An interview with Ann Marie Zakos, author of “First Class Ticket”… “an irreverent look at a week in the life of a college student, Madison, along with two of her classmates, as they learn about life through a philosophy class. A medley of teaching tales divided into 13 chapters, it explores the nine truths of life…”
Heather: How did you develop these nine truths in the book?
Ann Marie: I developed these truths from my own personal life experiences. I took experiences that I encountered in my daily life from interacting with co-workers, friends, and family. I realized these truths to be self-evident and that they apply to us all universally.
Heather: Are you a student of philosophy?
Ann Marie: Although I took a couple philosophy classes in college, I didn't enjoy them and found them unfulfilling. Therefore, I created my own philosophies from my perceptions of the world and incorporated them into this book.
Heather: Did you take a special philosophy course in college?
Ann Marie: I took two philosophy courses in college that I didn't like very much. I'm not sure if it was my state of mind at the time, or the lack of passion about the subject from the professors. But I intuitively knew that philosophy should be fun and rewarding and that the younger generation should be influenced and inspired by it. So I guess the lack of inspiration I felt from my professors about the subject made me want to inspire others about philosophy.
Heather: What prompted you to write a book about spiritual development?
Ann Marie: I feel that our culture is materially rich, yet spiritually poor, and I wanted to inspire others to look at what really matters in life and realize that the only real measure of wealth is our own character.
Heather: Are you a supporter of the idea that we are in an age of information?
Ann Marie: I strongly believe that our culture is shifting from the material age into the age of information. This is relevant with the great technological advancements that have been made in the last twenty years, as well as the "Green" movement that is taking place. I like to think that I am part of the "metrospiritual" movement.
Heather: I love the quotes at the beginning of the chapters. What gave you that idea? Are you a collector of quotes like many authors are?
Ann Marie: I love quotes because when thought about, they have the ability to touch us and awaken us deep inside.
Heather: Are there more tales of college students in the works?
Ann Marie: I am following up “First Class Ticket” with the sequel called “The Inn Between.” It's the second philosophy assignment for Brian, Diana and Madison where they are assigned the task of going on a scavenger hunt through an old hotel near their college campus.
Heather: Do you think that there is a lack of interesting, engaging, enlightening reading material for young adults? I hope you know that this book certainly fills that bill.
Ann Marie: That is exactly what influenced me to write this book. I feel that young adults are bombarded by the media with the wrong messages. There is too much emphasis on MTV, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton and not enough emphasis on the things that truly matter. I feel that they need to be inspired by positive, enlightening and life-altering books that can shape them into becoming better people.
Heather: Have you been writing fiction long?
Ann Marie: I've been writing fiction for the past six years and I intend to continue writing for the rest of my life. It's my passion!
Heather: Please give us a brief bio and share anything else that you wish to.
Ann Marie: I recently gave a book speaking event at Transitions Bookplace in Chicago (a store that I love) and many of the people in the audience kept asking me, "You're so young, how do you know about these truths, how do you understand so much?" My response to them was that when I first starting writing the book, I had no outline, I just had the basic story plot in mind. I started with a blank computer screen and everyday for hours I would get quiet and I would just listen. Miraculously, the words starting to take shape on the page. I truly felt that my entire experience of writing the book was from a divine source. A higher form of energy was helping me write, and I was just the vessel that it came through.
“First Class Ticket” is available on Amazon.com and on AnnMarieZakos.com
Showing posts with label ann marie zakos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ann marie zakos. Show all posts
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Philosophical Fiction Review
First Class Ticket
by Ann Marie Zakos
ISBN-10: 0976452332
Review by Heather Froeschl
There are no coincidences. We come face to face with life lessons every day and can grow from them if only we choose to. Ann Marie Zakos reminds us of this in her fantastic work of fiction, “First Class Ticket.” Philosophy should be this fun and enlightening for all of us!
Madison is upset when she learns that she has to squeeze a philosophy class into her busy college schedule. What’s worse is that it ends up being an early morning class and she doesn’t know anyone else who is taking it. The teacher is somewhat mysterious and on the first day he gives an assignment to learn nine truths within a week. These truths are printed on cards in an envelope, but are written in a way that is not truly understandable until a guide helps them to figure it out. The trick is that the students can’t seek out their guides; the guides must come to them. The kids are grouped into experience partners and as luck would have it (no such thing…) Madison is grouped with two partners instead of one. Brian is a lighthearted happy young man, while Diana is somewhat his opposite. Together the three must uncover what these truths could possibly mean to them. Along the way, a remarkable thing occurs – friendship of the deepest kind.
The truths will affect these three friends in life changing ways and the process of discovering them is somewhat miraculous from their point of view. Strangers come up to them and engage in philosophical conversations, guiding them toward understanding. What’s more is that you as the reader will come to these understandings too. Like Madison, you might learn to draw energy and give it back to those around you, change your perspective from negative to positive, and develop your inner strength through thought and meditation. Like Diana, you might learn to trust your instincts. And like Brian, you might learn that you are already on the right path.
This story is much like a fable, where characters learn a lesson and teach it to us as well. But it is some much more as a delightful work of fiction and is rich with many messages of growth. The cast is lovable and endearing, making you wish you could be at that campus and taking that class. The writing is tight and well executed. The descriptive imagery is nicely done and evokes the feel of the campus quad, freshly cut grass, sandy beach, and an energetic college baseball game. This book is for readers of all ages, from high school to grandparents, for we all could do to learn a thing or two and reading for enjoyment knows no age. I highly recommend “First Class Ticket,” for, “adventure lights the path to spiritual development.”
by Ann Marie Zakos
ISBN-10: 0976452332
Review by Heather Froeschl
There are no coincidences. We come face to face with life lessons every day and can grow from them if only we choose to. Ann Marie Zakos reminds us of this in her fantastic work of fiction, “First Class Ticket.” Philosophy should be this fun and enlightening for all of us!
Madison is upset when she learns that she has to squeeze a philosophy class into her busy college schedule. What’s worse is that it ends up being an early morning class and she doesn’t know anyone else who is taking it. The teacher is somewhat mysterious and on the first day he gives an assignment to learn nine truths within a week. These truths are printed on cards in an envelope, but are written in a way that is not truly understandable until a guide helps them to figure it out. The trick is that the students can’t seek out their guides; the guides must come to them. The kids are grouped into experience partners and as luck would have it (no such thing…) Madison is grouped with two partners instead of one. Brian is a lighthearted happy young man, while Diana is somewhat his opposite. Together the three must uncover what these truths could possibly mean to them. Along the way, a remarkable thing occurs – friendship of the deepest kind.
The truths will affect these three friends in life changing ways and the process of discovering them is somewhat miraculous from their point of view. Strangers come up to them and engage in philosophical conversations, guiding them toward understanding. What’s more is that you as the reader will come to these understandings too. Like Madison, you might learn to draw energy and give it back to those around you, change your perspective from negative to positive, and develop your inner strength through thought and meditation. Like Diana, you might learn to trust your instincts. And like Brian, you might learn that you are already on the right path.
This story is much like a fable, where characters learn a lesson and teach it to us as well. But it is some much more as a delightful work of fiction and is rich with many messages of growth. The cast is lovable and endearing, making you wish you could be at that campus and taking that class. The writing is tight and well executed. The descriptive imagery is nicely done and evokes the feel of the campus quad, freshly cut grass, sandy beach, and an energetic college baseball game. This book is for readers of all ages, from high school to grandparents, for we all could do to learn a thing or two and reading for enjoyment knows no age. I highly recommend “First Class Ticket,” for, “adventure lights the path to spiritual development.”
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