Tag Archives: 5 minutes 5 questions with

5 minutes 5 questions with, amazon.com, interview

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Glenn Maynard, author of Strapped into an American Dream

1 Comment

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Glenn Maynard, editor of Strapped into an American Dream
(Strategic Book Publishing)

Strapped into an American Dream captures America, whirling readers along a 35,000-mile trek through the 48 contiguous states in a rebuilt RV. Glenn Maynard brings this journey to all armchair travelers who will love the adrenaline rush.

One week after their wedding, Glenn and his wife quit their jobs, sold their cars and set out to find America. This book details how they were able to realize this dream and introduces the reader to the unique people they met and the places they visited along the path.

Travel with them through 23 National Parks, Las Vegas, Mardi Gras and dusty ghost towns. Feel the rushing wind of tornadoes and the rocking of an earthquake. Sleep on roadsides and in truck stops, shifting from state to state, risking danger in favor of a limited bank account.

It is the dream of many Americans, in all walks of life, to travel the country, but few realize this dream. Now they may do so vicariously in the reading of these adventures. Laugh along the way, but also share the terror, sorrow and humor.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to take your adventurous trip and write Strapped Into An American Dream?

Glenn Maynard: My wife and I took a trip to Florida and were enjoying a February day in an outside whirlpool when we decided that there had to be another way. We then began to dream and thought how wonderful it would be to take a trip that most would only undertake when they retire.

We decided on all of the 48 continental states during a one year journey. I could write about it and eventually publish a book. I took detailed notes daily and became a travel correspondent for 3 newspapers along the way.

JP: What did you and your wife learn about each other in taking a trip like this?

GM: We learned that we were a great travel team, and together we moved through America really wanting to learn about its history. We both wanted the same things. We both had roles in order to make a trip of this magnitude work.

I was the one who persevered through hundreds of miles at a clip. She was the one with the map, guiding the ship to stay the course. Together we chose the attractions and the free campgrounds. Many times the plans fizzled, but we were able to create Plan B on the fly.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Strapped Into An American Dream getting out to the public?

GM: The keys to my success are believing in my story, believing that it’s a story Americans want to read and having the perseverance to bring Strapped Into An American Dream to all of the people who would love to chuck it all and hit the road.

My book is not going to sell itself, although at first I thought that it might. I am onto Plan B of Marketing now, and I’m eyeing the top of the mountain. Nothing is going to stop me from rolling it over the top. I made it this far, and I do not give up on anything without a fight.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Strapped Into An American Dream?

GM: My writing process is simple. When I am inspired to write, then I write. If I have nothing, then the sitting wasn’t meant to be. For this book, I spent the year writing notes on 10 legal pads, then wrote the book from the highlights of the trip.

I spent time moving from Connecticut to Colorado, and then four years later moved back to Connecticut after my divorce. We left one week following our wedding and returned on our first anniversary. I then had to rewrite the entire manuscript to focus more on the journey and less on the honeymoon.

Querie letter after querie letter and rejection after rejection followed. The years flew by, and the hope of bringing this trip to Americans fizzled. My perseverance never did. Beginning the process with note taking in 1992 until publication in 2009 may be a long time, but not when your holding a book in your hands with your name on it.

JP: What’s next for Glenn Maynard?

GM: While living out in Colorado, I also wrote a fiction book which deals with the possibilities of reincarnation. The book needs to be fine tuned, but there is a nearly completed piece of work there.

http://www.strategicbookpublishing.com/StrappedIntoAnAmericanDream.html
http://www.myspace.com/465601388
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=1678072567
http://www.squidoo.com/glen-maynard-the-american-dream

P.S. Join the Joey Reviews Newsletter at http://joeypinkney.com/joey-reviews-newsletter.html.

Please click on the banners to learn more about each JoeyPinkney.com sponsor:
















You need to advertise with JoeyPinkney.com! (Click here for more information.)
5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, interview

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Sonya Visor, author of Who I’ve Become is NOT Who I Am

17 Comments

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Sonya Visor, editor of Who I’ve Become is NOT Who I Am
(Covenant House Press)

Wearing a Mask is a powerful thing! We all have worn a mask at one time or another in our lives. The danger is when YOU can no longer be seen… What people see is the face that you have become! Sonya Visor knows this all too well when she found herself on her living room floor in a fetal position ready to take her own life.

God used her four-year-old son to deliver her! It was indeed time to be free. It was time to TAKE OFF THE MASK, but first she had to become naked and unashamed from the hands that touched her life.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Who I’ve Become is NOT Who I Am?

Sonya Visor: You simply just don’t put ALL of your “stuff” out there for the world to see… It had to be divine! However, this is not a testimonial book. I was driven by the fact of being alone in my taking off the mask process. I wondered how many others were smiling, while contemplating suicide. I couldn’t be the only one feeling like this, and I had to tell others how I took off my mask.

JP: What sets Who I’ve Become is NOT Who I Am apart from other books in its genre?

SV: Everybody has worn a mask! I don’t care how beautiful or handsome, together attire or a public mess, we’ve all played “a role” at one time or another. We can all relate to masking. This book is almost too real. You will see yourself in the pages of Who I’ve Become is NOT Who I Am.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Who I’ve Become is NOT Who I Am getting out to the public?

SV: I remain a person who is teachable. I have read and applied books, attended seminars investing in the vision to birth this book. I am the kind of person who will surround myself with people who have been successful in the areas I need strengthening in. God has blessed me with folks who don’t mind reaching back to help others succeed.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Who I’ve Become is NOT Who I Am?

SV: The book was done in 2006. Marilynn Griffith got a hold of the manuscript and said, “Sonya, this is good, but you’re on the surface. Go deeper, and quit hiding behind Bethany .” (You have to check out chapter six to find out who Bethany is.) I left the project because I wasn’t ready. I revisited and started over in November of 2008. It took me two weeks writing a chapter a day.

JP: What’s next for Sonya Visor?

SV: I will be going on a book tour visiting surrounding cities for Who I’ve Become is NOT Who I Am. As a contributing author to Sistahfaith, a new book compiled by Marilynn Griffith, released by Simon and Schuster, I will participate in some of the upcoming events. I am excited about my upcoming play April 2nd, Silence is NOT the Answer.

The next TruU conference is April 24th! My TruU Blog Talk Radio show will be here May 1st! My creative juices are flowing for what my hearts desire is: writing my fiction novel. Now that’s the fun stuff I love to do while keeping it real.

Take_off_the_mask@yahoo.com

http://www.sonyavisor.com/
http://www.truuministries.com/
http://sistahfaith.ning.com/profile/SonyaVisor
http://twitter.com/sonyavisor
http://www.facebook.com/people/Sonya-Visor/100000337567957
http://www.nccracine.org/

Please click on the banners to learn more about each JoeyPinkney.com sponsor:
















You need to advertise with JoeyPinkney.com! (Click here for more information.)
5 minutes 5 questions with, african american author, african american authors, african american book, african american books, amazon.com, interview, leadership

5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Dawn McCoy, author of Leadership Building Blocks: An Insider’s Guide to Success

17 Comments

JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Dawn McCoy, editor of Leadership Building Blocks: An Insider’s Guide to Success
(Flourish Publishing Company)

Written by Dawn McCoy, one of the youngest elected members to serve on the Sacramento City Unified School Board of Trustees, this pivotal book shows how ordinary people can become extraordinary leaders. Geared towards aspiring leaders or those already in leadership positions, Leadership Building Blocks: An Insider’s Guide to Success outlines seven strategies to achieve success. These include Vision, Balance, Courage, Relationship Building, Tenacity and Commitment to Legacy.

McCoy candidly shares personal triumphs and challenges she faced in the political arena and other leadership roles. She draws attention to Leadership Building Blocks’ fundamentals, skills designed to distinguish a leader. Each concept is illustrated by an example, application, and story. With easy-to-follow icons, leadership self-assessments, and goal-setting worksheets, McCoy takes readers through her experiences while simultaneously giving them tools to succeed in their leadership roles.

Leadership Building Blocks provides step-by-step procedures about where leaders begin, how they can advocate for their cause, and how they can deftly maneuver through unpredictable circumstances.

Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write your book Leadership Building Blocks?

Dawn McCoy: The inspiration to write Leadership Building Blocks came to me in two ways. During my years as a nonprofit executive and elected school board trustee, I witnessed shortcomings among leaders in business, politics and community groups. For me, the ideas developed when I wanted to provide solid, easy-to-digest solutions to common leadership challenges. Eventually, these ideas became the premise for the seven leadership building blocks.

Second, my grandmother and aunties inspired me to write because of their legacy sewing quilts. For years, I’ve watched them weave together from scrap materials and clothing creative home-spun blankets, quilts and wall-hangings. They have created stories that come alive from fabric and decorative embellishments. When I received a quilted square handed down from a great-great aunt, I knew I had n obligation to tell a story using my creativity.

So, Leadership Building Blocks came to me as a way to both tell my story about life in public office and the local political landscape. In the process, I shared lessons learned with the intent to help others get in, survive and manage leadership roles.

JP: What sets Leadership Building Blocks apart from other guides on leadership?

DM: There are a lot of leadership books such as reference guides, business management and personal development. To me, some leadership books and biographies fall short without delivering real strategies about how to become a better leader.

Leadership Building Blocks will inspire readers to jump in, take on or tackle any leadership role. Too often we hear about leaders making bad decisions. This book is the perfect solution to bring integrity back to leadership. It is filled with kernels of wisdom, chapter-by-chapter icons and self-assessments.

JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Leadership Building Blocks getting out to the public?

DM: For me, there are two keys to my success getting the word about out to the public.

First, it’s about staying balanced. This means staying centered on a personal level. It also means having a solid support system. I often quote noted African American dancer Katherine Dunham who said “Go within every day and find the inner strength so that the world will not blow your candle out.”

Second, it’s simply about connecting with people. Finally, I’ve found success already getting the word out about Leadership Building Blocks through leveraging my network. In other words, I’ve found success connecting with people given their needs or challenges.

JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Leadership Building Blocks?

DM: My writing process is to write when and where inspired. I always keep a notebook with me to jot down thoughts, observations and notes. Typically, I work with an outline but give myself the flexibility to move sections and chapters around.

Also, since I write non-fiction, I’m inspired by greatly current events and personal circumstance. For instance, the section and chapters about legacy was written just after my grandmother died in 2007. The epilogue was completed just as President Barack Obama was elected as the first African American U.S. president.

In total, writing Leadership Building Blocks took me about three years to complete. The challenging part near the end was editing out exercises and text that will be part of a leadership workbook.

JP: What’s next for Dawn McCoy?

Right now, I’m excited to be on a national tour for Leadership Building Blocks speaking at conferences and visiting local bookstores and colleges. Over the next few months, this will include book signings in New York, DC, Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas, and Los Angeles. It’s really an exciting time!

Last fall, I rolled out a new audio CD, Effective Community Engagement: Seven Steps to Make a Real Difference. Included are excerpts from chapter 13 of Leadership Building Blocks and also concrete ways about how to become a better champion for a cause, community group or faith-based organization. These step-by-step techniques are timeless insights to help people really take action rather than just talk about it.

Later this summer, I’ll finish work on the leadership workshop and on my next book Winning Campaign Building Blocks. That book will be a guide about running successful grassroots political campaigns. It is set for release in 2011, so I’ll put the finishing touches on it by late September.

Finally, I’m delighted to share that I’m exploring some collaborative work with other noted leadership experts.

Flourish Leadership Group
http://www.flourishleadership.com/

http://twitter.com/dawnmccoy02
http://www.youtube.com/dawnmccoy01
http://www.facebook.com/therealdawnmccoy

Facebook Fan page:
http://facebook.com/DawnMcCoyBooks

Dawn McCoy, President and CEO
Flourish Leadership Group, LLC
Motivational Speaker, Leadership Consultant, and Author of Leadership
Building Blocks: An Insider’s Guide to Success
“Empower Effective Leaders for Today and Tomorrow”
Direct: (916) 201-7189
Toll-Free: (877) 210-4049
http://www.flourishleadership.com/

P.S. Join the Joey Reviews Newsletter at http://joeypinkney.com/joey-reviews-newsletter.html.

P.S.S. Dawn McCoy provided a book to JoeyPinkney.com to give away to one of its readers.

Please click on the banners to learn more about each JoeyPinkney.com sponsor:















You need to advertise with JoeyPinkney.com! (Click here for more information.)