Interview with the Tropellos

Author: Rashun Jones

John and Joanne Tropello: thetroppellos@yahoo.com
Joanne Troppello's Journal

Meet Rashun JonesRashun Jones is the author of Healthy Attitudes-Smart Choices: Living the Life You Choose (2006), Power of Life-Use It or Lose It (2003), Blueprints A Way of Life (2001) and soon to be released Girl You Can Have a Break-down or Breakthrough. A nationally known speaker, trainer and author who has a Masters degree in Human Relations. Rashun lives and breathes her personal motto: "Take charge of your life & Live it to the fullest."
She is a contributing writer for BlackLiving.com, AA Culture Zone and Selfhelp.com. Rashun was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a BS in Nursing and Oklahoma University with a Masters in Human Relations.

Healthy Attitudes Smart Choices: Living the Life You Choose (2006)
ISBN 13:978 09669730-2-0 ISBN 10: 09669730-2-X
LCCN: 2006925153Price: 14.95 Type: Non-fiction , Paperback
Do you want an attitude adjustment?Strong evidence shows that an optimistic attitude is associated with increased health and wellness, where as a pessimistic attitude is associated with depression and poor health. There are people who believe attitude is everything; however a healthy attitude does not happen overnight. It takes more than a sunset to bring out the best in people. It requires a conscious attitude adjustment to set a higher personal standard.Healthy Attitudes Smart Choices gives you insight, tools and strategies to build a positive healthy outlook in life. Don�t let negativity weigh you down. Equip yourself with knowledge, skills, positive affirmations, competence and confidence to meet all of your challenges, no matter where, what or who they are. This book will help you:Be aware of different types of negative attitudes.Understand how attitudes impact relationships.What you can do to change your attitude.Increase productivity and cooperation.Break through fears and blocks that inhibit creativity.Reduce stress to improve your performance. Nourish and nurture your spirit.

website: http://www.nushapenet.com/

1. Why did you become a writer? Was it a dream of yours since you were younger or did the desire to write happen later in life?
I have always loved to write and tell stories. Just being able to put something on paper that might impact someone, somewhere is very exciting to me. I started writing seriously and allowing others to read my writing when I was in college. After college I was settled into my everyday life and it felt like something was missing. Something inside me kept saying write a book!, write a book! I would be lying quietly in bed at night and something inside me would say Get up and write! Eventually I followed this calling. I believe it was God�s instruction. Something inside me kept tapping at my heart to write, I started writing and the results was my first book Eboni Chronicles. My writing has added a whole new dimension to my life.
2. What was the inspiration for your latest work of fiction?
I write non-fiction, but I am inspired by things I encounter in my daily life, what I see, hear, touch, smell and taste. I like to capture the essence of what can occur in ones life. I believe the creative journey will lead me down the path of writing fiction or a fiction thriller someday. I have a vivid imagination and I want to embrace that imaginary genius in me and see where it leads me. My writing is a journey to live, love, teach and learn from others.
3. Do you tend to base your characters on real people or are they totally from your imagination.?
I base my characters on people I know and see in my life. However, occasionally they may have a tinge of my imagination or how I hope my character would be. I tell stories and develop short vignettes in my books. I like for my reader to be able to visualize my character from my description.
4. What was the most interesting research you had to do for any of your books. When I wrote Eboni Chronicles I interviewed Black women from ages 14-72 on six areas beauty, self-esteem, work and education, spirituality and emotions and defenses. They also shared how they demonstrate resilience in their day to day life. It was interesting to see how womens attitudes, beliefs and lifestyles have changed over the years.
5. How do you go from an idea for a book to the birth of the story?
Is the process the same for every book you write? People give me ideas, I watch, listen to people and read. Since I write non-fiction I am always writing things down things I would like to explore. I have files and idea boxes with Titles, Names, Funny Stories and quotes that I can use when I begin to write chapters or speeches when I speak to audiences. I take an idea or concept then I look at how I can build the ideas and concepts to benefit other people. I try to give a different approach with some emotional appeal. I always look at how my book will benefit others.
6. Do you have any advice for beginning writers in regards to writing a book?
Do you have any advice for them in regards to promoting that book once it is published? Write! Write something that is different or unusual that will catch the public eye. There are so many books out there your book has to have something that will make people stop, wonder and want to know more. You want the potential reader to be curious about your project. Go to writer conferences so you can network and talk with other writers.
Promoting: I promote my writing on the web, in local newspapers, at local events, conferences, online radio, book fairs and expos. I promote everyday.