ExtraOrdinary Juggling by TLC Nielsen

Welcome to the Extraordinary Ordinary blog, where you meet ordinary folks on their extraordinary journeys in life! Updates on past interviewees tend to be posted mid-month while new interviews are posted on the last day. Finding folks to interview isn't always easy, but it's always worth it.

This month I'm lucky to interview someone who juggles life positively as it comes, from teaching homeschoolers to writing books while being married to a man who travels often and can, in fact, juggle. Please welcome Michelle Habrych, author of You Are Not Alone: My Experience with Postpartum Depression, Bible study leader, speaker and all-around puzzle lover. Welcome, Michelle!

Q) Since I first met you long ago when you were a teen, I've often wondered about your wonderful, upbeat nature—despite all the glitches of life. So how do you do that, juggle positivity and life's wonkiness?

I don't know! I have a generally optimistic outlook on life. I guess it's how God made me. I try to find the good in what's around me or to bring the good to it. In high school, I had the lighthearted motto under my senior photo in the yearbook, "Life's too short not to be in love" but I feel that if you change that to say "Life's too short not to look on the bright side" you would have my current outlook. I typically choose to look at the good in a situation. I also consider thinking about what is true, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy to be the best way to live (Philippians 4:8). 

Q) I love that you married your high school sweetheart and wonder how that relationship impacts your upbeat nature?

He's my best friend. I am grateful to have someone in my everyday life who has known me in the good and the bad, through the easy and the difficult and loves me anyway. We have fun together and are silly with each other and our kids, so I think that definitely reflects in my attitude.

Q) Because I admire all that you do—leading Bible studies as well as virtual and in-person books clubs—how do you accomplish so many varied activites?

I don't clean. Seriously. Also, I would have to say that I decide what is something I most want to do—I make time for it. Unfortunately, that sometimes means the things I really want to do that are hard (such as writing my novel) have taken a backseat to the temporary, easier things. I am learning to change that.

Q) Since public speaking is something new for you, how has that influenced you recently?

Hearing from someone how sharing my story has impacted her personally has been a life-changer. Knowing that my words matter and can make a difference, that someone might seek help because I shared my personal journey through postpartum depression, makes it worthwhile.

Q) Your book covers one of the harder things you've gone through, depression, so how did you navigate through that?

That's a loaded question! When I realized I was experiencing postpartum depression, I saw it as a problem to be understood and fixed, though it was not that simple. I did a lot of research, tried a lot of things, and sought help for my symptoms so I could "overcome" the mental illness that descended upon me after the birth of my second child. It was a process that took time, but through it all I learned a lot. I am definitely more able to empathize with any person experiencing mental illness. Although mine was a situational depression and had an end, I know that is not always the case. I encourage anyone feeling any depressive symptoms to seek professional help so that healing may begin, thought it may take longer or not be a complete healing this side of eternity.

Q) Can you name the top three individuals who have impacted you the most along the way and mention how they did so?

My high school youth pastor Jeff impacted me by creating a welcoming group where teens were encouraged to be themselves, not some cleaned-up facade. He allowed me to use my talents for the benefit of all, where I created a newsletter and a yearbook for our youth group. He also helped me by demonstrating what an authentic faith in Jesus looked like and led me to make a life-changing prayer to trust and follow Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

My best friend Krista lived life with a joyful attitude despite the trials she experienced medically and situationally. She loved me, supported me, and demonstrated true faith to me. My mom is the most loving and encouraging person in my life. She has always been on my side, supporting me through it all.

Q) Is there something that has really surprised you along the way?

I am constantly surprised. I have been surprised when I am blessed and surprised when I am persecuted or experiencing difficulty. I was surprised when God called me to homeschool my kids and leave behind a career in journalism, and even more surprised when I became a teacher focused on high school students at our homeschool group where I still am blessed to be able to teach years after both of my kids have graduated from my homeschool!

Thanks, Michelle! 

Please check out Michelle's social media here:

www.facebook.com/MichelleHabrych/
www.instagram.com/michellehabrych/
michellehabrych.com/

Extraordinary Host with the Most

by TLC Nielsen

Bria Burton and I were roommates at this amazing Sci-Fi/Fantasy convention called Realm Makers a few years ago. Watching her interview amazing authors live during the Joy on Paper radio show this year on YouTube, I'm in awe at Bria's wonderful ability to chat about so many varied topics. From blogging about running to writing science fiction books, Bria is an author and radio show host with the most.

Welcome to the Extraordinary Ordinary blog, Bria!

Q) There's so much to ask you about, so let's start off with this—which came first, the blogging or the hosting? How did that come about?

Many years ago, I started a writing blog and a running blog. I confess I don't update either of them very often anymore. The guest hosting is a much more recent endeavor that started off as book reviews I'd record and send to Patzi Gil, host of the Joy on Paper radio show for writers and those who dream of writing. In 2022, Patzi asked me to do 2-minute science fiction book reviews that she could air on the show. She started the show nine years ago. Every Tuesday and Thursday at 11 am EST, she interviews authors—from best sellers to brand new and everything in between. 

Q) What made you start writing books?

As soon as I could write words and sentences, I knew I was a writer. My dream of becoming a published author started early. I remember stapling construction paper together to write my first "book" even illustrating the aliens myself (science fiction called to me even back then). I might've been seven or eight years old at the time, but it became an unquenchable fire that drove my decision to be an English major in college and to invest a lot of time and energy into honing my craft through writing conferences and critique groups. 

Q) I see that you have stories in a couple Sci-Fi anthologies—when did that come into the picture?

Years ago, I started submitting short stories at the same time I was submitting and getting rejections on an epic fantasy novel (which is still unpublished). It's a slow process to go through submissions, but I've managed to earn over 20 publishing credits through literary anthologies and magazines, primarily science fiction and fantasy.

At a Florida Writers Association (FWA) conference, I met two authors who wanted to create an author consortium of sorts with the goal of creating speculative fiction anthologies together (science fiction, fantasy, horror). I had recently won an award for that unpublished fantasy novel, and they invited me to join their group of twenty or so authors. Our first collaboration was The Prometheus Saga. We've done a total of six anthologies together under the banner of the Alvarium Experiment (our group name). It's unique in that we independently publish together. 

Q) Okay, how then did you end up as a radio show host?

About fifteen years ago, I first met Patzi Gil, host of Joy on Paper, at a meeting for FWA in St. Pete, Florida. I had the privilege of coming onto the show for an interview about my indie published novellas, and she really liked my voice. In 2022, she asked me to come on as a Special Correspondent for science fiction, which involves me recording 2-minute book reviews that she airs on the show. Eventually she asked me to guest host a Sci-Fi hour, which means I'm the one conducting the live interviews. I love chatting with science fiction authors, and it's become a monthly staple at Joy on Paper which is extremely fun for me.

Q) Is there a current project you're working on that you'd like to share?

I'm currently in last round edits for a science fiction novel called Ring Around the Sun. The story is a near-future adventure in the vein of Raiders of the Lost Ark, and I have a series in mind for it. An agent that I met at the Realm Makers Writers Conference is interested in the book, and I'm going to be submitting to him once I finish polishing it up.

Q) Where do you envision yourself in the next few years?

In many ways, I don't envision much change from what my life is like right now. I'm a mom and my son is currently six years old and in kindergarten, so he'll be doing a lot of growing and changing. But for me, I'm already doing much of what I truly enjoy. Running is another passion for me. I'm a blogger and customer service manager at St. Pete Running Company. I'm highly involved at my church where I disciple women who lead small groups and lead a Bible study. I've been the facilitator of my writers critique group since 2010, the SPwrites (St. Pete Writes).

Q) What's something unique about you the no one would ever guess?

Something unique about me that no one would guess might be the fact that I briefly held the record for girls pole vault at two different high schools. I happened to be the first female pole vaulter at both Centralia High School and St. Pete High. My family moved from Washington to Florida when I was a sophomore, which is why I hold records at both schools.

Discover Bria at her website and on social media:

Website—briaburton.com

YouTube—@Bria_Burton 

Facebook—www.facebook.com/briaburton.writer/

Thanks for coming to the Extraordinary Ordinary blog, highlighting the stories of folks like you and me and the out of the ordinary adventures we experience. If you or someone you know is an Extraordinary Ordinary person, please contact TLC Nielsen at soulfixer 1 3 (at) yahoo.

Extraordinary Wielder of Words by TLC Nielsen

Terrance Niedziela is both a teacher and an author plus, we discovered this year, a pretty good swordsman! I bumped into him on opening night at a North Carolina writing conference (BRMCWC) and then again in the swordsmanship class later on in the week. I enjoyed meeting this very interesting wielder of words, middle school English teacher and author!

Welcome to the Extraordinary Ordinary blog, Terrance!

Learning sword play

Q) First off, how did you get drawn into your full-time profession as a middle school teacher?

My original plan was to be a history professor, so I graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor's degree in Ancient Middle East History and a minor in Creative Fiction. In 2012, I moved to South Carolina and married an awesome and beautiful nerd. I worked as a substitute teacher and behavior manager for a couple years, and my mother-in-law encouraged me to pursue a master's degree. I looked into master's programs for history but found none close by. I investigated English (my second academic passion) and discovered I could get a degree online. So I attended Southern New Hampshire University and graduated in 2017. Once graduated, the Lord told me to apply to the local school district. Since I didn't have an education degree, I needed to certify through an alternative process. I applied to the certification program and for a position as a 7th grade English teacher. A few months later, the district hired me and now I'm beginning my 5th year. I am 100% confident that Jesus called me to teach, and until he releases me, I will continue in this position!

Q) What subject is your favorite teach and why?

I enjoy teaching story writing. Nonfiction/informational writing is all right, but fiction writing enables students to delve into the recesses of their imaginations to create all sorts of interesting stories. It has been rewarding for some students to express the desire to be writers when they grow up. Some former students are still writing! An awesome young man from my first year of teaching has allowed me to give feedback for a fantasy novel he is writing.

Q) So as you wield words in your classroom, where do you see the most impact on students?

I see the most impact when I tell my story, and they find out how my life experiences match theirs. As I model and teach Jesus' transformational love, I have had some sweet God encounters. Every year I have had at least one student tell me how much they appreciated my demanding their best while listening to and supporting them. The old saying of people not caring what you know until they know how much you care is true. Teachers wear many "hats" and I won't go into all that. Suffice it to say, being able to minister hope and love to a student whose life is consumed with hopelessness means more than teaching them grammar or anything else. 

Q) How did  you morph into becoming an author? Was it something you always wanted to do?

I like how you used the word morph. I am a kid of the 80s and 90s and at once thought of the green ranger from the original Power Rangers series. My journey to becoming a writer began with what I read and watched. The Bible as well as fantasy and science fiction stories in books, television, and movies about honor, chivalry good fighting evil, adventures, etc. inspired me to create my own stories like them. 

What started out as daydreaming, telling stories to my siblings, and acting out our own stories as we fought monsters and dragons on my dad's property developed into putting them down on paper. As my family and school situation deteriorated, I created stories where I was all powerful, invulnerable to any injury, and always the winner. Over time, my motive changed to writing to minister the gospel in story the way C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, and other favorite authors did.

Q) Who influenced you the most into becoming a wielder of words, both in the classroom and in stories?

I know it sounds cliche, but the one who influenced me the most to wield words is the Holy Spirit. I have developed the habit of praying before I do anything in regard to writing. Even if all I am doing is brainstorming. I pray and ask the Holy Spirit to write through me. God is the original storyteller, and it was His words that brought our universe into existence. He is infinitely creative. If you don't believe me, look at the duckbill platypus and pictures coming from the Webb Telescope. My motto verse is Psalm 45:1: "My heart is overflowing with a good theme, I recite my composition concerning the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer." God dictates, and I am the scribe. Things flow much more smoothly when I am submitted to His Lordship.

The human who influenced me the most in my youth in regard to my writing was my seventh-grade English teacher, Miss Cepitis. She encouraged me to keep writing at a time when I was ready to give up on everything. Now I'm a seventh-grade English teacher, and I get to do the same thing she did.

Q) When did you know that you wanted to be an author?

I have wanted to be an author since elementary school. I reveled in writing stories for my English classes. My first attempt at authoring a book was in fourth grade. Some harsh criticism from someone close to me ended that endeavor. I made another attempt at authoring a novel in high school and continued writing into my adult years.

Q) At the writing conference this  year, we attended a sword fighting class together and I have to ask the obvious—how did you get so good so quickly at wielding a sword?

The grace of God enabled me to learn.

Q) Last question: what's something surprising about you that you would share with us?

I really can't think of anything surprising. My wife and I will be celebrating 10 years of marriage soon. It's not surprising, just a testament to God's grace and love.

To learn more about Terrance, check out his social media:

Website

Instagram

Facebook

Goodreads

Thanks, Terrance, for being interviewed on the Extraordinary Ordinary blog where folks and their extraordinary adventures come to light!