An interview with Kerul Kassel by Margot Justes

[Margot Justes]

Below is an interview with Kerul Kassel, Echelon author of soon-to-be released Productive Procrastination.

Tell me a bit about yourself and your writing style, what you write.

Since I'm a non-fiction author, I generally write in a conversational voice and leaven it with a light tone. About me: I'm a recognized expert in procrastination (chuckle), and I work with executives, professionals, and business owners on productivity and effectiveness. I'm an internationally recognized professional coach, author, speaker and teleclass leader, and am certified through a few coaching organizations. My clients have included Sony, Hilton, Volvo, and NASA, and I was recently quoted in TIME Magazine is a procrastination "nichpert." My husband and I recently realized a long-time dream of building an environmentally sensible house, and are on a journey of courage and leadership training our 1750 pound Belgian horse, Goldilocks, to be our partner and collaborator.

Who is your favorite author and why?

I have too many favorite authors to narrow it down to a single writer. I have my favorites in every genre. I particularly like historical fiction, reference, and self-help, but also like contemporary fiction, classic fiction, how-to, and business non-fiction. Some favorite authors include Jane Austin, Margaret Atwood, Lenedra Carroll, Katherine Neville, Henry James, Kurt Vonnegut, Carl Hiaasen, Martha Beck, and Don Miguel Ruiz.

Do you ever suffer from writer's block?

I have in the past, but have found a few ways around it. I write more to help others than because I have stories in me, and I don't write as a means of financial support, so I don't write books all the time. Writer's block is usually generated through self-doubt, so if you can find a way through or around (or over) that, the block usually disappears.

What do you do unwind and relax?

I play with my horses and my dogs, watch films (I like indie and foreign), read (of course!), and socialize with friends.

What advice would you give to writers just starting out?

Write for yourself first and foremost - and write to enjoy writing. If you enjoy it, then chances are others will, too, but if for some reason they don't, the time will still have been well spend. Keep going and don't give up. For writers as well as anyone else pursuing any calling or goal, persistence is crucial. Many people give up before just before they hit critical mass and become successful (whatever that means to them).

Kerul Kassel

Thank you, Kerul.