C.D. Loken's Blog, page 37

Coming soon! Interview with John O' Neill- author of "Kafira"

Interview with Jennifer Manghisi-author of "A Sarcastic Guide to Beating Breast Cancer"

Author Bio:  Jennifer Manghisi was born on June 1, 1984. She is a native New Yorker. Jennifer grew up on Long Island and graduated from Bentley University with a Bachelor of Science degree from Bentley University in Business Management. Her hobbies include; traveling, cooking, fashion, and writing. She currently resides and works in New York City.

Jennifer's new book:



Book Description: Author Jennifer Manghisi was diagnosed with breast cancer at the very early age of twenty-four. Sitting in the doctor’s office listening to the diagnosis, Jennifer and her parents were shocked. Jennifer’s life had only just begun. A recent college graduate, she had only just launched her career in the fashion industry. Now, before her life had truly begun, Jennifer was faced with the prospect of losing a breast. 

But she was strong. Though the diagnosis was bleak, Jennifer found the strength to be grateful that the prospects were not worse. Death as a result of breast cancer is on the decline, and she was thankful for that. Even so, there is more to deal with when facing breast cancer than mortality, as Jennifer has since learned. In her motivational memoir, A Sarcastic Guide to Beating Breast Cancer, Jennifer Manghisi shares what she learned on her journey to survival. From coping with the diagnosis to managing chemotherapy to managing the depression and becoming healthy again, Jennifer shares important and insightful advice on becoming a breast cancer survivor that only experience can teach. 

In this inspiring true story of will, determination, and perseverance, Jennifer shares the highs and lows of her intense battle for her life. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with breast cancer, Jennifer’s story can be a source of inspiration to you.
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I loved this book so much that I wanted to sit down with the author, Jennifer Manghisi and find out more about her, and the experience she had in writing this truly inspirational book!  Here is our interview!




Me: Welcome to my blog Jennifer! I’m so happy to meet you!
Jennifer: Thank you!  I’m happy to be here!
Me: I’ve posted a brief bio of you, but can you tell us a bit more about yourself?
Jennifer: Sure! I’m originally from New York.  I grew up in the Five Towns on Long Island and I graduated from Bentley University with a BS in Business Management. While I was in school, I decided I wanted to pursue a career in fashion so when I graduated I took an internship working in fashion public relations for an iconic America fashion designer on 5th Avenue.  After that, I went on to get my real estate license and now I am a real estate agent in New York City.  I live in Washington Heights and have a beautiful Cornish rex named, Princess Da’luxxe that I absolutely adore.
Me: Wow! You are a busy lady and now on top of all that, you’re an author.  I loved the book by the way!  Even after reading the first page, where you describe the first sign of something being wrong, I was so deeply affected, I simply couldn’t put it down.  Breast cancer is a disease that affects so many lives. It is one that  every woman I know fears, yet few like to talk about.  Why did you decide to share your story and write the book?
Jennifer: I remember being in the waiting room of the hospital one day and flipping through InStyle Magazine.  They were doing a feature on breast cancer and the statistics of the disease.  There was a pie chart that showed in the United States only 2 percent of females diagnosed with breast cancer every year are 35 years old or younger.  I wanted to be the voice of the 2 percent.

Me:  But wasn’t it difficult to write about something so personal, and was there anything that kept you motivated?
Jennifer: I have kept myself guarded all these years because I was afraid if people knew what I was really going through at the time and how I really felt, then I would be vulnerable and that scared me.  My mother taught me to be a strong independent woman and I didn’t want to let her down.  She always told me, “Jennifer, you are a brave fearless young woman.”  I always thought showing weakness would make me the exact opposite, but as I was writing this book, feeling sad and emotional actually helped me to process a lot of the feelings I had been holding back.  I think it was completely healthy to do that.  I kept myself motivated by making an outline of the different points I wanted to touch upon and crossing each bullet off as I got to them.  When I realized I was half way done, I knew there was no turning back. 

Me: I am glad you did complete it because it really is going to help so many people who are struggling with this disease.  If there was someone out there who has gone through a similar experience and wanted to write about it, what advice would you offer them?
Jennifer: I’ve tried countless number of times to write this book before.  At one point I had actually written double the length of this book until it was completely lost on my computer.  Most people probably would have cried but I knew that was a sign that I wasn’t ready to write it yet.  I would tell anyone who has gone through something similar and wants to write about it that they really need to do some soul searching first.  Writing a book of this nature can’t be impulsive.  You have to be emotionally ready because as soon as your mind goes back to that time it will make you feel so many things and all at once.  It can be very overwhelming.
Me:Prior to reading your book, I took a look at some of the reviews.  One reviewer, a man, said he would recommend your book to any husband, son or father to help them understand their loved one better and to deal with the emotional strain caused by cancer.  Another said this book should be available to patients at every hospital. How does it make you feel to know you have touched readers so deeply?
 Jennifer: Knowing that I have touched so many people with my story has been an absolute blessing.  When I was going through cancer I felt like I alienated a lot of people who were close to me because of the depression I felt, but now that I’m healthy I wanted this book to appeal to anyone who has faced cancer themselves or knows some who has.  I wanted the story to be told in a sarcastic manner so that men specifically wouldn’t feel off-put by the topic and would find ways to relate to the storyline.  I feel like I did my job.
Me: You certainly did and you self-published it right?
Jennifer: Yes I did.
Me:  That has become a very controversial subject in the literary world.  What made you decide to self-publish versus traditional, and can you tell us a bit about your experience?
Jennifer: I’ve wanted to publish an ebook since the beginning of ebooks and I specifically wanted to do it because you can publish it yourself.  Don’t get me wrong, there is definitely something to be said for traditional publishing but when you have self-published a book that means that you really created something from start to finish, something tangible that can be purchased.  I mean, how cool is that?  I’ve had such an amazing experience being a self-published author because the possibilities are endless.  You can choose where your book will be sold, what it will look like, and which formats it can be delivered in.  You have complete freedom.   
Me: Are you currently working on another book, or do you have plans to do so in the future?
Jennifer: My next book is already in the works!  One of my main hobbies is cooking so I’ve been working on a cookbook of my Italian Polish heritage that includes dishes I grew up eating.  My main influences for this book will be my mother, my aunt, and my grandmother.  I’m really looking forward to completing it so I can give it as a gift to my entire family.   Me: That sounds awesome!  You will have to let me know when it’s done.  My husband loves to try new recipes!   
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 I want to thank Jennifer for taking time out of her busy schedule to interview with me and I hope everyone checks out her book!  I recommend it to anyone who is struggling with breast cancer, or has a family member who is.  Here are her links to purchase "A Sarcastic Guide to Beating Cancer!"
AMAZON-http://www.amazon.com/Sarcastic-Beating-Breast-Cancer-ebook/dp/B00A6CX47S/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354567239&sr=1-1&keywords=A+sarcastic+guide+to+beating+breast+cancerBOOK TANGO- http://bookstore.booktango.com/Products/SKU-000613638/A-Sarcastic-Guide-to-Beating-Breast-Cancer.aspxEBAY-http://www.ebay.com/itm/A-Sarcastic-Guide-To-Beating-Breast-Cancer-/251192342383?pt=US_Nonfiction_Book&hash=item3a7c3af76fFree preview and purchase on scribd-http://www.scribd.com/doc/111760397/A-Sarcastic-Guide-to-Beating-Breast-Cancer
 

Jennifer Manghisi's interview on her book entitled "A Sarcastic Guide to Beating Cancer"- coming soon!

I'm so excited to share this incredible interview and story with you.  I recommend anyone, whose lives have been touched by breast cancer to check out Jennifer's book-more to follow-God Bless-and have a good weekend!

New interviews coming soon!

I am so excited!!  I will be showcasing four very different authors in the next couple of weeks!  Thus far, I've researched and submitted my interview questions to two of them and should complete the other two, by tomorrow!  I have to say, I am thrilled to be able to speak to these folks!  Their books are incredibly inspiring and very successful!  Can't wait to share them with you!

Long time!

Wow, I can't believe how long it's been since I last posted!  Crazy how time flies!  I have an excuse though!  I've been extremely busy.  The first book is completely revised and it's in editing faze-the second is 3/4th's done-and the third is 1/2 done.  I've got a long road to hoe-but it's well worth it, That's what I keep telling myself anyway!
Thanksgiving came and went.  I had an amazing time with close family.  Did miss having my daughter and son in law, but I get that they have to visit the others too.  I'm looking forward to Christmas.  Between writing I did take time to set up the tree and decorate the house.  I am so blessed to have a husband that does all the decorations outside!
Well, short but sweet!  I've got to get back to writing.  My goal was to have this done by the end of the month.  I'm a little behind that schedule.

GOD BLESS AMERICA-GO VOTE!

I have been so busy, that I completely forgot I even had a blog!  Isn't that crazy?  Oh well, I know my fellow bloggers are busy as well, so I believe they will forgive my negligence. I finished the revisions on the first book-and am now closing up the second- and will soon move onto the third.  It's an ongoing job-yet I have this deep desire to get past this trilogy-and move on to something different. It's not that I don't love the story I've written-but it's consumed a great deal of my heart and soul-and of course time, and I would just like to do something on a "lighter" note.  I appreciate all my supporters patience, and even more, their tireless devotion.  The books should be re-published soon-and I hope everyone enjoys the "massive" changes. Well as my post title says- today is "voting" day, and I'm so excited.  I'm forced to wait until my husband gets home to do my part as an American, and it's driving me crazy.  I hope everyone does their American duty-and gets out to the polls and place their vote.  It is an honor to have this opportunity-and it should never be wasted.

SHOW OR TELL!

For the last few weeks I have really been struggling. Why, you might ask?  Well, for several reasons.  One, I truly believe that I hit the submit button on my book (s) far too soon.  That is a huge thing for me to admit.  I had worked on that material off and on for five years.  I knew the plot and characters inside and out, or so I thought.  When I received the bad review-it wasn't just a wake up call- it was indeed a sign.  There was a great deal more in my head, not just for this story I wanted to tell, but more importantly to help me find my TRUE writers voice.  I had to face the truth, what I had written thus far, was nowhere near what I wanted to say.  It was instead a mish-mash of ideas and concepts-that really made no sense at all.  So, the reason I've spent little time posting- and on the internet at all, is I'm finally doing what I should have done in the beginning.  "HEAR" my voice-but write it in a way that others (readers) can understand.  Just because I know how the story will end, and begin-does not mean my readers will.  Just because I can picture what each character says or does-doesn't mean they will.  I have to SHOW them-not tell them.  That is a lesson that I believe now, EVERY author should use as their mantra.  Words mean nothing, if the one who reads them, cannot UNDERSTAND them, if one cannot PICTURE what is being said. I have researched, so much-reading every piece of information I can scrounge up, on the meaning behind that mantra.  It all makes sense.  My work was a TELL story-here I am- an newbie author, and I'm going to tell you all about this wonderful story I've had locked in my head for years.  I won't SHOW you that story though, I just expect you to understand it's purpose and meaning, as I do.  Sounds pretty ridiculous doesn't it. One of the best sites that I have read thus far is http://www.tarakharper.com/workshop.htm Maybe some of you seasoned authors already know this info-and don't feel you need to waste your time-but I'll tell you right now- even the most seasoned author needs to be reminded of the "basics" and Tara states them in a simple, easy and eloquent way, that makes everything perfectly clear. I even read one of her books, just to see a TRUE author's work, as well as two others, which I will mention later.  I know, your probably wondering when I could possibly have time to read- when I have 3 books to revise, well, I do it when I can't sleep-which is quite often. But that's our secret-in truth I live off about 4 hours-so what- many live off of less-so- to end this post, because I have work to do-(never ending) even if I haven't written my posts on self publishing yet-I am offering newbies one piece of advice-SHOW-don't tell! If you don't know whether your doing or not- give a copy of your manuscript to someone who you TRUST will give you an honest opinion.  No friend, no relative- just someone who loves to read.  When their done-if they don't "GET" the whole picture of what your story was MEANT to say- REVISE, REVISE, REVISE-

Jennifer Livingston-breaking local news-on bullying!

I've watched the "early morning" news for many years, BECAUSE, this woman was the face that I woke up to.  Now, I'm even more impressed with the woman who has taken a stand against bullying, something that has gone on in our area, and beyond, for far too long. Kudos to my girl, Jennifer!  You took a stand that was not easy, and you did it with class!

Chris Ward

AUTHOR BIO on AMAZON-Chris Ward is a native of Cornwall, England, but currently lives and works in Nagano, Japan. He is the author of 33 published short stories, around the same number of unpublished, and eight unpublished novels, the best of which will eventually see the light of day. He spends his time, snowboarding, writing, playing guitar in his rock band, Steampunk Unicorn (find us on youtube!), and generally having too much to say about just about everything. Chris Ward's author page.
I posted the link to Chris' books simply because he is, first and foremost an author, but that isn't the only reason for my post. I've never met Chris Ward, but I did know of him, from an author blog. Shortly after I received my first bad review, I posted on that forum, mostly to vent, but also because I truly needed other author's opinions on what my next step should be. Chris posted back that he would be happy to look over the first couple of chapters, as he was an English teacher, as well as author. I took him up on his offer and submitted the first two chapters. In a few days, he returned his copy and I was overwhelmed with all the "red" marks displayed on the print out. Indeed, I had a real issue. One, I might add, that was missed by several others who had looked at this prior to me publishing. I was frustrated, until I read Chris' side notes. He was extremely helpful in "showing" me what I was doing wrong and it wasn't in a knife stabbing way, or...worse, the kiss a.. way. It was thoughtful and compassionate. He even provided me with web sites I could go to that might help in my style,grammar,etc. I was very impressed and I have to say, at a time when I was just about to give up and throw my manuscripts in the garbage, ringing it up to being a failure, he gave me a whole new perspective. I can learn to be better. Since then, I've been working extremely hard studying everything I can put my hands on to put forth MUCH more quality, in my work. It's not easy starting from scratch, but in the end, it will be well worth it. Recently, I began to revise my first book, and once again I called upon Chris to see if I was making any headway. I was so grateful when he agreed to look at the first two chapters again. Now granted, they weren't perfect, but I was happy to see there were "LESS" red marks, and even happier to see the little side notes. So...after all this...I'm on my way to publishing a quality book, and it's thanks in part to a man who doesn't even know me, but treated me with respect, compassion, and a professionalism, that is hard to find now a days. THAT, is the reason for my post. Chris has now ventured out into the world of editing. He currently has a web site  Chris Ward's blog where he is offering an introductory price for his work. Now, I know it's difficult to come up with the $ for editing when your just starting out. Take it from me, someone who learned the hard way, it's worth every penny. I recommend Chris, because you will not only SEE what your doing wrong, he will give you the ability to help yourself, and fix it. He goes above and beyond what "normal" editors do, and right now, he's doing it for a WHOLE lot less than others. But don't procrastinate, because this price he's offering now, won't last. It's inevitable, he's THAT good! Well, I've got to get back to working on MY book, so Happy writing folks-but remember, before you hit that "publish" button-check out Chris Ward's web site-and let him work his magic!

Another week has gone by. I'm almost complete with the M...

Another week has gone by. I'm almost complete with the MAJOR changes of my first book. I'm hoping to put the REVISED edition out by next week. It all seems to be taking so long and it really is trying on the patience, but I'm hoping, in the end, that it will be worth it. I've learned a TON this last week and I believe the improvements to my book will surprise many. Then it will be time to publish the third and final book. I can finally see the opening in the long and very winding tunnel.