Tell me a about yourself. What got
you started in writing?
I never wanted to write, but I knew I had a story to tell about
my son’s miraculous adoption and God’s impact on my life. Up until that time, I
loved to tell stories but despised the act of writing.
After two years of trying to figure out what works best for me,
I write a minimum of 3 hours per day, five days a week. I reserve that time for
my current works in progress. I write new material for 15 minutes, and then
edit another work for 45. Social media, marketing and all of the other
administrative tasks happen outside of that 3-hour window.
How and where do you write? Do you
prefer a laptop or some other method of getting your words down?
I use a computer. I revert to long hand if I am hopelessly stuck.
What's your favorite part about
writing? Your least favorite part about writing?
It took me a while to figure out that the part I love is getting
the story out on paper. I love watching the story unfold as I tell it. I
usually don’t have any idea where it’s going. That’s great fun for me.
How did you come up with your book
idea? How long did it take you to write your book?
As I edited my memoir, I began writing new material and the
story of Cassie emerged. I student taught in Hawaii with a woman named Barbara
Robinson, who told me her story. She endured time alone as a sick child on Maui
and when she finally attended school, she spoke antiquated English and discovered
that she could read minds. I wrote the core of the book in a few weeks. The rest
of the story, or the editing, publishing and so on took about six months.
What types of marketing do you do
to promote your writing?
I promote my website authorbbras regularly via my
newsletter, my Facebook Author page and Twitter. I blog on two sites, my own
and http://www.heartwingsblog.com which gives me exposure to a different audience. I participate
in as many giveaways as I can to attract new readers. Celebrate Lit has also promoted my books through their blog tours.
What are you currently working on?
Do you have a new book out?
As I described above, I generally have two works in progress. My
editing project is a story I finished in November 2015. It’s about a woman who has
floated through her life. She is jolted back to reality determined to
rediscover herself, her children and love. The other is the sequel to She
Who Knows, a Tale of the Heart. The story of Cassie’s struggle to hold
onto love continues as she returns to Hawaii after college.
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| Get the Book at Amazon |
Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.
People who care for a terminally ill loved one fascinate me. I
admire their personal sacrifice, especially since it goes against the ME FIRST
philosophy today. I also know the impact self-sacrifice can have on caregivers,
both physically and emotionally. I witnessed this first hand, as my daughter
cared for her husband as he battled a brain tumor. Since then I have met others
who have had similar experiences and my dream is to share their stories.
What would you tell a beginning
writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?
Genius is one percent inspiration and
ninety-nine percent perspiration. Thomas A. Edison
***
A Question for Kathryn:
Book reviews are critical in
today’s world. Why will readers write to tell the author what they loved about
the story, but won’t take the time to write a short review?
Excellent question, one that I've wondered about for a long time. Perhaps, though, writing a review on Amazon means that everyone (and their dog) gets to see it, wheras a thoughtful note to your favorite author, or even a short thank you in person, has only one set of eyes.
I have had readers shy away from the professional review because they are hung up on 'doing it right,' instead of merely wanting to express their feelings about a book no matter the typos.
If I tell them that it doesn't need to be perfect, that what I want is their honest feelings about my book, and that I care less about their less than 'perfect grammar' they are more likely to want to share their feelings with the entire world.
***
My website
http://www.authorbbras.com
Author Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraBrasAuthor/
Twitter @authorbbras
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/bsbras
Amazon https://tinyurl.com/n87r47j
Pinterest http:www.pinterest.com/bsbras
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