We were lucky to catch up with Effie-Alean Gross recently and have shared our conversation below.
: Hi Effie-Alean, so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?
My empathy for the poor and downtrodden of this world comes from my own childhood experience. A while back, I wrote in my blog: “The Privilege of Being Unprivileged.” It turned out to be a debate between my cousin and me as to who came from the poorest parents. We both finally agreed that we had something more valuable than money. My mother and father were hardworking and sacrificed for their five children. They demonstrated their love for God and for all people through their care and kindness. Oddly perhaps, the economic hardships I experienced taught me to love learning, hard work, and the God of the Bible. I appreciate my parents’ struggles with feeding their large family and paying rent, or even having enough money for a Christmas tree or presents. I now find it impossible to turn my head away from anyone in need if I have the ability to help. I’ve walked in that worn path.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I have written over 200 articles and stories for publication in various print publications. Many may be read online too. Three of my non-fiction books have been published: Ecclesiastes: Sonnet Digest, Hillbilly He’ven: Ozark Poetry, and Stories That (Really) Matter: Biblical Reflections. The latter compares 15 well-known biblical stories to corresponding classical fiction short stories, like F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “Bernice Bobs Her Hair” v. Samson. Using several of the 15 chapters, I select themes for my speaking engagements.
From the materials I developed, I help churches, organizations, and women’s groups sponsor my original LITERARY TEA EVENTS. Hot tea in a formal setting or even iced tea in a relaxed environment can be enjoyed by all who plan, prepare, and attend. I am available to assist from day one booking to after event congratulations. Contact me for more details on my guest speaker service.
In addition to the non-fiction writing, I enjoy researching for historical fiction. The World War Two era is my greatest interest creating a few characters who are Jewish. Speaking with friends, family, and Holocaust survivors gives me greater insight into the culture, era, and genre.
The title of my women’s historical fiction to be released later this year is Kismet on the Queen Mary.
The non-fiction title to be released is The Lost Art of Personal Letters.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Most impactful in my journey to writing, speaking, and teaching are the three qualities necessary for success. First, a love of reading came at an early age. My mother walked with me to the downtown Des Moines, Iowa public library regularly, and I carried home an armful of books. One day, the librarian stamped my yellow card in red ink: “Good for Adult Use.” I couldn’t wait to read something other than children’s picture books. However, as a child my favorite book came from a series by Gertrude Warner, “The Boxcar Children.”
Secondly, I discovered my appreciation for vocabulary. Maybe it was my desire to impress people by at least “sounding” smart. Quite possibly. As a pre-teen I studied the Reader’s Digest vocabulary list every month. Many years later while in college, I continued to feed my lust for linguistics, the scientific study of language. Today I’m obsessed with finding the exact word.
Lastly, I’ve been influenced by the techniques of the masters of classical literature and the rich stories in the Bible, including the parables of Jesus. There’s a lot to learn from the all-time, best-selling Book in the world.
My advice to aspiring writers? Experience life. Travel to faraway places. Observe and interact with people different from yourself. Attend writers’ critique groups, conferences, and classes. Study the masters of literature. Journal everyday, because private writing leads to published writing. Follow your gut instinct. Learn from the pain of rejection slips, of working in a solitary profession, and of doubt about wasting your time. Live by the “Golden Rule.” Never quit.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
Several individuals were helpful to me in overcoming challenges and building the skills I needed to get me where I am today.
I was raised in a poor family and became a high school dropout at the age of 16. Why? To marry my United States military boyfriend in order to join him at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. When our three children were all in school, by God’s grace, I went back to school. I studied for several years, earning a master’s degree in education and English from Drake University, Next, I was blessed to travel to several countries, including some in Europe and the Middle East. My marriage lasted for 43 years, until death did we part. I pursued and fulfilled my heart’s desire to become a teacher, writer, and speaker. Did I mention that I was voted the shyest girl in my ninth grade class?
I’d be remiss if I didn’t credit my late husband Roland E. Gross for encouraging me to pursue my dreams. He believed in me even when I doubted everything.
Next, my children put up with their mother immersed in books at all hours of the day and night.
Finally, I had unbelievable opportunities to meet and study under great writers: the late Ray Bradbury and W.P. Kinsella (“Field of Dreams” author). The notable Dr. Leland Ryken endorsed my book on literature and the Bible. My college professors, writer friends, literary agents, and a host of angels nudged me along. I’m so blessed!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.EffieGross.com
- Other: Blog: www.KilroyWasHereUSA.com
