Exclusive Author Interview: William Keiper

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I recently enjoyed an exclusive author interview with William Keiper, author of Cyber Crisis- It's Personal Now (book review coming soon!). My interview with William, below - enjoy!

Tell us a little about yourself... I served as CEO, COO, President and board member of numerous public and private companies. I worked across a variety of industries including enterprise and application software, technology and manufacturing, outsourcing, distribution, M&A advisory and management consulting. “Author” is still an avocation, though I am finding ways to integrate it into all aspects of my life.

When did you know you wanted to be a writer? Can you share your journey to becoming a published author? I was a ‘writer as business executive’ for most of my adult—the writing associated with memos, planning, presentations etc. I started writing a book because I thought it was important for the 70+ million baby boomers moving to and through the age of 65, to understand that the old paradigm of retirement was unavailable to a high percentage of them. At the same time, I wanted to express that adults (of every age) have a unique capacity (free will) permitting them to freely determine and control their actions. I felt this message was important and I could not find this kind of perspective in existing material. So my first book, Life Expectancy - It's Never Too Late to Change Your Game, was born. The inspiration for my subsequent books was derived from similar challenges requiring, in my opinion, a new form of self-reliance (The Power of Urgency - Playing to Win; and Cyber Crisis - It's Personal Now).

What do you find to be the biggest challenge, as an author? The fact that I need to have an energetic connection with the work at hand, and that isn’t always possible. If I don't--I conserve my energy until I do. When writing, I want to be in full alignment with what I am researching and writing so that I can give my best to it. If I am not in that place, I move away from that project for a while. I always have more than one writing concept or process I am working on--so I don't lose sleep if one is progressing more slowly than another.

What do you find most rewarding, as an author? It is the ultimate personal challenge--something akin to climbing a mountain. I love the commitment, full engagement, coping with fear and uncertainty, the self-reliance and triage, and especially the relief when the summit has been reached.

Share with us a daily habit of yours, that helps you reach your goals. Getting to ‘no-mind.’ At least for a few minutes. (For more on ‘no-mind’ http://www.acharyashreeshankar.org/texts/articles/how-to-stop-thinking-achieve-no-mind 

What is one piece of advice you would share with an aspiring author? Outline! What sequence will pull the reader through your messages to the point they must finish 'it,' whatever it is. Create a deadline (even a soft one) for getting to a clear, well-articulated goal: a chapter outline, a chapter, your author bio, possible titles, a list of research/resources that may be helpful, a publisher's Q&A for submission, etc. Write. Try not to edit as you go (let it flow). (Do as I say, not as I do!)

I am most grateful for... my family, by brain and my health.

If I could give my 18 year-old self one piece of advice it would be... Strive for mastery wherever you are and whatever you are doing.

My favorite thing about being a writer is... Two things: taking a concept & creating an outline, AND finishing a book.

My least favorite thing about being a writer is... the first breath after final edit.

My goals for the future are... more books that can change the way people look at things.

I love living a creative life because...it is more stimulating than any other life.

The last book I read was... The Cyber Effect by Mary Aiken

My favorite book, ever, is... The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand

Outside of writing, my favorite hobby is... landscape design and maintenance

The most important thing to do if you want to achieve your goals is... take a step, and then another one—then you are full off your prior status quo.

Tell us about your books (genre, where we can find them, etc.) Nonfiction titles about the need for greater self-reliance. I have published Life Expectancy – It’s Never Too Late to Change Your Game; The Power of Urgency – Playing to Win; and Cyber Crisis – It’s Personal Now.

Where can readers find you (i.e. website, social media, etc.)? 
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B0070ZM592 
Author web site: www.williamkeiper.com  
Linked-In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamkeiper1111/    
Twitter @williamkeiper 

Anything else you'd like to add... Thank you and your readers for your support of Indie authors like me. It’s very hard to be visible and share our content with a larger slice of the world.~William Keiper

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Stacey Ritz is a bestselling author and award winning writer. An empathetic and compassionate storyteller, Ritz wrote for a plethora of local and national news outlets, magazines, blogs, and websites (copywriter), prior to becoming a novelist. Her book, Covered in Pet Fur  has gained attention from RIVA Media and Animal Planet. She is the Executive Director and co-founder of Advocates 4 Animals, Inc. – a 501(c)3 non-profit animal welfare organization that has saved more than 11,000 lives (and counting). She currently resides in Ohio. Ritz is published through Rockville Publishing. You can interact with Stacey online via Stacey's Book Blog, on Pinterest, andInstagram.

Ritz writes the following genres:
Non-Fiction:
Motivation/Inspiration
Writing/Publishing
Animal Welfare
Fiction:
Love Stories

Click here to view Stacey's fiction books.

Click here to view Stacey's non-fiction books