Tell me about yourself. What got you started in Writing?
When growing up, I seem to be a bit
of a dreamer. As I look back, I never minded telling tall tales or
writing, although I was a slow reader and a terrible speller. I was blessed
with a wild imagination, and utilized this creative side in the essays or
stories I wrote.
During those early school years, my
bubbly personality sent me fluttering around others like an insect with wings.
Foolishly, I became a high school dropout at sixteen, and had to pursue
my education later in life.
With time comes maturity. My one
and current marriage came two years after leaving school. We raised three children, which now have children of their own. As a family we have traveled
more than most, before coming to Florida
to live.
On the professional side, my work
has leaned towards children or in the medical field. I obtained a GED, and went
on to take both vocational and some college courses. In recent years, my
interest in writing returned and I began to dabble in poems and stories.
Amateur illustration, graphic design and photography were additional hobbies
that followed.
How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?
A strict writing schedule may work best for some, but as long as I can make
time to jot down a few ideas each day, I am happy. Instead of block
hours, my routine is working around whatever I have scheduled on the home
front.
Often I can be found on the computer past midnight. Other times, I may work the
entire morning and afternoon. Writing a few minutes or hours each day will
strengthen an inspiring author’s growth in his craft. I believe we all must
find what works best individually. It is surprising how quickly minutes
can turn into hours when doing what we enjoy.
How and where do you write? Do you prefer a laptop or
some other method of getting your words down?
Creating a relaxing atmosphere is
the first step before writing. Unless you are extremely good at tuning out
noise, the television can become a big detraction if left on. I usually turn on
some of my favorite music and write in a place that I won’t be disturbed.
An idea for a story can emerge
anywhere or during any given moment. Having a pen and notebook nearby is
important for not losing phases or thoughts. Don’t ask how many times I didn’t
write down a word and forgot it later on.
When it comes to creating a story,
the first draft is usually on a standard piece of paper. I make lots of changes
and prefer to look it over before it is typed on the desk computer. My laptop
also comes in handy. It may be used as a back up for my working computer files,
or other projects. One of these is a deluxe word search for kids.
What’s your favorite part about writing? What’s your
least favorite part about writing?
What pulls me in most about writing is the versatility. A writer can travel
anywhere or transform into any character. The story line may be true; it may be
pure science fiction. A writer has the freedom to change topics, settings, or
plots in the unpublished book.
If I was to pick the least favorite part of writing it would be the research.
Even with a fictional book, a certain amount of truth statements or locations
are usually included to make the story realistic. I am currently working on
educational books. Although they are written for children, they require some
research.
How did you come up with your book idea? How long did
it take you to write your book?
It’s All About the Chirp, Snap
and Quack is actually a spin off from another idea. One of my hobbies is
photography and the other graphic design. I had been designing mugs. One
day while watching my grandchildren at the park, I began to snap wildlife
photos. Before too long, my wildlife collection grew with each returning trip
for more.
As I examined the photographs, cute little phases crossed my mind. I downloaded the pictures onto files I made on my computer. I wrote sayings under the ones I could imagine on a mug or t-shirt. One day after several
more new photos, I came up with the idea to put them into a book. It’s All
About the Chirp, Snap and Quack was that book. Now I have future plans for
two similar ones.
What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?
In my opinion, marketing is more
difficult than putting together the book. Not having much previous success, I
hired a publishing coach to point me in the right direction. With her
assistance, she designed a blog, author page, book trailer, bookmarks, and
submitted It’s All About the Chirp, Snap and Quack in my name. She
advertised my book on her sites, and created contests and blogs where authors could submit their book covers and ads.
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| GET THE BOOK AT AMAZON! |
Next step was to join groups and
try to get my book noticed. My book is posted on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest,
Linkedln, Google +, and author pages. Each day it is best to try to move forward.
I post poems on Scriggler, leave comments on blogs I find interesting, and have joined several writing groups. Many allow authors to post their books for free.
Here are some tips: Create a
contact list. Emailing places or calling local bookstores may lead to some
success. Book reviews and book signings are extremely important when trying to
get your book known. I have a book signing scheduled at a local library and
another at B&N. With both I will be one of a group of local authors.
Scouting around for places to do guest appearances or leave books does take
work.
To touch once again on creating a
contact list, I made a book ad. This advertisement is slowly being sent to
libraries and independent bookstores in and out of state. To make each one personal, I address the heading to the business in which the email is intended.
One last thing I do for marketing
is place ads on Facebook. I feel a sponsor advertisement will receive more
views on the weekend. I have considered other marketing sites like Amazon and
others on Twitter.
What are you currently working on? Do you have a new
book out?
Christmas at the Claus House ~ Saving Clara Deer was released four and a
half months before It’s All About the Chirp, Snap and Quack. The book is
for Santa lovers, and the efforts to save a sick deer. I do not have any other
published books out as yet.
It is my intention to release other books. I have several manuscripts either
finished or in varies stages of completion. Most manuscripts are in need of
illustrations. My current focus is on a deluxe word search for children, which
will be a 200 page workbook and a second wildlife book.
.
Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me
about it.
I actually have a few. Some manuscripts were stored on a shelf after being
rejected by traditional publishers. Usually, I moved on to the next project
rather quickly. One big mistake I made was to submit work before it was proof
read or edited. That’s a certain no-no with any inspiring writer. Often another
person will spot mistakes the author has missed. We as writers can be too close
to our work.
The manuscript deepest on the back burner is an unfinished novel. The story is
about a dog a boy receives for his birthday, when all he wanted was a new bike.
Did I mention the child is also afraid of dogs? This children’s book was put
away at its halfway point because of other projects. It’s almost time to pick
it back up.
What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to
publish but doesn’t believe he/she has enough talent?
Don’t give up on your dream! For some, words seem to fall into place and seeing
their work published in a magazine or book comes easily. For others like me, it
turns more into a struggle. With the number of submissions, the odds are
against even a seasoned writer. It takes a writer with thick skin and sheer
willpower to succeed.
Writing skills develop with practice. Read similar work to gain further insight
and never shy away from asking questions. Join a writing group and share.
Reading one’s work to others, even for five minutes, can generate great feedback on how to
improve a manuscript. Many towns or libraries have their own writing groups
that meet monthly or once a week.
A story is in each one of us. It takes perseverance and luck to achieve our
goals. An inspiring writer should not give up. When the work is finally in
print, it will feel like magic. All the hours, the research, and the lack of
sleep will be forgotten, as ideas for a new book begins.
***
Thank you, Nancy!
Learn more about Nancy by clicking the following links:
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