Rosanne: Hello Joseph, and thank you for joining me on the BOOK CONVERSATIONS PAGE. Can you tell us what inspired you to write? And have you always wanted to become a published author with the publication of your books: “Walking the Path of Love” and “A Journey of Love”?

Joseph (Joe): Thank you, Rosanne, for granting me this interview. I think the truth is I have always been inspired to write. I have been writing for a local county newspaper here since I was 18 years old and I am 56 now. Something deep inside me keeps me wanting to write and share what I have learned in this life. Yes, I also always wanted to be a published author but after a lot of years of rejections from the big publishing houses, I finally decided to self-publish my two books so my readers could have them.

Rosanne: Which of these books would you like to talk about here? Or would you like to speak about what compels you to write your many short stories that have been published (in newspapers and online)?

Joesph (Joe): The truth is these books are collections of my many short stories that I have shared in the local newspapers and online over the years. I still always manage to find the inspiration to write at least one new one each week and I thank God for that. I truly believe that most of my writings are inspired from a place beyond me and I am just happy to share them with as many people as I can.

Rosanne: What inspired you to write your stories and books?

Joseph (Joe): Basically, when I was a boy I found that there were so few books out there on how to live and be happy in this life. There were books on fitness, relationships, and making money but hardly any on just living a loving and joyful life. I started then to explore these subjects myself and write about them and I have never looked back. It has been a wonderful journey and I hope it continues on for many years to come.

Rosanne: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your book “A Journey of Love”?

Joseph (Joe): I may have included more of my recent work in it since it was written several years ago. Usually the stories I enjoy the most are the ones I have just written although a lot of my older ones have a special place in my heart.

Rosanne: Have you ever experienced writer’s block? How did you get over it; if you did?

Joseph (Joe): I think every writer who has ever written has been blocked at one time or another. I have found the best thing to do is not to force things. Just relax and do something else for a while or a few days. The inspiration will always come back and sometimes at the most unexpected times. I have often said: “God has a sense of humor” because many of my best ideas have come when I am driving far from home with no pen or paper in sight.

Rosanne: Tell us a little bit about the cover art on your book(s). Who designed it? Or was it more than one cover artist?

Joseph (Joe): Both of those covers were picked by the publisher after I described what I wanted on them. When I was younger many of my story ideas came during long walks I would take on nature trails here. It was from them that I realized that life itself is a journey we make one step and one choice at a time.

Rosanne: What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Joseph (Joe): I am mainly busy caring for my adult, mentally challenged sons but when I get a chance I enjoy my walks outdoors, listening to beautiful, uplifting music, playing with my dogs, and reading.

Now for a couple of quick “get-to-know-you” questions.

Rosanne: Do you listen to music when you write, and if so, what type of music?

Joseph (Joe): I often do listen to music both when writing or just relaxing. Like most people I enjoy most of the music I heard as a child; mainly from 1970 to 1990. I can sing along to hundreds of those songs and find they uplift me as I go through the day.

Rosanne: Do you write in the daytime or nighttime?

Joseph (Joe): I almost always write during the earlier hours of the day usually before noon. That is when I feel most energetic and creative.

Rosanne: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? And where did you grow up?

Joseph (Joe): I grew up in the mountains of West Virginia (in the USA) and have never moved from them. When I was a boy I wanted to be a cowboy but my fear of riding horses put an end to that. In college, I went from wanting to be a businessman to a psychologist to finally being a teacher. Even though I haven’t worked as a teacher for 30 years now I feel that is still my main calling which I do through my writing.

Rosanne: Are any future writing projects in the works?

Joseph (Joe): Each week is a new project as I continue to write and share both locally and online. I don’t have any plans for new books at this time, however. The price for self-publishing is just too much.

Rosanne: Is there anything else you’d like to say to our readers?

Joseph (Joe): Only that I wish them a lifetime of love, learning, laughter, and joy as they travel on their own journey through life. May they travel light and live well.

Rosanne: Where can they find out more about your book (webpage, blog, buy link, etc.)?

Joseph (Joe): My books are available on Amazon.com at:

1) Link to Walking the Path of Love: https://www.amazon.com/WALKING-PATH-LOVE-Joseph-J-Mazzella/dp/1609573773

2) Link to A Journey of Love: https://www.amazon.com/JOURNEY-LOVE-Joseph-J-Mazzella/dp/1498428029

I also have a webpage at: https://www.angelfire.com/wv2/joecoolwv/index.html

Rosanne: Again, thank you, Joseph J. Mazzella, for allowing me to speak with you this month; the second author to do so since I took over the ‘Book Conversations Page’ from my former collaborator DIANE MORASCO. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of you in the past since we’ve known one another for a long, long time! Glad I was able to rectify that now.

Thank you our dear readers for coming here. If you want to read two collections of wonderfully inspirational short stories, do get your copies of Joseph J. Mazzella’s books, “Walking the Path of Love” and “A Journey of Love”; direct links to his books are above. Yes, I did read both of his books and loved them and I know you will too.

Don’t forget to come back here on March 25th for my next talk with a different author and/or writer. If you would like to be interviewed for this page, just drop me an email at: rosannecatalano57@gmail.com Thank you Mark A. Shaffer and Joseph J. Mazzella for speaking with me in October 2022 (Mark) and February 2023 (Joe)! I have enjoyed both interviews and got to know you guys much better.