I had a chance to correspond with my friend Anne Jackson about her upcoming book “Mad Church Disease” which I am very excited about. I had the privilege of writing a “second opinion” for the book as well as getting and advance copy and let me just say, this book will change lives for the better. You don’t have to be scattered, smothered and covered like a lot of church folk i meet – leave that to the Waffle House – you can be healthy! So without further opinement here are my questions for the great and honorable blog queen, Anne Jackson:
Why do you call your blog flowerdust and if it is because you long to be a hippie, what would be your favorite 60’s song?
I intentionally wanted to brand myself with dusty femininity. Actually, “flowerdust” has been my username for everything since I was in high school, so when I created my first blog six years ago (a Xanga!) I just stuck with it. I had no idea it would actually end up becoming a “brand.” I think more people call me FlowerDust than Anne. Which is fine. But it does make me feel like I need to go by some broom skirts and not wear deodorant.
Did you almost burnout while writing this book…I hear writing is hard 
There were times when it was EXTREMELY difficult to balance everything…especially in the beginning. My husband and I were moving to another state, starting new jobs, and I was going to Africa for a week and a half — all within the same two months that I really needed to focus on writing. I am not a very focused person, but I implemented a writing schedule and that helped tremendously. I could focus when I needed to and when it was down time, I didn’t have to feel guilty about it.
Do you look at Cows differently now? Can you still eat them?
Growing up in Texas, one would think I am a steak and potatoes girl. I am not. I am a veggies and hummus kind of girl. So personally, I never was worried about contracting Mad Cow Disease on top of Mad Church Disease. But if Mad Cow Disease doesn’t get you grossed out, watch Morgan Spurlock’s “Supersize Me” or “Fast Food Nation.” I promise you won’t touch fast food or processed meat for at least a year.
What is your favorite second opinion written by an author who also wrote a book about Pomegranates?
Didn’t Perry Noble write a book about Pomegranates? Oh, no wait. I guess that would be you. Rumor has it the same guy (you, not Perry) has a book about Wasabi something or other…which really makes me hungry. Why has this interview turned into a food interview? I thought we were here to talk about my book!
I read your blog, your articles in every magazine and follow you on twitter. Is this book thing gonna be worth reading?
As most authors would say, it’s my hope that this book finds its way into the hands of the people who need it most. The book isn’t a magic pill. If you’re burned out, you’ll find some things to challenge your thinking and some practical steps to take…but it’s not going to cure you by simply reading it. And if you’re not burned out, I hope it will help you put in some disciplines and thought patterns that keep you from getting there…because we’re all out to be destroyed…John 10:10 says that…the enemy is only out to hurt us. I pray this book will spark conversations that would have normally not taken place…that it will get people on staff, volunteers, and their families talking about some pretty serious issues with serious consequences…and that we can all get healthy (or stay healthy!) together.
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Thank you sooo much Shawn!!! This was such a fun interview to do!