AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jordan Ring

Tell me a about yourself. What got you started in writing?

I started writing only about two years ago. I first learned about blogging and the possibility of making money online while listening to Pat Flynn’s Smart Passive Income Podcast, and the idea that I could make money from home, from my computer stuck with me. Now, I have been writing every since and my 4th book is going to be up for sale on Amazon soon.

I love writing, and my dream is to become a full time author. I know that the only thing that is going to stop me from reaching that goal is if I actually stop trying to reach that goal. One day, I will be a bestselling author sipping pina coladas on the beach every day, but for now I work my butt off.

How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?

I write whenever I can. I currently work a full-time 50 hour per week job. I write during my time off. I don’t have the luxury of taking any time or any days off, so I write whenever I get the chance.

This most often comes during my days off on Sunday and Monday, but if I can fit it in after I work I will do that.

How and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or some other method of getting your words down?

Definitely laptop. I occasionally write notes down, but I mostly use digital format.

Since I currently write only non-fiction I write best when I am using an outline.

What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?

My favorite part about writing is definitely the finished project. I love seeing a book on sale on Amazon that I created. I literally created something from nothing and that feeling is pretty cool. I am also weird in that I love creating outlines and then using them to help write my books.

My least favorite part is the necessity of deadlines. I know they are important, but it can feel forced at times!

How did you come up with your book idea? How long did it take you to write your book?

I came up with the idea for “Now What? Getting Unstuck in a Sticky World” through life experience. I think that action taking is the #1 most difficult part of reaching any goal. I wrote this book to help people to bridge that gap. The book is for people that know what they need to do, but have trouble actually doing it.

What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?

I try to keep a constant presence on twitter, as well as respond to any email that comes in right away.

I also pay for advertising, run giveaways, share on social media, and email anyone I can think of.

For my next launch I have cultivated a street team of 20 people to help me launch the book. I am excited to see what comes of putting together a team like this. My hope is that it will help the launch to take off!

What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?

I am currently working on a new book called “Peace with Sweets

The Healthy & fresh way to manage sugar intake and reduce sugar cravings”.

It will be out by the end of March of this year, and I am super excited about it.

Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.

I am slowly working on a fiction book. It is about an alien named Gee (pronounced Ghee). It is a family joke and a voice I use to make my brother laugh. Throughout my childhood we have crafted a character out of this voice and I would LOVE to get it realized into a book.

What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?

You NEVER have enough talent, because talent doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is perseverance and consistency.

***

A question for me:

What is the best indie book you ever read and why?

Great question and one I have never been asked before. But it's also a tough one because most of the indie books I've read and loved I've published through my company, Idea Creations Press. How to choose?

I did enjoy Planet of the Gods by A.M. Johnston, because of its detail and engaging plot. I don't typically read fantasy, but was glad I was able to edit and read this one for Idea Creations Press.

I have also published a couple of true stories about cancer, a children's book about a seagull and an owl, and a contemporary fantasy written by a 16-year-old author, as well as others. 

All of of these books were excellent.

Thank you for the question.

***

New author site- Jmring.com/books and health site www.fiberguardian.com

BOOK SIGNING TOMORROW! American Cancer Society Relay for Life

I will be at the Relay for Life of Murray tomorrow from 6 p.m. until dusk.

202 E. Murray Park Drive

Come and have a nice walk on the Survivor Lap and join me at my booth. I will be selling - at a discount - all of my books. Meisha Hatch, author of the book, "I'll Always be With You,"

 

will be with me signing copies of her book on her experience with her husband's cancer. Meisha published with our company, Idea Creations Press. We would love for you to stop by!

There will also be a fantastic raffle!

COME AND TALK TO
ME ABOUT MY NEW
BOOK COMING OUT
IN SEPTEMBER!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: James C. Duckett

Tell me a about yourself. What got you started in writing?

Hi, I’m James C. Duckett. By day I work with technology but by night I put words on paper—unless I’m out fighting crime. I live in St. George Utah with my beautiful wife, son, and dog.

I started writing when I was seven. My 2^nd grade teacher told us to write and illustrate a story. It was horrendous, but I fell in love with the process of creating new worlds.

How and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or do you prefer writing freehand?

I have been trying to answer this first question forever. I've tried everywhere in the house and everywhere I would sit for a few hours on end would put me in a lot of back pain. I recently picked up a recliner to help me recover from surgery. I haven’t been able to put in any marathon writing sessions, but recuperating in that chair hasn't destroyed my back. I have high hopes I've finally found a place I can crank out some serious wordage.

My first book, written in high school, was written long-hand. I did like that, but I have fallen in love with the backspace key. Also, I type much faster than I can write. Ability to read it afterwards is a bonus, too. Now everything is written from my trusty laptop.

What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?

Creating the story. Coming up with ideas. Worldbuilding. I just like working with all the new stuff. I’m okay with the editing until I get around my tenth draft and I can’t stand to re-read a word of it anymore (please tell me that is normal!). I’m not the biggest fan of marketing because I don't like writing messages that sound like, “I’m so cool and so is my book. Send money. Thanks!”

Even though I am pretty cool. And so is my book. ;)

How do you come up with your characters? Why would readers want to get to know them?

Other than my memoirs, they usually just pop in and surprise me. In a recent story I had character who was really nice, funny, easy going, supporting, and interesting. Her interactions where so flat and boring, so on a whim I re-wrote her first appearance with a critical, older lady who would rather die than give somebody a warm smile. I liked how she made things happen, which is what I needed in my book. I kept her. It just worked. I go by the general rule that if I’m bored by the characters, my readers will be too. I hope I have interesting characters.

What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?

I told my Mom to tell everybody she knows that she liked my book. Just kidding!! (Mostly) I’m horrible at marketing. It might be a self-esteem issue. It might be a lack-of-time issue. It is certainly my biggest weak spot. No, no… it’s my biggest work in progress. How’s that?

How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?

I get most of my writing at insane hours in the morning. I’ll bust out some words at night too, but often the planets need to fall into a certain alignment before I can do that.

What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?

I have two new books out!

First is my memoir called Pushing the Wall. In it, I tell my whimsical story of how I ran my first marathon without training. While it does focus on running, I’m noticing more and more that it is really a book about following your dreams—even if you have to take unconventional
routes in order to do so.

Get the book here

I also have a romance out called Undercover Lover. It is part of the Sweet and Sassy anthology. Most people think I’m joking when I say I wrote a romance, but hey, I loved it 
and plan to write more.

Get the book at Amazon

I’m answering your question out of order because one of the things I’m working on is a sequel to Pushing the Wall. I’m working on another memoir and a young adult fantasy.

Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.

So. Many. PROJECTS!!

Yes. I have more ideas than time to convert them to stories. I keep a file of ideas to consider. It’s pretty large. I have a few pet projects I’d like to get to. I’m a big fan of time travel stories, and I think coming up with the right time travel story (I've got a few ideas) will be my dream project.

What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?

You don’t, just give up now.

However, if you were upset that I just said that, then that means you've got passion. And if you've got passion backed by persistence, patience, ambition, and drive, then I’d put my money on you finding success. Just don’t ever give up.

***

Thanks James! 

Learn more about James and his writing projects here:

http://www.jamesduckett.com/

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Kathryn U. Hulings

Kathryn Hulings not only has a great first name; please check mine if you're wondering why, but she also has a connection (albeit a small one) to J.K. Rowling. (Check out the answer to question two).

If you know of someone who has down syndrome, this interview will be of specific interest to you...

Tell me a about yourself. What got you started in writing?

My husband, Jim, and I are the parents of five, grown children whom we have raised in Fort Collins, Colorado over the past thirty-three years.  I am also an instructor at Colorado State University where I teach literature, composition, and creative writing courses.   

Reading and writing were given a very high priority by my own parents; as such, I grew up surrounded by books and constant opportunities to express myself though the written word.  In other words, I have always been writing!  My B.A. is in English, and my M.A. is also in English with a concentration in creative nonfiction.  

How and where do you write? Do you prefer a lap top or do you prefer writing freehand?

I always have pen and paper on hand, and whenever an idea strikes me I write it down.  I have been known to write on more than one restaurant napkin!  When I am working on a manuscript and really getting down to business, I work on a laptop, in my home office. 

What's your favorite part about writing? Your least favorite part about writing?

My favorite part about writing is watching the story unfold and being surprised by the unexpected turns the prose takes.

My least favorite part about writing is when I know in my heart where I want to go with a piece, but I can’t find a way in that makes sense; the right line, word, or spark can be so very elusive.  

How do you come up with your characters? Why would readers want to get to know them?

When I am writing in creative nonfiction, my characters exactly duplicate real life people—or at least how they are from my perspective.  In fiction, my characters are heavily influenced by real life folks, but I often conflate a lot of people I know into one character.

Readers seem to appreciate believable characters who are recognizable, relatable, and may even have an uncanny resemblance to someone in their own lives. 

What types of marketing do you do to promote your writing?

I am new to this scene, having just published my first book in July of 2013 with the University of North Texas Press.  I have a website and a Facebook presence for the book, and a dear friend who is a publicist in California did an amazing amount of outreach to get the book recognized and reviewed.  

How do you schedule your writing time? When do you write?

My calendar would indicate that I am supposed to write in the mornings.  The reality is that I write when I can, and I write when words are coming so quickly I must write, whatever the hour or place.

What are you currently working on? Do you have a new book out?

I am currently working on a novel influenced by real life events.  My book, Life with a Superhero: Raising Michael Who has Down Syndrome, is a literary memoir, so I am on an exciting writing adventure with this new project. 

Do you have a project on the back burner? Tell me about it.

Not really the back burner . . . I have four more projects lined up to follow my current novel in-the-works.  All four are fiction works.  I also have some plans to keep trying my hand at screenwriting, which is a passion of mine.    

What would you tell a beginning writer who wants to publish but doesn't believe he/she has enough talent?

Keep writing. Keep reading craft books for advice.  Read every genre under the sun.  Join a writing group if that’s your thing. Find a few trusted people who will read your work and offer feedback and guidance.  When you’re ready to submit, brace yourself for possible rejection, and then use it to learn and grow.  Then repeat the whole process again.  And again . . .  

***  

Thank you, Kathryn!

Learn more about Kathryn at: http://www.lifewithasuperhero.com/

ASPIRING AUTHOR INTERVIEW: Jennifer Roche

For those of you not in the loop, this is my first aspiring author interview. I decided to focus on aspiring authors every Wednesday. Authors at all levels of learning have something to teach us. About writing and about life.

I'm pleased that Jennifer is my first aspiring author interview. Jennifer began as a teacher; today, she fills her time with short stories, non-fiction and poetry. Find out how trials in her life have helped her improve her writing.

How long have you been writing? Why did you decide to write?

I have always written poems and short stories throughout my life since I was a child.  I have notebooks full of poems and short stories that I wrote in. I enjoy researching information and learning new facts.  My official writing company, Rainbows of Happiness LLC, that I created began this summer after I left the teaching field. 

I decided to write because it's something I am passionate about.  Writing excites me like nothing else.  I've always kept a notebook next to my bed, should I get the urge to create a poem late at night.  Writing has helped me through some of the hardest times in my life.  By getting my thoughts out onto paper, I am able to release any pent up emotions.  For me, writing has always served as a type of therapy.  Some of my best pieces, I feel, come out of those tough times in my life.

What makes you keeping going?

I feel that one day I will come across an idea for a book that will be so fabulous, that I will finally be able to create a best-selling book!  That has always been my dream and I hope to make that dream a reality!

I also am lucky to have a strong support system in my husband, family, and friends.  Their constant encouragement to follow my passion fuels my desire to write.

What does your writing day look like? What do you do to study the craft?

I originally planned to write a few hours each day, but I've been known to work until midnight, longer than a regular job!  For me, each day is different.  Since I work from home, I'm constantly checking my smartphone for job updates, writing proposals for jobs I'm interested in, working on my own writing pieces that I want to copyright, checking emails, updating my blogs, writing articles for jobs I have, doing research, and improving my profiles on sites.

As a writer I am always learning.  I am probably among one of the last remaining pencil and paper authors out there.  I like to physically write everything out in front of me.  I had to play catch up in the world of technology when it came to writing.  A month ago I never would have thought I'd be creating blogs from scratch, or understand technological terms such as SEO, but now I have learned all these things and more!  If there is something I am unfamiliar with when it comes to technology and writing, I search the web and research that subject. I also read posts or articles from writers that have been in the field for awhile, and compare my writing with theirs to see how I can improve.  I've participated in Webinars that have been offered. Finally, I have a wonderful tech-savvy husband who is willing to find useful websites and send them to me!

Do you have a goal when you'd like to be published? What is it? If you don't have a goal, why haven't you set one?

I would ultimately love to be published in the next year.  I feel this first year is for networking, getting my blog up and running, and getting traffic to my sites so I can create a strong following. 

Are you thinking to go the self-published or traditional route?

I plan on self-publishing.  Nowadays with options such as using the Kindle Platform or promoting your book on Amazon, and LinkedIn available, more authors seem to be going the self-published route.  Not to mention more people seem to be downloading books from online sites such as Kindle or Amazon, as opposed to going to the book store and buying a physical book.

Tell us about the genre(s) you write and why you like them.

I write in several genres.  Poetry is my favorite because you can create poems about any issues on your mind at the moment.  I've written poems on everything from butterflies and dragonflies, to world issues such as homelessness.  Poetry, I find, is the most carefree genre because you can design and format your poem into the style that you want.  Poems don't have to rhyme, they can be short or lengthy, it is based on the author's discretion.

I also enjoy writing fiction and nonfiction.  When I write fiction, it is usually a story aimed at young children, having taught elementary school.  I  have created teen fiction mystery stories as well.  In the nonfiction genre I created several self-help books.  These topics range from ways to find happiness in the everyday, to a book on overcoming miscarriage by looking for signs.  People often try to make their own lives better, so I assumed that self-help books would be popular.

Why is The Little Engine That Could  your favorite book? What have you learned from it to help you to be a better writer?

The Little Engine That Could is my favorite book because it talks about never giving up, even if something seems too hard.  This message can be translated into trying to become a published author, in that the writer tries time and again to get their book published to no avail.  Do you give up? No! You keep trying to create that perfect poem, book, or story until you get it right, thus overcoming your personal mountain.  The engine's chant of "I think I can" turns to the affirmative as it reaches the mountaintop.  This is the message I like to apply to my writing.  If you think you can become a better writer, you will succeed when you believe in yourself!

What would you tell a writer like yourself, struggling to get published?

Don't give up!  There are a lot of highs and lows in a writing career.  Concentrate on the highs to help get you through hard times, and never stop writing!  Your time will come! You have to market yourself to people so they know who you are and can recognize your work. You may have to accept lower paying jobs along the way, writing about things you may find uninteresting, but you're gaining exposure and experience.  Those are invaluable resources!  Each experience brings with it a lesson to be learned. Writers are always learning and improving themselves as part of the writing process.

***

Thank you, Jennifer.

Learn more about Jennifer at:

www.linkedin.com/in/rainbowsofhappiness2013
http://thefinalpenstroke.blogspot.com