Book Review: Dear Me by Anthony Maria

Ah love. It’s an emotion that can make you feel like you’re that delicious maraschino cherry on the top of a mountain high ice cream sundae. On the other hand, love can be so heart-breaking that it is like a disease that slowly eats away at you, with an insatiable smile, until there is nothing left, but an empty soul.

In the novel, Dear Me, written by local author, Anthony Maria, he speaks of a love that you would think only exists in the romantic’s handbook, but in fact, we've all felt it. Mason Gallo has fallen deeply in love with a mysterious woman named Keats Cameron, while on a trip to Niagara Falls, but is devastated when she disappears from his life, only sending cryptic letters, and making brief phone calls to him, which makes him feel like he is on the brink of insanity.

Copyright: Anthony Maria

Returning back to Windsor, where he left the old days behind, Mason hopes to find answers. The recollection of how they first met and all the feelings that flood Mason every day because of Keats sudden disappearance are told to us. She’s his addiction, plain and simple. He is on a quest to find his beloved Keats, at any cost, at any length, even if that means he will search for her forever. 

Meeting many colourful characters along the way, he is faced with agonizing realization that not only the love of his life is slipping away, but there are far more skeletons in his closet that he could have ever dreamed of.

👉My thoughts:

A little on the twisted side, yet brilliant authors like Brett Easton Ellis and Chuck Palahniuk, better take some notes because Anthony’s stylistic writing takes it to a whole new level.

The book is well-written, with subtle poetic sentiments that fill our hearts with hope, yet also laced with intense rawness and explicit language and subject matter, but will still send shivers down your spine.

I also love the fact that Windsor is the main focal point, where Caesars (in this book, known as Casino Windsor) is a prime location, along with Riverside Drive, Victoria Avenue, Hiram Walker, etc. There are also some highlights from our neighbouring city, Detroit Michigan, that are mentioned here, like  the Renaissance Centre and Joe Louis Arena.

I won’t mince words here. You’re in for a psychological mind-fu*k that keeps your heart pounding through every page. In the end, when you think that you are losing something so dear to you that you can’t seem to go on, remember that the truth is out there, you just have to be prepared to find it.

💜Anthony’s book is available online: Dear Me

💜You can also purchase his book by contacting him through IG page

 or by email: anthony.henry.joseph.maria@gmail.com

Uncovered: The Miriam Conspiracy by Bob MacKenzie

Copyright: Bob MacKenzie

Cover design by Joanne Gervais

I really enjoyed reading The Miriam Conspiracy. This was quite an intense read from start to finish!  It's the latest novel written by Bob Mackenzie. As a Canadian-based author, his expressive poetic musings and captivating novels have been published worldwide and have received numerous prestigious awards.

With the untimely deaths of family members, coupled with isolation on her homestead, Miriam begins to write personal confessions in a private journal that reveal more than anyone would ever imagine.  Her sister, Cassie, is just like a puppeteer - trying to pull the strings, which can feel rather relatable in a family dynamic, but with more sinister underpinnings.  The words off the pages begin to haunt the dreams and lives of deeply curious students who are searching for answers. Many other questions are posed from the ancient past to what lies ahead in the future, if one will actually exist.  

Bob has a keen way of playfully toying with the reader in this fictional piece of work set in the heartlands of Alberta, yet paralleling many realities of the current climate on the topics of political corruption and fanatic religiousity.  

The characters Zach and Evie truly play off each well and together, create an even more complex layer to the overall story, as they begin to realize watchful eyes have secrets of their own to conceal.

It is often said that it is a blessing and curse delving into the fragile human condition. Every page is a deeper dive into a story that ultimately challenges and shapes our own beliefs in a way that also leaves much to the imagination.

*2023 - Bob sadly passed away. This review is now in memory of Bob.

💜Order your copy directly from Bob's publisher here: The Miriam Conspiracy 

💜Other online retailers: Amazon.ca  Amazon.com

Rise Like A Phoenix: Q&A with Author, Steve Bottrill

On March 22, 1996, Chatham resident, Steve Bottrill, got into a terrible motor vehicle accident, which took a turn that no one saw coming. After being hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, and in a coma for 10 days, he was determined to find a way to tell the world that his time here wasn’t up yet.  A single tear drop saved his life. 

With a new lease on life, author, motivational speaker and exercise therapist, Steve Bottrill is sharing his journey in his book "Overcoming Impossible Odds-The Steve Bottrill Story" and inspiring others to live their best lives, no matter what odds are thrown at them. 

Enjoy my Q&A with author, Steve Bottrill below!  

Copyright Image: Steve Bottrill

1. It’s been many years since your motor vehicle accident, what are still some challenges that you face in your daily life?

I can’t see properly and my depth perception is not accurate, so I am not good at sports anymore. My reaction time is slower too since I can’t see. I am unable to move my eyeballs downward. 

As it is noticeable, I do look different.  I also have memory problems, but I do my best. Physically, I deal with chronic back pain, however moving my body in whatever way feels comfortable is still important to do. 

💠

2. There has always been an impossible beauty standard to uphold in our society, and obviously, your accident left a lot of scars.  Since you are often in front of many people with your presentations, do you feel any pressure to undergo any aesthetic treatments or are you content with your unique profile?

I don’t feel pressure to undergo surgery, although it would be nice. I have nerve damage in my eye, that cannot be fixed. 

I view myself as a very unique person, but of course, sometimes it is annoying to be seen by others as different and strange. 

💠

3. Are there any favourite spots in Chatham that you like to go to that just rejuvenate you after a long day? 

I really enjoy going out to eat at local restaurants for breakfast and dinner, particularly non-chained restaurants. 

My favourite cuisine is fish and chips.

💠

4. Finally, what can be found on your playlist when you’re exercising? It’s always interesting to know what people are listening to when they want that release of dopamine and serotonin from our bodies!

I like to exercise to AC/DC and heavier music. I enjoy dance music in the 125 bpm range.

I also have many Youtube videos that I've done to help others who want to exercise at their own pace and who may be dealing with injuries. Exercise is a great stress buster too!

For more information on Steve, check out the links below!

💜You can purchase Steve's book on Amazon

💜IG: @coma_to_inspiration

Precious Pinata: Q&A with Author, Charlene Renaud

  

As our final Giggle Mat Episode for 2021, we have Precious Pinata by Charlene Renaud, who is a children's health and safety advocate.  Precious Pinata’s global mission is to end adverse childhood experiences and promote children’s health, safety, and life education. This is a wonderful book (with a vibrant stuffy toy included to complement the book!) that deals with many complex life topics that are essential to discuss at early ages to promote lifelong learners and help children thrive in an everchanging world.

Precious Pinata will be showcased Thursday, December 1, 2021 on The Giggle Mat , so you’ll want to tune in for that episode.

Here is the Q&A with Charlene for you to enjoy:

1.  I love how the book has so many different themes to explore and the plushy Precious Pinata toy is adorable with all the stuffed coloured balls inside its belly.  How did you come up with this concept?

💠

The concept came from my first book, the Pinata Theory which targets an adult audience. The Pinata Theory explains the dynamics and sources of human influence, stored in an individual’s subconscious mind, affecting a person’s beliefs and life outcome. “What’s in Your Stuffing” is the subtitle of this book, a metaphor to help people visualize the effects of life experiences coming from many sources, i.e., family, religion, social norms, culture, adversity, where you live, media, etc. 

The book speaks about “unhealthy stuffing” such as racism, greed, materialism, unhealthy family dynamics, childhood adversity, or trauma, which all contribute to a person’s life outcome (i.e., socioeconomic, health, relationships, self-image). The book contained “Sparkling Pinata Tips” which are life tips sprinkled throughout the book, highlighted with an adorable Pinata. I thought, why not make this cute Pinata into a toy for children to teach them about life, minimize adversity and promote health, safety, and life skills? Each of the balls relates to a life topic. Putting the balls inside of Precious helps children visualize the effects of healthy and unhealthy stuffing (life experiences) that go inside of them, or they share with others. 

The book “Precious Pinata What’s in Your Child’s Stuffing?” is read to a child by an adult, covering diverse life topics to prepare children for everyday life. The design of Precious was based on psychology, prevention, education, and mentoring, all produce a successful teaching method that works. 

2.  I think most of us wish that we learned more as kids growing up, but the resources were limited and conversations about mental health and other topics carried a heavier stigma than today.  How does Precious Pinata address tough topics so loved ones can navigate these waters effectively? 

💠

I agree! If we learned about real-life or had good discussions with an adult early in life about tough topics, many people would have had a better life, versus developing mental illness, addiction, or life-altering disease. Adverse childhood experiences are the greatest link to future disease. “One in three girls and one in six boys in Canada experience an unwanted sexual act” and “95% of sexual abuse victims know their predator. Source: https://littlewarriors.ca/about/information-resources/. Precious Pinata’s book covers abuse, unhealthy relationships, mental health and so much more. 

Being honest with children will save their life, health, and future. Precious’s book makes it easy for parents to teach their children about life, done in a child-friendly way. We can have a better world if we cut through the lies, stigma, and distortion, being transparent about sexual abuse, addiction, mental illness, and accepted norms that are wrong. 

Would you put your child in a car without a seat belt? Not speaking to them about real-life topics is leaving them blindfolded, naïve, and vulnerable. 

3.   You offer a lot of school programs and workshops which is fantastic. I’m wondering since kids are very inquisitive, what kind of questions do they ask you? On the flip side, since you also cater to parents, educators, and communities, what kind of questions have you encountered from them?

💠

The school programs did not start because of covid. If educators would like to have a presentation this fall moving forward, the school presentation includes interaction (learning, sharing), an appearance by the Precious Pinata mascot, dancing, and music, suited for children in Junior Kindergarten to grade 5. The school can request specific topics to cover in the presentation, i.e., Orange Shirt Day (Residential Schools, Indigenous Children, Racism), Pink Shirt Day (Bullying), 911, Healthy Relationships, Emotions, and Mental Health, for example. 

The topic of sexual abuse is a topic covered by a parent (or therapist) with their child, not in a group setting. Therapists use Precious Pinata with positive results with children who have experienced trauma. Children open up and share based on Precious Pinata talking about the brown ball – Pinata Poop Stuffing. Children are encouraged to share any experience that makes them feel sad, angry, afraid, guilty, or worried with an adult right away so they can get help with the situation and feelings. Parents have shared their children opened up and shared experiences and feelings with them. The book encourages dialogue, health, and growth tools. The book is designed to open up dialogue about important life topics and fill the gap that traditional education does not provide. 

A parent shared her seven-year-old daughter thwarted off a predator, as she was taught about familiar people acting strange, sexual abuse, and telling someone right away. A therapist in Montreal shared great success using Precious with autistic children. A teacher shared a shy boy opened up after she read portions of the book to him about sharing experiences and emotions. 

Many adults have said they wished Precious Pinata was shared with them as a child, as they would have been aware of the abuse and known what to do. Children are vulnerable. Precious Pinata educates them to remove the vulnerability. Predators are tactful and ruthless. We must be truthful with children, to avoid abuse and exploitation. 

4.  Collaborations are always a great idea.  Can you tell me more about the Precious Pinata song with music production and vocals by Julian Telias and how that came to life? It’s quite a catchy song!

💠

I did not plan the Precious Pinata toy and book, rather it just came to me. I knew it was needed for this generation. With the pandemic, I was unable to do live presentations. It was discouraging. I prayed for assistance and I was directed (through a thought) to write a song. I wrote it in 30 minutes. 

I posted a musical production project on Freelancer outlining the song project and purpose, with replies from across the world. I liked Julian’s style, talent, and voice, so I awarded him the contract. Within three weeks, the song was completed. Julian did an amazing job and recorded the song in English and Spanish. He is from Argentina. His friend did the translation to Spanish for the Spanish version. 

The song was designed to reach the masses, not just kids. The song promotes diversity, unity community and love. It’s very upbeat, danceable, and has words to encourage self-love, love of others, and the planet. We are at a critical stage in humanity, shifting from damaging social norms, moving to love, peace, unity, and breaking barriers through community action. Racism plagued people of this earth. Canadians have seen this in attacks on Muslims, Chinese and Indigenous people. 

5.  Are there any areas of Precious Pinata that you would like to expand on or include that you feel you haven’t already covered?

💠

Welcome a presentation by Charlene at your workplace regarding the link between adverse childhood experiences to future disease and the design, creation, features, and purpose of Precious Pinata. 

Other ideas to promote Precious Pinata and its mission: 

    • If you are an educator, contact Charlene for a school presentation with the Precious Pinata mascot. 

    • If you are a therapist or child psychologist, invest in Precious Pinata for use as a psychoeducational therapy tool. 

    • Police services and children’s aid services may also consider using Precious Pinata plush toys to comfort children and help them share difficult experiences. 

    • Retailers are encouraged to contact Charlene regarding carrying Precious Pinata in their store, to get Precious Pinata to the masses. 

    • Psychology students would also benefit from learning about the psychological approach and advantage of Precious Pinata for children. 

    • High schools and universities are invited to lead a project to expand Precious Pinata locally and globally (i.e., film, cartoon, apps, dance with Precious Pinata to a new Precious Pinata song.

    • Movie producers are encouraged to contact Charlene regarding collaboration on a Precious Pinata movie for television or theatre. 

    • Musical, acting, and/or dancing students and theatre crews are welcome to propose a live production of Precious Pinata, to help children (and adults) and address social problems with solutions. 

    • Investors and collaborators are greatly appreciated. 

You can learn more about Charlene and Precious Pinata at the following links below.

💜Website: www.preciouspinata.com

💜Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CharleneRenaudSpeakerAuthor

https://www.facebook.com/Precious-Pinata-239427400098291

💜IG: preciouspinata

💜LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlene-renaud-3b32b936/

💜Contact: info@charlenerenaud.com / 519-436-3911

BREWtiful Moments: Coffee Monster Q&A with Author, Nate Friedman

Author, Nate Friedman

A world-traveller, author and comedian, Nate Friedman is a former Windsorite, still living his best life through the unpredictable pandemic. His latest children's book, Coffee Monster is a story that everyone will relate to, both the young and the wise. Filled with humour, stunning imagery, touching moments, and valuable life lessons. 

Nate's book Coffee Monster will also be showcased October 1, 2021 on The Giggle Mat , so you’ll want to tune in for that.

Enjoy my Q&A with author, Nate Friedman below!  

1. So you’re from Windsor, Ontario yet now residing in Toronto, Ontario. Funny, this is the opposite of me! I was born in Toronto and now living here in Windsor. Tell me about that wild journey.

The journey to the big city! Haha, sounds quite the adventure when it’s put onto the page like that. Just a drive in the car for four hours with some bathroom breaks lol

It all started when I did some travelling after graduating from the University of Windsor! I lived in Australia for six months and got a chance to visit New Zealand. When I got back, I ended up moving for work, first to Owen Sound, ON for a little while, then Brantford, ON, both beautiful cities, learning some cool things along the way. 

Then I decided to pursue writing full-time which meant moving in with family in Victoria, BC and getting to work on some exciting projects and working on my first book tour in Ontario with Chapters. All while looking at some mountains.

Continuing to work on writing and pursuing Comedy, I finally moved to Toronto to work with some amazing teachers and returning to school at Humber College for Comedy Writing and Performance. Toronto just seemed the place to be with so many great people and projects! 

I’m still enjoying life in Toronto more and more, even during the lock down.

💠

2. Although there is a fictitious coffee “monster” lurking, your book actually delves into a heavy topic surrounding addiction. How did that come about?

The coffee monster is very real. The idea for the book came from a personification of how most adults (then me after University!) approached coffee in everyday life.

 Some of the lines in the book probably come straight from my Mom, don’t worry she’s a big fan. In writing the book and creating the character, it became apparent that there was a lot more there than just a surface level need. This started to help the book take shape.

I think we tend to look at addiction through a classic lens and our minds go to the worst places but the reality is that addiction can be found in many things like food, too much screen-time, needing attention, in addition to more serious substances. I felt it was important to encourage conversations and look at all areas of life in terms of excess and try to understand. 

It’s also important to face all of these things with a sense of humour. Coffee Monster is a very fun character and we can go on this journey with him and see what we learn along the way.

💠

3. Tell me about your illustrator, Saba Bushnaq, and how she made your vision come to life on paper?

In creative work it is truly 1+1 = 3. Here is a fun fact, I already had the book written for quite a while before I met Saba to illustrate it. I had tried a few other artists and he didn’t quite jump off the page like he does now. There’s a good lesson in there about not forcing things and letting things come together creatively. 

I was finally referred to Saba through my sister and everything came together from there. She is absolutely amazing! Her artwork is so colourful and makes you feel great and tells a story unto itself. 

From there, it was a collaborative process where I tried to explain the pictures that were in my mind and she was incredibly flexible in getting it just right. Had it been just me, I don’t think the stick person version would have been as enjoyable. This book would be nothing without her. 

💠

4. The talent bug hit you early on in life and you’ve been really pursuing your dreams as an actor, comedian, and of course author. So do all these elements intertwine in your writing style, or do you see them as separate?

This all would have been so much easier if I had talent. lol. Growing up, I was definitely creative but extremely quiet and was scared of speaking in front of people. I would shake and hesitate to have people read my stuff.  It took me a long time, even after high school to get to a point where I could share my ideas openly and even think to pursue writing, acting and comedy. 

There was a quality I picked up from playing sports growing up where you could always work the hardest and slowly start to get better and work my way into being one of the best on the team. It took me quite a while to have the courage to pursue my dreams and stop looking at back-up plans or what was “safe”. I

I’m so happy and proud of where I am at this point in my life. I want to help as many people as I can pursue their dreams too and be an example. If you’re reading this and are unsure, this is your sign that it’s time to start doing that thing you want to do. You were put on earth for this reason and the world needs your unique voice.

All of these things fit together and help one another in a big way. Even the skills outside of these I learned like ‘sales’, help me immensely in my career. That’s the beauty of these creative pursuits, they’re only enhanced by your life experiences and all of the amazing people you meet along the way.

I will share a funny story. It was my first author event in Windsor, I had been invited to speak to hundreds of children and had so much fun. After the event all the authors had a luncheon and we were all sitting at a table and someone asked about writing down ideas. They all proceeded to pull out their ‘notes app’ and one guy who was a Newberry/Caldecott Award winner had these beautiful poetry verses, the next lady had some prose and said she liked to write down these beautiful lines that came to her, then I looked at my phone. All of my notes were jokes and things that I find funny. That’s me.

At my core is this sense of humour and seeing funny things about the world and I carry that through to my writing and acting along with on-stage  work, as an improviser stand-up comedian. 

You also learn to get less precious about your material and get better at editing and improving with feedback as it is not all “magic”. Telling a joke and not getting any laughs is a great place to start,  it doesn’t mean it’s you as a person, you just have more work to do in conveying how it’s funny. 

Same thing with writing books and sketches and screenplays, how can we keep boiling this down and make it the best? You get this romantic idea and stroke of genius and effortlessness when the reality is, it’s a lot of hard work (and this hard work isn’t necessarily best measured in time). 

I work separately at each pursuit but no doubt in some way they all help with one another! If you’re a young writer (or simply young at heart) why restrict yourself, ride the wave, see where things take you 

💠

5. You have written Coffee Monster and the Land of Coffee, as well as the most recent one that we’ll be featuring on the Giggle Mat; Coffee Monsters. So are any other beverages in the works for a new book?

There are plenty of ideas floating around as always! “The Land of Coffee” was released just before the Pandemic began so there is still a lot of work to get those fun characters out into the world. The launch was postponed and will need to be done properly when it is safe to do so. Although I must admit, the extra time to write and read has been great. I choose to focus on the positive. When the time is right, I’m sure there will be more fun characters for you to meet! Coffee Monster is anxious for a new adventure. Do we want to see him go to space maybe?

In closing, I would like to thank everyone taking the time to read this post and thank you so much to the Giggle Mat for this opportunity!  

I always love to connect with people who are interested in writing and I am always available for events and inquiries. Just contact me on my website listed below.

💠

For more information on Nate and Saba, check out the links! 

💜 Website: www.natetfriedman.com

💜  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natefriedmanauthor

💜IG / Twitter

💜YouTube (comedy mainly): 

More on Saba:

💜IG

💜Art link: https://www.instagram.com/saba.bushnaq.art/

💜YouTube (as well in Arabic): 

A Pancake Mistake: Q&A with Author, Stri Anderson

A Pancake Mistake is a delicious story by Windsor, Ontario author, Stri. This book is stacked high with fun rhymes and energetic illustrations that everyone can enjoy reading. Also a good reminder that even in the messiest of situations, a good laugh together can always make everything better.   

Stri's book A Pancake Mistake will also be showcased Sept 1, 2021 on The Giggle Mat , so you’ll want to tune in for that. 

Enjoy my Q&A with Author, Stri.

Stri and his little Riv

1.  Okay let’s get the BIG question out of the way, what do you put on your pancakes?

Syrup of course. My son and I are BIG fans. Occasionally I'll use jam though. 

💠

2.  The bond between a father and a son is very precious, and I know you dedicated this book to your son, Riven. What was his reaction when you showed him the book? 

My son was an integral part of the process, and I couldn't have done this without him. The book is dedicated to him, yes, but his consistent assistance was as always, invaluable. That said, he WAS extremely excited when I first told him what I was planning, and that I wanted him to help with ideas and sketches throughout development. 

Even if this book isn't extremely successful, just seeing the smile on his face as he held a physical copy for the first time, definitely made it all worth it. 

💠

3.  Writing a book is not always a linear path. Did you encounter any obstacles in creating this book, if so, how did you navigate that? 

There's always challenges when creating anything, but this book in particular, thankfully had very few.

Creatively, we didn't really see any obstacles we couldn't easily circumvent, except perhaps how/where to publish and advertise.

As a new author, I'm not really sure of the best ways to get the word out, so for me personally, it's still an on-going learning opportunity.

💠

4.  I read that you consider yourself an “adversity survivor” so can you tell me a little more about how that term fueled your passion to write a children’s book?

There are plenty of reasons I could consider myself a survivor, but the truth is, the REAL survivor is my son Riven. 

He was born in The Hospital for Sick Children, with a Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia, Hypoplasia, and dextrocardia. Basically, that means there was a hole in his diaphragm, which allowed his intestines to enter and crowd his chest cavity, thus causing severely depreciated lung tissue, whilst pushing his heart into the axilla region (armpit).

In the hospital, during our many, lengthy visits to soothe Riven when he was in pain, I would sing/read him nursery rhymes. Eventually I ran out though, so I turned to writing poetry. I would read my poems to him so often, that other ill children began to gather and listen in. Their parents soon joined as well, until one day a parent suggested I write for children in a professional fashion.

I suppose that was the first time I had even thought about it, much less considered it. As a single father, I had spent many years by my child's side, worried about his well-being and inevitable future health complications. So my priorities had to remain there, with my little Riven, until his health improved.

Despite his prognosis, he has not only surprised the medical professionals, but has exceeded ALL expectations and I honestly couldn't be more proud. 

The love and mutual admiration my son and I have built and share, is a joy I hope every parent can experience one day. Thinking back, I truthfully cannot remember what it was like without him in my life, and for that, for HIM..I am eternally grateful.

Dedicating a series of rhyming, poetry based children's books to him, is just one small way I'm attempting to show my son just how much I adore him.

We have certainly struggled in numerous ways in addition to what I've said, but the bottom line is, together, we have successfully made it to today and because of this, I have found some time to pursue this poetic passion.

💠

5.  Will there be other books on the horizon for you?

Actually yes. This is shaping up to be a series. 

In fact, book two (titled: "Where'd you go? I don't know.."), is already written now and ready for purchase here!

💠

Check out all of Stri's links below!

💜Amazon: A Pancake Mistake  

💜IG striPlay

💜Facebook We See Poetry 

No Limits - ABCD is for Down: Q&A with Author, Cindy Lasi

With a mission to work toward educating the masses about inclusion in a fun and whimsical way, Cindy Lasi is a local author here in Essex County!  ABCD is for Down is filled with colourful illustrations and poetic verses and was inspired by her own little superhero; Noah.

Cindy's book, ABCD is for Down, will also be showcased August 1, 2021 on The Giggle Mat , so you’ll want to tune in for that.

Enjoy my Q&A with author, Cindy Lasi below!  

1. Since you will be featured in our “Superhero” episode on The Giggle Mat, “ABCD is for Down” was a perfect fit. How is Noah a superhero to you?

💠

When I think about where to begin, in answering this question I am immediately reflecting on what a superhero is. To me, superheroes, some of them anyway, started out as regular people that were cast into extraordinary lives causing them to be extraordinary! That is how I feel about Noah. In the eyes of our creator, and in the depths of my heart, he was ‘normal’ upon his arrival and is to live an extraordinary life, bringing with him what I think is his greatest superhero gift!

Different is as natural as night is from day. Somehow Noah seems to remember this! He does not question why he is ‘different’ because to him different IS normal, so why question or judge it?

Noah’s greatest superhero trait is not just the bravery he displays every single day when faced with the fact that clearly he is unable to do things exactly as his peers can do at any age he is in. No, he processes each incidence, in that moment and moves on from it completely.

His greatest superhero trait is not just his ability to know when his family or others are lost in day-to-day stressors and tells you matter of factly to …. Calm Down which is often so blunt that it ends up being funny and resetting you. Noah’s has an innate ability for self acceptance, because he does this so seamlessly that you are constantly in awe of it. Noah is a superhero to me because he has somehow managed to ‘normalize’ the word different. 

He has lived his current 9 years of life in such a way that yes, you are clearly aware that he was born with Down Syndrome but you literally have seconds before his radiant way of being and living over takes any predisposed judgments or assumptions about what different means and how we are supposed to feel about it and that has been an incredible gift to witness.

💠

2. Can you tell me about Noah and how the “No Limit Noah” brand came about?

No Limit Noah came to me one day as I was walking around the Children’s book department at Chapters/Indigo. Noah was 2 years old at the time. I was looking at all the fun, brightly coloured books but did not see anyone in all of these books that looked like Noah. Not a single book that featured a cool cartoon hero that just so happened to have Down Syndrome. This hurt my heart. What would I tell him when he was old enough to know? I wondered if he would ask, Why aren’t any of these characters like me?

“This isn’t right” I thought and I knew I needed to do something about it. A few weeks later I was driving Noah to a doctor’s appointment in Windsor. I remembered that moment and thought, I am going to write a book for Noah. Why cant he be the feature character in a book. He has no limits! No Limit Noah! I saw it in my minds eye.

My mind flooded with the book concept, then a few lines of text and even stronger were the graphics. I could see what they would look like in full colour. I literally had to pull over to write it all down. Noah was asleep. I looked at him and made a commitment right then and there to see it through. That is when No Limit Noah and ABCD is For Down was born.

💠

3. What are the biggest misconceptions about Down Syndrome and how do you think, “ABCD is for Down” tackles that?

I think the biggest misconceptions about Down Syndrome is that the child or person with Down Syndrome is perpetually compromised and leads a limited life because of the condition. Let’s also stop using the term…Has Down’s. They don’t ‘have Down’s’ they aren’t all sick with Down’s, they were born with DS. It is a condition, a chromosomal anomaly, not something they ‘have’)

So yes, I think that when a person meets someone with DS they immediately feel a sense of pity, curiosity or are figuring out how they feel about it.

ABCD is for Down was created to remove all of that. It was created to inspire others to realize that there are NO limits. That just because a person was born with DS, that does not mean they cannot live fully, with an adventurous inspiring fearless spirit! This little book incredibly has anticipated exactly, how Noah lives each day. He lives knowing No Limits! He has played on soccer and baseball teams and can hit a baseball farther than I can! He has adventured in Costa Rican waterfalls, and is a fierce self taught Ninja martial arts enthusiast! He has navigated the typical school system which was wonderful and lacking all at the same time. No limits. That is what his character inspires, this is how Noah lives.

💠

4. So you’re not only a professional author, but a nurse, as well as a mother of 4 wonderful children! How do you juggle all these responsibilities?

I will admit that much ‘living’ has happened since the writing of this book. I made the difficult decision to leave nursing in 2013. At the time I was fully immersed in the OT, PT and speech therapies that we had enlisted for Noah to give him every opportunity to live as fully as he was able. People with DS can do anything others can do, it just takes a little longer and a lot more work sometimes, but they truly are limitless. My heart as a nurse was far too big to allow me to leave the job at the door which created a preoccupied mind and so I left it behind. I wanted to be able to give 100% of myself to Noah and my other children. I have never looked back. I am now the General Manager of a not-for-profit store where I oversee 6 staff and just over 100 volunteers.

How do I juggle my responsibilities? Day by day. One bit a time with drive and passion for my work and my family. Do I do it well? I would like to think so, but reality says that there are definitely challenging days. This is where living with Noah is a gift to me. I watch him navigate and manage every challenge that comes before him. He doesn’t over think things or whine about it but rather he just works at it. He has taught me that sometimes today is not the day. Tomorrow. Yup, sometimes it’s a ‘tomorrow thing”. This is how I now live too.

💠

5. If you could offer a single piece of advice to any caregiver/parent, what would it be?

I wrote this book with new parents, families and friends in mind of children with DS and those without.

The advice was simply to know NO LIMITS with your child. To see NO LIMITS even if you are told they exist. I would like caregivers and parents to know that you and your child create the lives they will be living. Not what you are told they will be. Our children, ALL children regardless of challenge, ability only have the limits that we set upon them. So don’t go there. Different is just...different. Like night is just darker than daylight or up is just farther than down. There is real power and comfort in that.

Do not judge your success, happiness or how well you fit in with others, based on what your child can or cannot do. Rather, celebrate their uniqueness and the gifts they bring. And never ever forget to live like No Limit Noah! On the days that you do? Just Calm Down.

💠

You can purchase Cindy's book "ABCD is for Down" at the following links below!

💜 Chapters-Indigo 
💜 Amazon

💜 Balboa Press

A Samoyed Tale: My Dog Boo Q&A with Author, Scott Rawlings

Often viewed as "a faithful life companion" My Dog Boo is a special book written and illustrated by Scott Rawlings about ... you guessed it, his beloved dog Boo!

All aboard the imagination train, as we follow Boo and all his crazy and fun adventures from taking a bath to having fun at the beach. Each page will make you want to know what funny antics he's up to next and a message that no matter what, Boo always has a place to call home.  

Scott's book My Dog Boo will also be showcased Thursday, July 1, 2021 on The Giggle Mat , so you’ll want to tune in for that episode.

Here is the Q&A for you to enjoy:

1. To those who may not know, what kind of dog was Boo and what inspired you to pick that type of dog breed?

Boo was a Samoyed. I had him for 15 1/2 years. I always loved the look of a Samoyed and their temperament is amazing with children and families. I also wanted the “wow” factor for my magic shows and making Boo appear on stage got that without me having to get a tiger!  Plus they are cheaper to feed. lol

💠

2. Why the name “Boo” for a dog?

I had lists of names for Boo but I wanted something that reminded me of a white dog. The breeder had coloured paint on their heads, so she could tell one dog from another and Boo happened to have blue on his head. I also liked the name BLUE but then I thought, white like a ghost... BOO! That was it. His full name is MAGICAL BOO BEAR for the registration.

💠

3. Can you share a funny story about Boo in real life.

Boo was very animated and he would talk to you in his own words.  He was very vocal and had mannerisms that were just so funny to watch. I miss him deeply.

💠

4. What led you to create a children’s book on your dog, Boo?

I started to cartoon one panel cartoons for myself, then had them published in a weekly paper. I always liked Herman cartoons, one panels with a caption, so my friend said you should do 365 days of these and make a desktop calendar. So the challenge was on to come up with various situations, which I accomplished. 

After looking at all the cartoons, someone suggested that I do a book, so I looked at the images and created a story based on illustrations. It was kind of backwards, usually you write the story first, but I liked the idea of coming up with the visuals first because that’s what children like to see.

💠

5.  Pets can teach us humans a lot without even realizing it.  What was one valuable lesson that Boo taught you that you still hold onto today?

Boo was loyal and giving and they just can sense your emotions, DOG spelled backwards is GOD and I really believe that people are so blessed to have a pet. They will give you everything without asking. 

I remember once going to the seniors home to visit my grandmother with Boo and everyone wanted to meet him, it brought the guests great joy and Boo loved all the attention. 

A story that really stands out to me was visiting a lady in the residence one day.  She hadn’t spoken a word, but was there with her husband. I felt compelled to go over and just introduce Boo to her and to everyone’s shock, she started talking. It was a miracle and her husband was amazed. It was truly a magical moment.

💠

To purchase My Dog Boo and other books from Scott Rawlings, visit his sites below:

💜Website:  www.mydogboo.ca 

💜Blurb: https://www.blurb.ca/b/793696-my-dog-boo

💜Magic Enterprises Productions: www.magicentprod.com

My Special Blanket: Q&A with author, Pam Stradeski

Pam Stradeski is a fun-loving local children's author, living in Lasalle, Ontario. With several published books under her belt, My Special Blanket is bound to be a favourite to spark creativity in every child's heart, while encouraging special shared moments while feeling extra cozy. 

Pam's book My Special Blanket will also be showcased June 1, 2021 on The Giggle Mat , so you’ll want to tune in for that.

Enjoy my Q&A with author, Pam Stradeski below! 

1.   Your niece is such a talented artist, creating the illustrations for all your published books, including this one, My Special Blanket.  Can you describe your process of molding the writing and art together.  Does the story come first?  Do you get inspiration from the artwork?

My niece is a very talented graphic artist.  

All of the books were written before the artwork, but I always trust my niece to bring them to life beyond my expectations. 

💠

 2.   You have an extensive background working with children, did that experience help with writing this book? 

I have always loved spending time with children and writing poetry. I combined the two loves to create this book and all the others.

💠

3.  You are known as “Grandma Pam”  so what’s the best thing about being a grandma?

Honestly, EVERYTHING is the best about being a grandma! I am so blessed to be at home to help my 3 grand-daughters with their online learning.

💠

4.  Everyone is unique with how they learn and play. How important is it to foster imagination in children?

I think fostering imagination is very important.  It helps children reach their emotional and social potential. 

💠

5.  Where's your favourite “happy spot” here in Essex-County?

Now that Spring is here, riding my bike on one of Lasalle’s glorious trails is my happy spot. Once Summer arrives, I love to go in the swimming pool with my grandchildren. 

💠

Check out all of Pam's links below!

💜Website to purchase the book: https://www.grandmapam.com/2020/10/14/my-special-blanket/

💜Contact by email: beanie_crazed@hotmail.com

 

Wishes Do Come True: Q&A with author, Tara Shannon

 

Rabbit and Bear Illustration by Tara Shannon 

A book is a wonderful gift that will never go out of style. It may get a little dusty or the pages may wrinkle over time, but it’s often a treasure worth keeping. Once you open that first page, your heart skips a little beat because there’s an adventure waiting just for you and that’s pretty exciting.  A book is also like your own personal travel companion, as it goes wherever you go, no questions asked. 

Tara Shannon is an Ontario-based children’s author who recently published her exciting book Rabbit and Bear Make a Wish that sprinkles a little extra magic in every page, filled with hope, comfort and endless possibilities. It teaches us connection and helps to unravel those uncomfortable emotions that get stuck. The illustrations are simple and combined with meaningful verses in every line, Rabbit and Bear become your best friends and that will warm anyone’s heart. 

Tara's book Rabbit and Bear will also be showcased April 1, 2021 by Miss Kate – the librarian, on The Giggle Mat , so you’ll want to tune in for that here: Episode 3: Bunny Tales

Enjoy my Q&A with Tara below.

1. For your book, you chose an interesting pair; a rabbit and a bear. What’s the connection for you with these particular animals?

Rabbit came along out of the blue one day, or so I thought. About 2 years ago, I was looking for a way to relax and calm my anxiety and express my creativity. I decided to try and draw a rabbit and I searched Pinterest for photos. Surprisingly, my first few rabbits turned out well, so I kept going. I was adding to each image some dialogue with another animal, insect or element of nature. One of the friends I paired rabbit with was a bear and people really seemed to like the two of them together. 

It wasn’t until later that I realized the personal connections... there are a few. Bear was my nickname as a child (I couldn’t pronounce the *T* in my name and it came out sounding like a *B*) and I still have some family who call me that. I used to hate it but actually like it now because it’s a link to my childhood and my family. 

My parents died several years ago in 2011 and 2013. I also lost a pregnancy in 2009. Those combined losses affect me to this day. One of the gifts I received during my pregnancy was a toy rabbit. So, Rabbit and Bear are equal parts the younger and older version of myself and representative of those I have lost. My parents and grandparents in Bear and my baby in Rabbit.

💠

2. Let’s take a trip back to a nostalgic time. Do you remember your favourite childhood book?

I enjoyed Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit and A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh but it was the Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams that had me by both heart and mind. I remember when my mom read it with me... it was so sad but so beautiful. Like life can be. 

💠

3.  One of your illustrations went viral around the world, which is amazing. Why do you think this particular drawing resonated so much with a global audience?

It tapped into the collective consciousness worldwide at the outset of COVID-19. I created that particular piece several months before it went viral, based on my struggles with anxiety and depression and my husband's struggle to know how to be there for me. At the time that I first shared it, it received a few likes and shares. Then, with COVID it seemed overnight hundreds of thousands of people understood anxiety, fear and depression in a way they maybe hadn’t before. They needed someone to sit with them. Rabbit and Bear were there. 

💠

4. Another passion you have is cooking.  I read that you were dipping your toes in culinary adventures in Dublin, Ireland. So of course, I need to ask, what is your number one comfort food that you like to make?

Yes! That was an amazing adventure that I will treasure always. I went to Dublin in 2016 for three months and stayed with my Aunt (my dad was from Dublin and much of his side of the family are still there) and earned a professional cookery certificate. Pretty well everything we made and ate was amazing but my go to for comfort food has to be just about anything with fresh pasta or mashed potatoes. That or Indian food. Absolutely love eating and making Indian food. 

Tara in the kitchen

The finished dish. Yum!

💠

5.  What is one piece of sage advice you’d like to share with anyone who is going through a difficult time?

If you feel you are out of your depth, ask for help.

I’m pretty much a die-hard introvert and I am stubborn but there have been times when I couldn’t go it on my own. My grief, anxiety and depression were too great and I was out of my depth. I had to ask for help. Sometimes we need help to get through difficult times. Don’t feel bad or ashamed about that. Ask for help. Reach out to a friend, family member, doctor or therapist. Pick-up the phone or send a message. 

💜You can find Tara’s book to purchase on Amazon, Indigo.

💜Website: https://www.tarashannonwrites.com/

Leaps and Bounds: Q&A with author, Jaideep Parashar

Many of us go through life-altering situations that change the way we once perceived the world and those around us. Sometimes, we fall hard and struggle to get back on our feet, and other times, everything aligns perfectly, that is...until the next hurdle comes along.

I had the pleasure to connect with author Jaideep Parashar, who has recently published his new book; Master the Art of Successful Career.  From goal-setting and motivation, to career-building and leadership, Jaideep is a wealth of knowledge. He shares his perspectives with his readers with the hope of mentoring them into life-long learners. 

Below I have a Q&A for you to enjoy!

1.  Many authors run into the proverbial “hitting a brick wall” in their writing, how do you get past that in your own writing process?

Hitting a brick wall is a temporary challenge that comes when our knowledge doesn’t match the scope of our thoughts. If someone wants to write a book on business or entrepreneurship, but they don’t have enough knowledge or lack in the practice, they will definitely hit a brick wall. On hitting a brick wall, first check the mismatch between your thoughts and your knowledge, if needed, then upgrade your knowledge to match your thoughts. If there is no mismatch, it means we need more ideas to express ourselves. In chapter 18, I have shared all the techniques to build more ideas.

💠

2. Your history tells a story all on its own, dealing with 5 years of self-isolation, multiple health traumas, plus a decade of depression. Some could say you definitely hit rock bottom. What was the first step you made to rebuild your life?

Yes, I have faced multiple problems throughout my life. Actually a good life is made up of 7 different aspects and it’s a challenge to maintain a balance between all of them. So, sometimes we all face different hurdles or hit rock bottom. In my life, I have faced different challenges but I was always ready to take complete control of my entire life.

Whenever I face any challenge, I look for 2 things: what I can control about the problem and what I can’t. Then, I give my entire focus to what I can control. When I work on what I can control, it starts building the momentum, which ultimately leads to a break through. 

How can you apply this thought in your own life?  When facing rock bottom, make a list of all the options which you have and start working on them, one at a time and it will lead to some momentum and hope.

💠

3.  You mention about being a life-longer learner, which is excellent, as we need to continue to evolve. What other business acumen skills are you still working on in your own personal and professional career? 

There are 3 business skills every business person should learn to scale up their business and career:

a. Building new ideas.

b. Making the right decision.

c. Convincing the people

These days, I am focused on learning public speaking so that I can share my learning and research with a greater number of people so that they also can benefit from my hard work. Other than learning new skills, I read a lot of books to upgrade my knowledge. Every month, I read books and magazines from different backgrounds like business, self-help, technology, biographies and sports. 

💠

4.  What are some quick tips you can share for business professionals who want to increase their audience engagement on social media?

To build audience engagement on social media, first identify the problems of your followers. Once you identify their needs then focus on creating content for them. Always post your content in a series instead of individual posts. When you write a post in a series, your followers can link the story or ideas from one post to another and it gives them ample reason to visit your profile regularly.

💠

5.  You talk about “legacy” and how your personal view sees it very separate from monetary fulfillment.  Can you talk a bit about that revelation?

Building legacy means what values we want to give to the younger generation. Legacy doesn’t mean that we will only have money. We can have values, experiences and lessons, which we can hand over to the younger generations. During my meditations in a small Himalayan Town, I found that no amount of money can give us permanent satisfaction. In fact, monetary benefits creates only an illusion of happiness. When we see someone with material benefits, it gives only an illusion of success. When we focus on building more meaningful vision and dreams, then we get the eternal satisfaction and success. Building a legacy is far more important than material gains.

💠

Thank you so much Jaideep. It was a pleasure meeting you and I hope that you continue sharing your wisdom with the world.

💜For more information, visit Jaideep's website: http://www.jaideeparashar.com/

💜Purchase Jaideep’s Master the Art of Successful Career book here on Amazon

Book Review - Pitch Perfect: Make The Media Want You by Author Lisa Brandt

Front cover: A short read (66 pages) so that is something to keep in mind.

Every industry has their own lingo and whether you're a multi-million dollar corporation, a small-business owner, or somewhere in between, it's important to know what you want to say and learn how to say it well.  There are so many methods of madness out there, as I like to call it.  Some ways work and others fail miserably. It can be an exhausting process and let's face it, constant rejection can be quite bruising on the ego.

If you are seeking advice from the movers and the shakers in the media biz that have been there, done that, and truly want to set you up for success, then you'll want to get to know Lisa Brandt, author of Make The Media Want You.

This guide cuts out a lot of the bs and tells you what works and what doesn't in various categories, from approaching charities to getting that nail-biting on-air interview. You'll get plenty of real world examples too and don't doubt for a second how important first impressions can be whether by e-mail, phone, or in-person.  "If I have to do a forensic audit of a document to figure out its meaning, I will simply move on." - Lisa Brandt.

With her free-thinker writing style, you're getting a mixture of professional advice and simply common sense. Lisa gives you swift reminders of the do's and dont's of how to make your "pitch" a memorable one.  

Back cover: Make The Media Want You by Lisa Brandt

Visit her website at: The Voice of Lisa Brandt

Pre-order Lisa's book on Kindle or Paperback here: Amazon.ca OR Amazon.com 

Disclaimer: I was sent this guide, compliments of Lisa Brandt, in exchange for an honest review!

Book Review: The Night Sky by Maria Sutton

I love my small little family. I have confidence that my mother and father are in fact, my “mom and dad.” They have been married for over 30 years now and so I don’t doubt the legitimacy of me being their daughter. I do have a diverse heritage though, and so there has never been a time where I haven’t been subjected to the absurd comments from others about inferior genetics or just the sense of uneasiness, feeling like an alien in my own skin. The hatred that still exists is often mind-boggling, as we have come so far as a society, The Night Sky: A Journey from Dachau to Denver and Back is the latest book that I have read and reviewed, after receiving a request from author; Maria Sutton.

Simply put, this memoir follows Maria and her 43-year search to find her biological father, who disappeared shortly after she was born in Germany. Her journey takes us back to times that most were either too young to remember or too painful to forget, and even somewhere in between. The bond between Maria and her mother start off at a slow pace with many pages of story-telling but negating to divulge any pertinent information to help solve this mystery. As more questions are brought forth, there seems to be an underlining sense of urgency in Maria’s behaviour and Julia, Maria’s mother, seems to suddenly break down the walls of her own memories with an abrupt switch in dialogue and literally spills her guts on what really happened, or as best as she could recall.

Maria is strong-willed to the very core and you can feel that deeply within her character. With FBI training under her belt, she is a detective searching for the truth and being without the correct spelling of her father’s name, nor even knowing his true birth location, she is willing to do whatever it takes to meet with her estranged father again. Her character is not without imperfection though, and that is what so many readers can relate to. She is impulsive, self-loathing at times, and irrational, but still determined in her quest. Self-identity also plays a large role in this book, as Maria begins to realize that her visions of her father paint a picture she is not quite ready to let go of. The sacrifices her family made so she could be here today are courageous if not heart breaking, but the revelations bring about change that Maria never imagined would be the outcome of such a journey.

The history documented is detailed, and I’m sure you’ll recognize many terms and maybe even recall stories that were told to you by family and even in school about WWII. I’m not a history buff, but it still is fascinating to get a glimpse inside the lives of others who had endured so much adversity, during periods of time where many people had lost all hope for survival.

There is also a sweet reunion that I will not spoil, but I wanted to mention it since it was quite unexpected from the main story line  I will say, it is not between Maria and her father. I think if that was the case, this memoir would be a little too much like a romantic comedy set in New York City.

My only real complaint is the back-and-forth of the past and present. The transitions weren't as smooth as I had hoped for. It was difficult at times to follow because of the emotional impact that you’re digesting from a certain scene that is being explicitly depicted through imagery and words, and then being bounced back to the current place of the characters and story.

It is enlightening to know that as human beings, we are constantly transcending. Our rich history, no matter how it is perceived, proves to be a valuable asset to navigate us through life and as Maria ultimately discovers, she has finally found what she was looking for.

💜You can purchase a copy of Maria's book on Amazon here.

Shadowy Times Ahead by Author Bob MacKenzie

A noted craftsman in the literary world, Bob MacKenzie continues to intrigue his readers in his recently published novel; A Gathering of Shadows.

Set in the city of Windsor, we meet the main character within the first few pages. Steve Lansing, a freelance journalist is a man who desperately needs a change of pace in his life. A victim of being at the wrong place at the wrong time, Steve suddenly finds himself in a terrifying whirlwind of crime and conspiracy. As Steve’s obsession with finding out the truth slowly begins to consume him, he is driven towards the company of a police officer and a widow of a murdered cab driver, both who may be his only chance of survival.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. There’s no doubt that Bob can heighten your senses from excitement to fear in a single page. His style has an unusual scattered-poetic feel that just fits perfectly, especially when the para-normality is woven into the chapters. There was also a great mix of personality traits in each character, which is something that I must highly praise. This was a compelling story, filled with intelligent dialogue and coupled with mystery that doesn't leave you in the shadows.

💜You can pick up a copy of A Gathering of Shadows online.

Modelling with Photographer Cosmin and Author Bob MacKenzie

I love getting involved with creative projects. I did a photo shoot a while back with a very talented photographer named Cosmin.  I honestly never thought anything would come of these photos at all. It was just exciting to be in front of the camera, instead of always behind it, and having something for personal preservation.

This photo was chosen to be on the cover of this remarkable poetry book "On Edge" by author, Bob MacKenzie. I can proudly say that I am officially a published model. :)

I'm interested in doing more work like this. I'd like to get into "body part" modelling. I find it artistically pleasing and totally different than just the regular modelling gigs, which I don't feel that i'm suited for. I guess we'll see who contacts me next for another unique opportunity.

Photo by: Cosmin Nahaiciuc  
Bob MacKenzie - author of "On Edge"

If you'd like to purchase this book, please click on the link below:
On Edge - Amazon.ca

Q&A with Papercut Author Shannon Catori: The First Cut Is The Deepest

My life is full of serendipitous moments and so I believe that on May 31st, 2010, after responding to a posting, I received a warm response back from author, Shannon Catori. She is highly creative woman, along with a passionate spirit like no other and has an undeniable talent for writing.

Her first published novel called Papercut, the main character Zahra is confronted with her own demons, and so as painful secrets unfold, her journey of self-discovery begins. Friendships blossom as others fade and love shows up when everything else seems to be falling apart. Zahra soon realizes that the life-changing events that haunt her memory will be something precious to hold onto instead of letting all of them slip away. This is a story that everyone can relate to, complete with an inspiring variety of musical lyrics that heighten the emotion of every word written, which makes this particular book stand out from the rest.

Canadian author, Shannon Catori

Here is the Q&A that I did with Shannon below:  

1. Your first book from the Breadcrumbs series; Papercut is uniquely written with a diverse range of references to lyrics woven into each chapter. How did you narrow down the choices of which artists should be included?

At first I wanted to use the lyrics for all the songs in the playlist because each song is important to the scene, as it is linked to in the story. Then as I read through the manuscript, listened to the music, read the lyrics, and put it all together, I realized that there were parts in the story where it was more powerful to have the character saying something else and the music in the back drop as opposed to the character saying or quoting a lyric. With several sets of lyrics in each chapter, I felt the effectiveness and the purpose of the lyrics got lost. I think now, with just a few lyrics in the book, this helps the reader define some of the really important moments in Zahra’s story, coming from Zahra.


2. Some authors, like Stephen King for example, write under pseudonyms. Have you thought of creating a pen name for yourself?

Shannon Catori is a pen name! Well the Catori part anyway. I was back and forth on it for a while and ultimately decided to use a pen name and tribute it to my mother who has over the last 27 years reminded me that she wanted to name me Catori. She ended up naming me Shannon after the 80s singer, having gone into labour while dancing to a song by the singer in a nightclub when she was eight months pregnant. I figure this way, she still gets to see my name as Catori, in retrospect.

3. In the book writing process, do you lay out character development before writing, or does it just come to you with ease?

I always develop my characters first. Though I write fiction, I want my characters to seem like real people and so I always list their attributes in a separate file first; their name, middle name, nickname, last name, what they look like, favourite colour, food, song etc. After that is ironed out, then I give them a voice and a style, in which they speak, so that each character is completely unique and distinguishable on paper. I’m really into dialogue and the flow of that dialogue, I want the reader to feel like they are part of the conversation happening and it’s easy to follow along with.

4. What was it like holding a freshly-printed hard copy of your published book in your hands for the very first time?

Hmm, how can I describe it… It was surreal! You know, you work for so long and at times it seems like it will never be finished and you start to get used to seeing it on a screen. Then one day you come home and there are 15 huge boxes stacked up on top of each other in the hallway and you crack open a box and there it is, just waiting for you to run your fingers over the cover and flip through the pages. At first it doesn’t feel like it’s yours and then you begin to read the first few words and you just smile… and then jump up and down and dance around the house like a giddy school girl!!

5. A little bit of a personal question, if you don’t mind. In Papercut, the inseparable bond that develops between Zahra and Adrian seems like it was written as a young girl falling in love for the first time. Are you just a born romantic or were you reminiscing when you found your “Adrian?"

Hahaha, I am not a romantic…at all, but it’s funny how I’m able to write these parts convincingly. You know, the first scene I wrote was the scene when Zahra and Adrian meet. I didn’t have names yet or characters even, but I knew I wanted the girls name to start with a ‘Z’. I’ve definitely never had much luck with love, until I met Jonathan, my husband and though we did not meet in a club, we did go to one on our first date. Truth be told, I was so nervous that I spilt my red drink all over his ivory shirt. I used some of those nerves for Zahra and in turn, made Adrian the opposite, so that he was her balance. Jonathan is my balance, so I guess in some ways I use those personal emotions to fuel Zahra’s first love experiences.

6. It looks like from your website, your creative mojo is not limited to just writing novels and you are now dabbling into the publishing realm…tell me more about that!

Well, going through the process of finding a publisher, I’ve learned a lot of things, getting rights to lyrics, percentages, distribution, copyrights etc. Something important that I took from this process at the end of the day was that I didn’t want my creative ideas to be changed or compromised because it may not have fit the mould of an interested publishing company. I wanted the stories of the characters to remain the same because it is in fact their stories. So, as I was thinking about the process I decided that there must be other authors out there, who’ve had to change their stories to fit into certain publishers’ ideologies. Starting the site was a way for those authors’ voices and the voices of their characters to be heard too. I give publishing companies a great deal of credit. With this undertaking, I’ve come to understand how much work it is to successfully run a publishing company. In many ways, I still feel as a writer, I have a duty to help other writers get their ideas out there, to help them experience the joy of running their fingers across a page filled with their own words just as they envisioned it, without making any major sacrifices to their work. A large part in what made me decide to extend the post manuscript work to other writers was the fact that I have an extraordinary team of people that work with me that have given me so much confidence and security in my own work and I thought it would be great to introduce my team to other writers.

7. More books are on the way as the Breadcrumbs series continues… where can I pick-up a copy of Papercut?

Yes! Papercut is out now. “You Live You Learn” will be released some time in 2012 and then, “Waiting For The End” will finish off the third book. You can find Papercut online, which is an interactive website, with character pages that are frequently updated with music, art, fashion, lifestyle tips, recipes and more (depending on the character) You can also leave messages for the characters and you will get a response. It’s a great little community, centred on the series. Keep your eyes peeled because bookstores will have copies to sell sometime soon. Stay tuned!

👉Update: Shannon decided to take a different path in life and so perhaps she will resume her writing career at another time.