Part 2 with Arnold Greenberg (J.E. Wiseman)

Hello everyone, here is the second half of Arnold's question and answer session.

1. Who inspired you to write?  

                

No one inspired me to write. I received no encouragement or support from my parents or teachers. The word inspired means, “in spirited.” What does it mean to be “inspired? Where do poems and stories come from? I wonder if I was born to be a writer because it became what I found myself naturally doing. Inspiration to me is a mysterious force that compels me to write poetry and stories. I feel blessed. It's what I do.

2.  What’s your dream vacation spot?

                

I have always wanted to live on a Greek Island and several years ago was able to take a three week workshop on Spetes where we wrote every day and studied the Odyssey.  I'm also drawn to Costa Rica.

3.   Where did the inspiration for your latest book come from?

                

My last book, “The Blue Guitar” was inspired by the Orpheus-Eurydice legend. I was also fascinated by how Orrin, the central character is drawn to the blue guitar he accidently sees in the window of a music store. He finds himself wanting to learn how to play it.  It was an incident that changed his life and I am fascinated by how things happen and often wonder--is it random or destiny? It reminds me of how I started writing. Anyway, I wanted to tell a contemporary version of the Orpheus legend and explore how a sudden decision becomes his life's passion.

               

I just finished writing a novella titled, “The Drifter” but it's not published yet.  It's like a “road movie” with the two central characters, who are lovers, on the run and meeting  lots of fascinating characters. The female character, Carla is wanting to escape her repressive environment and takes off with a drifter.

4.  Have you always written romance or do you have other genres published as well?

                

I started writing romance stories several years ago and now have thirteen books under the name J.E. Wiseman. I know most romance writers and readers are women, but I like writing about relationships from the male and female point of view. What is more important than love and sex and I like exploring interesting and complex relationships. I also have several books published under my real name, Arnold Greenberg. I have a trilogy based on the Atlantis legend. Again, I can't explain what inspired me to write about Atlantis. I started doing a lot of research and wrote each of the novels for my children. “Twins of Atlantis” was written for my twin sons when they were nine. I wrote a chapter every morning then read it to them that night at bed time. “Daughters of Atlas” was written for my daughter and “Children of the Dream” was written for my oldest son. I wrote a novel called “Spam” about a man who turns his suburban property into a small farm which outrages his neighbors who want lawns. I have a novel about the Quakers and the American Revolution title, “Revolution and the Journal of Joshua Johnson—A Ghost Story.” I have a collection of nine short stories title, “Rainbows End” and have finished the first draft of a novel titled “Chaordia—A Novel of Transformation.” I'm eager to get to work on refining that book. The word Chaordia is a combination of the words chaos and order. It's about climate change and suggests the Phoenix rising out of the ashes. All of my Arnold Greenberg e-books are available on Amazon.

5.  What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

                

Laughs. Now that's a good question. My favorite flavor ice cream is Mint Chocolate, but I also like Vanilla Fudge.

I'd like to thank Arnold Greenberg for taking the time to chat with us, and wish him much success. I hope you'll enjoy his work.

Available today at:  Secret Cravings Publishing

The Blue Guitar is a contemporary love story based on the Orpheus-Eurydice legend and tells how Orrin, a shy janitor in an office building, has a crush on Emily, a personal assistant in a law firm. He knows if she could hear his music, she would fall in love with him. 

Orrin discovered the blue guitar in a music store when he was twelve and was mysteriously drawn to it and was taught to play classical guitar by the man who made it and knew Orrin was meant to have it. 

One night, Emily comes to the cafe where Orrin plays background music and she is captivated by the beauty of his playing. He now has the love of his life, but his happiness is suddenly taken when Emily is hit by a drunk driver. While she is in a coma, he plays his guitar, hoping to bring her out with his music, but is forced to stop because of the disturbance he is creating. When he returns, she is gone from his life. 

Though broken hearted,the poignant story ends with Orrin playing his beautiful music that inspires others to fall in love and brings the possibility of a new love to his life. 

Welcome author Arnold Greenberg, who also writes under the pseudonym J.E. Wiseman

The wonderful author Arnold Greenberg (J.E. Wiseman) has agreed to give us a little peek into who he is and some of the things he enjoys. The picture posted here is where Arnold spends his time writing. I don't know about you, but I would love to have such a beautiful, secluded spot to put pen to paper.

Now I'll let Arnold tell you a little bit about himself.

1. When did you realize you wanted to be an   

author?

              

I grew up in a house without books and remember my parents never read to me; however, for some reason, I started writing poetry when I was nine and liked trying to express myself. I started writing stories when I was about thirteen. I found myself writing a lot of poetry and then one day when I was twenty-one realized I must be a poet.  It just came to me and I decided if I'm a poet, I want to be a master. So I studied the craft of poetry by reading a lot and practicing different forms. It's a mystery to me how I became a writer when there was nothing in my growing up to influence me. I just suddenly found myself wanting to write poetry and stories.  

2. What was the last movie you watched, and did you enjoy it?

I love movies. The last movie I watched was Woody Allen's “Annie Hall.”  I hadn't seen it in years and thoroughly enjoyed it. I mostly watch foreign movies and enjoy the slower, more detailed way they tell a story. It's interesting, when I'm writing a story I feel like I'm watching a movie.  

3. How do you get your story ideas? Do you people watch or do the ideas come to you at odd times?   

             

I do people watch and often wonder what their story is, but most of my ideas just pop into my head and unfold. I just start writing with little or no idea where I am going or what's going to happen. It's a fascinating process. The characters and story take on a life of their own. Once I have the first draft of the book, I go back and edit, refine, develop and it goes through several drafts. It's hard work. I'm glad I have a wonderful editor who helps enhance my writing.

4. What do you like to read in your free time? Your genre only or do your tastes vary?

              

I love reading The New Yorker.  It comes weekly and is filled with great articles and often a good short story. I love reading biographies and just finished a wonderful biography about Albert Einstein. I like doing research for my books. 

5. How do you eat your popcorn, buttered to the hilt or plain?

I don't butter my popcorn. I like spicy food and usually use Tabasco sauce on my popcorn. Sometimes I sprinkle a little salt or garlic powder on it.

There are more questions and answers to come, stay tuned for more about Arnold Greenberg (J.E. Wiseman). While you're waiting please check out his book Max and Rosie available at:

Secret Cravings Publishing

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

This is a wonderful story about love, loss, and finding love again.

For thirty-seven years, Max has been a devoted, loving husband. When Rosie is dying of Alzheimer's, he has been her primary caregiver until he agrees to his daughter Leah's insistence that they hire a live-in nurse. Robin is not only a competent nurse, she is also beautiful and sexy and Max finds himself increasingly desiring her and feeling guilty. He doesn't want to betray his marriage vows. Robin also finds herself falling in love with Max, but she is also resisting letting anything happen. Even though, Rosie no longer recognizes Max, he remains devoted to her, even though he desires Robin. When she dies, Robin's job as a nurse is over. He is dreading her leaving.  While Max is watching her reluctantly packing, he doesn't know how to prevent the inevitable until something amazing happens that changes both of their lives.