the inspiration to write about all the experiences I have been through.

7 - What have you found to be the biggest stumbling block for people who want to start writing?

I guess having enough time is the biggest stumbling block. For those of us that have full time pursuits and want to write as a sideline, it can be hard to convert those good intentions into printed words.

8 - How would you suggest they can overcome that?

The thing that has worked best for me is to block off a few hours on one day a week or one hour the same time each day – usually the early morning before the phone has started to ring – and just do it!

9 - What do you find is the biggest motivator for people to succeed? Is it money, security, desire for fame or something else?

People seem to be motivated for all the wrong reasons these days and that is why so many of them are unhappy with their lives. Jesus is my biggest motivation to get things done and that is why I am determined to let other people know about Christ.

10 - Who is the “perfect” person to read your book?

The perfect person to read this book would be both someone in deep need of a better reason to live and someone who already has the urge to let Jesus in his or her life. Someone who is lost could read this book and find that answer they so desperately are looking for, and someone who already feels the urge can find a better way to channel it through the experiences I tell.

Cover of the Year - Asking for Your Vote

I just scanned the covers for Cover of the Year on Erin Aislinn's website and saw a lot of familiar covers - many were on my Judge A Book By its Cover blog last year :)

I invite you to visit http://www.erinaislinn.com/BookCoveroftheYear2007.htm and I hope that you will vote for Lady Lightkeeper which is one of my covers and it is listed as the winning cover for September.

If you prefer the easier route - feel free to email webmail@erinaislinn .com and put "VOTE for Lady Lightkeeper" in the subject line. I appreciate every vote :)

Nikki


Book Promo 101 - NOW AVAILABLE
www.nikkileigh. com/book_ promo_101. htm
"Coastal Suspense with a Touch of Romance"
Would you like information about the newest
blog tour option? Ask me for details and visit
www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion

Nimrod Rising - A Novel By Steven Clark Bradley

1 - How did you get interested in the topic that's featured in your book? I returned back to the United States to live here after having lived abroad for over 17 years. My country had changed so much and the values had disappeared to a great extent. One night, back in 1995, I remember so well, I sat down and started writing and out of the consuming need to research and describe where the source of the heart-felt change I saw came Nimrod Rising. It represents 12 years of wonderfully difficult work. It is a work of fiction based on truth. No one knows what the terms, 666 or antichrist really mean. We can only put together what seems historically and biblically logical. Nimrod Rising is not a Christian novel, but does declare its premise to be based on what I believe to be truth in the Bible. It is scary, not so much for its content as because it is predicted to come to pass. All the background about Nimrod is true and factual as well as the scenarios of war and the prelude to war. I think it will speak to believers and non-believers alike.

2 - Tell us a bit about your background. What have you done in the past that relates to your book and that topic? - I currently live in Los Angeles but am a former resident and South Bend. I was involved in a big political movement there and was the 1999 mayoral candidate. Needless to say, I lost. I have lived or been to 34 countries. The include Pakistan, Iraq and Turkey and many countries throughout Europe. The story of Nimrod rising takes place in many cultures, all of which I am very familiar with in terms of culture and language. I was able to put the images in very lively terms having visited or lived in the places described. Also, Nimrod Rising is a real look at the religion of Islam. I have spent my whole adult life working with Muslims. That gives me a real knowledge of the faith of over one billion people. I have a master's degree in liberal studies from Indiana University and I speak French and Turkish. I also have been an assistant to a prosecutor, a university instructor in several countries and a freelance journalist. These areas of expertise, along with my political background gave me an easy understanding of the world around me. I have also authored two other novels, Probable Cause and Stillborn! also published by PublishAmerica.

3 - What advice would you give to someone who is interested in your topic? - I think the most important thing for readers to be as they read Nimrod Rising is open-minded. They need to try to get beyond the physical world we see every day and try to accept that there is more out there than just us. I don't want people to consider Nimrod Rising as just another scary story. It is far more than that. Nimrod Rising is a book about the history of life and the origin of evil. The reader needs to pose the questions such as the following: Who are we? Where did we come from? What was here before us? Where are we going? Are there answers to the question why the world faces its condition today? Nimrod Rising offers “possible” answers to those questions. It will awake the imagination and the cause self perception as they read.

4 - What do you see as the benefit to participating in groups and organizations? My first thought would be networking opportunities and the chance for personal and business growth. What are your reasons? - I want people to know that there is a novel out there like none they have ever read before. That is not a cliché either. I believe they will find Nimrod Rising very unique and thrilling as well as challenging to their long-held beliefs. Groups such as you represent are great ways of allowing those who participate to see that life is greater than they ever believed and that they are more than accident on this tiny planet but vital living reasons to have hope and faith in a day lacking both.

5 - Who is the ideal person to read your book? If each person that reads this was going to recommend your book to one person, what sort of person would they want to chose? - I think anyone who feels that they want to know more about why they are here and who love history and whose imagination needs stimulus and challenge will love this book. Also, readers who have suffered things for which they may have no answer could find a few very helpful explanations about the things we cannot explain. I myself am one of those. I think it is important that young adults read Nimrod Rising. Today our kids are taught things about sexuality and acceptance of things once held as wrong. Those taught in such an atmosphere need to see what may be the motivations of those who teach as right that which was once held as completely wrong. It will cause you to pose those questions that we would never pose to ourselves without such challenge.

6 - What do you think ignites a person's creativity? - I have always said that writing fiction is the closest thing to the divine that humans do. We take a world that does not exist, fill it with characters who have never been, develop scenarios and plots which have never been conceived of before, draw conclusions that are profound and make them speak to those who have never imagined the stories before. I want to try to answer the questions that we think of but are afraid, for many perceived reasons, to ask. That is the greatest way to germinate the creativity of the world around us. There are no stupid questions and no answers should be considered too asinine to approach. If I can stir up the imagination and the heart and souls of those who read my works, I will have participated in taking the tragedy out of human and replaced it with unlimited courage and creativity. That is my passion and my devotion to my writing and to my readers.

7 - What have you found to be the biggest stumbling block for people who want to start writing? - I have written seven novels and have published three of them so far. Each time I start a new novel, I have those flutters in my stomach that remind of the massive task ahead. The time, the effort, the hours that consume us can be a monster that looms behind out eyes as well as a lack of self confidence can tell us and make us believe we cannot do it. Perhaps we have started a project before that we got into and the burdens of life and the responsibilities to family and friends seemed to crowd it all out. I have suffered those feelings more in the area of book promotion than in the actual writing. They try to have the same affects on me though. Yet, after having written one novel, and finally convincing myself that it is as it should be, I have now understood that writing is an effort of starting the work and then following it as it takes over and guides my fingers. Perhaps only a writer will understand what I am going to say, but I always have the most spiritual and amazing phenomenon come over me when I write a new story. It seems that the story really begins to write itself. Some friends I have bounced ideas off of before have often asked me how a new story is going. I inevitably respond, “I don't know, the story hasn't told me yet. It sounds crazy, but is perfectly logical to me. Also, we have to make ourselves believe that in writing, we are never late. Of course, some writers are under contract, but even in such situations, writers need to feel the words they arte writing. So those times when the words are still making their way to us, it is not time wasted. If emerging writers can make themselves believe that, then they will overcome the feelings of failure. The only failure anyway is not trying at all.

8 - How would you suggest they can overcome that? - Every time I have finished a novel, I have had to take time to refill the batteries. I do that by reading other author's works and unfortunately, critiquing them to death. Other writers will always get you going again. They are all different and all have very great abilities that are different than our own. Yet, I still believe the best defeat of defeat itself is by placing pen to paper and just start writing. Once the story begins to breath, so will you. Ride the idea, follow it and take stock of it and be willing to alter certain ideas and plots and above all, just have fun! It is a lot of fun to read what we have written for the day. Sometimes I laugh at my stupid mistakes and fix them and end up making them better than ever. I consider every character in all my novels to be my children, the good, the bad and the worse, none of them are ugly. :) They are all alive and need fed and dressed and I have to spend time with them. Does that sound wacky? Perhaps, but it works for me. Lastly, I think there is nothing quite like seeing a work on which you have spend a massive amount of time and toil finally bound and in book form lying in the palm of your hand! Once a writer has accomplished that for the first time, it will motivate them to feel the same thing as often as they can. Those are just a few personal and practical ways I keep writing even when I feel I cannot.

9 - Who is the “perfect” person to read your book? - The person who would most suited to read my book is someone who loves life and country and who concern about the direction of their lives and the nation they love. I write stories that touch subjects that may be difficult to talk about openly and for which people desperately are seeking answers. If a reader wants to read a novel that entertain and inform them at the same time, Nimrod Rising is a great novel for them! It will shake the foundation of their lives but will give them a firm foundation on which to build their imagination and keep them turning the page.

10 - Is there anything else you would like to share with us? - I know that Nimrod Rising will both stimulate and propel readers into a world that no one wants to live in. That will serve in challenging each reader to possibly do more to ensure that our children and grandchildren always have a safe and secure world in which to grow. Nimrod Rising is just such a book. I believe you will love it!

For much more information about Steven Bradley Clark and Nimrod Rising - visit http://www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion/steven-clark-bradley-author-nimrod-rising

Nimrod Rising - A Novel By Steven Clark Bradley

1 - How did you get interested in the topic that's featured in your book? I returned back to the United States to live here after having lived abroad for over 17 years. My country had changed so much and the values had disappeared to a great extent. One night, back in 1995, I remember so well, I sat down and started writing and out of the consuming need to research and describe where the source of the heart-felt change I saw came Nimrod Rising. It represents 12 years of wonderfully difficult work. It is a work of fiction based on truth. No one knows what the terms, 666 or antichrist really mean. We can only put together what seems historically and biblically logical. Nimrod Rising is not a Christian novel, but does declare its premise to be based on what I believe to be truth in the Bible. It is scary, not so much for its content as because it is predicted to come to pass. All the background about Nimrod is true and factual as well as the scenarios of war and the prelude to war. I think it will speak to believers and non-believers alike.

2 - Tell us a bit about your background. What have you done in the past that relates to your book and that topic? - I currently live in Los Angeles but am a former resident and South Bend. I was involved in a big political movement there and was the 1999 mayoral candidate. Needless to say, I lost. I have lived or been to 34 countries. The include Pakistan, Iraq and Turkey and many countries throughout Europe. The story of Nimrod rising takes place in many cultures, all of which I am very familiar with in terms of culture and language. I was able to put the images in very lively terms having visited or lived in the places described. Also, Nimrod Rising is a real look at the religion of Islam. I have spent my whole adult life working with Muslims. That gives me a real knowledge of the faith of over one billion people. I have a master's degree in liberal studies from Indiana University and I speak French and Turkish. I also have been an assistant to a prosecutor, a university instructor in several countries and a freelance journalist. These areas of expertise, along with my political background gave me an easy understanding of the world around me. I have also authored two other novels, Probable Cause and Stillborn! also published by PublishAmerica.

3 - What advice would you give to someone who is interested in your topic? - I think the most important thing for readers to be as they read Nimrod Rising is open-minded. They need to try to get beyond the physical world we see every day and try to accept that there is more out there than just us. I don't want people to consider Nimrod Rising as just another scary story. It is far more than that. Nimrod Rising is a book about the history of life and the origin of evil. The reader needs to pose the questions such as the following: Who are we? Where did we come from? What was here before us? Where are we going? Are there answers to the question why the world faces its condition today? Nimrod Rising offers “possible” answers to those questions. It will awake the imagination and the cause self perception as they read.

4 - What do you see as the benefit to participating in groups and organizations? My first thought would be networking opportunities and the chance for personal and business growth. What are your reasons? - I want people to know that there is a novel out there like none they have ever read before. That is not a cliché either. I believe they will find Nimrod Rising very unique and thrilling as well as challenging to their long-held beliefs. Groups such as you represent are great ways of allowing those who participate to see that life is greater than they ever believed and that they are more than accident on this tiny planet but vital living reasons to have hope and faith in a day lacking both.

5 - Who is the ideal person to read your book? If each person that reads this was going to recommend your book to one person, what sort of person would they want to chose? - I think anyone who feels that they want to know more about why they are here and who love history and whose imagination needs stimulus and challenge will love this book. Also, readers who have suffered things for which they may have no answer could find a few very helpful explanations about the things we cannot explain. I myself am one of those. I think it is important that young adults read Nimrod Rising. Today our kids are taught things about sexuality and acceptance of things once held as wrong. Those taught in such an atmosphere need to see what may be the motivations of those who teach as right that which was once held as completely wrong. It will cause you to pose those questions that we would never pose to ourselves without such challenge.

6 - What do you think ignites a person's creativity? - I have always said that writing fiction is the closest thing to the divine that humans do. We take a world that does not exist, fill it with characters who have never been, develop scenarios and plots which have never been conceived of before, draw conclusions that are profound and make them speak to those who have never imagined the stories before. I want to try to answer the questions that we think of but are afraid, for many perceived reasons, to ask. That is the greatest way to germinate the creativity of the world around us. There are no stupid questions and no answers should be considered too asinine to approach. If I can stir up the imagination and the heart and souls of those who read my works, I will have participated in taking the tragedy out of human and replaced it with unlimited courage and creativity. That is my passion and my devotion to my writing and to my readers.

7 - What have you found to be the biggest stumbling block for people who want to start writing? - I have written seven novels and have published three of them so far. Each time I start a new novel, I have those flutters in my stomach that remind of the massive task ahead. The time, the effort, the hours that consume us can be a monster that looms behind out eyes as well as a lack of self confidence can tell us and make us believe we cannot do it. Perhaps we have started a project before that we got into and the burdens of life and the responsibilities to family and friends seemed to crowd it all out. I have suffered those feelings more in the area of book promotion than in the actual writing. They try to have the same affects on me though. Yet, after having written one novel, and finally convincing myself that it is as it should be, I have now understood that writing is an effort of starting the work and then following it as it takes over and guides my fingers. Perhaps only a writer will understand what I am going to say, but I always have the most spiritual and amazing phenomenon come over me when I write a new story. It seems that the story really begins to write itself. Some friends I have bounced ideas off of before have often asked me how a new story is going. I inevitably respond, “I don't know, the story hasn't told me yet. It sounds crazy, but is perfectly logical to me. Also, we have to make ourselves believe that in writing, we are never late. Of course, some writers are under contract, but even in such situations, writers need to feel the words they arte writing. So those times when the words are still making their way to us, it is not time wasted. If emerging writers can make themselves believe that, then they will overcome the feelings of failure. The only failure anyway is not trying at all.

8 - How would you suggest they can overcome that? - Every time I have finished a novel, I have had to take time to refill the batteries. I do that by reading other author's works and unfortunately, critiquing them to death. Other writers will always get you going again. They are all different and all have very great abilities that are different than our own. Yet, I still believe the best defeat of defeat itself is by placing pen to paper and just start writing. Once the story begins to breath, so will you. Ride the idea, follow it and take stock of it and be willing to alter certain ideas and plots and above all, just have fun! It is a lot of fun to read what we have written for the day. Sometimes I laugh at my stupid mistakes and fix them and end up making them better than ever. I consider every character in all my novels to be my children, the good, the bad and the worse, none of them are ugly. :) They are all alive and need fed and dressed and I have to spend time with them. Does that sound wacky? Perhaps, but it works for me. Lastly, I think there is nothing quite like seeing a work on which you have spend a massive amount of time and toil finally bound and in book form lying in the palm of your hand! Once a writer has accomplished that for the first time, it will motivate them to feel the same thing as often as they can. Those are just a few personal and practical ways I keep writing even when I feel I cannot.

9 - Who is the “perfect” person to read your book? - The person who would most suited to read my book is someone who loves life and country and who concern about the direction of their lives and the nation they love. I write stories that touch subjects that may be difficult to talk about openly and for which people desperately are seeking answers. If a reader wants to read a novel that entertain and inform them at the same time, Nimrod Rising is a great novel for them! It will shake the foundation of their lives but will give them a firm foundation on which to build their imagination and keep them turning the page.

10 - Is there anything else you would like to share with us? - I know that Nimrod Rising will both stimulate and propel readers into a world that no one wants to live in. That will serve in challenging each reader to possibly do more to ensure that our children and grandchildren always have a safe and secure world in which to grow. Nimrod Rising is just such a book. I believe you will love it!

For much more information about Nimrod Rising and Steven Clark Bradley - feel free to visit his book tour home page - http://www.inspiredauthor.com/promotion/steven-clark-bradley-author-nimrod-rising