#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Terrance Niedziela, Jr.

I’d like to welcome Terrance Niedziela, Jr. to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: The hardest thing about being a writer is being disciplined in consistently writing, especially when I'm tired from teaching. Easiest thing about being a writer: world building; I thoroughly enjoy creating complex worlds, races, cultures, flora and fauna, etc. I am able to let my mind go wild.

Things you need for your writing sessions: The first thing, or more specifically the first person I need to create is the Holy Spirit. I pray and ask Him to write through me. Then I need music. Sometimes instrumental, usually worship. I think best when I'm moving, so I need space for pace or act out scenes. 

Things that hamper your writing: The two biggest things that hamper my writing are a lack of discipline and allowing myself to be distracted by insignificant things like doom scrolling social media or binge-watching TV. 

Words that describe you: Words that describe me are: redeemed, adopted son of God, passionate, imaginative, loyal, chivalrous, courageous, and adventurous.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Words that describe me, but I wish they didn't are self-condemning and perfectionist.

Something you’re really good at: Something that I am really good at is explaining things that I have an interest in. Something you’re really bad at: Something I am really bad at is being concise. I tend to be a bit long winded.

Things you’d walk a mile for: A mile isn't that far to walk, so I wouldn't have a problem walking for anything. I grew up in the Northwood of Wisconsin in the 80s and 90s, so I am no stranger to walking long distances over rough terrain.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: There are plenty of things that make me walk from a room. But I would not run screaming.

Things you always put in your books: Some things I always put in my books and stories are: encouraging messages of redemption, hope, and the goodness of God; the martial arts; complex worlds, cultures, and creatures; and noble, chivalrous characters embracing their destiny.

Things you never put in your books: Things I never put in my work are sex, cussing, and graphic violence.

Favorite books (or genre): My favorite genres are fantasy and science fiction. Books you wouldn’t buy: I will not buy anything with cussing, sex, graphic violence, or mocks God.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done: The most creative thing I've done besides writing is dressing up in character to teach, do dramatic readings, or a drama. Some examples include: a knight, a scientist, an explorer, biblical characters, a demon, Father Christmas, and a bumbling pirate.

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: Up to this point, the projects that do not go according to plan are those I give my middle school students. 

My favorite book as a child: I entered third grade with an eighth grade reading level. Therefore, my reading selections were thick novels. I have read thousands of books, and a large portion of those were read before I turned eighteen. To pick one favorite is a challenge. But one of my favorites was Mossflower by Brian Jacques 

A book I’ve read more than once: A book I have read more than once is The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. My favorite parts are the riddles and Bilbo fighting the giant spiders.

Your favorite movie as a child: A movie that started me having a passion for fantasy was shown by my third grade teacher Mrs. Theiler, and it is called Flight of Dragons. It was the first time I saw a story about a person from our world going to a fantasy world and the added bonus of knights and dragons gripped me and never let me go.

A TV show or movie that kept you awake at night as a kid (or as an adult): I don't know the name. It was a western and it was the first time I had ever seen someone get their throat cut. I slept with covers over my neck for a long time after that. 

About Terrance:

Terrance Niedziela, Jr. grew up in Wisconsin, USA. He started writing books in the 4th grade, and that passion continued into adulthood. 

He received his BS in Ancient Middle East History with a minor in Creative Writing at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and an MA in English and Creative Fiction Writing at Southern New Hampshire University.

His fiction has earned a first-place Foundation Award at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference, a Fiction Carolina Christian Writers Award, and a second-place Florida Tapestry Award.

He enjoys spending time with his wife, watching cartoons, reading, being in nature, and seeing his students’ light bulbs turn on. He currently lives in South Carolina with his beautiful wife, Shauna, and their dogs. He teaches English to middle schoolers, writes speculative fiction as well as devotions for The Man Cave blog on Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes' website. In 2024 and 2025, his devotions were included in published devotions.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: https://terranceniedzielajr.com/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/terranceniedzielajr/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/terrance.niedziela

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583762891395

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7391195-terrance-niedziela-jr

#WriterWednesday with Author Tricia Copeland

I’d like to welcome author Tricia Copeland back to the blog for #WriterWednesday.

Hardest thing about being a writer: I get really anxious hoping that readers will love my book.

Easiest thing about being a writer: All the ideas swirling in my head.

Favorite music or song: I love feel-good peppy dance music, think The Killers, Mr. Brightside, wait, that’s the opposite, right? But it’s definitely danceable.

Music that drives you crazy: I shouldn’t think this because this genre is probably the most creative for a musician, but jazz drives me nuts. The unpredictable rhythm makes me anxious. Are you seeing an anxiety theme? LOL

Things you’d walk a mile for: Good pizza.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: Onions, ick!

Things you always put in your books: A romance plot line and happily ever after.

Things you never put in your books: I never write gruesome, gross scenes or detailed sex scenes.

Favorite things to do: I love running, walking, hiking, and being with family and friends.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: Folding laundry.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Published a book.

Something you chickened out from doing: Riding a roller coaster.

The funniest thing to happen to you: I spewed milk from my nose laughing at someone’s joke in high school. It takes talent.

The most embarrassing thing to happen to you: My skirt fell off in the middle of a sock hop contest. Fortunately, I had the crinoline under skirt still.

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: I worked at a summer camp for the blind during college. It became the inspiration for my YA paranormal book Drops of Sunshine.

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: Hmm… maybe that I’m secretly a vampire or a fairy. But I’m pretty honest about that, I sooo want to be! 😉

The first 8-track, record, cassette, or CD you ever bought: Ratt, Out of the Cellar, 1984, it was my rebellious phase. My parents would never let me buy or listen to hard rock music.

A type of music that’s not your cup of tea: It’s horrible to say because I know it’s such a creative genre, but I can’t do jazz. The unpredictable rhythms throw me off. Wait, did I already say that above?

My favorite book as a child: Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz was my favorite book series growing up.

A book I’ve read more than once: Twilight, the whole series, by Stephenie Meyer, Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell, and The Tala Prophecy series by Tia Silverthorne Bach

Your favorite movie as a child: I loved, not surprisingly, The Wizard of Oz directed by Victor Fleming.

A TV show or movie that kept you awake at night as a kid (or as an adult): I was equally enticed by and freaked out by Lost in Space produced by Irwin Allen. I’m sure more than a few of the monsters in my dreams were inspired by that show.

About Tricia:

Award-winning and best-selling author Tricia Copleand believes in finding magic. She thinks magic infuses every aspect of our lives, whether it is the magic of falling in love, discovering a new passion, viewing a beautiful sunset, or reading a book that transports us to another world. An avid runner and Georgia native, Tricia now lives with her family and four-legged friends in Colorado. Find all her titles from contemporary romance, now penned under Maria Jane, fantasy, and dystopian fiction at www.triciacopeland.com.

Writing Mixtape - 10 Tips for Writing Dialog

Dialog allows you to provide insight into your characters and ways to move your story forward. If you write in third person, it also gives you a way to show what your character is thinking.

Here are 10 tips for writing dialog:

1. Make sure your characters’ speech sounds realistic and not too formal. People don’t always speak in complete sentences. They also use jargon and contractions.

2. Don’t overuse dialog to highlight a character’s accent by writing large chunks of dialog phonetically. It’s okay to make a brief point about how to pronounce something, but it’s overuse annoys readers.

3. Mix up your dialog to avoid overusing dialog tags (e.g. he said or she said).

   Example: “Are you going out tonight?” Jill asked.

   “I didn’t plan on it.” Jack picked up his laptop and slid it into his messenger bag.

4. If two characters are alone in a conversation, you don’t have to use dialog tags on every line. The exception to this is when the dialog goes on for several pages. You don’t want readers to be confused about who is speaking.

5. Use dialog to help show your reader a character’s reaction or feeling instead of “telling them.”

   Example: “I’m done,” Mandy said, grimacing. “I’ve tried and tried, and he won’t listen to reason.”

6. Don’t substitute synonyms for “said” to avoid overusing it. With the exception of “asked” for questions, stick with “said.”

7. Make sure your slang matches the character’s age. If you’re not familiar with slang from other decades, there are lots of dictionaries available online.

8. Make sure your references for stories set in present day are correct. Not many people wind down the windows anymore. We no longer tape or video our shows or rewind our movies. Tech is always changing. Make sure your references are current.

9. Don’t overuse dialog in your writing. It breaks up sections of narrative text, but conversations shouldn’t go on for twenty pages.

10. Don’t underuse dialog. Authors often fall into the trap of “telling” instead of showing. Too much expository text gets tedious.

What would you add to my list?

#WriterWednesday Interview with Maria Gallucci

I’d like to welcome author Maria Gallucci to the blog today for #WriterWedensday!

Words that describe you:

Determined, compassionate, optimistic, resilient, and just a little stubborn.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t:

Impatient and overly ambitious. I always have a million ideas and not enough hours in the day.

Something you’re really good at:

Connecting with people. Whether it’s through real estate, my book, or everyday conversations, I genuinely love helping people feel seen, heard, and valued.

Something you’re really bad at:

Sitting still and relaxing. Even when I’m supposed to be taking a break, I’m usually thinking about my next project.

Things you’d walk a mile for:

Coffee, great Italian food, a good book, and quality time with people I love.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room:

Negativity, unnecessary drama, and people who talk more than they listen.

Things you always put in your books:

Heart, humor, hope, and reminders that connection matters.

Things you never put in your books:

Anything intended to tear people down or make someone feel small.

Favorite places you’ve been:

Italy is at the top of my list. I also love Hawaii and anywhere I can experience a different culture and meet interesting people.

Places you never want to go to again:

I honestly can’t think of one. I usually find something to appreciate wherever I go.

Favorite things to do:

Traveling, reading, spending time with family and friends, hanging out with my pug Ray Ray, and helping people find a place to call home.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing:

Folding laundry. I’d rather negotiate a complicated real estate transaction.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done:

Writing and publishing Raised in Silence. Sharing your life story with the world is both terrifying and incredibly rewarding.

Something you chickened out from doing:

Skydiving. I keep saying maybe someday, but that day hasn’t arrived yet.

The funniest thing to happen to you:

I’ve accidentally started signing to hearing people who don’t know ASL and not realized it until they gave me a very confused look. Growing up in a Deaf household, it happens more often than you’d think.

The most embarrassing thing to happen to you:

Walking confidently into the wrong meeting and introducing myself before realizing I wasn’t supposed to be there.

The coolest person you’ve ever met:

My parents. They are both Deaf and taught me resilience, determination, and that communication is about so much more than words.

The celebrity who didn’t look like he/she did in pictures/video:

Most celebrities seem shorter in real life than they do on television! Like me!!! 

The nicest thing a reader said to you:

That Raised in Silence opened their eyes to a world they had never thought about before and helped them better understand the Deaf community and the importance of inclusion.

The craziest thing a reader said to you:

That they laughed, cried, and stayed up way too late because they couldn’t put the book down.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done:

Building businesses that bring people together. From real estate to advocacy work, I’ve always loved finding creative ways to connect communities.

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it:

I’ve had plenty! But some of my biggest lessons and best opportunities came from projects that didn’t go according to plan.

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books:

One of the stories in Raised in Silence is helping my Deaf parents navigate the home-buying process when I was just a kid. That experience shaped not only my life but eventually my career in real estate.

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not:

Readers sometimes assume every detail and conversation happened exactly as written. While the book is based on my life, some scenes were condensed or combined to help tell the story.

My favorite book as a child:
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White.

A book I’ve read more than once:
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.

Motto: Just Try 

About Maria:

Maria Gallucci is a bestselling author, REALTOR®, entrepreneur, and advocate for inclusion. As a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), she grew up bridging the Deaf and hearing worlds, an experience that inspired her book Raised in Silence: Lessons on Listening, Love, and Loud Family Dinners From a Child of Deaf Adults. Maria is passionate about communication, belonging, leadership, and helping people connect across cultures, communities, and differences.

Let’s Be Social:

Website: Home - Raised In Silence by Maria Gallucci

Facebook: Facebook

#ThisorThatFriday Author Interview with Lynda Allen

I’d like to welcome the amazing Lynda Allen to the blog for #ThisorThatFriday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: Sending my book babies out into the world and wondering if people will like them and be kind to them and if they’ll make friends.

Easiest thing about being a writer: Talking about the stories. I love to talk to people about why I write about menopause, where the inspiration for Liv’s friends comes from, why I write about Fredericksburg, Virginia, how much fun I have writing the stories, etc. My favorite moments are when I’m at an event and tell a woman that Liv has psychic visions during hot flashes and they just throw their heads back and laugh!

Things you need for your writing sessions: Quiet, except for Kind of Blue by Miles Davis, and water.

Things that hamper your writing: Interruptions. I really don’t like interruptions! Sometimes the view out my window hampers my writing. I like to watch our cat climbing trees and listen to the wrens singing.

Words that describe you: Sarcastic, Jersey yet somehow peaceful, creative, mom, friend, spiritual, kind, heart-centered, post-menopausal but still with a dash of menopause rage. Yes, I realize I’m contradictory, though I prefer multi-faceted.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Self-critical, impatient, sometimes Grumpy Gal, self-doubt.

Something you’re really good at: Baking! I love to bake. It doesn’t always come out the way I planned, but it’s usually still delicious. My husband is very sad when there’s a week I don’t have time to bake!

Something you’re really bad at: Keeping plants alive. I swear my husband is green on the inside he’s so good with plants and our garden. I’m sorry to say I am not very attuned to the needs of our plants. And I’m really bad at being on time for things. It’s not a good quality, I know.

Things you’d walk a mile for: Friends, family, my cat, a cause I believe in, peace, empathy, and kindness.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: Country music and the sound of Styrofoam being removed from a box!

Things to say to an author: Your story made me______ - laugh, think, feel angry, scared, joyful. Tell us how the story made you feel. And my favorite, because its always a gauge for me when I’m reading a book, “I missed the characters after I finished the book.”

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: I knew who the culprit was in chapter two. You said her hair was dark brown in the first book, but mousy brown in the second.  

Favorite things to do: Read, spend quiet time communing with nature, write poetry, hang out with a few good friends, my daughters or my sisters, float on the waves, watch British and New Zealand mystery shows with my husband, go on vacation with my husband.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: I’m not sure there’s anything I’d eat bugs to get out of doing. Ew! But I really don’t like washing dishes or sitting in traffic. Wait, I might actually eat bugs to get out of writing an outline for one of my books!

The coolest person you’ve ever met: John Cusack. I was an extra in the movie True Colors. He was very kind to me while they were shooting the scene I was in. I had to walk backwards down a flight of stairs while looking through the lens of a video camera I was carrying on my shoulder. It was a very expensive camera that I was responsible for the care of because they had borrowed it from the company I worked for. It was a challenge to look through the lens and walk backwards down the stairs without looking at my feet. John Cusack must have noticed because between takes he called the director over and asked him if I could start a bit further down the stairs so I wouldn’t fall. I was so grateful because if I dropped that camera, I was in a lot of trouble! (*See the most daring thing I’ve ever done.)

The celebrity who didn’t look like he/she did in pictures/video: James Spader was also in True Colors. I’m not sure how he looked because he spent all his time in his trailer and didn’t interact with anyone.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Ask John Cusack to dance at a wrap party after being an extra in True Colors. He said no because he was there with someone else, but I’ve since forgiven him. “Earn beads” at Mardi Gras – long before gravity took its toll. Quit my job to write the first in my Liv Wilde Mystery series – two weeks later the news about the pandemic broke which definitely had a negative impact on my creativity for a while.

Something you chickened out from doing: When I was a kid we spent a vacation at a place called Callaway Gardens. It had some sort of circus component to it and we had an opportunity to get up on the trapeze. I let a couple of people go ahead of me in line because I was a little wary and then we ran out of time and I didn’t get to try. I still wish I hadn’t chickened out!

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done: Painting. I love to paint and draw! My love for it started in high school. I usually use acrylics. Years ago, I started painting on leather journal covers and leather bags, which is an interesting challenge. Writing has taken up much of my creative energy over the past few years and I miss painting. There’s something very therapeutic and mindful about the process.

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: Oh, my gosh my foray into designing merchandise with inspiring sayings on them was a complete fail! I have boxes of t-shirts and water bottles that didn’t sell.

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: The Drama Flag. When my daughters were teenagers, I got fed up with the bickering and drama (though, to be fair there really wasn’t that much of it) and one day while one of them was being overly dramatic the image of a penalty flag in football popped into my head. One of my daughters is a costume designer so there was always fabric around. I dug through her supplies for a piece of yellow cloth, cut it into a square and wrapped a couple of rubber bands around one corner to give it some weight and the Drama Flag was born! We kept it in the family room and anyone could throw it like a penalty flag when the drama got to be too much. It was a great tool for breaking up the moment so we could take a breath and talk about what was really going on. I loaned the Drama Flag to Liv and it makes occasional appearances in the books.

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: Liv’s psychic abilities. I sometimes wish I had psychic abilities (not mind reading though!), but I do not. I’ve had a couple moments in my life when I knew what was going to happen before it did and I do often look at my phone before a text comes through, but that’s about the extent of it.

My favorite book as a child: Any of the Pippi Longstocking books. I think she is why I like stories about strong women and why I wanted to write about them too. Pippi kicked ass and didn’t apologize for who she was. I loved her! I even mention Astrid Lindgren in Flashes of a Dying Hour. It’s one of the fun things about Liv’s character, she works for a small publishing company as an editor and proofreader and I get to make up the projects she’s working on. So, I had her editing a biography about the author of the Pippi Longstocking books.

A book I’ve read more than once: Honestly? The Harry Potter books. I hate to admit it now because of JK Rowling, but because I read them all aloud to my daughters when they were young, I have a positive emotional connection with the books. I also love to reread The Dark Is Rising sequence by Susan Cooper. I love stories about the struggle between the dark and the light. And I’ve read most of Louise Penny’s books more than once because the characters and humor are amazing!

About Lynda:

I’m a storyteller, author, poet, artist, and listener.

I’m the author of the Liv Wilde Mysteries in which menopause is a superpower! Since I had to put up with hot flashes every day, I figured I might as well make them useful!

I proudly infuse my writing with my Jersey Girl sensibilities and aim to create stories imbued with heart and humor.

I live in Fredericksburg, VA, where the Liv Wilde mysteries are set, with my husband, our cat, and the many incredible eagle friends who pay us frequent visits.

When I’m not writing about hot flash-induced psychic visions, I also write poetry and create art.

I began my career in video post-production and documentary filmmaking before focusing my knack for storytelling on writing. I have written four poetry collections, Rest in the Knowing, Illumine, Wild Divinity, and Grace Reflected. I have also published The Rules of Creation (nonfiction) a guide to living from the heart. The Liv Wilde Mysteries feature Flashes of Insight (book 1) and Flashes of a Dying Hour (book 2).

Let’s Be Social:

Website: Lynda Allen – Author - Lynda Allen

Facebook: Facebook

Writing Mixtape: The Oxford Comma

I’m a GenXer, so I’ve decided to corral all my writing-related posts under the header of “Writing Mixtape.” Here’s my first entry…

Comma, Comma, Comma, Chameleon. Today’s post is on the Oxford Comma (the serial comma). It’s the punctuation in front of the conjunction when there is a list or a series of items. (The comma after “ice cream.” I like pie, ice cream, and chocolate.)

Using it or omitting it are both correct, and there has been a battle royal going on for years between the two camps. It all boils down to which style guide you follow. Book publishers tend to use the Chicago Manual of Style (#TeamOxfordComma), and journalists tend to follow the Associated Press Stylebook (#TeamNoOxfordComma).

The caveat is that the Oxford comma is recommended if there is confusion without it. For example:

My heroes are my parents, Godzilla and King Kong.

Without the serial comma, it looks like the speaker’s parents are Godzilla and King Kong. To make it clearer:

My heroes are my parents, Godzilla, and King Kong.

I have always been on #TeamOxfordComma. That’s the way Mrs. Hooper taught it in the third grade, and it stuck. It can be difficult for writers if your editors use different style guides. When they do, it’s a good idea to make a note, so that you follow their requirements. You’ll use your preference by default. Habits are hard to break.

What’s your preference?

#ThisorThatThursday Author Interview with Maria Jane

I’d like to welcome Maria Jane to the blog for #ThisorThatThursday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: Feeling as if you have to top your last book

Easiest thing about being a writer: Creating characters

Things you need for your writing sessions: Diet Coke, chocolate, and quiet

Things that hamper your writing: Noise, distractions, being hungry

Things you’d walk a mile for: I love walking, no incentive needed. But if you’re asking what things are most important and I’d do anything for, it’d be family, friends, and my dog and cat.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: Wet socks, paying taxes, and folding laundry

Things you always put in your books: A happily ever after

Things you never put in your books: Explicit sex scenes or violence

Things to say to an author: I just left a review for your book. (And you really did just leave a review for the book.)

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: Will you put me in your book?

Favorite places you’ve been: Hawaii, Montana, and Wyoming

Places you never want to go to again: Can this be an event? If so, then I’d say the unnamed worst book event ever.

Favorite things to do: Run, hike, hang out with family and friends

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: Sit through a horror movie, and calculating taxes

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: I met my husband at work, and not to give too much away, but you know I write HEA’s right, so, the main characters in Perfect Office Pact meet at work.

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: In my first released book under the pen name Tricia Copeland, the main character breaks and gets a concussion playing volleyball. I got a concussion at a sock hop.

The first 8-track, record, cassette, or CD you ever bought: Michael Jackon’s Thriller

A type of music that’s not your cup of tea: Opera

My favorite book as a child: Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz

A book I’ve read more than once: Twilight

About Maria Jane:

Award-winning author of Perfect Office Pact, Maria Jane believes in the power of love. Her books are filled with fun moments, sweet gestures, surprising turns, and characters searching for their happily-ever-afters. Craving your next HEA read? Find all of Maria’s Perfect romances, and dive into a mesmerizing love story today at mariajaneromance.com.

Let’s Be Social:

https://www.mariajaneromance.com

https://www.facebook.com/TriciaCopelandAuthor/

https://www.instagram.com/authortriciacopeland/

https://x.com/TriciaC_Author

https://www.tiktok.com/@triciacopelandauthor

https://www.pinterest.com/triciacopelanda/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBHpvjj9L3od2SLTS4zJTjA

https://amazon.com/author/mariajaneromancebooks

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/maria-jane

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22375622.Maria_Jane

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/oUJIZ4N/mariajaneromance

#WriterWednesday Author Interview with Michael Hingson

Author Michael Hingson is my guest today for #WriterWednesday!

Hardest thing about being a writer: Coming up with new book possibilities

Easiest thing about being a writer: Talking about my books and what I put in them, especially teaching moments.

Things you need for your writing sessions: Collaboration as I prefer to work with someone. We feed off each other which spirs my creativity.

Things that hamper your writing: Putting some of my hardest thoughts into words. Again, collaboration helps.

Words that describe you: “Blind World Trade Center Survivor,” Bestselling author, International acclaimed author, Kind.

Words that describe you, but you wish they didn’t: Disabled, Visually impaired, Less than others especially those who can see.

Something you’re really good at: Collecting old time radio shows, doing my podcast, public speaking

Something you’re really bad at: driving a car but that skill will improve later, speaking languages other than English.

Last best thing you ate: Garrett popcorn

Last thing you regret eating: raw tomatoes

Favorite music or song: Big band music especially Benny Goodman

Music that drives you crazy: rap and hip-hop

The last thing you ordered online: treats for my guide dog, Alamo and treats I purchased for my cat Stitch

The last thing you regret buying: A ladder that didn’t meet my needs.

Things you’d walk a mile for: My guide dog and cat. Speaking at venues where people have an interest in what I have to say, Mint chip ice cream, Virgil’s barbecue.

Things that make you want to run screaming from the room: People who do not want to communicate and who think they are the only ones who are right. TV shows without much or any dialog. Pizza made with way too much dough and not enough toppings to balance them out.

Things you always put in your books: Life lessons I think people might want to read about. Stories about how I and other blind people live work and have fun. Things that are fun and enjoyable to read about.

Things you never put in your books: Condescending words. Political things unless I can present all sides in a way that won’t offend.

Things to say to an author: Hello. I want to learn more about you and your books. I would like to invite you to be a guest on my podcast, Unstoppable Mindset.

Things to say to an author if you want to be fictionally killed off in their next book: I am a better writer than you. I would like your autograph, (especially when I know they hate giving autographs). I want to be in your next book.

Favorite places you’ve been: New Zealand. All over the U.S. Canada

Places you never want to go to again: I have yet to visit a place where I wouldn’t want to revisit.

Favorite books (or genre): The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein. Science fiction and cosey mysteries.

Books you wouldn’t buy: Most books on politics. Books that put some people down.

Favorite things to do: Talk with people. Cruising. Playing with Alamo and Stitch. Public speaking. Crafting a new book.

Things you’d run through a fire or eat bugs to get out of doing: Eating raw tomatoes. Listening to people who won’t listen back. People who clearly don’t want to share ideas or consider learning from someone who has a different opinion than they.

Most daring thing you’ve ever done: Traveling from my home in California alone to Boston for the first time.

Something you chickened out from doing: So far, sky diving.

The coolest person you’ve ever met: Peter Falk. Also Larry King.

The celebrity who didn’t look like he/she did in pictures/video: Wouldn’t know about that, but I did see Adam West, (TV’s Batman), who acted like a jerk.

The nicest thing a reader said to you: You taught me a lot about blindness and blind people. I take your lessons to heart.

The craziest thing a reader said to you: While attending and speaking at a book club where everyone had supposedly read my book, Thunder Dog, the first question I was asked was “what were you doing in the World Trade Center anyway?”.

Besides writing, what’s the most creative thing you’ve done:

Crafting and giving speeches. Hosting a podcast. Working with Ray Kurzweil to help develop the first reading machine for blind and low vision people.

A project that didn’t quite turn out the way you planned it: Life in general. I always wanted to go into professional teaching at the high school or college level. However, while my life took a different direction, I have learned how I still am in reality a teacher.

Some real-life story that made it to one of your books: Escaping from the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Something in your story that readers think is about you, but it’s not: My guide dog, Roselle, did all the work and “lead” me out of the World Trade Center. However, that is not what a guide dog does.

The first 8-track, record, cassette, or CD you ever bought: A record by the Kingston Trio back in 1957.

A type of music that’s not your cup of tea: RAP and/or heavy metal.

About Michael:

On September 11, 2001, a blind man escaped the World Trade Center by walking down 78 flights of stairs with his guide dog. Days later, America fell in love with Mike and Roselle and the special bond that helped them both survive one of the country’s darkest days.

Immediately after the 9-11 tragedy, Michael was featured on the Larry King show five times. To quote Larry King…

“Michael Hingson is an international hero honored and awarded by top organizations worldwide.” This media exposure changed the course of Michael’s life and launched him into a speaking career that has spanned over nineteen years. He now travels the world as a keynote and inspirational speaker that can motivate audiences to action.

Let’s Be Social:

Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/mhingson

https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/

https://www.facebook.com/Roselle911GuideDog/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1568642850718948

https://www.facebook.com/?paipv=0&eav=AfZNi2VDR2R4nC6SveyCvZIyKtyi9VOLOzOKcG-v0Hk1glaVssEHwdR920w1_u-8B-k&_rdr

https://www.facebook.com/?paipv=0&eav=AfZNi2VDR2R4nC6SveyCvZIyKtyi9VOLOzOKcG-v0Hk1glaVssEHwdR920w1_u-8B-k&_rdr

Twitter, https://twitter.com/mhingson

LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson

Youtube channel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfCx2L9OVN38Dv4mX6udP8g.