JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Carl Mathis, author of Life is What You Make It: Seven Steps to Moving Forward
(Tate Publishing)

Carl Mathis wasn’t prepared for the devastation the loss of his wife would bring to his life. He soon found himself grieving, struggling to make ends meet and trying to raise his sons, who were also dealing with personal turmoil from the loss of their mother.

After months of waiting for someone to rescue him, Carl had to face the inevitable truth–no one was coming. He realized that if he wanted out of the mess his life was becoming, he was going to have to do it himself.

Join new author Carl Mathis in this motivational story about one man’s struggle to put his life back together. Life is What You Make It will teach you how to overcome any crippling situation you find yourself in and stimulate personal and spiritual growth by accepting the situation, taking responsibility, conditioning your mind, choosing to make right decisions, building a team, believing and defining the new normal.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the inspiration to write Life is What You Make It: Seven Steps to Moving Forward?

Carl Mathis: I must say that this was not in my immediate plan to write a book, but, just the thought of being able to put your thoughts down on paper in a way that could help another person was fascinating to me.

Although it was not my original plan to become a writer, the passion of this craft found me in an unusual way. Grieving from the death of my wife inspired me and set the stage for the birth of the book. Waiting for someone to save me from my dilemma didn’t work; so I had to find a way of dealing with this obstacle and move forward.

This is when it came to me that why not use this avenue of putting thoughts on paper, in a way that it could help someone overcome, the same way I am overcoming.

JP: What sets Life is What You Make It: Seven Steps to Moving Forward apart from other books in the same genre?

C M: Life is What You Make It is one such way of finding your own self and your own way of dealing with any trial or trouble that perils you in life. Go on a journey of healing and self discovery with budding author Carl Mathis as his book chronicles some of the most difficult situations he has had to go through in his life and the lessons he picked up along the way.

Though every experience is unique, Mathis makes it easy for you, the reader, to see how tragedy can turn your life around for the better; in this case, the death of his wife, a sudden responsibility of three children, financial strain and so much more.

In a situation like this, it’s easy to lose your sense of self. However, you must also believe that you cannot stay in such a rut forever. Putting your life back together is something that you must want and you must initiate.

This book brings hope and inspiration to those who seem to have run out of it. Find yourself again in the pages of this little guide

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that led to Life is What You Make It: Seven Steps to Moving Forward getting out to the public?

C M: It all about having a brand and promotion on every level, from word of mouth to social media. PR is always a good thing.

There are many other avenues you could use. The most importance of them all is be persistence and consistence, even if it don’t happened in the time frame you want it to happened.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take you to start and finish Life is What You Make It: Seven Steps to Moving Forward?

C M: My writing process is not the normal procedure for writing a book. What I mean by that is, I find my self writing more that one book at the same time as the inspiration leads me to That’s how I write.

This book first started with just information I wanted to put down for future reference, then for some reason turn into a book. I would have to say this book took about six to eight months to write the manuscript.

JP: What’s next for Carl Mathis?

C M: I have a writing ministry that I enjoy, and I’m looking forward to putting out more books in 2011. I looking towards putting out title Take Back Control.

http://www.carlmathis.com

http://www.carlmathisbooks.com

http://www.facebook.com/carl.mathis1

http://twitter.com/carlmathis

http://www.youtube.com/mrcarlmathis

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/carl-mathis/13/b38/396

carlmathis4u@gmail.com

A man after God’s own heart, Mathis continues his passion today of reaching out to people using his God-given abilities, particularly speaking and writing, and becoming a blessing to others in return.

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