Topic: Author Interview
Jimmy Copeland the person:
1. What three words do you think describe you as a human being?
I believe three words that describe me as a human being are integrity, character, and compassionate. I believe every person has certain qualities that make them who they are. I believe these 3 words should be lived, and not just spoken of. I believe that these things are rooted within me, thus exhibitive from me.
2. How do you think others would describe you?
I believe others would describe me as outgoing, positive, and diligent. I am a communicator; I received my Bachelor's Degree in Speech Communications. I have been told I talk too much. So I have learned how to curve this strength, hone it, and use it to my benefit. The greatest skill I have learned as a communicator is to listen. This is a bit of advice that I have picked up. If you listen enough to people in a variety of situations, most people will end up telling you their life, without you even saying a word. Most people just want someone to listen to them, and encourage them. The sad thing is that a lot of people in society are always talking and they end up talking louder and louder just so that someone will listen to them. Another thing, I have learned is that when you speak, make your words count. Its not the quantity of words spoken, but the quality.
3. Please tell us what you are most passionate about outside of writing.
My family. I am a firm believer that life is full of regrets. Most people on their death bed don't wish they had more money, more business, and were more popular. Most people wish they would have spent more time with their loved ones. I try to maximize this I am also passionate about encouraging others to be the best they can be. I am passionate about speaking positivity into people's life and planting a seed. Every great man or women, has root in their life where can kind word was spoken or they were encouraged by an action. Someone planted a seed in their life. The greatest seed one can plant in someone's life is time. I believe if I can encourage others and plant this seed, than I won't affect just one person, but I can affect multitudes. Everyone needs a kind word or a helping hand.
4. Do you have any pets? If so, introduce us to them.
I have two cats. Cake and Cookie, they are kittens are new presents for my daughters.
5. What is your most precious memory?
My most precious memory was when I said I do when I married my wife, Tiffany. At that moment I felt and also knew that I was truly becoming a part of something greater than myself. My second most precious memory is when my girls, Essence and Trinity were born. It was a miraculous day knowing that I had the responsibility of a Life. Everyday I live, I cherish, because each day I pray that God inputs on my heart as a memory. Children grow up fast, and we have to take the time out of our busy lives to cherish each moment. One day they'll be independent, gone and pursuing their passions in life.
6. What is your most embarrassing memory?
My most embarrassing memory was when I was playing college football for Texas A&M University-Commerce. I was on defense playing free safety. The game was almost over. We were winning 28-0. The opposing team was desperate to score. So the quarterback called a play and threw the ball at his wide receiver. I was playing defense so I jumped as high as I could to intercept the football. The football went through my hands, (it actually touched my hands), and the opposing team's wide receiver caught the football. He ran it in for the score. The stopped are chance for a shut out. I felt really bad after that. My coach looked at me, shook his head, and sent me to the bench. This game was a home game, so all the University Fans saw my blooper.
7. If you weren't a writer, what would you be doing with your life?
I am a Special Education Teacher by trade. I love teaching. I am certified through the state of Texas Early Childhood through 12th grade. I also love Education as well. It gives me joy to help people discover things about themselves or things that they can accomplish. It is like a parent who teaches their child how to ride a bike. The look on their child's eyes when they are riding by themselves for the first 30 feet is life changing, the look of fear, excitement, and expectation all rolled into one. They have the security knowing that the parent is their to help, but the excitement knowing that they are doing things by themselves. Teaching to me is about encouraging people to be successful through academics. Once they learn something new, it changes their mindset and opens the heart to the new adventures in learning.
8. In two paragraphs or less write your obituary.
Here lies Jimmy Henry Copeland III. Jimmy was a 3rd Generation Copeland, named after his grandfather Jim Copeland Sr. Jim made it a goal to encourage others to look within themselves and bring out their best. He loved people and loved it when people realized how great they are and walked in it. Copeland loved his family and cherished every moment he had with them. Copeland realized that he is here for a purpose, and believed that everyday spent breathing was in effort to accomplish the task of fulfilling that purpose. Copeland is survived by his wife, Tiffany, and his daughters, Essence and Trinity.
Jimmy Copeland the writer:
9. Can you describe the time you realized you were indeed a "real" writer?
I realized I was a real writer when I woke up writing and went to sleep writing. All I could think about was conveying my message, and when I was done, I was at peace and felt complete.
10. What is going on with your writing these days?
I am currently working on a writing piece, which discusses the battles we face in life. Are we prepared for these battles? Will we win the war of Life? This piece will explore different adversities people face, how we need to gear up for them, why we are defeated, and how we need to prepare. The goal of this piece is to encourage others to live victoriously in every aspect of their life. At this time, however, it is in its infancy.
11. What are your future goals for your writing?
My goal is to change the world through a word. In other words a Word decides whether we live or die, marry a person, or feel love for the first time. I believe through my writing, my goal is to inspire others to be positive and push toward their goals. Never giving up is a pathway to success, but we must make sure that we are not running blindly. My goal is to inspire others to run, but to run with their eyes open wide and a smile on their face because they are having fun doing what they love to do. When you are doing what you love, you run hard and long. You don't pace yourself because your passionate about what you are doing.
12. Can you describe a typical writing day for you?
A typical writing day is a day is full of jumbled up thoughts and sayings. I try to write them down as fast as I can. They are not in sequence, nor in order, but are springboards for the future. Sometimes I might hear something notable so I write it down. The world is full of books and stories. The sad thing is that so many people die with theirs. I am a firm believer that there is someone in this world that can benefit from your story. The sad thing is that there is a good chance they will never hear it. That story could inspire them and change their life forever. When you walk around and listen, you can pick up wisdom and understanding from a variety of different sources and people. You learn about consequences, good, and bad. You learn also about mistakes people make in life, of course it is up to you whether or not you to choose to learn from it. As I said before a lot of people are talking and few are listening. If we listen, we can learn about different paths to take and risks to make. We can also learn how to live victoriously. Most writers are not made because of all the knowledge they have, but they are made because of all the applied understanding they have gained from others. We are a product of others, from the books we read, household we are raised in, and demographics we are born into. A typical writing day contains a little bit from everyone.
13. Why do you write?
I write to inspire and encourage others to find peace within themselves, and that their skills, passions, and giftings lie within themselves. All they must do is expound on their skills and maximize their potential. It is an honor to speak positivity and encouragement into others lives, especially using my life as an example. If you notice in our society today our children have low self esteems, more adults are suffering from depression, and even obesity. People just don't feel good about who they are. People need to be inspired and encouraged, and this is not by me, but by who they are and what they can be. If people could truly look in the mirror and evaluate themselves they would see that they are an over comer and are somebody who can make a difference. It is OK to be different. Every great man in our lifetime, had to take a risk and be different. They are known as trendsetters or the elite.
14. What writer most inspires you?
Martin Luther King Jr., and Edwin Louis Cole Sr.
Why?
Martin Luther King Jr. was an educated man of integrity and character. He was bold in expressing his views on equality and faith. This one man changed the world with an open heart, spirit-filled life, communication, and a passion for people.
Edwin Louis Cole also was an educated man filled with wisdom, which has encouraged me to be the best man I can be for God, country, and family. He encouraged and demanded that men live and walk with character and integrity and only settled for God's best in their lives. His wisdom and words have touched millions and his books have transformed my life.
15. How do you define your writing?
Positive, Inspiring, and Passionate
16. In one sentence-what do you want people to say about your writing in fifty years?
His writing encouraged, uplifted, and exhorted people in being all they could be.
Jimmy Copeland the details:
17. Can you tell us where to find more information on you? Website? Blog?
Here recently in April an Article was written in the Beaumont Enterprise about me. my family, and the release of my book. The title of the article is called Unlocking Life's Secrets. If they were to put this title in their search engine or look up Beaumont Enterprise, than click on features and scroll down, they can find the article. They can also see find more information about me at http://gettingpublished.ning.com/profile/JimCopeland5
18. Is there a place where readers can reach you?
They can reach me on my blog site at http://jimcopeland.weebly.com/index.html
or
http://gettingpublished.ning.com/profile/JimCopeland5
or
They can also reach me through Living Waters Publishing Company.
19. Can you list all your book titles so people can look for them?
Life is a Game
20. For new readers-what can they expect when they read your book(s)?
I expect readers to be encouraged, and uplifted. I expect readers to read the novel and be exhorted to get up and do what they are passionate about doing. For those who are working within their gifts and passions, I hope they will find that need in society in which there is a demand for their skills and fill that need.
In conclusion:
21. Take as much space as necessary to speak to our readers-what would you like them to know about you and your writing?
Dear Readers,
I appreciate your support and investment. My goal is to inspire you to be successful in all your endeavors.
This book is for everyone, however, I have a special message for young people, Teenagers and Pre-teens, alike I do understand how hard it is to find yourself. I have moved 27 times in my lifetime. I went to 3 different high schools. I am 28 years old. I am the product of a military family. I understand how it feels to break ties with friends and move forward. I know how it feels to be forgotten. I know how it feels to be alone, and trying to fit in. Through my trials and transitions, I found that the harder I tried to fit in, the more I lost myself. When I say losing myself, I mean I lost my identity. I was so busy trying to fit in, that I became more like them for acceptance and less like me. I slowly began to see through negative and positive choices that all I need is within me, and all I have to do is to be myself. Being who God created me to be is all that is necessary for me to have joy and peace in my life. There is nothing wrong with being an individual. All great men and women in the past had to stand-alone for a season. After standing alone, people gravitated to them. People gravitate to strong people, because they have something that they need. You have what they need, so be that trendsetter and strong person.
Readers, sometimes you have to go where no one has gone, to be something no one has been. I work in a Federal Penitentiary with some of the most violent people in the world. My job is to provide educational services to them, through counseling, and direct instruction. I love what I do because I love to communicate and teach. I know also that in this field I can aspire to be the best. Not many people want to do what I do, but it gives me joy, and I know and the end of the day I have peace. Knowing that I gave it my all and provided an opportunity for someone to be successful is life changing for me. I also know that I look forward to going to work everyday. I believe you can be even better. I do have my bad days, but I have to count up the cost and search myself to see where my passion and commitment lie. Do I want to give up? A lot of times, the guys I teach aren't very nice, however, I know if I can touch that one person's life, maybe he can make a difference in his child's life. If he can make a difference in his child's life, then maybe his family may be changed. One positive seed sewn (word of encouragement or good deed) can change the world. Will we be world changers or changed by others?
One of the most dangerous things in life is contentment. It causes us to be lazy, and limits our accomplishments. It's time to break that string of contentment. I hope this book inspires you to look into yourself and get up and do something. Revisit those ambitions, passions, and gifts that are within you. It's time to walk in those giftings. This book is short and simplistic, the book is not meant to be a novel or a 3-week reader. I hope this book gives you a jolt of encouragement that causes you to think about what gives or gave you joy, and assess where you are today. I also hope it causes you to think of where you want to be tomorrow. Life is a game; your success lies in how you play it.
I know this book will encourage you and re-affirm some things you have within you. All I ask is that if you know someone who might need encouragement or a positive word. Please share this book with them. It is a short and simple read. I believe this book to be one you can read several times and draw new insight from it. If the book has blessed your life, please write a review about it. I challenge you to live with integrity. Your past makes you who you are, but your passion determines whom you can be.
