An interview with Martha-Lee

Notes from an interview with Martha-Lee Bohn:

Martha-Lee Bohn

Originally a New Yorker, Martha-Lee Bohn moved to Mississippi in 2003 after she met a man, fell in love and got married. Her Gulfport home flooded like thousands of others along the Gulf Coast.

Bohn works with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance in the wake of the 2005 Hurricane season. Four years since Katrina, volunteers continue to help families who have lost hope. For more information or to offer help: Mississippi InterFaith Disaster Task Force www.msidtf.org

1.

How did you get started writing?

I’ve been journaling off and on since I was a preteen. In college, I was on the newspaper. Aside from letters and email, most of my writing since then has been political junk mail, fund raising appeals and church newsletter articles.

2.

What do you do when you are not writing?

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I love to cook. I have a special diet – gluten-free – which has made me learn more about food and my health.

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I travel. My work with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance involves visiting churches that have sent volunteers, sharing stories of hope and inspiring others to help a neighbor.

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I work/play with the teen youth group at church.

3.

What would readers like to know about you?

I’m a transplanted New Yorker (NYC suburbs) living in south Mississippi.

For ten years I organized political campaigns in NY State, and I served one term as a Member of the Pelham, NY Town Council.

I’ve been to all 50 U.S. states, Canada, a half dozen Western European countries, as well as Egypt.

4.

What inspired you to be a contributing author in Overcomers, Inc.,

I told a group of friends I’d like to be published by the end of the year. A friend sent me the link to an April web broadcast of Kathleen Gage, Lynne Klippel and Marlene Oulton. When I heard them give the book title, I knew I had a story to offer.

5.

Why is the topic of Overcoming important to you?

I have seen people survive and keep faith in impossible situations. When I faced multiple disasters in my life, friends saw me facing another tragedy; I saw a homework assignment from God.

6.

Why are you specially qualified to write about this topic?

I walked through the valley and found that there is nothing to fear. Through life’s challenges I’ve found how truly blessed I am.

7.

How do you manage to keep yourself focused and on track when you’re writing a book?

That is one of the biggest challenges. Best tip for getting started is: two pages a day. Write two pages a day on any topic. Get in the habit of writing. Set up a space that is separate to minimize distraction and give the feeling of “going to work.”

8.

Do you write to make money, for the love of writing or both?

Neither. Both. Other… I love to tell stories of hope and inspiration. I tell stories in emails, letters and church newsletters; to friends and strangers. I’ve delivered sermons and workshops to hundreds of people. Writing and publishing my stories allows me to share the stories of my brain and my heart with an even larger audience.

9.

What makes you proud about your involvement with Overcomers, Inc.?

I am a published author for the first time! I’m thrilled to have my story included with so many others who kept on walking when they were going through Hell.

I believe in Divine Intervention. I sent in my story fully a month late. Lynne Klippel responded enthusiastically, asking only if I could work quickly to catch up.

10.

Will you write more books?

Yes. I have a series of stories of coincidence, as well as a longer version of my Overcomers, Inc. chapter. I’m also working on book about my theatrical agent, former Vaudevillian grandmother’s descent into Alzheimer’s disease.

11.

What do you have in the works now?

Funding and volunteers for the Katrina recovery effort are ending. I’m praying for discernment about what is next for me. I plan to continue public speaking and leading workshops while I polish what I’ve written and get more stories out of my head and onto the page.

12.

What does the future hold for you and your books?

I have more chapters and stories in progress. Working on this book has been a great learning experience. People tell me my Overcomers story sounds like a made for TV movie. Maybe it will be.

13.

What sparks your creativity? Any tips to help others spark their own creativity?

Listening to snippets of stories in public places. People-watching and then making up names and stories for the people you are watching. Laughter. Stimulating conversation. Word association.

14.

What do you think motivates people to become authors? What motivated you to get into this unusual industry?

Scratch the surface and we all have a story to tell – a story about their life or their dreams. In January, I declared I would be published this year. People always say they’re going to write a book, but intention, coincidence, a good story and the help of Kathleen, Lynne, and Marlene made it happen.

15.

If a potential reader thinks that your book wouldn't interest them, what would you say to convince them to buy? I'm thinking something better than "Its the greatest book ever." Give me something more specific :)

There are 38 stories to choose from. Pick one and see if it speaks to you.

For my chapter, I’d say, “It will make you laugh and cry. It might even raise the hairs on the back of your neck.”

16.

What is your final message to our readers?

This is one of my favorite quotes: From Nelson Mandela’s 1994 Inaugural speech, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of GOD. Your playing small does not serve the World. There is nothing enlightening about shrinking so that other people won't feel unsure around you. We were born to make

manifest the glory of GOD that is within us. It is not just in some of us; is is in everyone. As we let our own Light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

To get your own copy of Overcomers, Inc.,True Stories of Hope, Courage and Inspiring AND enjoy dozens of wonderful gifts with your purchase go to http://overcomersinc.com/booklaunch

OR CONTACT ME DIRECTLY for an autographed copy. :)

Long time coming

A whole season has passed since last I've written.

The heat of September, a trip to CA

Back to NY, out west for a friend's birthday

A drive to Virginia and PA to deliver sermons and pray

Then again to NY to be with a friend making a huge change

A new chapter for her and a chapter published for me

Overcomers, Inc became a best-seller for all to see

My "story" in print giving hope to others in the dark

Thanksgiving with friends in a Georgia vacation park

An early Christmas in NY with brothers, sister and Mom

Then home in Gulfport with my Westminster family

For bell-ringing, caroling and Christmas Eve services

To Oregon for New Years and home again

I am blessed with abundance, family and friends

Book-signings, workshops, travel ahead

What will unfold in 2010

Check with me in 12 months

I'll tell you then

Be Nice

I have a confession to make. Sometimes I don’t like my behavior.

I was with a friend today at the car dealership picking up his tire. We parked and walked into the service desk area. There was no one at the desk. There was a window for parts and a window for payments, and no one was there either.

We waited a minute or so, and another man came in. He looked around, waited a moment and poked his head into the cashier window, and asked for help. Promptly, a man appeared in the parts window to help him. They started talking, and my friend joined in the conversation. They joked and laughed.

When the exchange was over, I said to my friend sarcastically, “I guess we can wait. We’ll just stay here and entertain everyone. Both staff people quickly apologized and customer service staff was helping us in seconds. Boy did I that pull me up short. My rudeness was showing.

Sarcasm is a form of humor that uses sharp, cutting remarks or language intended to mock, wound, or subject to contempt or ridicule. It comes from an ancient Greek word meaning, “to tear flesh.”(according to Wikipedia).

Southerners have not struck me as a sarcastic lot. They’ll charm the pants off you before they’d be rude or cutting. There is something to be learned in that common place courtesy. It was a mirror reflecting back my bad behavior.

Graciousness, service and courtesy can overcome rudeness and change a situation. I also learned from the man who asked for help that it is a lot nicer to just ask for what you need than to complain. I learned from my friend to simply “be” in the moment.

Most of us we taught in childhood to ask nicely for what we want. Sometimes, we need reminders of that, at least I do.

Independence Day

4th of July. Independence Day. BBQ's and fireworks. Summertime, family and friends.

What else does it mean?
It means I could go to church this morning, gathering with friends to sing and worship God free from fear and persecution. Free to write a letter to the editor and speak up at local government meetings protesting topics that are important to me.

It means that I am free to make lots of choices about my life. Some are difficult choices, and I make mistakes, but they're mine to make.

I know that millions of people don't have the choices I do. I am truly blessed to have been born in this place and time.

Happy Independence Day


Freedom from fear...we all have things we're afraid of - snakes, speaking in public, financial ruin, injury - but most everyone I know enjoys comforts of food, clothing and shelter.

Tooting my own horn

I've told some of you my exciting news, but... now I'll took my own horn to everyone! I am involved in a book project! I will be one of 34 authors featured in Overcomers, Inc., True Stories of Hope, Courage and Inspiration to be released in fall, 2009. Wow!

We have a FB Fan Page, and I'd love for you to be a part of it. If you becom a fan you will receive updates, free offers and announcements of special events.
Click this link http://tinyurl.com/lvkry6 and click the flag to become a Fan.

Hurray!

Katrina Recovery

Katrina Recovery nearly four years later...

Volunteers are still coming to Gulfport, MS this Fall and next Spring to help the ongoing Presbytery of MS Disaster Recovery efforts. Thank God for our friends at Grace First Presbyterian Church in Long Beach, CA for providing Grace House for volunteer houseing through June of 2010.

Although the number of volunteers is not what it was three years ago, the volunteers who do still come to help are familiar friends coming to help for their fifth Thanksgiving or Spring Break – this year perhaps, for the last time.

Martha-Lee Bohn has recently been traveling the country on behalf of the Presbytery of MS. She’s been visiting churches and Presbyteries that have sent teams to the Gulf Coast to assist with recovery and rebuilding over the last four years. She was recently in Janesville, WI visiting Rock Prairie Presbyterian Church whose volunteers helped Westminster and the Presbytery build their first new home construction.

Martha-Lee was also a guest in the pulpit at Huguenot Church in Pelham, New York and at First Presbyterian Church in Owatanna, MN; gave a presentation at the Twin Cities, Area Presbytery (MN) and Frame Church in Stevens Point, WI; and delivered the children’s sermon at First Presbyterian Church of Marshfield, WI.

Members of each of these churches have been moved by their experiences as missionaries in our midst and have moving stories to share about their time sharing hope in chaos. Many were motivated to service in the wake of Katrina for personal reasons.

They were all eager for news of the ongoing recovery and will be sending teams to the Coast for at least one more visit in the coming year.

The commitment continues even as time moves on. Could it really have been nearly four years ago? Let’s pray for a tame Hurricane season 2009!

Blame

Lack of regulation or enforcement of regulation has been blamed for the financial melt down. I disagree. Lack of a moral compass and short-sighted vision caused this mess.

People used to be polite to each other. Their word was their honor their bond. Now, it seems that folks are trying to "get one over on you." We don't want to be "taken advantage of" so we're overly cautious. Fearful. Fear. Ugh.

So many more wonderful things happen every day than awful ones. Things are never as bad as they seem. Imagine if we were innundated with good news, success stories, achievement every day. Imagine. Who would we blame for that?

The good stories are there. Look for them. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.