What a great day it was to spend a bit of time stepping into the mind of Bryan Stubbles.   We met in the bizarre, fun, and often times insane world of Twitter.  Since then, I have been amazed, inspired, and encouraged by his gift of creativity and his sincere support within the writing community.  An accomplished playwright, and an amazingly talented writer with an infectious personality to match.  It's safe to say, I am a fan.  Take a peek at what he has to say and I'm sure you will be too!   

◆ How are you doing on this amazing day?
Pretty good. Thanks for asking. 

◆ Writers are known for having thoughts at any given time.  When do you have your best ideas?
When I’m not too burdened with real-life responsibilities. 

◆ If you had to give a title to the blueprint of your life, what would it be called?
The Case of the Missing Blueprint

◆ Do you remember the first time you brought ink to paper?
Kind of. I remember drawing a comic strip about a mouse traveling down a river when I was like 6. I may have written stuff earlier, but this is what I remember. ​

◆ Other than writing, tell us what else you love that gets your heart pumping.
A wee bit of everything. History, music, theatre, film, languages, cooking, exploring, volunteering...pretty much anything involving creativity and/or helping others. An office drone job would stop my heart from pumping and that would be sad. 

◆ The writing community is a huge network of authors, creators and so much more, do you ever feel pressured to perform based on what others are doing?
No. I love seeing other people’s success, too. We are in the same boat. 

◆ Have you ever googled yourself?
Yes. And I think I’ve googled you, too (gasp!).

She's an award-winning, published, and produced writer, author, performer, educator, comedian, accomplished playwright, and the list continues on.  Her dedication to the fight for social justice is heard and seen while making sure you laugh along the way.  Lucy knows the importance of reaching the younger creative minds and spends time writing to inspire and lift the youth to new heights.  It goes without saying, Lucy is an amazingly spectacular creative soul and one to watch!  By all means, see for yourself...

◆ How are you doing on this amazing day?
It's a glorious day, full of possibilities.  The sun is shining, I've fueled up on two cups of coffee and I get to speak with you.

◆ Writers are known for having thoughts at any given time.  When do you have your best ideas?
Pre-Covid, my best ideas often came to me at the gym during my workouts.  That fact kept me motivated and fit.  These days I find my best ideas come to me when I step away from the desk and go outside.  Go for a walk, garden, explore.   

◆ If you had to give a title to the blueprint of your life, what would it be called?
Resilience, sung to the tune of "Tradition" from the musical Fiddler on the Roof.

◆ Do you remember the first time you brought ink to paper?
I can't remember the exact date, but I know it was early. I grew up in a household where children were seen, not heard.  I discovered I had a voice through writing, and it was my big secret superpower.  I do recall one of my first stories was about a girl with supernatural abilities which I enacted with a blue globe agapanthus as my scepter.  

◆ Other than writing, tell us what else you love that gets your heart pumping.
Playing the piano.  Dinner with friends.  Traveling.   
​

I have met so many amazing writers and creators on my writing journey who have not only been inspiring, but enlightening and supportive within our writing community.   J.C. Maine, an author from Virginia is all of that and more.  Had the sincere pleasure of talking with him to learn more about his creativity, what makes him tick, and what he has in store for all of us.  See for yourself!

◆ How are you doing on this amazing day?
I am doing wonderful.  I am so honored to be doing this interview with you.

◆ Writers are known for having thoughts at any given time.  When do you have your best ideas?
About 5 o’clock in the morning. That’s the time my mind is the clearest, and right around the time I drink my first cup of coffee. ☺

◆ If you had to give a title to the blueprint of your life, what would it be called?
Never stop believing in yourself.  If you think you can accomplish something, you should pursue it despite how the current circumstances look.  In my opinion, it only takes one major opportunity to become successful.

◆ Do you remember the first time you brought ink to paper?
Around 2017 when I started my first book.  It was a nonfiction, and it was a learning experience for me.  It's not for sale, but you can read pieces of it on my blog site, A Better Tomorrow.
​

◆ How are you doing on this amazing day?
I’m doing fantastically well, AJ! Thank you for asking! And since you mentioned today, it’s appropriate that I note that I took the liberty of filling my gut with a couple Oreo cookies, a few cherry sours, a reasonable portion of Starburst jellybeans, a Cella’s chocolate covered cherry, and a slice of cheesecake. So, the best part about being fantastically well on this amazing day is that, remarkably, no part of it was tarnished by a stomachache.

◆ Writers are known for having thoughts at any given time.  When do you have your best ideas?
I’m plagued by my own creativity. Ideas are constantly tumbling off my conveyer belt with me trying to catch them in my left hand while working to bring the ones in my write hand to life. I know an idea’s the best one when it encourages, inspires, or impacts someone else in a profound way.

◆ If you had to give a title to the blueprint of your life, what would it be called?
Bruised: The Black and Blueprint.

◆ Do you remember the first time you brought ink to paper?
No. I do, however, remember creating written and illustrated storybooks for my classmates in kindergarten.

I had the true honor and pleasure of chatting with my friend, Mr. Richard Wilford.  He is not only an amazing writer, author and creative soul, he is a respected pastor, motivational speaker, Army veteran and the list goes on!  Take a look for yourself and get to know him, he has a lot to say.
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◆ How are you doing on this amazing day?
I’m feeling great, and I am super excited about sharing this moment with you. 

◆ Writers are known for having thoughts at any given time.  When do you have your best ideas? 
I agree!! It’s at any given moment. My writing moments seem to come between the hours of 3am- 6am.  Six years later and four books later, it’s still the same and like clock work and without an alarm clock.

◆ If you had to give a title to the blueprint of your life, what would it be called? 
Finding my way!!! I often say, If any of us had to draw the path of our life on a graph, the line would consist of ups, downs, twist, turns, loop to loops, several steps forward and too many steps backwards. It seems as if it has been a long search for who I am and what I am supposed to be doing. ​

◆ Do you remember the first time you brought ink to paper?
I didn’t get good grades in school, but English was my favorite subject. The first book I started to write was called, “What to do when it’s not your turn!!” It stayed an idea for almost 15 years later when I published it.​

◆ Where do you pull your inspiration from? 
​Everywhere!!! I travel, read, and surf the internet and for it. I sit on benches and people watch for it. I watch documentaries of people who have pressed their way through life to be great. I absolutely love seeing people flow in their passion and gift. Just this week, I randomly asked a lady at my job, “What is your dream job?” It was almost as if I had woke her up out of a trance.  It startled her, but she rattled it off so fast that you could tell, she knew it. She said, “I want to open my own cafe. I want to know all of my customers on a first named basis and I want you to be able to walk in and smell that warm cup of coffee brewing.” This is what I am talking about!!! People are walking around day after day like zombies daydreaming about places they would rather be and what else they would prefer to be doing.  It always unctions me to seek harder to find the things that I love and am good at. There is no greater feeling than doing what you love to do and it pays for your lifestyle and the ability to continue doing it. I think those who have found and operate within their love, gift and passions, should be extra loud advocates for pushing and challenging the rest of the world to find their place in this world. The world would be a better place if everyone was doing exactly what they were designed and purposed to do in this life.​ ​​​