Free Book Friday / Inktober Day 29 (Patch): My latest Interview- In Conversation With Author Elizabeth O’Carroll

8 min readOct 29, 2021

All previous drawings: https://linesbyleon.com/inktober/

About the interviews:

When I published my first book, I looked for ways to reach new readers, and being a brand new author, participating in various book bloggers interviews was a good way to start. Some interviews were standard questions, while others had more individuality built into them.

I then did a twist on the author interview by interviewing myself ( Leon Interviews Himself). I then thought it would be fun to get to know some of the authors I was cross-promoting with, and the Friday Conversations were born. Guess what? They are a lot of work. I look up the authors information, visit the website so I can craft a unique set of questions (OK, there are a few standard ones) to let my readership get to know these new authors. Worth the work? You bet. Here is today’s conversation:

In Conversation With Author Elizabeth O’Carroll

Elizabeth O’Carroll is a world traveler, ESL Teacher, Rehabilitation Counselor and Minister of Metaphysics.
She is a native Californian and author of two book series of middle grade to young adult Realistic Fiction.

Today I have the pleasure of sitting down with author Elizabeth O’Carroll. Happy that you made it to this Word document. Such a warm and inviting atmosphere, isn’t it? Can I offer you a hot or cold beverage?

Ooohh…I would love a cup of cyber “Almond Latte!”

You’ll have to give me a minute…

[Various sounds of a complicated coffee order.] Time elapsed: 3.56 minutes.

Here you go.

WOW! Who knew that cyber coffee could seem so…real!

You published your first book in 2019. Tell me about it.

Yes, “Tae Sung’s Peculiar Life” is now a series, and the first book’s title is “Tae Sung and the Flattened Snake.” I was inspired by my elementary students where I teach English, here in South Korea. They told me all about an injured snake that the students found merciless enjoyment poking with sticks. They told me it had been run over by a car and was flattened in the middle. Hence the title of the first book evolved! As a teacher, mother, counselor, and mother, I never miss a golden opportunity to have a talk about ‘morals and ethical behaviors!”

The book teaches empathy and Tae Sung learns of his innate ability to connect energetically to other living things. There is a villain “Creeper” who bullies Tae’s best friend “Squeak.” Several of the events came from the stories my students shared with me. They are a never-ending source of creativity in writing!

Kids have quite the imagination, don’t they? For many people, creativity, and sense of wonderment wane as they get older.

Hmm…..I wonder. I feel it is on an individual basis. If a person has become complacent in their life, as in the ‘same old routine.’ Then there is no stimulation to the right brain where all those wonderous elements reside. Therefore, ‘change your thoughts, change your mind.” Choose to seek out the ‘little kid’ that still lives in our hearts and minds.

What prompted you to write your “Myloh” books?

The first book in the series of “Myloh’s Ocean Adventures” is, “When Myloh met Sorry. ”It was a daydream the Co-Author, Missy Richardson had while sitting on a beach. She saw a plastic bag floating on the ocean waves and the jelly fish washed up on the shore. That was all I needed to start an adventure! The book addresses environmental awareness of the hazards of helium balloon release. It’s a fun journey with Myloh and his ocean friends. “Sorry” is a balloon whose path crosses with Myloh, the handsome jellyfish.

The second book, “When Myloh met Professor Seamore” is another adventure to the depths of the ocean to seek out a wise old seaworm for answers about micro-plastics. Another ocean pollution awareness theme.

The third book is in the ‘Beta stage!” “ When Myloh met Dolly” and Myloh helps Dolly (dolphin) find her family. It is focused on seismic ocean blasting that affects the sonar ability of mammals to communicate with each other and the coral reefs dying. I am hoping to release this book in February 2022!

The ocean pollution problem isn’t new, but more people are raising awareness these days. Any new projects on the go?

Of course! I just need more time! “When Myloh met Dolly” and “180 Degrees” are in the works as additions in their respective series. I also have some movie -series pitch scripts that I trust will land in the right hands soon! 😊

Fingers crossed, right? In your bio, you said you like to travel. Bummer of a hobby to have these last two years, right? What did you do instead?

Geez….the past couple years have been a blessing and a barrier at the same time! Learning to be in this new ‘norm’ has allowed me to get back on track with my writing and allowing some dust to collect on my shoes. Fortunately, I was able to travel Europe for six months volunteering and writing Tae Sung before the barriers arrived. I feel now it is more about working with what we have, finding the gratitude in all things and doing our ‘inner’ work. Happiness is an ‘inside job!”

Any places in the world that you would define as magical?

I feel there is magic everywhere! It is inside of us and we reflect back what is ‘inside.’ I find magic out on my roof apartment here in Korea. The butterflies, birds, bees, new flowers blooming. That is magic to me! Although, I must say, Verona Italy was magical with all the purple wisteria everywhere, Romeo and Juliet balconies!

That sounds like a beautiful place to visit. Let’s dive into who Elizabeth is. What would you like the readers out there to know about you?

I have never been good talking about ME. All the educational degrees, life experiences and other labels that get tagged on through our life adventures….are just a reference. A little bit of ‘me’ is in Myloh and Tae Sung. Tae Sung’s abilities are similar to my own innate abilities (we all have them!) and his life experiences he endures in the second book resonate with my own past.

Well, I feel that everyone should know that there is a story inside of them waiting to be written. Reading is transformative and it expands our creativity and perspectives. Writing is very cathartic as well.

Isn’t it, though? My poetry started out as therapeutic before I decided to publish.

Poetry is so amazing in that it engages-heart, mind, body and soul. With all your innate abilities connected, it is therapeutic as well as creatively profound! As a counselor, suggesting a personal journal is our ‘go to’ tool that helps clients get in touch with themselves. Eliminate the disconnect!

Do you have any phobias?

Fortunately, I do not have any phobias! In my research (counseling) I have learned that phobias are rooted in fear and fear is a learned behavior. Fear is based on ignorance-the ‘unknown’. Therefore, to overcome phobias, we must educate ourselves and lean into the phobia and connect with why it is there and rise above it. Innately, as humans we create these behaviors as default survival mechanisms, and it prevents us from fully living. Only the individual as the ‘key’ to unlock themselves from their own mental prisons.

I’m always afraid that my ATM card will get stuck in the machine…

I enjoy music. Do you have any preferences?

Ed Sheeran, Keith Urban, Andre Bocelli, (it is my true nature — love — peace) I enjoy a large genre of music! My son recently introduced me to some controversial rappers that have brilliant content-opinions in their lyrics. “Hopsin”, Donald Glover, Tom MacDonald. I am not political, however, there are some profound concepts these musician’s address.

I saw Ed Sheeran open for Taylor Swift (yes, I went to a Taylor Swift concert, but I took my niece, so that’s my excuse). As a guitar player, I was blown away with what he could do as a solo act.

Ahh, yes! Musicians have mutual appreciation for each other, it’s a vibe.

Are you ready for the lightning round?

Yup!!

Great! Here we go.

Pumpkin Spice. Yea or Nay?
YEA!!
Favorite city?
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Summer or Winter?
Winter-hot chocolate
Rock & Roll or Smooth Jazz?
80’s soft rock!!
Turtles or Armadillos?
Turtles!
What number am I thinking of?
11
Close enough.

The producer (me) is telling me that we are out of time. Anything you want to plug?

Of course! You can find my books on Amazon and more information on the individual websites!

Both of my series have new books coming in 2022! I want to wish the world to find peace, love, and happiness in their own little bubbles in this big universe!! Also, know that we all make a difference one small step of kindness at a time!

https://mylohsadventures.com/

https://taesungspeculiarlife.com/

The story behind Free Book Friday: I’ve met many authors and readers during my time marketing, cross-promoting, and blogging. I think writers have a responsibility to inform readers about all the indie authors out there in the very crowded world of book publishing. You can’t do it alone, and why would you when you have a supportive group available? Readers don’t just read one author — they stick with their favorite genres. There lies the power in cross-promotion. If one of my readers buys a book from an author I promote, then chances are there will be a reciprocal effect, or so is the hope. Do I want to boost sales? Of course I do. Do I want to boost other’s sales? Why not. It’s called karma. Featured Poetry Author