Pump Up Your Book Chats with Motivational Speaker & Author Judi Moreo
Author Interviews, Featured — By Dorothy Thompson on February 7, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Judi Moreo & friends will be right in this very spot live on Monday, February 8 from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m., answering any questions you may have about their motivational anthology, Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths (Turning Point International).
Leave a question or comment (along with your email address) between now and Friday, February 19 and you may win a free copy of her book!
The lucky winner will be announced on February 22.
ONLY THOSE LEAVING EMAIL ADDRESSES ARE ELIGIBLE. YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WILL ONLY BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS CONTEST.
Thank you and good luck!
Judi Moreo’s expertise as a communicator is in demand by associations, organizations and corporations worldwide. She has presented keynote speeches, workshops, and seminars in twenty-six countries on four continents.
She has nine books to her credit including her best selling, “You Are More Than Enough: Every Woman’s Guide to Purpose, Passion, and Power.”
Judi is a successful entrepreneur. In 2003, the US Business Advisory Council named her as Nevada Business Person of the Year. In 1986, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce honored her as “Woman of Achievement – Entrepreneur.”
She is the Past President of both the Greater Las Vegas Advertising Federation and the Las Vegas Professional Speakers Association, served as the Western Regional Advisor for the prestigious National Speakers Association for two years, and was awarded the “Outstanding Achievement and Community Service Award” by the American Women in Radio and Television.
In 1992, she became the first female executive in one of South Africa’s most prestigious corporations ably assisting this corporation to global re-entry at the time of the abolition of apartheid.
Judi is also the mastermind behind the exciting new motivational anthology titled Life Choices: Navigating Difficult Paths. You can visit her personal site at www.judimoreo.com or the book’s website at www.lifechoicesbook.com.
Thank you for this interview, Judi. Do you remember writing stories as a child or did the writing bug come later? Do you remember your first published piece?
I have always been a story teller. As a child, I had imaginary friends and I told them all stories. In fifth grade, I started writing them down and by the time I was a junior in high school, I had my own column in the city newspaper.
What do you consider as the most frustrating side of becoming a published author and what has been the most rewarding?
The most frustrating side of become a published author is the marketing. You know you have a book that will make a difference in the lives of others and you have to convince the world that it is worthy enough to get noticed. That’s more than a full time job by itself and yet I have other stories in me that want to get told…so how do I market and write more at the same time.
Life Choices by Judi Moreo & friends (click on cover to purchase)
Are you married or single and how do you combine the writing life with home life? Do you have support
I’m single. No other support. I support myself. Writing and speaking. I’ve found that by doing presentations, I sell the majority of my books. Publishers love me for that reason.
What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing? Where do you like to vacation? Can you tell us briefly about this?
I’ve recently started painting. Watercolors. I love it. I spend every Saturday morning in art class and I carry a sketch pad with me now. I like to vacation on the beach or in the African bush. Most of my holidays are spent in South Africa as I have so many friends there. I lived in Africa for several years and it feels like home.
If you could be anywhere in the world for one hour right now, where would that place be and why?
I’d be at home…in my bed …snuggled up with a good book.
Who is your biggest fan?
My biggest fan? That’s hard because I have so many! (lol) My mom was always my biggest fan, but she passed away many years ago… so I guess my next biggest fan would be one of my sisters…which one.. I’m not sure. They are all supportive.
Where’s your favorite place to write at home?
In bed!
Do you have any pets?
Yes, I have two wonderful pets. Burmese cats. Shotsie and Brut. Shotsie is the subject of my Ultimate Cat Lover story, “Shotsie, Career Cat.” She loves her job working in the office and making sure my personal assistant does her job. Brut, on the other hand, is a brat. He’s into everything and onto everyone. He loves people.
Tell us a secret no one else knows.
My favorite food is peanut butter! Everyone thinks it is green beans..but it’s not. It’s really peanut butter.
What’s on your to do list today?
Go to church then to lunch at The Paris Hotel across the street from the Bellagio, sit on the terrace and watch the dancing waters.
Now I’ve got a couple of fun questions for you. If Tom Hanks, in the movie Cast Away, unearthed a copy of your book, how would that help him find a way off the island?
It might not help him get off the island, but it would certainly make him realize that his situation is not so bad.
You have a chance to appear on the hit talent show for authors, American Book Idol, with judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara Dioguardi and the newest addition, Ellen DeGeneres, to determine whether your book will make it to Hollywood and become a big screenplay where you’d make millions of dollars. What would impress them more – your book cover, an excerpt or your author photo – and why?
Well, all three are impressive, but there are at least 10 Movies of the Week in the stories in “Life Choices.” These authors have revealed things about their lives that many of us would never imagine. How they lived through some of the difficult situations they have had is very hard for me to understand and yet, they have all become very successful people.
You just got word that your book has received the 2010 NY Times Bestselling Book Award and you have to attend the ceremony to give an acceptance speech. Anyone who’s anyone will be there and it’s your shot for stardom. What would you say and who would you thank?
I would thank the other 25 authors that contributed to this book for not only being who they are, but writing their stories. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with them.
I understand that you are touring with Pump Up Your Book Promotion in February and March via a virtual book tour. Can you tell us all why you chose a virtual book tour to promote your book online?
I chose a virtual book tour because Dorothy Thompson at Pump Up Your Book did a virtual book tour of my book, “You Are More Than Enough” and she got the book loads of publicity.
Thank you for this interview, Judi. Good luck on your virtual book tour!
My pleasure. Thank you.
You can visit Judi’s tour page here!
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32 Comments
I am greatly honored to have my story included in this collection of inspiring stories. It is my sincere hope that the story of my journey with breast cancer can uplift and encourage at least one person. Life is a series of journeys and no one should feel like they have to go through them alone. The stories in this book will share how some everyday people met with roadblocks and made it to the other side a better and wiser person.
I want to welcome Judi and all her authors for visiting us today! I know this was a tremendous undertaking and we’ll be discussing this in a few but I wanted to let all the authors of Life Choices know we’re happy to have them here today!
Judi, I think I’ll start out with a question for you. How did you come in contact with all these wonderful people?
Hi Vickie!
I can’t wait to hear your story. Judi is sending me a copy for review and I’ll get that chance! Are you cancer free now, Vickie?
Thank you for asking! Yes, I celebrated 3 years of being cancer free in September 2009.
I would love it if everyone can tell us briefly what their story is all about!
Judi, I remember putting together my own anthology, Romancing the Soul, a few years ago and it was a lot of work but so satisfying. What did you come away with when it was all said and done?
For anyone – how has your life changed since the book?
Judi, in your interview, you mention traveling to South Africa…I remember you talking about it the last time you toured and I am just so captivated by this. Who do you stay with or do you have a place of your own there? What’s the weather and the people like? Do you write there or do you visit points of interest?
Since I wrote my story I was asked to carry one of 8 survivor flags in the Susan Komen 3-Day Walk which was an incredible honor. To know that I was representing so many people who never had the opportunity to share in the walk was so emotional it is difficult to find words for it.
Because of the book I did have an opportunity to share something with an audience that I feel very strongly about – the fact that the new recommendation for baseline mammograms start now at 50 years of age. If I hadn’t had a mammogram until that age the cancer in my breast would have had three and a half years to grow and invade my body which I’m certain would have reduced the chances of becoming cancer free AND having both my breasts. The book has opened doors for me to share my passion about early detection and research to end breast cancer. Breast cancer may have touched me and other relatives but I can do all I am able to make sure it never touches future generations. Oops, did I get off on a tangent???
Wow, Vickie…what a story! I just had someone die from brain cancer 3 weeks ago…she never even knew she had it. She had been in and out of hospitals for other things…it’s just confusing that they never found it.
I’m so sorry to hear about your friend. I’ve seen others who have been diagnosed incorrectly or too late and it sometimes makes me angry. My hope is that one day there will be a vaccine or something that can be taken to eradicate cancer altogether.
This is awesome! I am still excited about the very successful book launch we had in Vegas last week. What a turnout! As I met and talked to the other conributing authors I was amazed at the variety of the stories. I hope people read this book and feel the love!
Thank you Dorothy for being interested in our life changing stories. As for myself, I was diagnosed 26 years ago with Multiple Sclerosis and I must say that I feel blessed with my disease. Although many days are more difficult than others, it’s challenges me to news ideas and means to accomomplish tasks in new and different ways. It truly has humbled me and provided me with a greater appreciation for the little things in my life and life itself.
Dorothy,
So many questions. I’ve been out shipping books all morning so let’s see if I can catch up with you. First, how did I come in contact with all these wonderful people? I knew a few of them personally and knew their stories. Then I put a notice in my free Motivational Tidbits newsletter that goes out monthly and asked if anyone had a story about Navigating Difficult Paths. Over 100 people sent their stories. I picked the ones that best fit the theme of the book and were also totally different than the other stories. I wanted to show how people make choices in many areas of their lives.
What I came away with from putting the anthology together was friendship. I now have a very close bond with each of the authors in this book. Of the 26 authors, 24 of them attended the book launch in Las Vegas. We had a marvelous time…a cocktail party at Las Vegas Rocks cafe on Fremont Street right in the middle of Glitter Gulch, a showcase of authors speaking to an audience of 300 people at the Palace Station at the Health, Wealth, Travel and Good Times Expo. A booth for signing in the Expo that over 2,000 people visited, and an after party in one of the author’s suite after the showcase. It was a grand event.
Two of the authors in the book are South Africans that I worked with when I lived in that country. Both of them came to the launch! It was such a pleasure to have them here.
How has the book changed my life? I’m now in the publishing business. Many people have asked me if I would be interested in their stories for another book………and of course, I am. This is the kind of book that changes lives…both for the writer and the reader.
Judi really has done a wonderful job in gathering the stories and writers together. Once you read the stories you will see that this is a group who just naturally had to come together in a room at least once! The book signing was an incredible experience but to see that I was with so many talented people and was considered one of them gave me a thrill I don’t think will ever leave me. The world is built on a huge diversity of people and so are the stories in the book.
Dorothy,
My story is about an opportunity that so improved my life, that I had the courage to participate in this book project.
I am passionate about Toastmasters, (an international organization that provides a warm and supportive environment for individuals to improve their speaking and leadership skills). I am a very active member, I learned a lot, and now I am able to use those skills in all areas of my life. I also share what I call the “Dark Time” in my life, the passing away of my mother. I do that because I think it is very important to always remember what you have survived, and to celebrate how strong you are.
This has been a most wonderful journey being part of the book Life’s’ Choices.
We have choices to make daily….and this book has just again made it so significant- that no matter
Where you are at, no matter how dark, how impossible your situation seems- life is about the infinity- the impossible is not knowing about the future-the unknown and choices change them around.
Coming from South Africa, and the uncertainties we are having to face daily – we have to make choices so often.-And now it is so clear- choose the best, choose the positive, choose to embrace change – this is life!
I have so enjoyed being in Las Vegas and the guest of the amazing Judi Moreo- unconditional, open , loving, caring and kind- that is what she chose! Thank you and be the best you can be
Anne Dreyer
In my darkest place I researched my brightest light and found splendor in who I had been before taking the journey into deception. Armed with the knowledge that there were truly brilliant skills and abilities within, and that there was no longer any need to play the game of “Victim”, I took the adventure through survivor and found success. All of the writers in “Life Choices” have found paths of endurance, love, survival, peace and finally the joy of being able to lend a hand to those behind us on the mountain of life.
Thank you Judi for the opportunity to be of service… it has been an unforgettable experience for me.
Susan Haller
Dorothy~
I can’t agree more with the other authors who have responded that the Life Choices book experience has been amazing. From submitting the chapter, making edits, meeting deadlines, meeting the other authors.. to book signings and this virtual book tour…it’s been beyond exciting. Kudos to Judi for orchestrating such a phenomenal venture.
As my parents said to me when I told them I either had a brain tumor, tumor on my spine, or MS, they responded with “Everyone’s got something…and this is your cross to bear.” That comment prompted me to believe that we all face adversity in our lives. What I have come to realize over the years, we don’t all accept the challenges placed in our paths the same way.
What I’ve gained from the book Life Choices, are many tidbits of strength, inspiration, wisdom, and encouragement. I only hope this collection of true experiences can make a difference in someones life.
Karen Phillips
Dorothy:
Thank you for inviting us to your forum today. In short, my story is about making the best out of your life, even when you have no control in some of the choices. I briefly talk of the great and loving people in my life to date. The challenge to take over the family corporation at the age of nineteen and growing it into a regional powerhouse. But during this time, adjusting the style of business and my life outside of it, to meet my personal growth and happiness. The giving of your time and effort to family, friends and community brings so many rewards. It is so easy, in our high-paced lives, to forget what our hopes and dreams were as we became adults. I have seen too many people wake up one day and find they are at the end of their lives and have too many regrets and unfilled dreams. That was not going to happen to me. My story covers much of my journey to date.
Stephen Philpott
It is so inspiring to be part of life choices.
My chapter is about Finding My Purpose. I was born and raised in Lebanon, a small country in the Middle East. As a child my dream was to help others by becoming a teacher. In 1975 the Lebanese civil war began. I was forced to leave school in the fourth grade, and faced with the unimaginable horrors of war with no opportunities I was persuaded into marrying at the age of 14. I became a Mother by 15 and at the age of 17 I was abandoned with a young daughter to raise. I lived through the war for 13 years and escaped death three times. By the age of 26 I had already lost 13 close family members. Because of my lack of education and having no skills as well as severe Dyslexia, I had to make a choice to learn and think outside of the BOX for a solution.
Today I am an author, speaker, and life coach. I am living my dream of helping others find their inner strength, and reinforce their ability to overcome their adversities, by knowing that they do have a choice.
Aimmee Kodachian Riley
Dorothy,
I am excited about being a part of the virtual tour with the other “Life Choices” authors. I am honored and humbled to be in the same book with some amazing people. From writing to the fabulous launch in Las Vegas, this has been a life changing choice. If nothing else readers will take away the knowledge that there is always a choice – the choice to take a new path, start over, move through and no matter what choices you’ve made in the past, make choices that will lead to a successful life. Thank you for helping all of us share our stories.
I am still pumped up myself after the successful launch of our book on Jan. 31st. It is so powerfu; to be included with these inspirational people whose words are so wonderful and help us know we can do anything well, even navigate the toughest times in our lives. No matter how hard something seems to be…we sill get to the ther side of it. My chapter is The Mystical HAnd of Freedom…So everyone remember your Freedom!
You see why I’m so thrilled to work with these people. They are, indeed, incredible … and when you read their stories, it is nothing short of a miracle that they are who they are today. They set an incredible example for us all.
I am so honored to be a part of this wonderful project. It has also motivated me to focus more on my writing. I greatly enjoyed the book launch and meeting the other authors. I became emotional as I spoke at the book luanch, sharing my personal and painful story of overcoming my lifelong weight problem. I thought to myself afterward, if I can do this, I can do anything!
correction to the above….launch
It was amazing to be part of this process. I travelled to the launch from Cape Town South Africa and was privileged to meet so many of my fellow authors. Our stories cover so many different challenges faced in life but what came out clearly was the way a postive attitude helps us overcome any obstacle. My story is called New Beginnings as I recreated a new life after my husband disappeared leaving what I had thought was a perfect marriage. Thanks to all I met in Las Vegas for your warmth and hospitality!
I just returned from almost a week in Oregon without internet. It’s great to be back in cyberspace. I’m sorry I missed the live interview, but the needs of a friend suffering with cancer took precedence over all else. I guess you would call it another of Life’s Choices. Some choices are happier than others – and some are so compelling that they hardly seem like choices at all. All of our lives are full of choices every day and it’s only later on that we can see the path they take us on.
Participating in Judi’s book Life Choices was certainly a choice that set me on a path I never imagined. I have already had so many wonderful experiences, including the truly inspirational book launch day with each of the authors telling their stories to a full house at the Palace Station in Las Vegas. The diversity of their Life Choices reflects the complex patterns of our lives that have been so eloquently woven into this powerful anthology.
I had the extra special experience of releasing two books in the same week – my own Sex and the Zen of Shopping, a self-help, how-to guide to living richly and happily when you have no money – and my real life, fairy tale romance contribution to Life Choices, “A True Love Story.”
These are hard times for so many – it’s wonderful to share hope – and hope that others find strength in our sharing.