Author interview with R.K.J. Adams

My next author interview is with R.K.J Adams who has indie published five books in the two years since retiring - although I'm not sure you can call that giving up work! She's a multi-genre writer, creating stories and poetry for both adults and children, as well as an autobiography, so let's meet her:

'I was born in the heart of the Black Country, in the Midlands. My husband and I set off on a crazy life-changing adventure in our forties, giving up our jobs, selling our three-hundred-year house in Derbyshire and leaving family and friends to follow our dream of living in the northern Highlands. 

There were never plans to become a writer, as a lifetime in education was all-consuming. Fast forward almost thirteen years, I’m retired, the author of five books and a photographer, with a particular passion for Aurora Borealis images.'

And she has a tweetable version for us (tweet here):

'I like to make readers ponder, and if I’m honest, always offer an element of surprise.  “No one puts Baby in a corner!” is my sentiment when asked what I write. Expect the unexpected is my motto.' 

What inspired Ruth to become a writer?
'My mother read stories to me at bedtime from a very early age. Those times were magical and I grew to love the world of books. 

When I learned to read, I wanted to create worlds and characters like Enid Blyton and Lucy Maud Mongomery of Anne of Green Gables fame.'

Don't you think Ruth's mum sounds wonderful? It seems a big jump, from teacher to writer, so what are her writing credentials?
'I specialised in English as part of my degree but writing just became part of my job, completing reports and writing lesson plans and newsletters.

Over the years, I completed several writing courses but something stopped me from pursuing my dream. In October 2021 I listened to a Davina McCall podcast that changed my life. She talked about her friend running a Masterclass in how to write, publish and sell your book. A week later, after joining the group, I had written my first chapter and the rest is history!

Of late, I have experience as an editor and a proofreader, and am working towards a qualification in editing.'

Oh my, she's so busy! But how fortuitous that she listened to that podcast. Does Ruth have a daily writing routine?
'Open one eye, hoping it’s still dark. Once up, and all the morning chores done, it is time to settle down for an afternoon of writing. I do short writing sprints of seventeen minutes, exercising my eyes and body for three minutes between sprints. I sometimes write for just a short period, but on other days, when into a good flow, I have been known to write for five or six hours until the dogs start howling for their dinner!'

Fabulous answer 😂 What does she enjoy the most about writing?
'As a photographer, I find a place of solitude and peace looking through a camera lens. Writing is very much like that for me. I love the places writing can take me in my mind, the characters I can create, and the situations I can imagine. Writing brings a sense of achievement when I read and edit a paragraph.'

And the magical part is they take us there too! What has she found the hardest part of the publishing process? 

'As a naturally shy person, I dislike reading aloud in public. As a published author, it is expected that you will want to read and promote your work. It’s something I find incredibly difficult.'

 

Aww! Knowing how much her mum fuelled her love of books, does she have a favourite? 

'How do I choose one? It’s impossible to give a definitive answer because on any given day I might choose something different depending on my mood. 

 

Today my answer is Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh. I studied it at school. Not only do I adore the character flaws the author created but whenever I reread it, it takes me back to my teenage years.'

 

Me too! So, are there any books or authors who have inspired her more than others?
'Every book I read inspires me to learn. I love phrases or choice of words. Sometimes it’s a twist or turn in a plot. Sometimes a character becomes a friend. 

 

I have also read authors who haven’t engaged me and I use their books to learn more about why their writing was off-putting. This information is gold to an author.'

That's fascinating. How long does it take Ruth to write a book?

'My first took nine months from the first word to printed publication. My shortest time was two weeks.'

 

Two weeks.....? I mean, wow! What's the best money she's spent as a writer?
'Buying a Macbook. I shall never go back to a Windows computer. The quality of the machine and the experience of typing are unbelievably different.'

 

So she's learnt to use Apple and written 5 books? I doubt she's had time to sleep in the last few years! So let's move onto her writing career. Can she list her published books and tell us which, if any, we should read first?

'Wasn’t Me, Miss! - a semi-autobiographical book about a life in teaching for adults

Birth, Death & The Bits In Between - an anthology of poetry for adults

What shall I be? - a rhyming non-fiction book for children between the ages of 3 and 8

Who’s that snoring? - a rhyming storybook for children between the ages of 3 and 8

It’s not fair! - a rhyming picture book for children between the ages of 3 and 8 explaining neurodiversity to siblings or friends of young autistic children

To get a true picture of me as an author, Wasn’t Me, Miss! should be read first. It’s funny, sad, and covers some serious and heart breaking topics. Ultimately, it’s about following your dreams.'

Can she give us a tweetable extract? (Tweet here)
'I give a quick shake of the head to inform the child not to continue. The hand moves back to its owner, but I spot a leaving present in the form of slimy green snot smeared on my black tights.'

That had me laughing and cringing at the same time - excellent! What have been her writing highs and lows?
'The highlights were receiving my first print copies of Wasn’t Me, Miss! and holding my book in my hands. 

I haven’t had any lows apart from the odd day when I procrastinate rather than stay on task.'

Don't we all! Does she have any plans for future books?

'Yes. A murder mystery, set in the northern Highlands, is almost finished. It’s called She Who Was and is nearing completion for publication later in 2024.'

How exciting! It seems that now she's started writing, there's no stopping her! It makes me wonder, if she could go back in time and talk to her younger writing-self, what would you say?
'You can do this, and you will! 

It makes sense if you read Wasn’t Me, Miss!'

Good advice for us all, I think! And talking of advice, what does Ruth consider the most common trap for aspiring writers?
'Don’t always think you need a publishing deal to see your book in print. Why let an agent and publisher take a hefty profit from your book leaving you with not enough change for a coffee? Gone are the days of vanity publishing. Welcome to the world of Indie!'

Hear, hear! And finally, does she read reviews of her books and how does she handle them?
'I read all the reviews. Believe it or not, it’s hard to get readers to comment. Months down the line they will contact me and enthuse about a book but haven’t left a formal review. I guess like many readers, I am guilty of doing the same.'

I think we all are and I'm going to mention this again - if you're not sure how to write one, please visit my post here which shows just how easy it is! So, have the reviews been good?

'So far, I have had no poor reviews and all have been five stars. Probably the first bad review I receive will be the one I learn from most.'

What an inspirational lady! If you'd like to find out more about Ruth and her books, please click onto her links below:

Website: https://www.rkjadams.com
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/rkjadams
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rkjadamsauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rkjadams

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Sneaky peek at interview with author R.K.J. Adams

My next author interview is with R.K.J. Adams, who started writing and publishing her books when she retired -wow! Since her first book, published in 2022, to now, she's written 5 books!

I had to ask, what does Ruth consider the most common trap for aspiring writers?
'Don’t always think you need a publishing deal to see your book in print. Why let an agent and publisher take a hefty profit from your book leaving you with not enough change for a coffee? Gone are the days of vanity publishing. Welcome to the world of Indie!'

It's a fascinating read and goes live on the 15th June. If you'd like to find out more about Ruth in the meantime, please click onto her links below:

Website: https://www.rkjadams.com
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/rkjadams
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rkjadamsauthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rkjadams

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Revisiting Laban T M’mbololo Esq

I last spoke with Laban T M'mbololo Esq in April 2023 (click here to read) and enjoyed his non-fiction book, Influence: The secret of selling. I was keen to catch up and find out what he's been doing:

'I embarked on an important exercise on the most extensive revamp of my book “Why Are Dumb People RICHER Than You?” for republishing, by including three new additional chapters, updated content, revisions and sequencing the chapters for optimal flow, and working with better professionals to represent my vision, and showcase it as new and improved while retaining the original material, that will propel it to a bestseller status.  

Here is the synopsis after including a new chapter, “Why Financial Intelligence is not Taught in Schools”: It unravels an intriguing question, and what has been a mystery for so many years, and is a perfect blueprint with insights on self-educating. The tools provided are tailored for life-long success, and summarizes the chapters with brief overviews and key action points.' 

Sounds fascinating! What does he have planned going forward – is there anything readers should watch out for?

'I’m due to appear on a TV interview on the Mike Briggs show on “Central Valley Talk” based out of CA, U.S.A.' 

That would terrify me! Is there anything else he'd like to share?' 

'I have included an additional chapter in the book towards the very end, entitled, “How to put it into Action.” Now this is important because many self-help books end up not been transformational, and only temporarily motivate you, but then motivation has a very short shelf life.

The chapter reveals the three reasons why the motivational talks you have been attending or self-help books you have been reading have not had an impact in your life, and the importance of understanding the brains physiological processes, and what you need to do in order to make a shift in your circumstances and benefit from the literature you have been consuming in self-help books and motivational talks.
 
Wonderful! If you'd like to learn more about this knowledgeable author and the wealth of experience he has to share, please click on his links below:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/inspiredbylaban
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getinspiredwithlaban
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inspiredbylaban/

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Author interview with Kacey Kells

My first author interview of 2024 is with the amazing Kacey Kells and I have to admit, she's blown me away! Her non-fiction books focus on women and her reason for writing is both heartbreaking and inspirational, so let's meet her:

'I am 29. I was born and raised in Victoria BC, Canada; I moved to London (with my mom) when I was 17, then I lived 2 years in Paris, and I’m now living with my fiancé in Cannes.

I finished my degrees in London and Paris, and wrote two books.
I’m a feminist, and I firmly believe that a society cannot achieve all its potential if it discriminates women and girls or doesn’t give them equal opportunities!'

Her two books are:

“Kellcey”, a memoir and a book committed to denounce rape culture and abuses against women and girls. It was traditionally published in 2017, becoming an indie publication in 2020 (and we'll go more into that later!)
 

“(His)Story of Women: The ‘second’ Sex?” investigates the origins and consequences of the objectification of women to further explain the importance of the empowerment of women. It was indie published in 2022.

Kacey has created a tweetable for you below (tweet here):

Books women were waiting for! ‘Kellcey’ and ‘(His)Story of Women’ are two amazing books, each different in their approach, but chronicling the plight of women and their subjugation and inequality through time, championing Women’s Rights and Equal Rights for Women

The eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed that "Kellcey" is a memoir and tackles the difficult subject of rape. It doesn't take much to join the dots here and my heart broke for Kacey. I imagine most people would hide away rather than publishing a book about such an intensely personal tragedy - what made her take this route?

'Initially, I didn’t mean to become a writer. After I got raped, we (Mom and I) moved from Victoria to London. I felt my life was shattered; I was like trapped in bubble, completely unable to communicate. I was diagnosed with a PTSD. 

One day, my counsellor told me that, if I refused to speak, I could try to write something like a personal diary and explain what I was unable to express orally. I started and…. everything came easily! Then she asked permission to read it, and I agreed. 

Soon she and my mom tried to convince me to edit my diary and publish it. I didn’t want anyone to know that I was this girl who had been raped and humiliated; but they argued that this could be helpful to other victims, and it could also help people understand what it is to be a victim and the aftermath of a rape. A close relative contacted Olympia Publishers in London, and they published it in November 2017.'

I find this extraordinary! Being her own story, how difficult did she find it to write?

'The characters in the book are real people, mostly relatives, but it was way more difficult when it came to writing about those who sexually abused me. It was hard to find the words… sometimes, I had to stop because it was too hard.'

I have nothing but praise for this incredible young lady. I don't know if you've seen Kacey on Twitter/ X, but she's one of the most upbeat people there, full of fun and life - what an outstanding transformation. 

I assume she read the reviews, so what reaction did she receive from readers and who is reading her work?

'Yes I do read the reviews! Fortunately, the vast majority are extremely satisfying. Of course, it’s extremely pleasant and rewarding to read such reviews. If they are not entirely positive, it hurts me, but I know that it’s part of the game.

Among the readers who gave me their feedback, those who alleged having been victim of sexual aggression told me that reading "Kellcey" had been helpful for them and that they identified themselves with the main character. That’s exactly what I wanted!

Other readers are always extremely supportive, and I’m left with the impression that my second objective is met: to help people -women and men- better understand that committing rape is not a petty crime, and that the consequences for the victims are extremely severe.

As far as I know my readership is women, who feel more concerned with the issues analysed in my books, but male readers enjoy reading them too and have given me positive feedback.

"Kellcey" reads as a novel. “(His)Story of women”, in spite of its academic character, was written to be accessible to everyone and this should not be a barrier to readers.'

What can she tell us about (His)Story of Women?

'The story is different. This book investigates the origins and consequences of the objectification of women to further explain the importance of the empowerment of women. It’s a book I HAD TO write and publish, to explain what the conditions of women and girls are and were, and how such historical discriminations penalize (not only females but) society! 

It starts with an academic study of the evolution of gender roles since the first Neolithic societies until today, and includes a huge variety of analysis and references to Anthropology, Genetics, History and Sociology.'

It sounds amazing! Did she enjoy researching it or did she just get angrier the more she found out (I imagine I would!)?

'I sincerely enjoyed the process of researching my topic! It’s probably what I do the best. 

Regarding the status of women and girls throughout history, and their absolute objectification and victimization, it is indeed frustrating to see how they (we) have been treated since the late Neolithic. But it’s not surprising!

However, there were several things which were extremely positive and gave a radically different perception of what and who females really are: 

History and anthropology show that in pre-agricultural societies, gender parity is a fact; and comparative primatology shows that, among the non-human primate communities, many are matriarchal. 

Genetics and the study of the X and Y chromosomes proves that the X is both stronger and far more complex than the tiny Y, whose only use is to help males to get their sexual attributes. Hence the X, or feminine principle, is obviously superior to the Y!'

(I'm giggling here, as I'm sure some readers will have something to say about that 😁) She continues,

'The Feminist theories in International Relations insist on the fact that, since females are less aggressive and more altruistic than males, empowering women would help alleviate international tensions and contribute to achieve better governance.

To sum up, we could say that patriarchal supremacy is not scientifically founded and that past societies suffered because of a lack of gender balance and equity. Hence, empowering women is the only option to cope with the ever more complex stakes posed by the future global society.'

Can she give us an extract?

“A balanced and strong society cannot treat girls and women as a weak link; rather, it must see them as a full part of the community. A society cannot achieve all its potential if such discriminations remain.”

Hear, hear! And how long did her books take to write?

'Writing “Kellcey” took less than four months.
It took nearly a year to write (+ research) “(His)Story of Women”'

And does she have any plans to write more?

'It’s not clear, yet. I’d love to write a novel, but I’m not sure I can! It requires such skills and power of imagination… But I have so many things to say, especially about the conditions of women and girls throughout time… 

Sometimes, I dream I could write a science fiction or fantasy book about women in a future civilization that, in certain ways, would look like ancient Greece and Rome…with modern technologies, of course…'

This sounds brilliant, she needs to write it!

'For the moment, I don’t feel ready or capable to start writing such a novel; I need time to develop a scenario, to organise a coherent story line.'

Oh, she's so very wise for her years! She continues,

'Books are part of my life, but I feel I’m more a reader than a writer (even if I have to write papers, etc for the university).  

Writing is like the natural extension of reading, and a way to express myself. But it seems that I cannot write only to write. I need clear ideas, I need to know what I’m going to say, where I’m going to. 

With “Kellcey”, things came naturally, but “(His)Story of Women” required much more research and writing work. As a consequence, I have a weird feeling of emptiness when I’m in between writing processes.'

I can understand that. She admitted that she loves working as a University Research and Teaching Assistant, which keeps her busy, but as an established writer, what advice would she give to aspiring writers?

'Do not hesitate! Do it! Start writing; it’s a wonderful and inspiring experience!'

I love her enthusiasm! Does she have a daily writing routine now these books are finished? 

'I don’t. My two books came from two different psychological dynamics and motivations. “Kellcey” came naturally and fast because it was about memories and feelings, something very personal and powerful. It was also a way to heal… and it helped. 

“(His)Story of Women” was made in parallel with my work as a student in university and required extensive academic research. It was hence longer to write than my first book. But I really enjoyed the experience!'

What does she consider the hardest part of writing/ getting published?

'Everything came easily and naturally. However, I was disappointed by my publisher; it’s why I decided to republish my first book as an indie when the contract ended. I’m really satisfied with Amazon KDP, both in paperback version and kindle.'

Why didn't traditional publishing didn't work for her? 

'I wouldn’t like to generalise! There are certainly examples of extremely supportive publishers. I was of course initially extremely grateful that they accepted to publish my book; and honestly, they did a good job and I was thrilled when I saw it for the first time! 

Disappointment came later, when I realised their total inefficiency to promote the book. I had to do it all by myself and started using social media to promote "Kellcey". 

When the contract ended, I decided to go on independently, now with Amazon to publish the paperback and Kindle versions. I was so satisfied that I renewed the experience with my second book! The advantages are obvious: freedom, control over operations and decisions, consistency.'

And what does she enjoy the most about writing?

'I like the calm and intellectual endeavour generated by writing and research. I love the passionate feelings that empower me when I’m writing. It makes me feel fully alive! But, first and foremost, writing is a unique opportunity to express my ideas, my feelings, my convictions. Writing is the best way for me to speak since for some reasons I generally feel uncomfortable when the time comes for me to speak (sometimes, I’m like paralysed, speechless…).'

Wow, that surprises me, but talking about her convictions, I’ve seen her tweeting a lot about climate change/ biodiversity – why is this important to her and how involved is she in the cause?
 
'I am a human being, and as such my existence depends on the quality of the surrounding natural environment. I am, we all are part of it. We are elements of a system, and everything that might affect this system will have consequences on our lives. 

Preserving Nature and the ecological systems isn’t an ideology, but an absolute necessity for every form of life on Earth.
As a woman, I will one day become a mother, and I want my future children and their descendants to live a normal and happy life; and this won’t be if we destroy the environment. It is as simple as that! Women Empowerment, Human Rights, and Preserving the Planet are different sides of the same coin!
But there is more to it. 

Biodiversity is a gift, an extremely precious treasure made of beauty and wonders. We do not own these beauties and wonders; but we need them. We have no right to destroy thoughtlessly any form of life, any species, or the whole planet. It’s not just about self-interest, it’s about ethics, too!'
 
Well said Kacey! Human rights also feature in many of her posts - is this another passion?

'How can I promote Women’s Rights if I do not care about Human Rights? It’s the same reality, the same logic. And it’s not just about ethics: promoting Human Rights and Women’s Rights are essential to free every skill, to stimulate innovation, which is required to address the challenges posed by modern society and globalisation. We are stronger and wiser together. Exclusion and marginalisation are not only sins; they are counterproductive evils! Equal access to education and equal opportunities are essential! If the Global World is a “global village”, we all are members of the same community and need to work, live and thrive together!'

What an inspirational lady - I feel our world would be far better off with more Kacey's in it! You can find out more about her and her books by following the links below:

Website: https://kaceykells.wixsite.com/kellcey
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KaceyKells
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/kacey.kells
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaceykells/

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Sneaky peek at interview with Kacey Kells

 

I'm delighted to advise that my next author interview is with the amazing Kacey Kells. Following on from a terrible trauma, Kacey took the decision to help others who have ben subjected to the same ordeal. It's an inspirational story and one that really moved me.

 

She's also passionate about women's rights, tackling climate change and so much more. It's a jam-packed interview and it'll be live here on the 15th January. 

 

To find out more about this talented author, please following the links below:

Website: https://kaceykells.wixsite.com/kellcey
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/KaceyKells
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/kacey.kells
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kaceykells/

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Revisiting Toula Mavridou-Messer

🥳 Continuing my celebration of 18 months of Tweetables, I'm revisiting some of the authors who have featured on the blog so far, to find out what they've been up to!

I completed my second non-fiction interview with Toula back in June 2022 and was keen to find out what had happened since our chat:

'Gosh! It feels like our feet haven't touched the ground since our last chat as we've worked on numerous books, some of which have been published and some of which are in various stages of completion.

The first one was adapted from a blog post that I wrote about five years ago, entitled, 'Only Dead on the Inside.' It's a 20-30-minute Kindle short-read and I have classed it as an essay.

It was written at a time when I felt it was important to be open about my own personal experience of childhood sexual abuse. The #metoo hashtag was everywhere and so many people were finally unburdening themselves to let others know that they were not alone in their experiences. 

Apart from a tiny handful of friends, very few people knew any details of what had happened to me and the feedback was overwhelming and unexpected. People I have known for years, some that I have worked with, and complete strangers sent me private messages thanking me for telling 'their' stories, as they had also experienced similar horrors, the details of which they had held deep inside them ever since. 'Only Dead...' wasn't written to make money but to bring experiences like mine and so many others into the light. We have all kept secrets for far too long.

Incidentally, whilst I was in the midst of my awful experience, I was actually working with Piers Morgan, at The Sun newspaper. He knew nothing about what was going on, so was extremely shocked when he kindly read the essay before I published it and said, ‘A powerful, harrowing and courageous book.’

I also read 'Only Dead on the Inside' and as my previous experience of Toula's work was her lovely book on Gratitude, I have to say I was profoundly shocked by what she's been through. Would I have guessed she'd be subjected to childhood sexual abuse? No, never, and it just goes to show we don't know what's really happening in the world and it's a sobering thought, particularly as she was subjected to a 15-year ordeal.

I won't lie, it's a tough read - the harrowing story of a child who ends up with deep psychological scars is never going to be easy but then, it shouldn't be, should it? I comfort myself by seeing how successful she's become - a powerful force for good despite the adversity she faced so young - but it still doesn't make it right.

Even though 'Only dead...' is a short read, I'd highly recommend it. It's beautifully written and I'd like to say congratulations Toula, you're so brave for opening up and sharing your story with the world. I am in awe.

So, what happened after 'Only Dead...'?

'I then published two more Kindle short stories, both dark fiction, which are part of a collection - The Compendium of Impending Doom. The first is called 'Dead Ahead' and was inspired by a visit to Florida last summer. 

"The vacation is over. Taking the Old 192 Highway to the airport instead of the toll road to save a few dollars has disastrous consequences. The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it." 

This quote was taken from a review: "Dead Ahead is one of the most entertaining 20 minutes of reading you'll engage in. This tale is beautifully descriptive, almost cinematic. For such a short story, the author sets the scene really well. Within a matter of minutes, you'll find yourself immersed in a sense of fear & suspense as you try to figure out where and with whom danger truly resides."

The other Kindle short-read is called 'Lady Garden.' 'Lady Garden' was inspired by a conversation between my husband and me as we reminisced about our honeymoon in Arizona, many years ago. 

"Green-fingered Archie Wendling loves his garden but not everything is coming up roses." A reviewer said, "With its beautifully descriptive setting you would not think that this short story had a dark theme. This dark and short read will keep you entertained until the end. You can visualise the journey undertaken here and the air is tangible with the authors' flawless prose."

Both Kindle short-reads are immersed in nature and have unexpected twists!

The most recent book that we published, just a few weeks ago, is called 'United States of Quirk Quiz Book: 150 amazing trivia questions and answers,' and it immediately achieved the 'Number 1 Bestseller' in its category on Amazon. It is available as both a paperback and a Kindle book.

James and I are US permanent residents, albeit currently resident in the UK, caring for my mother who has advanced dementia. We spend every moment we can (and every penny, it seems!) road-tripping in the US. There is nothing that comes close to driving along an endless highway, under an enormous sky with music blaring and nature all around, as we visit one incredible National Park after another. We wanted to honour all that we love about our adopted homeland by creating a book that will make those reading it also gasp in amazement at all the things we have discovered that make America so unique, and quirky. 

We also wrote the book for people like us; those who would enjoy taking the quiz and discussing and laughing about the answers as they travel, making the miles disappear, or having it as a group activity as they gather with friends and family. 

James worked extremely hard designing the interior, which is reminiscent of those 1950s TV quiz shows, so it looks really fun on the inside, too. It's 6" x 6", so travel-sized, entertains and educates, and makes a fabulous gift for everyone you can think of. 

'Quirk' was the hardest book I have ever written. The research was an immense undertaking, checking numerous times that the answers to the vast array of questions were correct. The topics covered range from things like the world's largest ball of twine, and which international pop star owns the largest collection of Alamo memorabilia, to geography, geology, weather, food, architecture, history and so much more. 

Each question is multiple-choice and the answer has been expanded, to give a full explanation and details of the subject matter, some of which will leave you in awe, frequently in disbelief and often in laughter. As a reader said, "It's BRILLIANT, FUN and VERY INTERESTING."'
 
Gosh, my head's spinning from all she's achieved in just over a year! Dare I ask, what's next?

'As 'Quirk' has only just been published, we are going to spend some time giving it the start in life it deserves. It has already been added to various bookstores around the world, much to our amazement and delight, from the US and UK to the Congo and Japan! I had no idea that it would travel that far but I guess, there are fans of the United States and trivia all over the world.

I would also like to complete a full-length version of 'Only Dead on the Inside.' My life is not just about what happened to me as a child, but about how that has affected me throughout my life; the good and the bad. I have achieved things I could only have ever dreamed of, and met and worked with people I could have only ever dreamed of, all whilst dealing with nightmares that only some of us ever dream of and live through. It's only right that I share the full picture for those who are not able to share their experiences but want to know that whatever they are feeling/ doing is normal and okay, which of course it is.

Two more Kindle short dark stories from the Compendium are almost completed and others are in various stages of development. It's going to be a busy time, but never boring - that's for sure, and everything we do is always fitted in around Mum's needs.'

I can't wait to see all her upcoming work! You can read our original interview here or you can pop onto the links below to learn more about Toula:

Website: https://toulamavridoumesser.wordpress.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/A_ZofWonderment

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToulaMavridouMesser

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wondermentphotography/ 

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Revisiting Amanda Sterczyk

🥳To celebrate 18 months of Tweetables, I'm revisiting some of the authors who have featured on the blog so far, and Amanda is my second in this series.

She was my first non-fiction interviewee, way back in April 2022. It was a popular post and I was keen to find out what had happened since our chat:

'Thanks so much, Jane. 

My most popular seniors’ exercise guide has been Balance Exercises for Fall Prevention (published in December 2020).

Late last year, I published a Spanish language version, Ejercicios de Equilibrio para Prevenir Caídas (December 2022) and at the beginning of this year, I published an English language audiobook version (January 2023). (You can see my book review below).

Balance Exercises for Fall Prevention was my third seniors’ exercise book and is strictly an exercise guide, incorporating all the exercises presented in my first two books (Balance and Your Body and Balance 2.0). The background on fall prevention and personal stories that supplement the exercises in my first two books have been removed.This book provides a home-based fall prevention workout that doesn’t require special equipment, sweating, or getting down on the floor. The exercises improve balance, increase muscle and bone strength, liberate joints throughout your body, and increase your confidence.

In June of this year, I published my 12th book, 6th seniors’ exercise guide. It’s called The Aging Parents Book: Gentle Exercise for Seniors Over 80. 

It includes a foreword by my elderly father, Alex, with whom I complete exercises on a weekly basis. He and my mother have been my longest standing exercise participants, including completing live sessions via Zoom during the lockdown days of COVID-19. 

The Aging Parents Book is a movement and gentle exercise guide. The purpose of this book is to show you, or your older loved one, how to do gentle movement-based exercises that will both feel good AND improve mobility and strength, as you (they) go about daily life. These exercises will improve walking, reinforce good posture, and enhance ease of movement during day-to-day life. All of the exercises in this book are completed lying down (on a bed) or seated in a chair. The font size has been increased and the font style has been changed, to improve readability for those with eyesight challenges.

In August of this year, I published my 13th book, Shawna’s Outreach: When we each give a little, a lot gets done. It’s my first collaboration, as I worked with a woman named Shawna Thibodeau who runs a grassroots initiative to help feed people living in poverty and on the streets in Ottawa. Shawna’s Outreach began with a Facebook page, sharing photos of donated items and stories of her experiences distributing these donations on the street, to raise awareness of Ottawa's homeless crisis and draw in more donations. From its beginnings, Shawna’s Outreach has received no payment for this work and is not funded. 

Earlier this year, I approached Shawna with the idea of writing a book to raise funds and awareness. I volunteered my time and services, as well as recruiting an editorial team as volunteers, to keep the costs of producing the book as low as possible. All royalties from the sale of this book will go to supporting people living in poverty and on the streets of Ottawa.'

Gosh, I feel exhausted just hearing about all of Amanda's work, but what a great collaborative project! So what's next for this busy lady?

'I left my office job at the end of 2022, to focus on supporting family (my adult children still live at home and are in post-secondary studies, and our aging parents are needing more support from my husband and I). My husband says I’m retired, but I say semi-retired, as I still have lots of books in me!

The official book launch for Shawna’s Outreach takes place in late October (Tuesday, October 17th, 2023), so I’m working with Shawna on promoting it. That includes media requests and inviting elected officials for all three levels of government to attend and share details about our book/book launch.'

You can find out more by visiting Amanda's links below and reading our original chat here and my book review follows: 

Website: amandasterczyk.com

Instagram: @amanda_stretch

BOOK REVIEW

I was very impressed with Amanda's chair exercises for seniors when I read it last year, as Amanda creates gentle workouts without the need for lots of equipment that many people don’t own.

I thought I’d try the audio version this time and was equally impressed with Amanda’s skill level and the way she explains so clearly what needs to be achieved. She focuses on exercises which are standing, seated, or lying, to help with balance, posture, strength and flexibility. Even though I’m not a senior, I could feel the benefit when I did them with an older friend!  

I can certainly see how this guidance would benefit anyone who is nervous about their declining skills and I highly recommend to anyone who wants to help keep a senior (or themselves) active. I liked the audio element too, as I didn’t need to keep consulting a book so it kept me moving more. A great idea.

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