Interview with J. Pearl-Wisdom, author of Escaping Quicksand

What can you tell us about your new release, Escaping Quicksand?

Escaping Quicksand, is a collection of 33 true short stories. Some stories are about the glory of an old-fashioned childhood, playing outside, cross-country road trips in the station wagon, holidays in pajamas and homemade chocolate cake. Some stories are about incredible people in my life…ever travel the United States in an RV with a hot air balloon on the back? Some stories are about being a wife, mother and career professional, but all are about finding humor and moving forward in life especially in the face of extraordinary circumstances with practical tips and survival lessons.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

Without question, my oldest son. He is just like me and I had to share the stories of Escaping Quicksand, to give him an understanding of who I am, why and what I want him to know about life. And, because, the weakest ink is better than the strongest memory — Chinese proverb

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

Dan Brown’s DaVinci code because it was the first book I read for pleasure after college and my first experience of staying up late because I had to read another chapter.

Buddha’s Brain by Rick Hansen because I was a stressed out over anxious control freak when I started reading it and able to teach myself how to relax my body and calm my mind when I was done reading it for the fifth time.

Henry and Rigsby by Beverly Clearly. My two boys and I listen to it during car rides. I love the simplicity of the time period and gaining insight into the mischief of young boys.

1984 by George Orwell. Even in school I knew I was reading something really important, a warning to not give up the power over your own life.

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell. I love the chapter on predicting marriage success. It was so important because I was a really resentful person, but had a lifelong goal to have a long, happy and successful marriage.

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander series. How much of the storyline of the entire series did you have in your head before you started writing Outlander?

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

I love when the point or feeling of what I want communicated is clearly coming through, especially if it is remotely funny.

What is a typical day like for you?

Five days a week I am at my client’s office by 7am for a full day of technology implementation support. I am a Certified Public Accountant, I have a Master’s degree in Tax Law, but I found a niche in helping organizations implement change (everyone LOVES change, right?) via technology. There is never a dull day.

I am welcomed home by my two kids, the golden doodle and my husband before dinner. After bedtime, I am collapsed on the couch with my laptop to either write or promote Escaping Quicksand, while the tv is on.

My weekends begin with a walk around the lake, youth sports and ends at Sunday dinner with my husband’s family.

What scene in Escaping Quicksand was your favorite to write?

Chapter 13 of Escaping Quicksand is the shortest and my favorite. It still makes me chuckle. It is about my childhood trip to the grocery store with my sister on our bikes to buy a can of something. Spoiler alert: we came home empty-handed.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

J. Pearl-Wisdom is the author of the new book Escaping Quicksand.