Interview with writer Walter Stoffel

Writer Walter Stoffel joins the blog today to chat a little about his memoir, Lance: A Spirit Unbroken.

Bio:

Walter Stoffel is a substance abuse counselor and GED teacher in correctional facilities. When not behind bars, he likes to read, travel, work out and watch bad movies. Major accomplishment: He entered a 26.2 mile marathon following hip replacement surgery and finished—dead last.

The author currently lives with his wife Clara, their dog, Buddy (another rescue), and cat, Winky (yet another rescue).

Welcome, Walter. Please tell us about your current release.

Lance: A Spirit Unbroken is the recounting of the off-the-wall rescue of an off-the-wall dog. Lance lived the entirety of the first 10 years of his life outside on the run before I met him. I began walking him from his abusive owners’ property until the day it became clear Lance had to be rescued. That’s when the fun really began. Lance turned out to be semi-feral and a threat to anybody, even his rescuers. At the same time, Lance had a very entertaining side. Picture Marley meets Cujo!

What inspired you to write this book?

Everybody loves a rags-to-riches story. In this case, the main character happens to be four-legged rather than two legged. Even those not particularly into dogs have been impressed by Lance’s dogged (I had to!) determination to survive. I believe there are lessons in Lance’s life that apply to us humans.

Click through for an excerpt from Chapter 6 of Lance: A Spirit Unbroken

What exciting story are you working on next?

I’m in the final stages of the graphic story of a young boy growing up in a highly dysfunctional family on Long Island. Difficult to pinpoint the genre, but right now I’d call it a fictional biography.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

Tough to pinpoint an exact date. Ultimately, the readers decide to what level my writing rises. Lance has earned five-star status among readers on three continents.

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

My day jobs keep me busy in jail. As an indie author, it’s extremely difficult to write and promote your finished book(s) while holding down a job. I won’t look for sympathy though, because I know there are lots of other writers going through the same experience. Let’s call it a labor of love.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

I’m definitely a seat-of-the-pants writer. I’m not saying that’s a good or bad thing, only that it’s my current creative reality. Also, I have a penchant for humor no matter how dark the subject matter.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I just wanted to get out of my childhood alive (see my second book). Apart from that, I was not focused on my future, other than a vague wish to be a baseball player. It’s a long story (double entendre intended).

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

Thank you for taking the time to read this post on Lisa’s page. And, thank you Lisa for giving me the opportunity to appear on your page.

Links:

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Thanks for being here today, Walter.

Interview with writer Dobie Houson

Writer Dobie Houson is here today and we’re chatting about her non-fiction book, Devotion – Humans and Their Four-Legged Soulmates.

Bio:

Dobie Houson is an activist for animal rights, an animal communicator, and the award-winning author of Finding Forever: The Dogs of Coastal German Shepherd Rescue and Four-Legged Wisdom: Sacred Stories from an Animal Communicator.

An ardent activist for animal rescue, Houson is founder and executive director of Finding Forever, a foundation dedicated to raising money and awareness for animal rescue causes through the arts.

A lifelong animal lover, she has worked with dogs, cats, and horses. But it was her desire to understand and connect with animals on a deeper, more meaningful level that ultimately led her to study animal communication, including honing her telepathic skills. She has trained with some of the country’s most respected intuitive counselors and animal communicators and, today, is a sought-after teacher and trainer herself.

A professional communicator and prolific writer, Houson contributed to Why We Ride: Women Writers on the Horses in Their Lives, a popular anthology edited by writer and literary agent Verna Dreisbach.

When she’s not working with animals, Houson serves as director of marketing research for The Ken Blanchard Companies, a global consulting firm specializing in leadership and talent development. Her research has been published in many world-class academic journals.

Welcome, Dobie. Please tell us about your current release.

Devotion celebrates the magical connection between humans and their four-legged soulmates. Written by an animal communicator, this beautiful and heartwarming collection of short stories honors the love, courage, and unbreakable bonds these amazing partners share as they navigate life. Anyone who has ever looked into the eyes of their beloved animal companion and wondered what they were thinking will fall in love with this book. The author, a passionate animal lover, donates a portion of all proceeds to animal rescues and sanctuaries.

What inspired you to write this book?

I love animals and I think they have so much to teach us. I also believe they assist us in ways we never imagined. As an animal communicator, I’m often blown away by their wisdom, honesty and humor. Devotion is my third book and I love meeting new people and writing their stories. But my favorite part is handing their story back to them to review and having them be so touched by what their beloved pet has told me. And I love to give back so being able to animal rescues and shelters who so desperately need funds feeds my soul.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I’m starting to connect with people and scout out stories for my next book which will be similar to my last two – short stories about the amazing connections between people and their pets.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’ve always written. And I’ve always loved it. I remember when I was about 10 my dad asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I responded that I wanted to be a writer. He sort of laughed and said “You’ll never make money doing that.” And I responded back, “Watch me.”

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

By day, I’m the Director of Marketing Research for The Ken Blanchard Companies. So I do write in my day job but it’s skewed more toward white papers and ebooks and infographics. My research team has won several awards for our academic level papers. It’s a fast-paced place. Our founder is the author of The One Minute Manager. I joined the organization right before the book found its way to bestseller status.

When I’m working on a book I write on the weekends. And once I publish a book I give myself a few months off.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Probably the fact that I can talk to animals. But I’ve also got a keen sense of humor and love to make people laugh. Often, I cry while I write because as the words flow out of me, they touch my heart and soul.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A writer.

Links:

Website | Amazon buy page

Thanks for being here today, Dobie!