WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK?
*My daughters were the INSPIRATION behind this book and people who, after having met my daughters, ask "HOW DID YOU DO IT?" are the MOTIVATION behind the book. My daughters are just so WONDERFUL, I wanted to put into book format exactly how they turned out the way they did. I wanted every Mom to experience what I have in raising daughters that are truly (ALMOST) PERFECT! And lastly, I wanted to give those Moms a blueprint for getting there.
DO YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC WRITING STYLE?
*I don't think that I have a specific writing style. I typically write the way that I'm feeling at that moment. Most of my writing stems from real life events, things that I see going on around me, and also personal experiences.
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE TITLE?
*The title "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS" was an easy one. I didn't entitle it 'THE GREAT MOMMIES' GUIDE'... for a reason. I wanted Moms to know that they didn't have to be GREAT or PERFECT to raise (ALMOST) PERFECT daughters. I wanted them to feel that being a GOOD MOMMIE was enough to do the job.
IS THERE A MESSAGE IN YOUR BOOK THAT YOU WOULD LIKE FOR READERS TO GRASP?
*I'm glad you asked this question because there are definitely a couple of messages that I want readers to get from this book. These messages resonate throughout and they are simply: 1) YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW. That translated here means, what you put into your daughters is what you will get out of them. If you take the time to teach them how to be their best, they in turn will only give their best; and 2) BEGIN TEACHING AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE! The first time I felt both of my daughters move inside my tummy, was the first time I began teaching them. I would have daily conversations with them, knowing that they could hear me and that on some strange level, it was all sinking in. Honestly, my daughters came out (almost) perfect! It's like while they were inside the womb, they had notepads (or with this generation...IPads) and they were jotting everything down. I remember a friend of mine who had given birth to her daughter 6 months prior to the birth of my firstborn, saying to me (after a visit to my home): "You are going to have to take all of this breakable stuff and put it away!" I have never once had to move or put away any breakables in my home. My daughters would stand and touch these things, ever so lovingly and gently, as if they knew, "these were not toys and I had better be careful". My friend has been a regular in my home for all the formative years of both of my daughters, and she always comments on HOW AMAZING IT IS that they didn't break anything. START TEACHING EARLY is the lesson here!
WHAT BOOKS HAVE INFLUENCED YOUR LIFE MOST?
*I do a ton of reading and these days, I typically read a lot of health and fitness books, but anything that's teaching how to become better at something, or self-improvement books, they probably have a home somewhere on my bookshelf. I will have to say though, that the one book that stands out as having influenced my life the most is LITTLE WOMEN by Louisa May Alcott. I read this book for the first time when I was in 6th grade (only a few short years ago...just checking to see if you're still awake). I was so moved by the fact that these sisters were so very close and loving of one another, that it stayed with me and I held on to it. When I had daughters of my own, I instilled in them the importance of being a GREAT SISTER always, and always putting family first. My daughters are very loving towards one another and I'm very thankful for that especially in light of the fact that I don't have that closeness with my own sisters. I credit this book for putting before me that model which I needed to steer my own two in the right direction.
IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE, WHICH WRITER WOULD YOU CONSIDER A MENTOR?
*Again, I'd have to go back to Louisa May Alcott. I loved her writing as a child and I love going back re-reading LITTLE WOMEN even now as an adult. So, let's give her the honor of serving as my writing mentor.
HOW MUCH OF THIS BOOK IS REALISTIC?
*The entire book is realistic. In fact, what you will find inside the covers of this book are real life situations, with a tip on how to effectively deal with each and every one. Every tip in this book is one that I have used, and continually use to rear my daughters, one being a young adult now and the other a teenager. They never get too old to learn, so it is our job to continually re-inforce those core values which we'd like for them to exhibit and live by.
WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
*I am a reader of a lot of books at one time. I know this may sound crazy to many, but my mind can literally handle all the confusion, chaos, drama and instruction coming at it all at once. Say for instance, when I'm enjoying a nice bubble bath, there is a book beside the tub. When I'm waiting in a lobby or at the hair salon, there is a book in my car for me to grab and take inside. If I'm upstairs lounging in my WRITING ROOM (my own personal escape), there is yet ANOTHER DIFFERENT book there. So, let's just say right now, I'm reading it all.
ARE THERE ANY NEW AUTHORS THAT HAVE GRASPED YOUR INTEREST?
*Speaking of new Authors, YES! there is one that I am anxiously waiting to get my hands on a copy of her book! Her name is Taylor Fulks and her book is "MY PRISON WITHOUT BARS". There is so much buzz about this book and this person, that just as soon as I'm done writing my own novel, her book will be the first one I sit down to read. She and I communicate and although we have never met in person, we have definitely connected on another, more deeper level. I think she is VERY genuine and all that you will hear about her is that she is genuine. So, yes, she will be my next read, for sure! But, I have to say that since becoming a published Author and getting into this NEW WORLD of writing and books, I have been introduced to Authors who I'm intrigued by. The writings of Jeri Walker-Bickett, Molly Greene and a host of bloggers such as Julie Richie are all on my top list of Authors who's work I will now follow.
WHAT PROJECTS CAN WE EXPECT FROM YOU IN THE FUTURE?
Well, I have a children's book entitled "KIRSTEN AND THE BIG BLUE TREE" due out at the end of June, 2013 and an as-yet-to-be-titled novel, with an expected release date of August, 30, 2013. This novel is highly anticipated by those who have read only the first two chapters. It will offer a lot of unexpected twists and turns that will have everyone hanging on tightly to the sides of their seats. And this is while you're just reading it!
ACTUAL TIP FROM "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS:
*TEACH HER HOW TO RESPOND TO INSULTS WITH CLASS. Simply by saying "THANK YOU!" with a really big smile on her face and walking away. The Bible (Proverbs 12:16) says: "The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult." I'm sure you've heard the old adage 'kill them with kindness'. This is the perfect way to do it. The Bible (James 1:19-20) also says: "Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger." There is no need to respond to insults in any form or fashion, if your daughter so chooses. That will really throw the person who is slinging the insult right off balance and soon, they will learn that your daughter is not phased at all by their little "digs". The perpetrator will soon give up and move on to insulting someone else. Hopefully, that person's Mom will have read this book, too and taught the very same lesson. Next.
Message to you and your readers: I would like to first give many THANKS to Kristin Plausky for hosting me on this leg of my tour. Even faced with many obstacles (of the technological kind), she made it a point to let me know that the commitment which she had made to host me on her blog, was one that she took very seriously. Kristin, I am in awe of you for doing that. It shows a lot about your character, which means the utmost in my world!
To all the readers who took the time to stop by and support The (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS Blog Tour, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I hope that you have enjoyed this piece as much as I have enjoyed sharing myself, and my book with all of you.
Please visit
www.nonniejules.com to register for a $25 Visa Gift Card (which will be awarded at the end of the tour).
You may purchase your very own e-book copy of "THE GOOD MOMMIES' GUIDE TO RAISING (ALMOST) PERFECT DAUGHTERS", 100 Tips On Raising Daughters Everyone Can't Help But Love! at www.viewbook.at/B00CP62O56 for ONLY $.99 (for a limited time).
Thanks again for all your support and continue to follow the tour at
www.nonniejules.com where a new stop is HIGHLIGHTED daily!
