Biographical Interview with Keith Pascal:

Keith: I'm ready. Ask away.

MAM: How long have you been a martial-arts writer, and what did you do before writing books?

Keith: I was a high school teacher for a dozen years. In 2000, I left teaching and started promoting the hardback that I had written in 1998. While I marketed books, I continued writing.

MAM: What was that first book?

Keith: Wrist Locks: From Protecting Yourself to Becoming an Expert.

MAM: I have seen that book on Amazon.com and on other martial arts sites. Is that your only book?

Keith: No. In hardback, I have a new one called Coin Snatching: The Reputation Builder. It's an entire book on how to speed switch one coin for another in someone else's hand. The book includes the real methods, complete presentation suggestions, and a lot of information on reputation building for martial artists.

And now, there is Tiptoeing to Tranquility in paperback.

MAM: Is Tiptoeing to Tranquility a martial arts book?

Keith: No, not really. It would be very appropriate for martial artists to give to their loved ones. But it addresses a more general audience -- regular people who want to feel safe and secure in these dangerous times.

MAM: That sounds interesting. Is it a how-to book?

Keith: Yes and no. It's a parable -- a nice story. But people will definitely discover how to lead more secure lives.

MAM: Have you written other books?

Keith: Those are the only three printed. In ebook format, I have Secrets of Teaching Martial Arts More Effectively, 10 Days to Better Knife Fighting, and The Punch Papers.

MAM: I have read some of those ... and a bunch of articles of yours on the Internet. What are your qualifications as a martial arts writer?

Keith: I have been into martial arts most of my life (I am 46). I have several certificates -- the one that means the most to me is my 1st-level Teacher's Certification in Twin Dragons Method. It included certification in JKD -- Bruce Lee's style.

I also have a Master's Degree from the University of Oregon that emphasized teaching methodology. And finally, I used to own a bookstore that featured "how-to" books.

That means I spent all day long reading and selling books that showed the very best methods of how to do almost anything -- from raising frogs to making soap.

MAM: And you bring these skills to your martial-arts writing. I bet this is why you got tired of books that didn't teach people how.

Keith: Exactly. I have pretty high standards.

MAM: Since you have JKD certification, may I ask how you are connected to Bruce Lee?

Keith: I am not, really. It's that six degrees of separation concept.

MAM: So, how can you connect to him indirectly?

Keith: Well, for one, he and I were probably coin snatching at about the same time. I was a little kid, and he was ... the most famous martial artist of the 20th century. There are a few other connections too.

MAM: Care to mention any?

Keith: Well, my martial arts teacher was one of the original Bruce Lee students. I have also had lessons and seminars from many of his other students. Also, I participated in the Bruce Lee Education Foundation for its first four years of existence.

MAM: Those are a lot of ties. Do you stay in contact with any of them?

Keith: Always with my teacher, Steve Golden. But that's really about it. I would like to contact John Little, at some point. He was the first authorized historian of the Bruce Lee Estate. John reviewed my first book, and he granted me an interview on tape, that I have yet to use. I also have one from Linda Lee Cadwell, Bruce Lee's widow.

MAM: How do you plan to use those interviews?

Keith: I am sure you'll see pieces of them in an upcoming work.

MAM: We are almost out of time, but did want to ask you more about Tiptoeing to Tranquility. Why did you choose to write a more general book?

Keith: I see violence all around me. There are thousands of child abductions each year. And I'd hate to count the number of single woman attacked or kidnapped. It's appalling. I want to do something about it.

MAM: Will one book really make everyone completely safe?

Keith: There is no such thing as 100%, but 'Tiptoeing ...' will make people more aware. It will help people travel more safely. And it has potential to help people find more safety and comfort in these dangerous times.

MAM: Where can readers obtain a copy of Tiptoeing to Tranquility?

Keith: Your readers should go to: www.TiptoeingToTranquility.com.