Interview with children’s author Mike J. Masse

My special guest today is children’s author Mike J. Masse. He’s chatting with me about his new book, Andy Gets Angry, Book One in the ‘Emotions and Me’ series.

During his virtual book tour, Mike will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit his other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:
Mike Masse is a mindfulness consultant and public speaker who specializes in mindfulness-based stress reduction. For over a decade, he has been teaching adults, youth, and children mindfulness skills to help reduce their levels of stress and anxiety. A highly sought-after trainer, Mike facilitates workshops with educators, first responders, health care providers, and others who work in high-stress environments. Mike lives in Stratford, Ontario with his two sons and his wife.

Please tell us about your new book.
Children can develop the ability to respond to their emotions in a healthy way through the practice of mindfulness. Andy Gets Angry is a great introduction for children to learn a fun and simple breath technique to respond to their emotions. The beautifully hand-painted illustrations provide the perfect landscape to tell the story of Andy and his journey in learning the wonderful skill of mindfulness. Share the book with your loved ones, and help us all plant the seed to be present!

Excerpt from Andy Gets Angry:
Andy doesn’t like being angry, mad, or frustrated – he hates how it makes him feel. Sometimes he feels angry in his face. Sometimes he feels angry in his hands. Other times, he feels angry in his stomach and even in his mind.

Andy later feels bad about some of the things he said or did when he was angry. He felt bad after he yelled at Bobby, and he felt bad after he slammed the door on Sierra… and he felt bad after the one time he told his dad that he didn’t like him anymore. And that didn’t just make Andy angry. It also made him feel sad.

What do you enjoy most about writing short stories?
All my stories are about how any human can use some practical tips and tricks to use mindfulness informally and formally to help them respond to their stress, thoughts and emotions in a healthier way. I write from a place of passion, as mindfulness completely changed my life.

Can you give us a little insight into a few of your short stories – perhaps some of your favorites?
Andy is a regular schoolboy who lives in a normal home on a quiet street. He has a brother and a sister. Andy likes to play games and watch funny videos online. But sometimes Andy has a problem with his temper. Sometimes his family make him angry. Sometimes he gets angry at school when he can’t answer a question. And being angry makes Andy feel awful. One day Mindful Mike comes to visit Andy’s school and helps to explain how being angry and frustrated is okay and how different emotions are just part of being human. Mindful Mike shows Andy a special breathing technique to help him deal with his anger. A means of calming and coping that Andy can use whenever he is feeling stressed. It’s an easy skill to learn and by the end of the book Andy can be seen putting it into practice on his first steps into mindfulness.

What genre are you inspired to write in the most? Why?
Self help, wellness and mindfulness. As a public speaker and consultant I love hearing or seeing when a simple technique registers with someone, and they can see how they can use that techniques in a practical way.

What exciting story are you working on next?
Currently working on two, on his called “Will is Worried” the other is one for adults called “shut up and sit”

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
When Andy Gets Angry was released in September 2021.

How do you research markets for your work, perhaps as some advice for writers?
All my writing comes from my experience front line working with humans, be it children in a school setting, or the professions I work with in childcare, hospitals, first responders or those that I have the honour of helping 1 on 1.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I love to first start by speaking into my phone, I find this way easier (as a public speaker) to get the ball rolling.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I always wanted to be a lawyer and a chef, and not one or the other, but both. I loved watching true crime from an earlier age, I believe that’s why I wanted to be a lawyer. As for a chef I have always loved to cook, and unlike my interest in law, my love for cooking hasn’t changed

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
I would love for anyone who is reading this to give the practice of self-care a go, yes it is hard, and yes it might feel like you are awful at it, BUT over time you become better at noticing your thoughts and emotions, more responsive and less reactive. It is honesty it has not only changed my life, but I’ve seen it changes thousands of people’s life over the years. For any who one who wants to start, check out my FREE site. It has video for all humans, of all ages

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