Interview With Author Brenda Mahler
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Professionally
I co-authored an Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development publication (Strategies for Teaching Writing: An ASCD Action Tool, 2000), earned National Board Certification and a master’s degree in education. Teaching writing has always been my passion and watching youth explore the power of language is amazing.
Since retiring, I have started writing on Medium and Vocal Media to share essays of personal experiences and memoirs. I post regularly to publications on the topics of travel, self-improvement, writing strategies, and parenting.
Three books are available to readers on Amazon.
Lockers Speak : Voices from America's Youth
Live a Satisfying Life By Doing it Doggy Style
Understanding the Power of Not Yet: Accepting the Challenges of New Beginnings
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Understanding the Power of Not Yet: Accepting the Challenges of New Beginnings
When my 33-year-old daughter had a stroke, life and priorities changed. As I sat beside her bed first in the hospital and then in a rehabilitations center, writing became my coping mechanism. As she improved, my notes began to form into stories and eventually became a book to inspire others.
Act one begins when Kari wakes in a hospital bed surrounded by family and continues through rehabilitation. When she returns home, act two illustrates the power of hope determination, and overcoming the odds. Her experiences and the events of those around her offer encouragement for stroke victims and their support systems by revealing survival strategies that help manage the unknown.
Kari demonstrates how to be the director of her own drama one day at a time. The lessons learned teach the value of community, family, and love. It is a testament that our role is not to watch life happen but to make it happen. Some of life’s worst experiences provide reminders to remain faithful. Faithful to self, beliefs, and loved ones. People who confront struggles with resolve, purpose, and willpower are my heroes. They have grit.
Kari continues making gains. Each day reminds us, this is a marathon with short-term successes. Though obstacles sometimes slow her journey to recovery, no barriers stop her progression. Her actions exhibit determination. Kari doesn’t talk in terms of what she can accomplish, will achieve, or desires to complete; she simply lives life. She doesn’t complain or exclaim, “I can’t.” She says, “Not yet.” I fall asleep each night expectant to witness the next day’s accomplishments.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Since retiring as an English teacher, I write most mornings with a cup of coffee and am blessed to have a husband who usually keeps my cup full and the liquid warm. Since we travel a lot in our motorhome, I often am juggling our two Yorkshire Terriers and a laptop in the passenger's seat.
Before retirement, writing occurred during stolen moments of time between required tasks. Those notes provide inspiration for short stories, poems, essays, and memoirs. Writing is a reflection of life.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
At the risk of becoming a cliche and exposing my geekiness, I proclaim Mark Twain, Maya Angelou, and Harper Lee to be my literary role models. However, for escape I crave Janet Evanovich or any author who pulls on my heartstrings and offers an adventure. Jenny Lawson's blog is my go-to when I need a touch of honesty and humor to help survive reality.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I am working on a new concept that is a cross between an urban dictionary and a collection of humorous pet stories. It provides readers with definitions of new words from the viewpoint of dogs by sharing the animals' interpretations.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far marketing my books to specific audiences that connect with the topics has been most successful. For instance, my latest book about my daughter's stroke recovery has been well received by other stroke survivors on Facebook.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write daily even if the words are only chicken scratches on the back of receipts or notes on a phone. Collect ideas for when more time can be allotted to release the creativity and let it flow unrestricted.
After teaching writing for years, I also encourage writers to identify a writing process that works for them. They should read about writing and then adopt the strategies that support their style, interests and skills.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Never give up. It takes a while to develop a voice, identify the audience, define a purpose, and organize material into a coherent, final product. Give yourself time.
What are you reading now?
Sarah Maas' A Court of Thorns and Roses Series. Loving it!
What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing is a reflection of who I am, what I am doing, and where I am going. Since I am deciding what to do in this new chapter of my life, I am waiting for directions from fate.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Atlas Shrugged by Ayan Rand
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Bible
With these three there would never be a boring moment.
Author Websites and Profiles
Brenda Mahler’s Social Media Links
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