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| Jane Carroll |
Today it is
great to welcome Jane Carroll, author of Bertha-Size Your Life. First, could
you tell us what your book is about?
Bertha, as I
usually refer to the book, is a series of life lessons disguised as fun and
sometimes zany short stories. Bertha has moved in with the narrator who is
experiencing an empty nest and immediately begins to turn her life upside down
while making it right side up. The fun in the book comes with Bertha’s
outlandish antics and wardrobe but her wisdom is always paramount to her
quirkiness. I laugh and say that Bertha is who you would get if you could cross
Lucy, Oprah and dress her like Peg Bundy.
The stories
incorporate a lot of Law of Attraction principles along with other wisdom
gleaned from traditional self-help teachings. But don’t let that fool you… Bertha
adds her own flare to it and you’ll hardly recognize it! One of my favourite
stories is Pink Flamingos. You may read it here. http://janecarrollauthor.com/pink-flamingos/
What inspired
you to write it?
I’ve always been
interested in personal growth and had recently become a certified Life Coach.
Writing a book just seemed like the next thing to do. My youngest daughter had
just gotten married and the time seemed perfect to do something for women who
were experiencing empty nest. The book started as a series of exercises
designed to help the middle aged…don’t
you hate that term…woman really get to know herself again. Then she could
figure out how she wanted to fill her time. It made perfect sense to me.
The only problem
was…it was boring. I know, I hate to say it but it’s the truth. Anyway, one
day the Life Coach that I was working with left me a message that her daughter
had moved out and asked what she should do. When I couldn’t reach her by phone
I shot her a flip email about naming her nest and I jokingly named Bertha.
I thought that was
that but Bertha had other ideas. Before I knew it all the chapters in the book
were starring Bertha wearing lime green spandex and stilettos and fighting with
the cat. The rest as they say…is history.
Your book listed
as being part of the ‘Bertha Series’. Does that mean we can expect more Bertha
books?
Yes. The sequel
which I’m calling Becoming Bertha for
the time being is almost completed but will then go through the editing
process. In the meantime, Bertha has a guided journal, Where the Joys Are, that is already in the editing process.
If
your book was made into a movie, who would you want to play Bertha?
Debra
Messing, without a doubt! I think she would be a delightful Bertha. Now, who
would we get to play me…hmmm.
What
are you reading at the moment?
Don’t
laugh! I’m reading Lionel’s Grand Adventure (Lionel and the Golden Rule) by Paul R. Hewlett. I know it’s a
book for adolescent boys…but I am a school nurse in my day job so I’m always
looking for good things to share with my kids at school. It’s kind of funny
that Lionel’s mom is named Bertha…but I don’t think there’s any resemblance to
my Bertha. What do you like to do in your free time when you're not reading or writing?
Lately, there
hasn’t been much of that. When I can get away I love to visit my daughters and
granddaughters. I’m a porch gardener at best but do enjoy spending time in
nature. Cycling has been a passion of mine for a few years that has gone by the
wayside lately so I hope to get back into that. But…shopping for shoes…now
that’s fun!
Do you have any
parting comments?
I just want to
thank you for having me and Bertha as your guests. It has been great fun! And as
Bertha says, “When life hands you an ostrich…make a boa!”
Where can we buy
your book?
Bertha is available
primarily on Amazon in both Kindle and Paperback.
Where can
readers find out more about you?
Thank you so
much Jane for taking the time to chat with me and tell me about your great
book!
About Jane
Carroll
Jane Carroll, author of Amazon bestselling
Bertha-Size Your Life, is a Life Coach, Registered Nurse, Reiki Master,
Mother, Grandmother, and long-time student of life. She has seen the focus of
her over 30 year nursing career change from illness to wellness to wholeness, a
philosophy that permeates everything she does. While she enjoys all aspects of
her life, writing is her passion and she is currently working on Bertha’s
latest adventures.
Go Bertha!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great interview ladies :)
And I would NEVER laugh at Lionel Snodgrass!!
XO
Pen
Thank you stopping by Pen. Glad you like the interview!
DeleteKatheryn
Penelope...I started reading Lionel to the 4th grade at my school today...they are loving it! Thanks!
DeleteGreat interview! Thanks for sharing about yourself. I love getting to know people better. I am very interested in your Bertha now, and hope that I did not tarnish her good name:)
ReplyDeletePaul R. Hewlett
Paul...I appreciate your concern...but I think she can handle it!
DeleteJane Carroll hits it out of the park with Bertha-Size Your Life! It's an inspiring read that I would highly recommend! GO BERTHA!Looking forward to your next book!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Paul I appreciate that very much. I am working on the next one...soon...I hope as well!
DeleteFabulous interview ladies, I really enjoyed this it was a real treat :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dawn!
DeleteMany thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
DeleteVery enjoyable interview ladies, thank you. :0)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donna!
DeleteMany thanks Donna!
Delete