One Woman's Writing Retreat

Laurie Anthony
Part II

Interview by Catherine Tudor

 

CT: Journaling was a major tool in the writing of your two books on one homeless man's story. Not only in the telling of what transpired between you and J.C., but as a way of sorting out your thoughts and emotions. As you said in our first interview, journaling was therapeutic. Do you advise your students to journal? Any insights about the process you can share with other writers?

LA: Journaling was a therapeutic, insightful, and helpful way for me to sort through my feelings. If I hadn't recorded my thoughts while journeying with J.C., I couldn't have made sense of all the emotions I was experiencing.  I wrote without editing or stopping, pouring out all of my thoughts and feelings on paper, withholding any judgment of my words.  I allowed myself to write so honestly that I ended up in places I hadn't imagined!  I turned to my journal the same way I would talk to my best friend. When I went back and reread my writing, I would re-experience my feelings, and I could sort through the words I wrote and decide what would most convey my feelings to the reader.

When I got stuck, I'd go for long walks and let my mind wander. I'd go back and write in my journal. I talked to friends, posing my questions and concerns, and then sift through their feedback. What I finally decided to include in my books, and the actual words I used, was the result of a great deal of effort, reflection, revision, and introspection. One of the rewards of writing has been reading the words I had struggled with for so long, words that now truly captured my thoughts.  That's such a good feeling!

CT: Your books are very professional looking. How did you learn about self-publishing? How did you go about the actual process of printing and distribution? Who designed the cover?

My goal to publish my book led me to explore self-publishing.  I read books about self-publishing and researched it extensively online. I went with Morris Publishing, a printer that offered excellent services and support.  I selected a cover template, lettering style, and colors for my cover from several options. I had taken pictures of J.C. and chose the ones I thought would work well on the cover.

Marketing my books continues to be a challenge. I have done a lot of research online to learn about marketing and distribution. I have joined newsgroups, writing groups, and visited many websites such as Midwest Book Review, Writing Resource Center, Authors Den, Small Press Center, and Publishers Marketing Association. I read several books about self-publishing (John Kremer's, 1001 ways to Market Your Book, is one of the best).  I also designed my own website, Another Way to Help the Homeless, which provides information about homelessness. Marketing is tough--I am a writer, not a salesman. But my strong belief in the value of my book motivates me to keep trying to market it.

CT: How do you find time to do all the things you do? Between running back and forth between Ohio and New York City to be with J.C., all your detective work, publishing, marketing, teaching, writing, having a family, how do you do it?

LA: My experience of researching and writing someone's story was an adventure for me, something I had never done before. I was energized because I discovered a world of exploring, taking chances, traveling, researching, and writing. The commitment I had to J.C. motivated me to keep going, and I was determined to tell his story. But there were times I felt drained, especially from the lengthy phone calls with J.C.  

CT: What types of precautions did you take to protect yourself as an author so that someone wouldn't accuse you of invasion of privacy?

LA: I was unaware of the possible ramifications that can accompany telling someone's story, so I didn't take any precautions.  I wrote as honestly as I could, but it was very important that I protected the privacy of J.C.'s family. J.C. gave me verbal permission to write whatever I wanted about him. I haven't had any negative responses regarding the privacy issue.

CT: How did you compile or chronicle your research? Any methods you used that you can share with other writers?

LA: The key to effective research is organization. I set up many folders (on my computer and office  cabinet) and filed material accordingly. This helped me the most when I needed to locate specific information. I found several websites that dealt with homelessness. I copied and pasted many of their articles and links in folders on my computer and printed out those that I wanted to read more closely. I also spent a lot of time at the library and bookstores, locating, purchasing, and reading books about homelessness, mental illness, racism, and poverty. I strongly recommend documenting sources, to avoid wasting hours trying to locate the sources of articles later (which I had to do!)

CT: You were once called by THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW, and at one point someone was interested in optioning your book for a TV film. What happened? Has there been anymore interest developing along those lines?

LA: J.C.'s story was too controversial. His story was appealing when it was a feel good kind of tale, but once details of J.C.'s life came out, the interest died. J.C. was not a victim of society--his choices determined the course of his life.

CT: Is it harder to sell your book because it does not provide any quick fixes? or easy answers?

LA: I think that the topic of homelessness itself limits the sales of my books. My books sell well to persons who are interested in this topic, such as students, social workers, volunteers, counselors, teachers, and professors.  Libraries and universities are a stronger market for my books than bookstores. Although my book does not provide any quick fixes, I feel that it is very informative, both a professional and personal way. I have had some of the most thought-provoking discussions with people who have read my book because of the tough questions I posed.

CT: You mention the familiarity of homelessness. I got that feeling about J.C. throughout reading your two books. It reminded me of something that often occurs with the institutionalization of prisoners or mental health patients. They become so used to their lack of freedom, that they feel more secure being in a locked-up environment than they do when released. So, how does this occur with homelessness where there are no physical doors other than the ones that are often slammed in their faces? Can these people become locked into their environment?

LA: A feeling of familiarity and comradeship occurs among homeless persons. Homelessness is a subculture that has its own rules (i.e. that's my corner) and freedoms, but also provides a sense of security.  A fear of failure and feeling of separateness makes a homeless person reluctant to reenter society. It's easier to not take the chance than to have to risk failure again. Although the life of a homeless person doesn't seem very pleasant, he/she doesn't have to deal with issues of responsibility, accountability, and conformity.

CT: Do you feel J.C. would have benefited from professional counseling? Is he getting that now?

LA: I don't think J.C. would benefit from counseling because in his mind, he is not the one with the problems! A counselor is just one more person he could manipulate.  

CT: How concerned were you that while writing the book you could have been enabling him by doing too much for him out of the friendship that developed between you? Now that the books are finished, will you maintain your friendship? Will you set more boundaries?

LA: Once I realized that J.C. was capable of taking care of himself, I made the decision to not visit him anymore. His interest in me went beyond friendship, and that presented a tension in our relationship. The greatest boundary I set was making this decision. I do stay in touch with J.C.'s family. J.C. has my address, though, and he can write to me at any time.

CT: How does he feel about the book now that it has been completed, since some of your reactions and opinions were not favorable toward him?

LA: I haven't talked to him since I published the second book. Although he gave me free rein to write whatever I wanted, I would expect that he probably does not like how I portrayed him in the book. What have you learned about compassion now that the second book has been completed? Any hard questions you are still asking yourself?

I hoped that my efforts to reunite J.C. with his kids would have been more successful. I wish that he had done more to help himself, instead of depending upon me. I feel that I enabled him too much, but setting boundaries was part of my learning process. J.C. is now helping himself, and I don't know if he would have ended up doing this with or without my commitment to him over the years. I made a difference in his life did, if by no other way than by my example. I think J.C. was so amazed that a complete stranger was willing to do so much for him, without wanting anything in return. I think he has that goodness inside himself, and hopefully he is doing something to help others now.

CT: Do you worry that any of the conclusions drawn in your book might deter others from feeling compassion for the homeless?

LA: This has been my biggest concern. But I hope that through my honesty, people will realize that efforts to help others may not always be well-received, but that shouldn't deter our efforts. The reality of homelessness is that if someone is homeless and has been for a long period of time, they have serious problems and there isn't any quick fix that any of us can offer.

CT: Will any of the proceeds from the book sales go toward helping the homeless?

LA: The proceeds from the first book helped J.C. get off the streets. Now that he is being helped by a social service agency, I am using my book sales to pay for the costs of self-publishing my books.

CT: What's the most important message you'd like to get across to the readers of these two books?

LA: We aren't responsible for others, yet our ability to reach out to one another makes this world a better place One never knows how our actions affect others. There is a bigger plan, a connectiveness that makes our lives stronger and better when we care about others. Compassion is the only way our world can become a better place. Marianne Williamson is an author/speaker who has inspired me a great deal. She says, "If we don't do it, who will?” I was helping J.C, and by extending my love, I also learned about myself.

CT: Any new projects?

LA: I am currently working on a children's picture book about homeless, entitled "Saturday's Cups". This is a story about a young girl, Abby, and her mother. They take the train into the city every Saturday to pass out food to the homeless. Abby learns about homelessness through her mother's commitment to show her that all people need to feel valued and loved, regardless of their situation.

Part I

Relevant Links: