A Taupo Toastmaster from New Zealand Shares Her Thoughts about "Enthusiasm"

It is a joy to know many people around the world have read Enthusiasm. Enthusiasm has special history of how the author narrates her journey to write and publish her book entitled Enthusiasm, a book about itself. This is what a unique content that readers have missed it. It's not only about writing a book, but a book of itself. This makes this book different from other books that have the same title of Enthusiasm.

Besides of that, the author brought her fresh idea and delivered her story and message on almost her daily basis in novel format that many people missed it and thought it was a diary or biography. The author considered Enthusiasm is a contemporary novel based on her own journey in daily basis that she delivered it in novel format and it's about the process of writing that book itself. Still confused? Then you should read it and find it yourself!

In this special post we are going to present a special reader from Taupo, New Zealand: Geni Johnston who has read Enthusiasm. Who is Geni and what has she thought about Enthusiasm? Let's read in the exclusive interview below:

Exclusive Interview

1   1. You have been a Toastmaster since 1999. What is Toastmaster and what do you do?

Toastmasters is an international organization which helps members become better speakers and leaders.

2   2. You are a member of three clubs: Taupo, Geyser Gourmet in Rotorua, and Firebirds online. What are they and why were you interested to join those clubs?

I joined Taupo Toastmasters in 1999 because I had always been interested in what they do and I wanted to learn more. I was shy growing up and I wanted to build my confidence.  Since then I have realized that what I really love about Toastmasters is being able to help others grow and to watch their confidence develop.  Meetings are also fun too with lots of laughter and I have made many friends among the Toastmasters (we call it the Toastmasters family). The Geyser Gourmet Club is for advanced Toastmasters – those who have finished their first Manual and have become Competent Communicators. We only meet once a month and have lunch in a different restaurant each time so it is a very social club.  We also continue to learn from one another.  Firebirds is a way to communicate with people all around the world and I find these meetings fun and stimulating. 

3   3. You have written short stories and lots of poems, what is your favorite for each of them?

This is the most difficult question.  I write because I like putting down my ideas. I have rewritten a few Fairy Stories because I feel that the message the old stories give is not necessarily the message I want to give to my children.  I started doing this when my children were young, and I was also a teacher of young children so I did it for my pupils too.  I was also a member of a Writers club for many years, and I would write short stories for the topic we were given each time. I’m not sure if I have a favorite.  The favorite one is the one I am writing at the time.  At the moment I am sorting out all the poems I have written. These are often about things that make me think about life, about the way time passes, and many are just nonsense. I’m a member of a poetry group and we often have a theme or a style of poetry to think about for our meetings which broadens my range of things to write about my family.

4   4. What the next step do you want to do after writing the short stories and poems?

I write for my own benefit mostly.  I’m not particularly interested in being published although I guess it would be nice to share what I do with a few more people rather than just sharing stories and poems with my friends and family.  At the moment I am trying to gather all my poems together in a Scrap Book – just because I can.  I love painting and creating collages too, as well as playing with photographs on the computer. When the Scrap Book is finished I will probably share the pages on facebook (as I did with my What Do Witches Wear poem last week.   

5. As an avid reader, what the reason did you want to buy Enthusiasm? Where did you buy it and how did you hear about Enthusiasm?

I heard about Enthusiasm from the author's friend and mine, Viviana, who was a member of Firebirds at the time. I like to read a variety of books, and I like to support new writers. The title Enthusiasm certainly enticed me to buy the book from Amazon. 

6. What’s the best part of Enthusiasm, and why?

I think the best thing about Enthusiasm is the way its author's personality shines through the character of Fida.  It is like meeting its author, Fida Abbott, and hearing about what is going on in her life. Her Enthusiasm shines through.  I could relate to the way she was. For an example: when her husband brought her a new computer but she didn’t want to use it straight away. I sometimes do that to. I want something, but then when I get it, I want to make sure the time is right before I use it. J

7  7. What do you think about the characters in Enthusiasm story?

I especially enjoyed her interaction with her children, and the warmth of the family. I feel she has great empathy for others, and she is very supportive to people she meets.

8   8. What a message do you want to share to others after reading Enthusiasm?

Be kind to one another – enjoy life, and make the most of it.

9   9. Would you like to recomend Enthusiasm to others and who are they?

Yes. People who are wondering what to do with their life and feeling they want to do too much and don’t know where to start.  Fida proves that with the right attitude she can achieve all her goals.

1 10. What do you think if the author would like to publish the second saga book of Enthusiasm?

I think it would have an audience.  I am looking forward to reading the book she mentioned on facebook the other day.  The one she hasn’t quite finished yet. (*)

Profile

Geni Johnston is a mother and grandmother with two stepsons and three children of her own. All well grown up now. She has been a Toastmaster since 1999 and is currently a member of three clubs: Taupo, Geyser Gourmet in Rotorua and Firebirds online which is where she met Viviana, a friend of  Enthusiasm author, Fida. She is an avid reader and has always wanted to write a book but never quite got there. She has written short stories and lots of poems which she is putting together in a scrapbook at the moment. She was born in England, grew up in Australia and came to New Zealand on a working holiday in 1967 and has lived there ever since.(*)

Photo: Geni with her little dog, Rico 

Published on October 25, 2017