Where is Rhonda's 'dream' writing place? What is her favorite part about writing? What FUN ways has Rhonda discovered to promote her books?
Don't miss the answer to my last question. It is truly profound.
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Tell me a about yourself. What got
you started in writing?
I took a course from the Institute of
Children’s Literature in 1976, while I was at home recovering from Bronchial
Asthma. I submitted my first two stories to Scott Foresman, and received
derisive letters from my instructors. They told me submitting was a waste
because “publishers do not publish stories from unknown authors, as they have
their own stable of writers.”
Surprise! The two grammar stories were published in
Scott Foresman’s 1st Grade, Teacher’s Read Aloud Edition (A
Questions of Markus, and The Runaway—Peter Period.) This encouraged me to
continue writing. Three other grammar stories were accepted, but cut due to
book length. I still have the dream that they will all eventually find a home
in a children’s storybook.
How and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or do you prefer writing freehand?
I have familial tremors, so freehand
writing is out of the question. I love the quiet and beauty which are mine as
every morning I look out from my porch to the open water of a very large lake. I
often think I will sit down at my desk to read e-mails and then go to the porch
to write, but I never get there. Each Spring, I promise myself I will spend
every morning on the porch, looking out on the lake and distant shore, listening
to the ducks fight in the water, and writing while relaxing. It would certainly
be more relaxing.
What's your favorite part about
writing? Your least favorite part about writing?
I love the way all of the
story parts come together into one believable and understandable unit. I enjoy
describing scenes and painting pictures with my words. My least favorite part
is realizing that when I stop writing for a time, some fleeting thoughts will
desert me while I’m ‘back in the real world’. And, once I get away, too often
life fights to keep me away.
How do you come up with your
characters? Why would readers want to get to know them?
Sometimes, I will see a humorous animal
picture, and think “that would make a cute story.” Or, something in life will
trigger a memory that I just know would make a great story-line for a book. Or,
a scripture will turn on my imagination and I can hear myself explaining the
scripture in a devotional.
What types of marketing do you do
to promote your writing?
I set up a booth at school and local
events, hand out bookmarks with my book image on one side. I also have books on
display in several stores in my small town. The problem is that this small,
rural area just doesn't have much potential for book sales. We are moving back
to the Dallas area next month, where greater opportunities await, I hope.
Currently, a sign expert is creating a large display to use in my booths, so
that my booth can compete with the often very decorated and overwhelming booths
surrounding mine. I also joined the
library’s reading club, and intend to join several of them in the Dallas area.
Although I have not had time the past few months to contact radio stations in
the Dallas area, they are on my ‘to do’ list. This summer, I read my children’s
book to children at two local libraries.
How do you schedule your writing
time? When do you write?
I am compulsive when I get started, and
put writing aside while helping my in-laws get settled in a nursing home and
renovating their home for us to move into. When we move in, I intend to sit
down to write right after breakfast. This is an effort to get the writing done
before I become involved with daily life activities.
What are you currently working on?
Do you have a new book out?
I have several children’s stories ready
to send to my illustrator, but the house renovation took up my resources. I have
completed outlines on a couple of inspirational themes, including ideas for a women’s
devotional. In addition, outlines for my own story are complete. (I have a
medical issue which takes up a lot of my time at the moment, but several people
have encouraged me to tell my story. It would easy to do, but I have difficulties
with my publisher and this story needs an agent to help get it out. Right now, I
have neither the money nor the contacts to go forward with the project, and I
will not go the self-publishing route again. My writing engine is, at this
moment, somewhat stalled.
What would you tell a beginning
writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?
I do not believe the author is a good
judge of his or her own talent. Even the best and most “talented” writers
occasionally find doubt floating to surface. I read often of the self-doubt that
famous authors still encounter. I would encourage you to “just sit down and start.” You have seen poor
writing throughout your life. You cannot be as bad as some of them, and they
made money off of their “bad.” Why not sit
down and write to those you know and trust? All writing is just talking to others. A
hearing impaired person “talks” to others. His/her medium is hands. Your medium
is the written word. Just talk to your friend. After you share your message, there
will be time to make sure it is grammatically appropriate for publishing. Do
not worry about it now. Editing comes later. Just talk in your own language, without
concern that it is or is not a product of talent. The talent is often in your words and the
atmosphere you create with those words. I often hear, “It is not rocket science.”
That is true, although you are utilizing the science of your own mind and
personality. So, take off, explore the written universe,
and see where it takes you.
***
Thank you, Rhonda!
Learn more about Rhonda:
Rhonda Walker
facebook: rhonda.r.walker or
rhonda.l.walker
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