The Run Downs: The Young Years (Book 1)

Author Interview with Paul Flanagan

Q: Tell us is a little about the book.

A: ‘The Run Downs’ is about three fourteen-year-old kids who are trapped in a run down trailer park in the 1970’s. They’re called ‘Run Downs’ because they’re foster kids. The only people who take them in is bad people who want to State money to buy alcohol and drugs. The Run Downs decide to run away to Los Angeles, but end up in Phoenix.

They jump a train carrying cars and hide in the back of a Station Wagon. The train is destined for Phoenix. On the way two fourteen-year-old girls running away from the Ghetto in Chicago jump the train. The five form a bond.

When they arrive in Phoenix they hit the streets. But on the same day a kind preacher and his wife take them in. But they find out the sharp blades of the past don’t forget. Blood is spilled and the dark shadows that tortured them before they ran away threaten to return.

Q: Sounds intense. What made you write this book?

A: The book is based on personal experiences I faced growing up. I guess you can say I know what it feels like to be a ‘Run Down’. I wanted to write this book to dive into the sharp blades of the past that cut deep and without mercy.

Q: Your book is considered a Young Adult book with a Christian theme. Talk about the Christian aspect some.

A: What can save five lost fourteen-year-old kids who have nothing? No hope. No chance. No nothing except the blades they carry in their pockets. When the preacher and his wife take them in they all start to learn that JESUS loves them and GOD has always been there for them. They start to learn that it’s okay to have faith and that faith can sometimes be just as sharp as a blade. It’s not a ‘Happily Ever After’ type situation where they all say: Oh, I get it. Great!

These kids have to fight to even smile let alone have faith. They’re battle in book one is only the beginning.

Q: Why did you turn ‘The Run Downs’ into a series?

A: Each book will be 80K words long—about five books. Each book will follow the Rundowns from the age of fourteen up until their early twenties. Each book will focus on their lives, growth, challenges, personal battles and so on. For instance: In Book 2 the Run Downs have to start school. The preacher’s wife wants to homeschool them but they end up having to go to a public school. Fight happens. Progress starts to fall back—one step forward, two steps back. One of the Run Downs gets into trouble with the law and so does one of the girls. But through it all they keep fighting the blade.

Q: Why did you start the book off in the early 1970’s?

A: I wanted to start off in a period that was rough on a lot of kids—also a period where there weren’t any cellphones, game systems and so on. I wanted to touch on the raw emotions and get rid of today’s technology that seems to truly deprive kids of what I had growing up. Kids were far different in the early 1970’s than they are today. I wanted to show that and bring out that untouched treasure.

Q: You were born in seventies right?

A: I was born in 1978 and came to age in the 80’s and early 90’s. I grew up in a rough neighborhood. My parents were extremely dysfunctional. A lot of drinking, fighting, moving around. I made the best of what I could. I didn’t grow up with a cellphone in my hand and a computer in front of my face.

Q: You lived in bad places like in the book, right?

A: Sure. I lived in the Projects in Macon, GA. I lived in two trailer parks, roach motels, the front of a van, been homeless— a lot bad places. I know what it feels like to want decent clothes and a soft bed and what it feels like to be a Run Down. When you’re ‘Nothing’ you know it.

Q: But you turned out okay, right?

A: Because of my faith in GOD through JESUS my LORD. I didn’t come to true faith until my early 30’s. That’s how hard being a ‘Run Down’ growing up cut me. You always fight and get one foot forward and then you fall and take two steps back. It wasn’t until I reached out to JESUS with all my heart that my path finally leveled out and I was able to keep walking without falling.

Q: Do you think ‘The Run Downs’ will help other young adults who face the same challenges you did and the challenges the characters in the book face?

A: I pray so. ‘The Run Downs’ is dedicated to everyone who has ever been hurt growing up and faced the sharp end of the blade. ‘The Run Downs’ is in GOD’s loving Hands. Whether the book does good or fails isn’t in my hands. I have to have faith GOD will use ‘The Run Downs’ for HIS Glory.

Q: What will you say to anyone who reads ‘The Run Downs’?

A: Be prepared to become a ‘Run Down’ yourself for a while. Dare to walk as a ‘Run Down’ in your heart as you read the books. Then you’ll know what it means to walk on the underside of a sharp blade like the Run Downs in the books.

 

Autism seems to be more and more common these days, but in fact what is happening is that it is becoming much more diagnosable. In any case, as a parent today it’s something that you really need to know about, because there is always a chance your own child might be autistic, and it’s something that is good to be as prepared for as possible. In this post, then, we are going to take you through just some of the things you might need to know about autism in children when you are a parent.

It is certainly helpful to have a sense of what the early signs are, because this is going to help you to appreciate when you might be seeing them in your own child, and you can therefore work with that much more easily. So this is something that is really worth thinking about. Social challenges are some of the earliest signs, from limited eye contact to not responding to their name and difficulty understanding emotions. There might also be communication differences and repetitive behaviours, although this is not always the case necessarily.

There is no single known cause of autism, but research suggests that there is a combination of genetic and environmental factors that come into play. Because of that, it’s the kind of thing that we are still learning a lot about. There are however improvements in diagnosis in recent years, as we have seen already, and usually this requires a developmental specialist to be able to give it. However, when the diagnosis is given it is usually pretty clear. It is of course however a big moment for the parents and the family.

Treatment

It’s not the kind of thing that you should cure - even if that were desired - but there are lots of treatments and therapies which you might be able to make use of. Some of these, such as the ABA Therapy centers for Autism, can be incredibly useful in helping your child to develop and to live a full life, so it’s certainly something that is really important to think about. There are other kinds of therapies which can help too, such as speech therapy and sensory therapy, sometimes these are also combined.

What You Can Do

The main thing to do is to observe your child’s development and make a note of anything that seems pertinent. From there, you can then seek professional help when that seems necessary, and you should find that you are able to therefore much more effectively create a supportive environment for them as well. If you are doing those things, you are really doing most of what you can as a parent. All in all, this is going to be really important to bear in mind when you are a parent.

 

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Opening a franchise outlet offers you a prepackaged business that can be successful. With the right guidance and the backing of an established brand name, you can build a thriving business. This potential for success should motivate you to take on this venture. 

There are thousands of franchises in the US alone, over 800,000 to be exact, and franchise businesses support millions of jobs across the country and generate $41 billion in GDP. 

While you will be supported in many of the decisions you make, it's crucial that your digital marketing stands out and works for you. This post is going to look into some angles and hooks you can use to entice people over to your franchise outlet, whether it is your first one or you’re expanding to new locations. Being aware of the importance of digital marketing for franchises should prepare you for this aspect of your business. 

Loyalty Schemes

If you offer a loyalty scheme in one location and expand into another, allowing people to switch between more than one location to gain benefits is vital. You can use these in your marketing copy for your new franchise location to entice people to pay you a visit or lure new customers in.

To help you keep track of your loyalty purchases and commitments, you want to look for these features in a franchise POS that offer a seamless experience that benefits customers and helps you deliver on your loyalty promises.

Familiarity

People want to go somewhere they know and can anticipate what to expect. If you are opening another franchise location or simply relying on the reputation of the parent company, you need to use this angle in your marketing. While you might be the new aspect of the business, the name, the branding, the setup services, etc., should all be familiar, and this is something you can use to your advantage when marketing.

Sell The Dream

The reason a company has decided to franchise what it does is because there is real value to others in the services provided. Whether you are franchising a solutions company or a food outlet, your franchise revolves around travel or anything else you want to hone in on the dream for people in your marketing messaging. 

The dream might involve feeding and satisfying kids with no cooking or cleaning up required, the ultimate in luxurious travel, or the elimination of domestic cleaning. Whatever it is, use it and sell it as a marketing angle to hook people in.

Exclusivity

One angle that is guaranteed to pique people's interest is exclusivity. By weaving exclusiveness and limited-time deals or products into your marketing, you can tap into people's desires to have what others have and not be the pens who are out. When opening up your franchise, if you want to use any type of offer or deal, you have to create scarcity and implore people to complete your CTA. Whether it is attending opening day to get a free gift with any purchase or offering opening week discounts or loyalty programs, make it time-sensitive and limited and make sure people snap it up so they do not miss out.

 

Looking after the home can be tricky, but it can also be something that is easier than you might have thought. In general, you want to try and do everything you can to make your home as fully functioning as possible, but there are always going to be repairs that you might need to make. When that is the case, it’s good to know how to do it and where to look for help. So with that in mind, here are some of the really common household repairs that you might need to make in your home at some point or another.

Leaky Tap

If you find you have a leaky tap or faucet, this is something that can be surprisingly simple to fix, especially with the right help. However, it’s important that you do so, as otherwise you might be in a situation where you have a lot of water damage, and this can happen much more quickly than you might think. Of course, the best and easiest solution here is to get a professional in to replace a leaky faucet, and that should mean that the leak doesn’t return for many years, if at all.

Creaking Floorboard

This again is very common, and if you have old hardwood floors you probably find there are at least one or two boards that tend to creak when you step on them. This might not be much of a problem, but if it is causing issues in the home - perhaps because it’s right outside a bedroom door and keeping people awake - then you can fix it easily. You just need to get the floorboard up and replace it in most cases, which is a simple job that most people can do themselves. That should fix it and should make the floor much nicer to walk on too.

Running Toilet

This is something that can happen when a toilet has been there for some years. Usually the cause of a running toilet is that the float in the cistern has given way, or is simply not working anymore, and just replacing that should fix the toilet as a whole. It’s both a simple job and a cheap one, as these floats tend to cost very little, being just a small bit of plastic that is very common. So this is something that is worth trying to do yourself when it does go wrong.

Clogged Drains

While it’s not a particularly enjoyable job, it is actually relatively simple to unclog a drain, and it’s something that you might want to make sure you are able to do. That way, you will not have to ask for help, and you can simply ensure that you are going to be able to do it yourself. Unclogging a drain is normally achieved by identifying the problem area and then using a plunger and some other tools to get the blockage out. It’s worth doing as soon as you notice the problem.

 

Basements can often become neglected corners of our homes, used only to store old sports equipment, holiday decorations, and items we "might need someday." But what if you turn that unused corner into something you use every day instead? A successful basement renovation can elevate the entire living experience, adding value, comfort, creativity, and aesthetic value. Whether creating a cozy family retreat or sleek home office is up to you.

Why Renovate Your Basement? 

Let's be clear, your basement is underappreciated. Sure, it may have low ceilings and limited windows, but its potential is huge. Renovating it can give you extra square footage for entertaining, working or relaxing in addition to increasing property resale value over time. With modern design solutions even the dullest or uneven spaces can become luxurious spaces.

Setting Your Vision  

It's important to define your vision for your basement renovation. What do you envision this space becoming, an energetic home gym? A luxurious wine cellar? Or possibly just a snug den where family gathers for movie night? By setting clear goals for yourself early on, setting clear plans will become much simpler later. Don't rush this step, take your time dreaming big by exploring inspiration online or consulting professionals.

Addressing Key Renovation Challenges 

Basement renovation can be exciting, yet present a unique set of challenges. Here's what you must take into consideration:

• Moisture Control: Say goodbye to musty smells or water damage by waterproofing for long-term durability. Consider installing proper drainage systems, sealing cracks, and adding an effective vapor barrier. You can Learn More about qualified contractors here by clicking on the link.

• Lighting Wars: Basements can often lack natural light. To combat this, consider adding LED recessed lights, pendant fixtures and strategically-placed mirrors as ways to bring in extra illumination into the space.

• Smart Ventilation: Nobody enjoys sitting in an overly humid, stuffy space. For optimal air circulation and health benefits, install air ducts or ceiling fans for proper ventilation in any room you occupy.

• Ceiling Heights and Constraints: If your basement feels cramped, use effective design strategies such as painting the ceiling a lighter color or even exposing beams for a chic industrial vibe.

Design Ideas to Spark Your Inner Renovator

Once the foundation of your basement renovation project is in place, now comes the fun part, design. Below are a few effective ideas to create an eye-catching space that complements your lifestyle and complements it perfectly.

Design an Inviting Family Lounge 

Create the ultimate hangout spot to watch movies or play games. Bring together cozy furniture like a large sectional, plus comfy rugs in different textures for maximum coziness. Layer lighting according to mood. Dim for cinematic feel or bright for board game night. Don't forget functional yet fun storage like built-in shelves that allow games or blankets to be neatly stored away.

Create A Home Office That Inspires

A calm basement makes an excellent setting for a distraction-free home office. Select ergonomic furniture and invest in ample desk space. If there's no natural light, try opting for warmer colors, plants for improved air quality, light-diffusing fixtures that mimic sunlight, as well as adding sleek rugs or gallery walls as functional art installations to complete the look.

Fitness Oasis at Home

Forget overcrowded gyms, create your own fitness oasis at home. Rubber flooring, mirrored walls, and an excellent sound system can set the scene for effective workouts in any corner of the room. Weights, yoga mats or even mini saunas may provide post-workout relaxation.

Conclusion

Renovating your basement offers you the chance to reimagine your home in ways you might never expect. From warm family gathering areas to luxurious guest suites, your basement's potential should not remain hidden away as just another storage area. Through careful planning, smart budgeting, and creative touches you will reveal its full potential. Your basement doesn't want to remain just a basement, it wants to become part of the show. Are you up for giving it the shine-up it needs?