Interview With Judy Azar LeBlanc - Author of "Many Faces For Many Places"
A few days ago I posted a great article called 'How to Turn Your Book Signing into a Sellout' by Judy Azar LeBlanc.
Shortly afterwards I got a really nice email from the author thanking me for posting it.
After perusing her website and learning all about her book 'Many Faces to Many Places', I couldn't help but snatch up the opportunity to interview this wonderful writer.
Arwen Taylor: So how did you go from a degree in Industrial Psychology to being a writer? Judy Azar LeBlanc: Thank you for having me Arwen.
It is a pleasure to share my thoughts and experiences with your readers.
How did I go from a degree in Industrial Psychology to being a writer? That is a good question.
I can't honestly say that I started out with "wanting to write books.
" Between college and my professional career, I had to write what everyone else wanted me to write about and in their distinct formats.
I grew to dislike writing so much that after I retired from the work force; I donated my "red-pens" to my co-workers and said "I won't be needing these anymore because I am never going to write again.
" Then, my husband and I moved to Baja, Mexico and after spending several years "unwinding", the urge to write came back to me, but this time I was thrilled about it because that meant that I could write about anything that I wanted to write about ~ and do it "my way".
Fortunately, I started by writing the English section for the state published newspaper as well as articles for the Federal Government's monthly tourist magazine.
It was through these avenues that my inspiration for writing books was born.
Arwen Taylor: How has your degree in Industrial Psychology influenced your writing? Judy Azar LeBlanc: How does one's writing get influenced by Industrial Psychology? I can't honestly say that Industrial Psychology per se influenced my writing at all.
What did and does influence my writing is the education of psychology in general which does influence the way my mind formulates ideas.
For example, in the story of Many Faces to Many Places, there is a section about a villain king who uses psychological tricks to control Many Faces.
This, of course, does not come from an Industrial point of view, but does have everything to do with the basic background of psychology in general.
Arwen Taylor: Please tell us about Many Faces to Many Places.
Judy Azar LeBlanc: Thank you for asking Arwen.
The story unfolds as a three-part journey that I believe draws a realistic picture of our own walk through life.
The underlying message of Many Faces to Many Places is learning that loving yourself and others is the most important thing that we can do while we are still alive.
Many Faces to Many Places illustrates that although life does have its trials and tribulations, there is always something good that comes out of them, and that is what we need to focus on.
Part one reflects upon the "up" stages of life where possibilities and potential are endless; part two reflects upon the "down" stages where the power of choice is explored; and, part three represents a time of "reflection," where wisdom and understanding are realized.
The story is written allegorically and is animated in style simply because it is meant to attract all age groups and is specifically based on universal truths.
Arwen Taylor: When we as authors write, we really are experiencing our characters' journeys first hand and often discover some of life's little secrets in their struggles.
What have you learned either about yourself or about the world from writing Many Faces to Many Places? Judy Azar LeBlanc: Arwen, I think the biggest lesson that I learned by writing Many Faces to Many Places is that we truly are all connected to each other.
I learned that we indeed do all have the same struggles and questions about ourselves and about life.
I believe with all of my heart that loving yourself and others is by far the most important thing that we can do with our life while we are still alive.
There is a quote in my book that goes like this...
" one should never ask 'Who will love me?' but rather, 'Whom can I love?' You are filled to capacity with an unconditional, powerful love that needs to be shared, and there is no greater love than that which you receive when you touch the heart of another.
I have also discovered that many people want answers to timeless questions like "what is the meaning of life?" "Why am I here? What is love? What is happiness? To only mention a few.
And if most come to the same conclusions, then the answers that apply to us must be universal.
Arwen Taylor: Many Faces to Many Places has won several awards including the Indie Excellence Book Award and the National Best Book and Audio Awards.
What has it been like receiving such recognition of your work? Judy Azar LeBlanc: Arwen, I wish I could say what it is like, but I'm not sure how I feel about it.
I kind of remember being shocked and awed each time that I was notified...
I guess all I can say is that I am deeply grateful that the story of Many Faces to Many Faces is appreciated.
Arwen Taylor: Your article 'How to Turn Your Book Signing into a Sell Out' gives authors some great tips on having a successful book signing.
What is it like being able to connect with readers one on one? Judy Azar LeBlanc: You know something Arwen; this article was actually born out of my desire to help first time authors.
When I was at a book festival in Arizona, I was walking around the booths and meeting several authors when I noticed that several of them had never been given any kind of successful tips on how to present, display or sell their books at signings.
This is where I came up with the idea for this article, and I am thrilled that it helps others.
What is it like to connect with readers one on one? It is the most fulfilling feeling that I think an author can have.
When a reader comes up to you and says "I love your book"...
that comment right there makes all of the work we have to go through worth every minute of it.
Arwen Taylor: Any words of advice you would like to pass on to your fellow authors? Judy Azar LeBlanc: Oh boy...
I have been advised of so many things that may or may not be pertinent to what I honestly feel.
I've been told to write to "the audience"...
write "what is significant for today"...
write this way...
that way...
and each time I was told these things, I flashed back on my old college and career days.
I think what I would like to say to all my fellow authors is "do it your way"...
write from your heart and never give up.
One of my all time heroes is Richard Bach because his book "Jonathon Livingston Seagull" got rejected over 275 times...
he never gave up either.
Arwen Taylor: Now that's dedication.
One of my favorite quotes is 'Never give up, never surrender' from the movie Galaxy Quest.
That's the kind of mindset you have to have if you want to get your books into this competitive market.
You can learn more about Judy by visiting her website at Many Faces to Many Places.
Visit Amazon, Borders or Barnes and Noble to pick up your copy of her award winning book by the same name.
Shortly afterwards I got a really nice email from the author thanking me for posting it.
After perusing her website and learning all about her book 'Many Faces to Many Places', I couldn't help but snatch up the opportunity to interview this wonderful writer.
Arwen Taylor: So how did you go from a degree in Industrial Psychology to being a writer? Judy Azar LeBlanc: Thank you for having me Arwen.
It is a pleasure to share my thoughts and experiences with your readers.
How did I go from a degree in Industrial Psychology to being a writer? That is a good question.
I can't honestly say that I started out with "wanting to write books.
" Between college and my professional career, I had to write what everyone else wanted me to write about and in their distinct formats.
I grew to dislike writing so much that after I retired from the work force; I donated my "red-pens" to my co-workers and said "I won't be needing these anymore because I am never going to write again.
" Then, my husband and I moved to Baja, Mexico and after spending several years "unwinding", the urge to write came back to me, but this time I was thrilled about it because that meant that I could write about anything that I wanted to write about ~ and do it "my way".
Fortunately, I started by writing the English section for the state published newspaper as well as articles for the Federal Government's monthly tourist magazine.
It was through these avenues that my inspiration for writing books was born.
Arwen Taylor: How has your degree in Industrial Psychology influenced your writing? Judy Azar LeBlanc: How does one's writing get influenced by Industrial Psychology? I can't honestly say that Industrial Psychology per se influenced my writing at all.
What did and does influence my writing is the education of psychology in general which does influence the way my mind formulates ideas.
For example, in the story of Many Faces to Many Places, there is a section about a villain king who uses psychological tricks to control Many Faces.
This, of course, does not come from an Industrial point of view, but does have everything to do with the basic background of psychology in general.
Arwen Taylor: Please tell us about Many Faces to Many Places.
Judy Azar LeBlanc: Thank you for asking Arwen.
The story unfolds as a three-part journey that I believe draws a realistic picture of our own walk through life.
The underlying message of Many Faces to Many Places is learning that loving yourself and others is the most important thing that we can do while we are still alive.
Many Faces to Many Places illustrates that although life does have its trials and tribulations, there is always something good that comes out of them, and that is what we need to focus on.
Part one reflects upon the "up" stages of life where possibilities and potential are endless; part two reflects upon the "down" stages where the power of choice is explored; and, part three represents a time of "reflection," where wisdom and understanding are realized.
The story is written allegorically and is animated in style simply because it is meant to attract all age groups and is specifically based on universal truths.
Arwen Taylor: When we as authors write, we really are experiencing our characters' journeys first hand and often discover some of life's little secrets in their struggles.
What have you learned either about yourself or about the world from writing Many Faces to Many Places? Judy Azar LeBlanc: Arwen, I think the biggest lesson that I learned by writing Many Faces to Many Places is that we truly are all connected to each other.
I learned that we indeed do all have the same struggles and questions about ourselves and about life.
I believe with all of my heart that loving yourself and others is by far the most important thing that we can do with our life while we are still alive.
There is a quote in my book that goes like this...
" one should never ask 'Who will love me?' but rather, 'Whom can I love?' You are filled to capacity with an unconditional, powerful love that needs to be shared, and there is no greater love than that which you receive when you touch the heart of another.
I have also discovered that many people want answers to timeless questions like "what is the meaning of life?" "Why am I here? What is love? What is happiness? To only mention a few.
And if most come to the same conclusions, then the answers that apply to us must be universal.
Arwen Taylor: Many Faces to Many Places has won several awards including the Indie Excellence Book Award and the National Best Book and Audio Awards.
What has it been like receiving such recognition of your work? Judy Azar LeBlanc: Arwen, I wish I could say what it is like, but I'm not sure how I feel about it.
I kind of remember being shocked and awed each time that I was notified...
I guess all I can say is that I am deeply grateful that the story of Many Faces to Many Faces is appreciated.
Arwen Taylor: Your article 'How to Turn Your Book Signing into a Sell Out' gives authors some great tips on having a successful book signing.
What is it like being able to connect with readers one on one? Judy Azar LeBlanc: You know something Arwen; this article was actually born out of my desire to help first time authors.
When I was at a book festival in Arizona, I was walking around the booths and meeting several authors when I noticed that several of them had never been given any kind of successful tips on how to present, display or sell their books at signings.
This is where I came up with the idea for this article, and I am thrilled that it helps others.
What is it like to connect with readers one on one? It is the most fulfilling feeling that I think an author can have.
When a reader comes up to you and says "I love your book"...
that comment right there makes all of the work we have to go through worth every minute of it.
Arwen Taylor: Any words of advice you would like to pass on to your fellow authors? Judy Azar LeBlanc: Oh boy...
I have been advised of so many things that may or may not be pertinent to what I honestly feel.
I've been told to write to "the audience"...
write "what is significant for today"...
write this way...
that way...
and each time I was told these things, I flashed back on my old college and career days.
I think what I would like to say to all my fellow authors is "do it your way"...
write from your heart and never give up.
One of my all time heroes is Richard Bach because his book "Jonathon Livingston Seagull" got rejected over 275 times...
he never gave up either.
Arwen Taylor: Now that's dedication.
One of my favorite quotes is 'Never give up, never surrender' from the movie Galaxy Quest.
That's the kind of mindset you have to have if you want to get your books into this competitive market.
You can learn more about Judy by visiting her website at Many Faces to Many Places.
Visit Amazon, Borders or Barnes and Noble to pick up your copy of her award winning book by the same name.
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