In light of Hurricane Dorian, getting ready for a direct hit, seeing schools cancel school days in preparation, waiting for the turn, watching the decimation of the Bahamas, seeing the eventual turn, watching it steer away from our peninsula, only to see it hit North Carolina.This last week or so has been hectic, to say the least. And to let you in on a little secret, this blog post almost became a casualty. It got to our guest author late. Then, she had people for whom she cares affected in the Bahamas and NC. Needless to say, the fact that it is here at all on time is somewhat of a miracle of its own, as several other things happened that created, ultimately, more work for us both.
But we're here. On the Florida front porch. In the sweltering, post-Dorian heatwave we've been experiencing since he left our shores.
So, let's welcome out next guest before something else happens! She's a speaker, a writer, and a child of God. Welcome, Anita Agers-Brooks!
Anita, give us a quick bio. In fifty words or less, who is Anita Agers-Brooks?
I’m a passionate speaker who inspires, teaches,
and encourages global audiences with stories and practical takeaways. I’m a
dedicated coach, guiding businesses and individuals to make fresh starts with
fresh faith. And I’m an award-wining author with a heart to help people. What I
do is about souls not sales.
I like that. "About souls, not sales." Before you ever got a
notion of becoming a writer/author, how old were you, and what were you doing
in that time of your life?
As an adult who’d forgotten I had the notion as a child, I was the general
manager of one of the largest river resorts in the country. I still do
consulting for Ozark Outdoors Riverfront Resort on a regular basis.
What educational background do you have?
I went to high school in a tiny town called Viburnum, Missouri. I have
certifications from one of the first accredited coaching agencies in America.
I’m also a certified personality trainer, a certified training facilitator, and
a certified communications specialist. Though I’ve taken several college
courses, I’ve never gotten a degree, but I’m still asked to speak to students
and administrators, many with master’s degrees and doctorates, frequently. I’m
teaching a leadership team at Missouri’s largest university next week. Only
God!
I’ve been married for thirty-six years, and we still have a blast together.
We have two grown sons, and four gorgeous grandchildren.
I’m going to give you a shotgun
list of favorites. List your favorite in each category and then tell us in one
sentence why it is your favorite.
Favorite
Song of All-Time: Seasons in the Sun
Favorite
Non-Fiction Book (other than your own & besides the Bible): Unbroken
Favorite
Bible Verse:
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).
Favorite
Movie:
It’s a tie between The Ultimate Gift and Far and Away with Tom
Cruise and Nicole Kidman
Favorite
TV Show:
I don’t watch much TV, but when I do, it’s mostly Dateline, 48 Hours, or
20/20—I’m addicted to true crime
Favorite
Novel (other than your own): Just 18 Summers
Favorite Author
(other than you): Jack Canfield
Favorite
Sport:
Volleyball
Favorite
Team (Can be any sport, any level): St. Louis Cardinals
Favorite
Subject in School Growing Up: P.E. (I was really athletic)
Favorite
Subject Now:
History
Favorite
Teacher in School: Mrs. Griffith (she spotted my writing talent in 4th
grade)
Favorite
Time of the Year: Fall
Favorite
Place to Vacation: Belize
Favorite
Drink:
Turmeric/Ginger Golden Milk
Favorite
Food:
Lasagna
Besides the usual things authors
face, has there been an unusual event that changed your perspective about being
an author?
Finding out that my dad was not my biological father at age forty-six
certainly impacted me in deeply profound ways. Even using my maiden name as
part of my pen name came into question. Finding out that I am the product of an
unsavory moment made me question my ability to write for God. But eventually, I
came to realize that I exist on purpose, with purpose, in order to fulfill an
abundant purpose. I finally had the courage to write about all of this in my
last book.
I’m
also a living donor, I gave my kidney to my sister in 1997. These kinds of
experiences give me a level empathy and compassion for people that comes across
in my writing—or so I’ve been told.
Do you have a crazy,
interesting, behind-the-scenes story about the publishing world you’d like to
tell your readers without boring them to death with industry gobbledygook?
Hmm, great question! When I was on the hunt for
a literary agent, I was following all of the protocols they teach you at writer’s
conferences and in writing books. A couple were interested in me at the time,
but there was this one agency that I admired. I would never have queried them,
because I didn’t think I was good enough. One day, however, I connected with one
of their agents on Facebook. Turned out, she was born in the little Missouri
community I still live in. We messaged for over an hour, then she asked to see
my proposal, and I submitted it thinking nothing would come of it (remember, I
wasn’t good enough). When I got the e-mail saying they wanted to sign me six
days later, I cried for two hours. I’ve been with them since 2011, and they’ve
sold multiple books for me. I still pinch myself!
Of all the
stories/books you have written, which one is your favorite? And what compelled
you to write this story?
Getting Through What You Can’t Get Over is
by far my favorite. I poured my heart into this book. The title came one day
when I heard myself say for the umpteenth time to a hurting person, “You know,
there are some things in life we can get through, but we will never get over.”
For some reason, that day it clicked, and I knew it would make a great book
title.
Do you ever receive
negative reviews from readers? If so, how do you respond when you see them?
Occasionally. Usually, because they are mad that
I’m writing from a Christian perspective. I did get one online reviewer who
said I was trite. That made me laugh—especially when I clicked on her profile
and saw that she’s a serial sourpuss. But not everyone is going to love
everything you write, that’s okay. Because when you get emails from strangers
who said you saved their lives, because they were going to commit suicide, but
instead, they are renewing their relationship with Jesus—well, that smothers
any negative comments others make.
Tell us about what
project you are currently working on.
I’m working on two books actually. One is titled,
Tending Your Dreams: Seizing Hope While You Create Your Turn, and I’m
finally writing on the personality information I’ve taught for years.
If you had one person you could
meet (think outside the Bible here) and could spend as much time as you wanted
with that individual, who would it be?
Wow! As I consider this, I realize I’ve actually met several powerful,
wealthy, and very interesting people—some were even celebrities. A couple of
them, like Jack Canfield and Pam Farrell, were writing heroes of mine. But
let’s see, someone I haven’t met. I’d still love to meet Tony Robbins and have
2-3 days of one-on-one time to pick his brain. His energy and thirst for
knowledge are inspiring.
If you had one person you could
meet (think ONLY Bible characters here) and could spend as much time as you
wanted with that individual, who would it be besides Jesus?
It would have to be the Apostle Paul. I think he’s an intriguing, wise, and
complex character. I’d like to slow-walk some dusty roads with him and ask him
questions about many of the things he wrote, but especially regarding some
detail in the book of Galatians.
What’s the craziest thing you have
ever done?
I ziplined in the cloud forest of Costa Rica where you couldn’t touch the
tree holding up one of the platforms, because of the Army Ants. That was pretty
radical. I also sang lead in two high school musicals—even I think that’s crazy
today.
The Army Ants make me think of that scene in the last Indiana Jones movie. Creepy. Why do you live where you live?
I grew up in the country, so fresh air and Missouri hollers are in my soul.
But I also adore living in the state that gave us the writings of Mark Twain
and Laura Ingalls Wilder. Sometimes, I visit their home places here, and wonder
what it must have been like writing back in their days.
We know “Readers are leaders, and
leaders are readers.” Is there a book you’ve read in the past five years or so that
has helped you become a better you? If so, which one was it, and how did it
affect your life?
The Success Principles by Jack Canfield. Other than a couple of small
parts, I love that book. I’m reading it for the third time.
Is
there anything else you’d like to share with our readers about you, or anything
we didn’t cover?
I am passionate about encouraging other people to tend their dreams—to make
them come true and maintain them when they do! My podcast, Tending Your Dreams, is all about providing tools, inspiring stories, and any other information that
will help support people with a dream planted in their heart.
Until next time, may God bless America, and more importantly, may America bless God,
Kevin
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