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Pammyla Brooks has a BA in Psychology and an MS in Clinical and Health Psychology. She is a Certified Toastmaster (CTM) and is certified in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). She has taught and consulted for over a decade for the University of Texas at Austin, DeVry University, Dell Computers, Dell Financial Services, the Texas Comptroller’s Office, and more. In her book, Choose Power: Tools and Techniques for Home and Work she gathers Power Principles from a variety of traditions, and then clearly explains and applies them to everyday life. Step-by-step exercises are included that can be practiced today, and then used tomorrow. Visit Pammyla.com for more information.

Thank you Pammyla for answering a few questions for us! To start, please tell us about your the latest project.
 
My latest project is writing about loving after age 40. I was single for a long time, and had the best time, and loved my life. I met people who asked me out all of the time and easily had three or more dates a week. I have since married the most fantastic man I have ever met and I would love to share my insights and techniques with other singles looking to find love. Being newly “single” after being married can take some adjusting and yet it can also be a lot of fun. I see it every day and so I truly believe that there is someone for everyone.
 
Do you also do speaking engagements, or seminars?
 
Yes, I have been teaching adults for over 10 years and I absolutely LOVE it! I can teach anything and make it fun, and have done so with complicated computer software, accounting, and other subjects. My last seminar was the “Chemistry of Love: Simple Astrology for Dating and Relating.” I was surprised that men were just as interested as women in the topic. I teach “Choosing Power” classes for women at the University of Texas at Austin every semester. I also teach “Introduction to Psychology” and “Critical Thinking” at DeVry University.
 
I learned that the best way to facilitate groups is to let people talk. We learn best when we learn from each other, and not just from the instructor. As a result, every class is completely different. Visit my website at www.Pammyla.com or subscribe to my list to be notified of upcoming seminars.
 
How has your education, profession or background helped you in your writing career?
 
Completing my Master’s Degree in Clinical and Health Psychology and my certification in Neuro-Linguistic Programming helped me to learn many of the principles that I share in my book, “Choose Power: Tools and Techniques for Home and Work.” It was so much fun to have people in my classes practicing the techniques I was writing about in my book. Then, I would improve my book based on how the exercises went and the students’ feedback.
 
Is there any aspect to your profession that gets you in touch with your readers directly?
 
Yes, speaking and facilitating seminars are great ways to get in touch with my readers directly. Writing blogs also allows people to respond to my posts directly. In addition, I was asked to lead the discussion of my book, “Choose Power,” with my Women’s Book Group in Austin in September. That will be a spectacular way to get down and dirty with my readers! In all cases of writing and teaching, I find the feedback and evaluation forms to be invaluable.
 
What will your next project be?
 
I need to make my website more Web 2.0 so that my readers can interact with me. I am learning how to use Social Networking and will apply it more in my career. I foresee questionnaires that people can answer and then my website displaying the results. I will have people sharing their favorite Power Tool or Technique with me and others, if they choose, too. There is so much potential, and it takes a bit of time to understand and apply new ideas.
 
What type of work is the most rewarding or satisfying for you?
 
I love to do Public Speaking. Whether I am teaching, speaking, or facilitating, I love any opportunity to use the skills I developed as a Certified Toastmaster (CTM). I enjoy doing Keynote Speeches and facilitating seminars because I know how to encourage good discussions. People in every audience love to talk and many speakers fear what might happen if they loosen the reigns and let the audience ask questions or make comments. I suggest that they test it out because it can be magical. Also, as I mentioned, people learn and remember what they learned so much better when they learn from each other. 
 
What can you recommend for writers who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?
 
Some of the suggestions I have heard are to write a regular blog, to contribute to other people’s blogs, to begin to produce podcasts for ITunes and videos for YouTube, and to write articles for magazines. I have also heard about the importance of social networking using tools like Facebook and Twitter. Although the first publisher I contacted immediately sent me a contract, I have heard that most publishers ask about your “platform” because they want to know how many people can potentially buy your book.
 
How did you get started as a writer?
 
I have been writing since I was a child. I wrote poetry that got published, short stories, and even a play about a Mad Scientist. As an adult, my husband asked me one day, what I could do that I love to do because then I wouldn’t have to “work” another day in my life. Pondering his question, I knew that I have always wanted to write and publish several books and so I began writing one long Memorial Day weekend.

Here is my secret to completing my book in less than a year: as a psychologist, I know how to increase desired behavior and so I gave myself big rewards after I had done some writing. As any behavioral psychologist could predict, soon I was obsessed and all I wanted to do was write.
 
Then, it became a matter of luck because the first publisher I sent my manuscript in to sent me a contract! I have been told that this is not typical for new authors.
 
Who is your favorite writer/author?
 
I grew up reading Stephen King and he is my favorite author. His mind and imagination are amazing. He creates such believable worlds that I am usually glued to his book until I finish it. When my mother first found out that I was reading such adult material she was astounded. However, it wasn’t long until she, too, became one of Stephen King’s biggest fans. I also love to read Magical Realism, and believe that Alice Hoffman is the current queen of that scene. People are most familiar with “Practical Magic” and she has other great books, too.
 
Finally, a most important question: what was the last song you sang out loud when you were by yourself? :)
 
Hmmm, are you a closet musician? J
 
I just finished singing Diana Ross’s “Theme from Mahogany” because my radio station is playing Songs from the Seventies every weekend. It is amazing how the mind remembers lyrics even when I haven’t sang the song in years. I love it!

Thank you Pammyla! We wish you much success with your upcoming projects!