SANDRA FARRIS
- 28 Top Questions -
G'day guys,
Today I introduce a successful writer and author from Arizona, USA, who has offered to be interviewed, via my 28 Top Questions - Sandra Farris.
Welcome, Sandra ...
Welcome, Sandra ...
Tell us a little about you
and where you originally came from.
Born in Texas, my parents moved the family to Los
Angeles my junior in High School. What a culture shock. Their manners were so
lax in class and I shuddered when students showed a lack of respect for the
teacher.
I have two sons, a third one passed away thirteen years ago. I have 7 books published; four novels and three short story e-books.
What’s your job? Tell
us more
Before I retired to write books, I worked for the
court system, both county and municipal. I worked the front counter at Justice
Court and Marana Municipal Court where people came in to pay their fines, appear
for court, or set up court dates.
At Justice Court (county) officers brought in
warrants to be issued and long form complaints, which were for driving under
the influence. I entered them into the computer and gave them docket numbers.
I also worked at Superior Court in the Child Support
Division, collecting child support and sending the checks to the custodial
parent
What was the happiest
moment of your life?
The happiest moment(s) of my life. . . The births of
my three sons. Aside from that, it would be hard to choose. Probably my
opportunity to travel to different countries, meet the people and see the
various customs.
What was the saddest?
The saddest moment of my life was the loss of my
eldest son. I was abroad and not there to say goodbye.
What surprised you
most?
Boy, that is a tough one. I suppose it would be when
we found out my sister didn’t really have cancer after 6 ½ years of very
poisonous treatments. Some weren’t even used anymore because they were so bad.
The treatments enlarged her red blood cells and changed her DNA. She could at
any time develop Adult Onset Leukemia. She has to go every six months for the
rest of her life to get her blood tested.
What was your
greatest disappointment?
My greatest disappointment was the years lost with
my friend, Linda Griffith. We were very close, as close as sisters for many
years. One day we had a “falling out”. I lost contact with her for ten years.
One night I had a nightmare about her; a dream that she was being attacked. I
was so disturbed by it that I looked her phone number up in an old address book
and gave her a call. When she returned my call I told her about he dream and I
wanted to make sure she was all right. She told me she had a rare cancer that
was attacking her liver and she was dying. She said she couldn’t find my number
and had no way to contact me, so she sent a dream. She said it only took three
days but I got it. I had only a few weeks with her and I spent much of that
time with her.
Who did you misjudge?
Why?
I misjudged a “friend” thinking she was my best friend
and confidante. Little did I know at the time she was sharing our conversations
with my ex-husband, causing all kinds of trouble.
Who or what was your
biggest challenge
My biggest challenge, aside from being a parent, was
writing my first book, and the challenge remains. One is always a parent and I
am still writing books.
What has been your
biggest regret?
My biggest regret was not being with my son when he
passed away. I was in Rome and didn’t get home for two days.
What would be your
dying comment? Why?
My dying comment would be “I gave it my best shot”.
Because I believe you have to do the very best with what you are given on this
earth and I feel I did.
Who or what stunned
you the most.
What stunned me the most was being diagnosed with
cancer. When I left the doctor’s office I was stunned. Only when I called my
boss and told her I wouldn’t be in for a while and actually said the words “I
have cancer” did I break down. I was angry, then scared, afraid how my sons and
family would take the news. Cancer seemed associated with a death sentence.
What would you like
written on your tombstone? Why?
I will not have a tombstone, as I want to be
cremated. If I did have one, though, I would want it to say, “she did her best
with what she had”, because I think I did. That would be true with every part
of my life. If it was worth doing, it was worth giving it your best. “With what
she had” would apply to education, ability, understanding and heart.
Who would you rather
have not met? Why?
I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have not met. I
think everyone I met had some quality about him or her from which I learned
something.
Who were you most
envious of? Why?
Can’t think of anyone.
Who did you forgive –
for doing something you never thought you’d forgive?
I forgave my ex-husband for the abuse and heartache
I suffered at his hands. It took a
while. I try not to ever carry a grudge. It isn’t productive and robs you of
your strength.
What was your
greatest moment in your life?
The greatest moment in my life (again aside from
giving birth. That will always be tops with me) would have to be my son making
my award wining book trailer. Selling the movie rights to another book financed the making of it. http://www.youtube.com/standquietAndListen
What is your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement is my
writing career. If I never get rich, or even famous, I accomplished what I set
out to do. Hey, that would be good on my tombstone.
What personal traits would you like to have in your
next life?
The personal traits I would like to
have in my next life are kindness and caring. Being tall, thin and gorgeous
wouldn’t hurt either. Are those traits?
What advice would you give to world leaders?
I would advise world leaders to quit
making war and killing people. Sit down and talk things out, and don’t be
greedy by wanting more power or possessions than anyone else. War is so
destructive and the loss of human life is completely incomprehensible.
What advice would you give to parents today?
Parents today need to love their
children enough to discipline them. So many parents today give “time outs”, or
take away privileges. The children don’t learn there is a consequence to their
actions, sometimes very harsh, by these so called slap on the hand.
Who would you choose to be stuck on a desert island
with?
I would choose to be stuck on a
desert island with an inventor who could come up with a way to get off, or
possibly James Bond (any of them).
Have any heroes? Who?
My hero is my Mom. She spent a hard
life with dignity and strength. She gave her five girls that strength, genteel
manners, courtesy toward all, and a sense of humor.
What are the greatest legacies you will leave behind?
My greatest legacies I leave behind are my two
talented sons, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Also my books, hopefully
with characters memorable enough my fans would like to revisit.
What’s lacking in the world today?
Respect for life, and people not
taking responsibility for their actions are what’s lacking today. They blame
their actions on a miserable childhood, being abused, etc. I know people who
have that kind of background and they never blamed their actions on those
excuses.
Any pearls of wisdom for the rest of us?
No pearls of wisdom yet. I am still
learning and have a ways to go before I feel qualified.
Generally, is your glass half full or
half empty?
My glass is half full generally.
Got any good news?
Good news is that my book, 'Can You
Hear the Music?', is coming out on audio books.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/writersan
Face Book Authorpage: https://www.facebook.com/authorsandrafarris
Link to the trailer for the
movie based on my book, Obituary Column. They changed the name to The Treasure
Within: http://treasurewithinmovie.com
The trailer for my award winning book trailer for Can You
Hear the Music?: You
tube: http://www.youtube.com/standquietAndListen
Clancy's comment: Thanks, Sandra. Appreciate you taking the time for this interview, and for being so forthright. Love your book covers.
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