About “No One Asked” & “I Found a Seat”

1. What was your motivation for writing “No One Asked” & “I Found a Seat”?

I simply wanted to share some thoughts, encouragement, and hopefully a smile with others when I wrote “No One Asked” and “I Found a Seat.”  

2. What challenges—if any—did you have writing your poem and short story?

Time, that is, taking the time to write, was the major challenge I faced, but after I started writing, everything was okay. 

3. What is your favourite line—if any—in “No One Asked”?

I like the line, “Well, practice what you preach, she whispered, pouting, and I couldn’t help it, I laughed.” 

4. What is your favourite line—if any—in “I Found a Seat”?

I like the line, “[…] but somehow, my mom got the strength to get up, took the knife from me, and said we are going to pack whatever we will need for the next three days.” 

5. What do you want people to walk away with after reading “No One Asked” & “I Found a Seat”?

I want those who read “No One Asked” and “I Found a Seat” to walk away with encouragement, no matter what is going on in their lives. 

6. Is there anything else you would like to talk about regarding “No One Asked” & “I Found a Seat” that hasn’t been asked?

No, thank you. 

Reading 

2. What are you currently reading?

Currently, I am reading short stories here and there and listening to many audiobooks. 

2. Do you have a favourite book? If so, what is it?

I do not have a favourite book; however, I do enjoy reading Sue Grafton’s alphabet books. 

3. What is your favourite poet or author, if any?

I do not have a favourite poet or author; however, I do enjoy reading poems by Helen Steiner Rice and Peter Rice, as well as the works of Agatha Christie and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. 

4. Do you gravitate towards reading genres outside the ones you write?

Yes, I do gravitate towards reading genres outside the ones I write, all the time.  I do enjoy a good mystery. 

Writing

3. Why do you write?

I write to share the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with others, and I also write to entertain and encourage others in what is right. 

2. What do you love about being a writer and poet?

I enjoy sharing, entertaining, and encouraging others. 

3. What time of the day do you write, and do you have a writing routine?

I write at any time of day, and I currently do not have a writing routine.  

4. Where do you get your ideas from?

I get my ideas from my interaction with everyone and everything around me.  For example, one day I was on the public road, and the green arrow at the traffic lights indicated that the turning traffic should proceed; however, for some reason, the first vehicle in the line to go straight started to drive.  I will admit that for a moment, I was stunned into confusion, wondering if I was reading the signals incorrectly.  Thankfully, though, the erring vehicle suddenly stopped, and no accidents occurred.  From this observation, I can form a story about the driver, their passenger (I don’t know if there was one in real life), or perhaps about the vehicle that had the right-of-way to turn but was faced with this vehicle, and my imagination goes on.    

5.  How long does it take you to write your projects?

If I am writing a short story, it can take as little as a few hours or as long as a few days, depending on how pressing the project is. 

6. What advice would you give to other authors/writers/poets?

One piece of advice I will give to other authors/writers/poets is that as long as they are good at writing, keep doing it and improving along the way.   

7.  What project(s) are you currently working on?

I am currently working on other books in my series Chosen, and A Little on…