10 Questions: Michele M. Reynolds

Michele M. Reynolds, author


Bio:

I am Michele M. Reynolds author of Trail Swap, Off-Trail, & Tunnel W. The title 
Writer & Wilderness Girl Under It All comes from my love of writing and my roots of working and living in the woods for some years after college. Frequently, I lean towards a life of simplicity, and dream of living back in a tent contstructed of pine tree uprights, ridge poles, side-rails, rafters, and a thick yellow tarp. 

Since age 5 I knew I wanted to be a writer, and I told everyone I knew that is what I wanted to do. I studied journalism in school, and then went another route when I realized being an author was not in the cards for a solid career path. Now I live in New England and have a day-career by day. Still the creative bug is at work all day and night to create more characters and stories.

I currently live in New England with my family of 5 people + 4 cats + 1 Dog. I have a roof over my head (not a tarp), electricity (not kerosene) and still I firmly believe I am a Writer & Wilderness Girl Under It All. 

I hope you enjoy the blog I plan to write about the outdoors, writing, parenting, life in general, and randomness.

Contact Links:

Blog:  http://mmreynolds.blogspot.com/

Trail Swap: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Trail-Swap-ebook/dp/B009EHR4R2

Trail Swap: B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trail-swap-michele-m-reynolds/1114076961?ean=2940044210165

FREE Tunnel W & Off-Trail: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/gothrulifeinspired

10 Questions:

#1: How much time have you actually spent living in the woods and what is the longest stretch?

21 days in a row. I, however was a wilderness counselor for about four years. We typically worked five 24 hour days on and 2 days off. It was a residential program for at-risk youth. Sometimes their choice was jail or there. We built our own living structures out of trees and lived in them year round. I worked out of camps in Florida and North Carolina. We went on 21 day backpack and river trips, too.

#2: You mentioned knowing you wanted to be a writer at age 5. That's about the same age I first knew. Tell us about those memories.

As most writers probably start, I loved to read. I, thus, wanted to create what I loved. I remember my Aunt Gloria usually gave me these writing journals and personalized the inside in calligraphy. I wrote about my stuffed animals. What else would a five year old write about? I remember telling my mom's friend Mrs. Kelly that I wanted to be a writer when I was in preschool. She tactfully told me I would need a back-up plan.

#3: How long did it take you to write Trail Swap and why should people read it?

I started Trail Swap about 12 years ago. It originally was two stories and then I decided to have the two main characters cross paths. That solidified the story. I put it away for 6 years... then took it back out and worked on it. Then took it back out 6 years later and finished it. Life just happened.

You must read it because: Trail Swap is about an amusing woman who decides to hike the Appalachian Trail to find new direction in life while battling her fear of life's heartbreaks. The best part about it to me, is no matter how many times I read it, I find it hilarious, witty, and entertaining. If nothing else, it is packed full of memorable characters.

4: I would imagine your journalism training taught you to be a very organized writer. Do you outline first or dive in and let the characters take you on a journey?

Great question. I was a journalism major for three semesters and then changed to sociology and minored in journalism. I think the structure of journalism turned me away from it. You are supposed to put the best part of your stories in the beginning because editors usually cut from the end. I like the freedom of being able to write without an outline. My characters usually take me on a voyage, but sometimes I have to pull the parking brake and say, "Woa let's figure out where this is going." I am starting to outline a little bit, but my characters pick what routes we are taking to get there.

#5: I've heard it said that an author puts more self into the first novel. How much of you is in Trail Swap?

You know I haven't heard that, but it makes sense. A lot of the 12-year-ago-me is in Trail Swap. I poured a lot of energy, thought, and heart into the book. A lot of characters fill-up the book, and they mean a lot to me.

#6: Suppose the country's infrastructure suffered a catastrophic failure tomorrow and we were all left to survive in nature. Describe your first day. Where would you go and what would you do first?

I would get my family, and find a good water source area. Of course bring any and all resources that might have survived (tent, water purifier, etc) with us. I would break into the library and "borrow" some survival and plant identification books. I am not doomsday prepped, so I am not so prepared for this question. Next question. . .

#7: What other books have you written?

Tunnel W & Off-Trail.

Tunnel W - After being forced to run into a high-risk prison tunnel, a fearless woman uses two officers who chased her in there to help her escape.

Off-Trail is a trailer of Trail Swap of some sorts. It is the behind the scenes look at Trail Swap. After being put in command by his CEO, a rookie reporter must go into the field and pull-off the interviews of his life while nursing a broken heart.

#8: What's your next project?

I am working on another book based in a wilderness camp in the 2040's. It is not actually post apocalyptic but is based on the premise that the government shifts from "no child left behind" to "only the strong survive" mentality.  There is a feisty young female who is brought into this wilderness camp in the Florida Everglades and causes a lot of waves with the directors. I am hoping to publish it in August 2013. There is no title yet.

I am also working on getting Trail Swap into hardcopy. Even though I love the ebook revolution, it is a life dream to see my book in print.

#9: You are in your tent in the middle of the wilderness writing your next book. Paper and pen? iPad? Laptop?

Laptop. I have one that is heavier than two cinderblocks and probably is from the early 90's. Any readers out there, I am taking donations for a new lap top!

10: Let's do something different. There has to be a question you were hoping I would or wouldn't ask. Ask yourself that question (please let us see the question), then answer it.

Why am I any better or just as good as any other writer out there? Aren't I just a wannabe writer?

How dare I ask me that question?! I believe I am a rookie writer, but I have witnessed a lot of freshman come off the bench and dominate the game. I think I was meant to write. I love to write, and I have a lot of good ideas. I have read a lot of "famous" writers and said, "My work is just as good or better than theirs." I am so excited about the ebook revolution, because I do not have the leisure to quit my job, forget my family, and wait for the rejection letters to come in. I am learning every day, building characters, and hope I can inspire or entertain someone with my books.

Thanks Michele, for a great interview.

Writer + Wilderness Girl Under it All: Interview with Author Carl Purdon

Writer + Wilderness Girl Under it All: Interview with Author Carl Purdon

A Rising Star

It's nice to see good things happen to good people, especially when that person is succeeding at the very thing you hope to succeed at yourself -- writing novels.

Over the past year or so there have been several instances of self-published authors taking off and rising to the top. It gives writers like me hope. Shows it can be done. It's possible. And all any of us ever really want is the opportunity, right?

10 Questions: Patricia Dorsey

Patricia Dorsey, Poet. Writer. Mississippian.

April is poetry month. What better way to celebrate than by featuring a poet?

I met Patricia a few months back at the Pontotoc County Library. It was my first book signing and she had the table nearest mine. I was very nervous, not knowing what to expect. Patricia introduced herself and was very nice to chat with. Since that time I have followed her on Facebook and have found her to be a very creative ambassador for our state.

#1: Do you remember the first poem you wrote?

My very first poem was written February 14th (Valentine's Day) 2007.
It is called "Our Place".
I woke up out of my sleep with this poem swirling around in my head.
I got up and quickly scribbled it down.
It was the first of MANY poems to come ,in rapid succession, over the next few months.
And...Yes, was/it is a love poem.

 

 OUR PLACE
There is a place of enchanted love,
Where only you and I do dwell;
It's a place that's quiet and warm and safe,
A place that non can tell.
It's a very special private place,
A place that no one knows,
It's a place where we do find our rest,
A place of sweet repose.
It's a place of tender kisses,
Of knowing hearts and minds; A place of wonderful delights,
And marvels of all kinds.
It's a place where we move in a timeless rhythm,
To the beat of our own drums;
It's a place where emotions flood our souls,
And to which we must succumb.
It carries us through a time and place
Where love can never end;
A sacred place that's so divine,
Where man and woman blend.
It's a place I want to dwell forever...
Just you and me alone;
A solemn place where love is shared,
Like none has ever known.

Copyright 2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey
Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia-A Life In Poems

#2: You write a lot about the South, What is it you find so appealing about our state?

I find SO many things appealing about our state. I find SO many things to LOVE. I especially love the landscape and scenery. It is absolutely breathtaking at times. It truly "speaks " to me. I am amazed at how in awe I still am at a beautiful Mississippi morning. I still look around in wonderment like a small child. Every time it almost feels like the first time seeing it. Well, it really is the first time. Every day rises anew.

I write about that feeling/experience in my poems , "Mississippi Morning" and "Mississippi".
 
MISSISSIPPI MORNING
 
I love a Mississippi morning,
On a summer's day:
Everything's so glorious
In the most delightful way .
The sun is peaking upward ,
The earth begins to warm;
Magnificent works of nature ,
Are simply just the norm.
There is a sense of wonderment
At how all things look so new;
The flowers glow with freshness ,
From the past night's dew.
The beauty all around you
Would take away your breath;
You feel you'd like to soak it in
Until there's nothing left.
There’s nothing like a Mississippi morning,
On a summer’s day;
It’s such a grand production,
It seems we all should pay

2008 Patricia Neely-Dorsey
Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia - A Life In Poems
 
MISSISSIPPI 

In the heart of Dixie,
Perfumed by
The sweet, fragrant smell of magnolias
and serenaded with
The melodious songs of the mockingbird,
Lies a true Queen of the South.
Her name is Mississippi .
I don’t know how to explain this place,
Except to say that she “speaks” to me.
The rocks, the flowers, the birds and trees
Speak to me.
They sometimes whisper,
And sometimes they shout;
But always they say,
“This is where you belong.”

2012 Patricia Neely-Dorsey
My Magnolia Memories and Musings- In Poems


#3: What is the biggest misconception you think people have about Mississippi?

There are SO many misconceptions about Mississippi. I hardly know how to pick one. But, I think the one that truly amazes me is how people think that EVERYONE in Mississippi is so backwards and ignorant. Considering all of the prolific writers, amazing singers, songs, artists and innovations that have come from Mississippi, I just have to shake my head at people thinking that.

Most people don't even realize that the first ever heart transplant and first ever lung transplant in the world were performed in Mississippi...by a Mississippian. The idea of Coca -Cola being sold in bottles came from a Mississippian. Coca-Cola was first sold in bottles in Mississippi!

Imagine how different our world would be without there having been people like Elvis, B.B. King, William Faulkner, John Grisham, Fred Smith (Fed Ex) ...ALL from Mississippi!

#4: What type of audiences do you typically speak to?

I speak to all kinds of audiences and all ages.
I speak at meetings of a lot of civic organizations such as Rotary , Kiwanis, Pilot,ect.
I speak at schools at all levels from elementary to high school.
I have spoken at several colleges and at churches .
I speak very often for Lunching With Books at libraries .
I am proud to say that I think my poems speak to all audiences.
There is something in my poems for everyone.
I like to say that they appeal to everyone from 8 to 80.

#5: What do you have in the works now and when can we expect to see it?

I do plan to publish a third volume of poetry which will be more or less the third book in the Reflections "trilogy"
Hopefully it will be published in early 2014. It will basically be a continuation of the flow of the other two books.
Reflections was called a "love letter to the south", by one reviewer. In Magnolia Memories the "love affair continued/continues.

In the third book, which will be called Mississippi In Me, I will just be showing even more of the Mississippi love. (smile)

#6: You graduated high school in 1982 (same year as me) then went to Boston University. Why Boston?

My brother was at Boston University at the time, so it was a natural choice.

I kind of just followed my big brother. Our parents encouraged us to branch out and consider a school outside of Mississippi for our college years. I am so glad that my mother strongly encouraged that. It made me appreciate home SO much more!

#7: What made you move South again?

I think one of my poems has the answer to that ! LOL!!!
 
TOO COLD FOR COMFORT
 
When I went off to school in Boston,
I realized why Southerners have a slower pace;
When the weather’s not so frigid out,
There is no need to race.
When the weather’s nice and toasty,
You can take time to slowly walk;
When you don’t feel you’ll freeze to death,
With your friends, you can casually talk.
Northerners don’t really know what it is,
To take a leisurely stroll;
They’re always rushing here or there,
‘Cause the weather’s just too cold.

2008 Reflections of a Mississippi Magnolia

#8: Are most of your speaking engagements local or do you travel?

I mostly speak all around the state of Mississippi. One of my very first big speaking engagements was in Natchez, a few months after Reflections was published (2008). I have had several speaking engagements in Alabama. I was honored to be a guest speaker at the Arkansas Literary Festival a few years ago. I have been invited to be a guest author at the Pulpwood Queens Girlfriend Weekend in Jefferson, Texas in January.

#9: What advice can you give to other poets who want to get their work in front of people?

Network, Network, Network
Facebook, Facebook, Facebook
Share, Share, Share

People have to know you're there in order to get to listen to, enjoy, read and buy your work! Two of my favorite old timey sayings that I tell folks all of the time: "A closed mouth don't get fed" and ... ""The squeaky wheel gets the oil" So...OPEN UP YOUR MOUTH...and SQUEAK, SQUEAK!!!

#10: Let's do something different. There has to be a question you were hoping I would or wouldn't ask. Ask yourself that question (please let us see the question), then answer it.

What is the overall message that you would like to convey ?

There are so many negative connotations associated with Mississippi and the south in general. Through my poems, I attempt to give a positive glimpse into the southern way of life. I do not disregard,ignore or negate the negatives about my(our) state and region. But, the truth is, there is SO MUCH MORE to the story.

I call both books "a celebration of the south and things southern".

My slogan is :"Always, Always Celebrating the South and Promoting a Positive Mississippi"

Readers can find out more on my:

WEBSITE: www.patricianeelydorsey.webs.com

BLOG: www.patricianeelydorsey.blogspot.com

Dream Your Self into Being -- Bonnie Buckner, PhD

Bonnie Buckner, PhD



 Dreaming puts you in the driver’s seat of your life. It’s the most practical thing you can do. Dream Your Self into Being teaches you how to understand your dreams and use them to become the greatest version of yourself.


 
A few months ago I interviewed Dr. Bonnie Buckner as part of my 10 Questions interview series. She was gracious enough to agree to come back and talk about her latest book, Dream Your Self into Being. Dreams fascinate me, so I wanted to do my homework and get as much information out of Dr. Buckner as I could. That's why the format of this 10 Questions interview is, well, very different.

For starters, I asked Dr. Buckner if she would mind providing me with a list of questions she thought would be the most helpful to my readers. My intention was to use those questions as a guideline by which to develop my own 10 questions (9 + my stock #10 question). When I read the questions she returned to me, I knew this interview had to be different. That's why I'm not calling it by the normal 10 Questions title.

The 12 questions Dr. Buckner sent were such good questions, I decided to use them as they were, because I truly wanted to know the answers to them all. I'm sure these questions are representative of the questions she gets asked by her clients. Quite frankly, I couldn't think of anything about them I wanted to change.

First, you may be wondering just who Dr. Buckner is. Let me introduce her to you:

Bonnie Buckner, PhD, is a specialist in dreaming and imagery.  Her international client list includes CEO’s, politicians, social entrepreneurs, inventors, professional artists and musicians, and award-winning writers and film producers. Dr. Buckner teaches business and creative professionals worldwide to decipher their dreams and unlock their inner power to unfold into their greatest versions of themselves. Her clients have tripled their income in three months, closed negotiations that have been stalled for weeks, conquered their fear of performing, recognized their true paths and accomplished what they otherwise believed impossible.

An engaging national speaker and popular university lecturer, Dr. Buckner teaches a long-hidden system of dream work that dates back to 13^th century Kabbalist mystics. Buckner has written Dream Your Self into Being to provide readers with the tools they need to understand the messages of their dreams in order to realize their deepest passions.  Detailing her own unusual experiences with dreaming, Buckner infuses her practical guidebook with a personal, down-to-earth voice.

Dr. Buckner’s background spans politics, media, marketing, community organizing, and urban renewal.   She has worked as a freelance writer and a film and television producer. She’s an academic and an entrepreneur. As she describes it, “I dreamed it all,” meaning that from an early age, Buckner followed the messages of her dreams, which led her from Hollywood to the White House to founding two successful businesses, to guiding her to her dreaming teacher and mentor.

“Dreaming is about waking up to our potential,” Buckner affirms, “it’s the most practical thing we can do.”  Buckner has dedicated her life to bringing the power of this ancient art to modern audiences, which led her to writing her book and planning for the widespread dissemination of the techniques via her workshops, classes and social media platform.

Holding a PhD in psychology with an emphasis in media, Buckner is well suited to reach and inspire a national audience. “Everyone dreams,” she says, “but few people know how to understand their dreams and act on the guidance they are offering.  The potential waiting to be unleashed is enormous.”

A passionate believer that learning to understand and follow the message of our dreams leads to selfhood, fulfillment and success, Buckner’s enthusiasm is an inspiration to all to begin to pay attention to what our dreams are trying to tell us at night and live their wisdom in our daytime.

Contact Information

 

For information on workshops, events and classes, or to contact the author, please visit: www.bonniebuckner.com.

12 Questions Dr. Buckner Hears From Her Clients

1. Where do dreams come from? 

Dreams come from our bodies. Really!  They are the language of our experiencing. Here’s what I mean:

Dreams and Writing

I've been so bogged down in my day job these past few weeks I've basically had to ignore everything else. Long hours on the job don't leave much mental energy left when I get back to the hotel. During this time I've had only two days "off". The bottom line is that in the past three weeks I've managed to edit three scenes in my upcoming novel. The first one took an entire Saturday because I needed some down time just to get my head clear again. Yes, I'm complaining. I'm a writer. I vent. So what does this have to do with dreams, and why am I telling you this?

Two reasons.

First, I've always dreamed. Tons of dreams. Crazy, silly, stupid dreams. Many of my dreams are like movies. Once I dreamed what I thought could've been an entire movie, start to finish, in a single night. It felt like I was watching a movie (one I had never seen). When I go long spells without writing, my dreams become more intense. The nightmares become more frequent, until they push out the crazy, silly, stupid dreams. The result being mental exhaustion when my head leaves the pillow in the morning.

Second, and why this is timely, is that I've had a 10 Questions interview in the queue for about a month now that delves deeply into dreams. I've interviewed Dr. Bonnie Buckner before, but this one will be a bit different. Instead of me asking the 10 questions, I asked her to supply her own. Questions she hears from her clients. This morning was my first chance to review the 12 questions she submitted. Fascinating stuff. You won't want to miss this one.

Set your calendar to March 18th, or better yet, subscribe to this blog and get an automatic notification. If you've ever been curious about dreams, don't miss this one.

The Next Big Thing -- Tagged

I'm it. I got tagged. Does that mean I'm a big thing? No, not exactly. "The Next Big Thing" is a "game" designed to promote authors who also blog. Or bloggers who also write books. We have to promote each other, you see, because that's the nature of the business these days. You can only go so far with self-promotion. It's like this: how many times can you tap someone on the shoulder, trying to get their attention, before you annoy them? But if you have someone else say, "hey, you might want to see what that guy over there has to offer." Get the picture?

Besides, promoting other authors is actually quite addictive. You build friendships with like-minded people. One of the most enjoyable things I've done as a blogger (I have to admit a love/hate relationship with blogging) has been my 10 Questions interview series which highlights others (mostly authors) involved in the business of writing books.

If you are an author and you don't help promote other authors, you're cheating yourself.