Today, I'm a part of Kimberly Rogers' book tour. Since I love doing interviews, I decided that this was the best way I could help Kimberly to get the word out.
If you're a writer, you know all about getting the word out. It's tough work! But it's also a needed avenue in finding readers for your book.
So here goes...
Why do you write?
I write for a number of reasons. The first and foremost is that I can’t not write. I have stories in my head and I need to get them down on paper. Second, I firmly believe I’ve been given a talent for crafting stories and as such I need to use it. Writing is part of my good stewardship. Third, I write because I have stories to tell. Oh, and the characters won’t leave me alone until I give them their proper story time.
I write for a number of reasons. The first and foremost is that I can’t not write. I have stories in my head and I need to get them down on paper. Second, I firmly believe I’ve been given a talent for crafting stories and as such I need to use it. Writing is part of my good stewardship. Third, I write because I have stories to tell. Oh, and the characters won’t leave me alone until I give them their proper story time.
How do you come up with your characters?
They tend to introduce themselves. Baran, the protagonist in Tiger’s Paw, showed up growling and menacing when I was idly contemplating a story contest. He was almost fully formed in his present character when he showed up, although as I continue his story across the books, I am finding he has even more layers to what makes him the rather grumpy and very stoic warrior he is in Tiger’s Paw. Raina, his main secondary character, has been very elusive. She sprang into the scene unexpectedly and then she refused to leave. Fortunately, they play off each other well. She’s pretty much Baran’s opposite in every way when it comes to how their personalities and mannerisms react to the situations I throw them into. She finally starts opening up in my upcoming book, Leopard’s Heart, although she and Baran are still at loggerheads with each other.
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Have you ever had anyone criticize you for any element of your work, whether
that be plot, characters, setting, grammar? If so, how did you deal with it?
I have received criticism. Because every reader is different, I’ve had some people who love my characters and the plot and I’ve had people love Baran more than Raina or love Raina more than Baran. I’ve also had criticism for not having enough world-building (i.e. info dumps) in Tiger’s Paw. I dealt with the criticisms first by looking at what the reader DID like then by looking at whether their criticisms were particular to that reader’s personal tastes or if they indicated something that needed to be changed in my writing. For the characters, it was fairly obvious that it was personal taste at play. For the world-building, it’s both personal and a reflection of my decision as an author.Tiger’s Paw is a novella-length prequel and I chose not to bog down the plot’s tight pace with a lot of world-building. The readers who wanted more in-depth information will have most of the questions mentioned answered in Leopard’s Heart and in future novel entries in the series. I also have one final safety measure to keep me from reacting poorly to criticisms. I go to one of my most trusted writing friends and first ask if they think the critic was pointing out anything that truly needs changing then I indulge in a little “why do readers have to give really different feedback” whining until it’s time to stop that and get back to work on the next book.
Where do you market your work? What have you found to be the most successful marketing tool?
I am still working on expanding my marketing. However, I stick to Facebook reader/writer groups such as Christian Indie Authors/Christian Indie Books, Indie Christian Authors, and Clean Indie Reads for free marketing as well as Twitter and then blog tours. So far, I’ve found the Facebook groups to be the most useful tool in my arsenal. As I gain traction among readers, I hope to experiment with other marketing tools such as paid advertisements.
What would you tell a beginning writer who believes he/she doesn't have enough talent to publish?
I wouldn’t define it as having enough “talent” to publish. Talent is an innate skill, so I would more readily speak of having a talent to write. It's not whether you have talent to publish, it's whether you are willing to put in the work to gain the experience needed for your best foot forward in publishing. You can have talent in writing and still fail miserably at publishing because you lack the necessary experience and refinement.
There is no magic talent for publishing. The case can be made for a perfect formula for being ready to publish. If you are willing to put in the work to better your skills and refine your talent. If you are willing to learn and to accept criticism from more experienced writers. If you are tenacious enough to keep writing even when you produced horrid first drafts, get bad reviews on your book (earned or otherwise), when you don’t sell a bunch of copies even though you’re doing everything right. It also takes the courage to stop seeking perfection and jump into the publishing pond. Tip – Use trusted critics who aren’t afraid to be brutally honest to help you reach that jumping in point.
Far too many talented writers don’t have the courage or tenacity or willingness to put in the work needed to gain a foothold in the publishing world. And, far too many hacks publish just for the sake of being published. What is your goal? Do you want to be a published writer to share your stories with whoever cares to buy your book even if they never leave a review? Do you want to be a published writer even though people will undoubtedly criticize some element of your book or give you conflicting feedback? Do you want to write the next book even though your first book bombed?
If you said yes, then the question isn’t one of talent. The question you need to ask yourself is how hard are you willing to work to learn how to write the best story possible and then work to be published. And, once you are published, don’t give up on writing. Keep at it.
I have received criticism. Because every reader is different, I’ve had some people who love my characters and the plot and I’ve had people love Baran more than Raina or love Raina more than Baran. I’ve also had criticism for not having enough world-building (i.e. info dumps) in Tiger’s Paw. I dealt with the criticisms first by looking at what the reader DID like then by looking at whether their criticisms were particular to that reader’s personal tastes or if they indicated something that needed to be changed in my writing. For the characters, it was fairly obvious that it was personal taste at play. For the world-building, it’s both personal and a reflection of my decision as an author.Tiger’s Paw is a novella-length prequel and I chose not to bog down the plot’s tight pace with a lot of world-building. The readers who wanted more in-depth information will have most of the questions mentioned answered in Leopard’s Heart and in future novel entries in the series. I also have one final safety measure to keep me from reacting poorly to criticisms. I go to one of my most trusted writing friends and first ask if they think the critic was pointing out anything that truly needs changing then I indulge in a little “why do readers have to give really different feedback” whining until it’s time to stop that and get back to work on the next book.
Where do you market your work? What have you found to be the most successful marketing tool?
I am still working on expanding my marketing. However, I stick to Facebook reader/writer groups such as Christian Indie Authors/Christian Indie Books, Indie Christian Authors, and Clean Indie Reads for free marketing as well as Twitter and then blog tours. So far, I’ve found the Facebook groups to be the most useful tool in my arsenal. As I gain traction among readers, I hope to experiment with other marketing tools such as paid advertisements.
What would you tell a beginning writer who believes he/she doesn't have enough talent to publish?
I wouldn’t define it as having enough “talent” to publish. Talent is an innate skill, so I would more readily speak of having a talent to write. It's not whether you have talent to publish, it's whether you are willing to put in the work to gain the experience needed for your best foot forward in publishing. You can have talent in writing and still fail miserably at publishing because you lack the necessary experience and refinement.
There is no magic talent for publishing. The case can be made for a perfect formula for being ready to publish. If you are willing to put in the work to better your skills and refine your talent. If you are willing to learn and to accept criticism from more experienced writers. If you are tenacious enough to keep writing even when you produced horrid first drafts, get bad reviews on your book (earned or otherwise), when you don’t sell a bunch of copies even though you’re doing everything right. It also takes the courage to stop seeking perfection and jump into the publishing pond. Tip – Use trusted critics who aren’t afraid to be brutally honest to help you reach that jumping in point.
Far too many talented writers don’t have the courage or tenacity or willingness to put in the work needed to gain a foothold in the publishing world. And, far too many hacks publish just for the sake of being published. What is your goal? Do you want to be a published writer to share your stories with whoever cares to buy your book even if they never leave a review? Do you want to be a published writer even though people will undoubtedly criticize some element of your book or give you conflicting feedback? Do you want to write the next book even though your first book bombed?
If you said yes, then the question isn’t one of talent. The question you need to ask yourself is how hard are you willing to work to learn how to write the best story possible and then work to be published. And, once you are published, don’t give up on writing. Keep at it.
***
Thank you, Kimberly!
Twitter Page:
https://twitter.com/KARogersAuthor
https://twitter.com/KARogersAuthor
Author Website:
Book Description:
What if history didn’t quite play out the way we know
it? What would
stay the same? What would change? Even in a world where Elves and
Humans coexist, there are secrets. Not all the old legends are
accurate, but neither are they false. Hidden among the Humans are the
Therians, those gifted with the ability to shift into beasts. How long
they will remain unseen by Human eyes depends on how well they adhere
to their code of life and honor – The Therian Way.
When secrecy is vital to survive among Humans and Elves, the Therian
Way offers balance. The Fringe, a militant group of discontented
Therians, threaten to expose their race to Mankind. It falls to
General Baran to track down and remove the Fringe Nest before time
runs out. Who can he trust when the fate of his people lies in the
Tiger’s paw?
This Novella Prequel is a Clean Urban Fantasy written from a Christian
worldview.
stay the same? What would change? Even in a world where Elves and
Humans coexist, there are secrets. Not all the old legends are
accurate, but neither are they false. Hidden among the Humans are the
Therians, those gifted with the ability to shift into beasts. How long
they will remain unseen by Human eyes depends on how well they adhere
to their code of life and honor – The Therian Way.
When secrecy is vital to survive among Humans and Elves, the Therian
Way offers balance. The Fringe, a militant group of discontented
Therians, threaten to expose their race to Mankind. It falls to
General Baran to track down and remove the Fringe Nest before time
runs out. Who can he trust when the fate of his people lies in the
Tiger’s paw?
This Novella Prequel is a Clean Urban Fantasy written from a Christian
worldview.
A fine interview indeed, Kathryn. I'm so glad to be introduced to yet another wonderful Author. Kimberly, I enjoyed your interview. Your answer to a beginning writer is very insightful and I believe they will be encouraged thru such. God bless you both immensely on the nook tour. May it minister profoundly and benefit many.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Vernita. I'm glad you enjoyed the interview.
ReplyDelete