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It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Michael Floissac, author of Thank You! With Deepest Gratitude

Author’s Bio: Working hard and wanting to be of service to others has been front and center in the life of Michael Floissac since he was a child.  Originating from the small Caribbean Island of Dominica, Michael immigrated to the United States in his teens, and upon graduating high school, he embarked on a four-year active-duty tour in the United States Navy. This was a great opportunity to be part of a team frequently tasked with responding to crises and humanitarian emergencies around the world at a moment’s notice.  Currently, Michael resides in the Washington, DC metro area and is a Federal Government Attorney.  

When not blogging on www.michaelfloissac.com, you can find him connecting with his friends and followers on Facebook and Instagram. Michael welcomes hearing from his readers, so please feel free to reach out to him via his website or through social media. 

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book? 

Michael Floissac: My inspiration for writing this book, came from a conversation I had with my wife one evening, where she shared that in the wake of all the violence on TV, this world was affecting her mental health. I responded that, while all these issues are important, maybe we should change the narrative and put something positive out into the universe, and this is how Thank You! With Deepest Gratitude was born.   

DL: How do you handle writer’s block? 

MF: I think writer’s block is not a bad thing for me. It is a chance to take a break, go for a walk, or a chance to get one of my favorite treats, a peanut butter milkshake. And funny enough, it seems for me a peanut butter milkshake can cure anything. Then I am ready to write again. 

DL: What do you think makes a good story? 

MF: I think we all have a story to tell, should one only dare to listen. I love hearing the stories of others, their life lessons, their thoughts on all topics and just their impressions on this journey of life that we are all on. I am a firm believer in learning from the actions of others and I think that through listening to their stories, one can glean valuable life lessons. 

DL: What were some of the challenges when writing this book? 

MF: I faced many challenges and I had lots to learn, all throughout the writing process.  There was lots of learning around how you write something that someone else may want to read. This was overcome once I decided on the structure of the book. There was also the challenge of knowing when the book was ready to be published. I could have spent years writing, revising and revising, but I had to decide at some point it was ready to be published. 

Like most writers, I am my biggest critic; oftentimes I may write something that, after a couple weeks, once I look at it again, I realize that my writing has evolved, and I cannot believe what I’m reading. I think, like all, we grow, we learn, we develop, and we get better at our craft. I also had to learn about the editing process of books, then the publishing process; it was constant learning and new discovery all along the way.  

DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult? 

MF: I have always loved books and enjoy reading. For me a good book is a chance to wonder off and be entrenched in the story I am reading. I have always loved reading all kinds of books but tend to enjoy biographies, mainly because I think everyone has a story to tell and I love reading about how others have overcome challenges and how in those moments they became stronger for their respective experiences. 

One book that has influenced me is The Prophet by Kahil Gibran. This book is dear to me because I really enjoyed the way it was written. Reading it, to me, is a way of practicing to let go of things in my life. It reminds me that we are just passing through and not to take things too seriously. I think this book is like therapy for me and I tend to read it at least once or twice a year.   

DL: If you could choose a superpower, what would it be and why? 

MF: I would choose the power of being able to put a smile on the face of others. The ability to lighten the load of a fellow human being by invoking a smile. If I had a superhero name, it would be “Smiling Jack.” There’s a story behind this:  I have always enjoyed exercise, maybe more than most and the thought of a run, pushups or any form of exercise would put a smile on my face. Therefore, when I was in the military (US Navy) and we were told we were going to have to do pushups, as some form of punishment for something, it always brought a smile to my face and my instructors in bootcamp called me “Smiling Jack.” 

DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers? 

MF: My advice for aspiring writers is to be patient. Write when you can, and it does not have to be every day. I wrote at least 15 minutes a day most days, and some days not, but over months you will have a finished product. The aim is to keep writing and before you know it you will have a page, then two, and so on. 

DL: What can you tell us about Thank You! With Deepest Gratitude?

MF: Part devotional, autobiography, and workbook, Thank You! With Deepest Gratitude will awaken you to new perspectives on life, and lead you down a path to increased hope, positivity, and appreciation for the world around you.  Each standalone chapter in the book delves into the author's insights and personal stories, divided in to 15 topics such as nature, freedom, parents, friends, music, and time.  Then, the focus turns to the reader, with simple questions and challenges to guide you through reflection and application of what you've learned.  This easy-to-read methodical structure is smoothly complemented by the author's poetic voice and wit, motivational quotes throughout, and charming original illustrations. 

DL: What do you like to do when you are not writing? 

MF: I enjoy going to the beach and just generally spending time with my family. We are blessed to have two toddlers at this time in life and they are such a joy. It is always a challenge to be 100 percent present with them during the week, with work, cleaning the house and preparing their lunch for daycare the next day, but we try. We look forward so much to the weekends when we can plan fun activities and just work on building sustainable memories that one day they can look back and have some wonderful memories to recall. 

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and purchase your book?

MF: Readers can find out more about me and my book here:

DL: Thanks so much for being here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work. 

MF: Thanks again for the opportunity!




 


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