Interview with author, Melissa Kline

I am pleased to showcase  a local author from my current hometown of Colorado.  I met Melissa at a local author meet and greet.  I read her first novel, My Beginning, which I reviewed here.

Her book won The Halloween Book Festival Award. After reading her book, I wanted to find out more about what inspired her to write such a riveting story.

1. Do you consider yourself to be a born writer?

Absolutely! I have always had an extremely vivid imagination, which is the magic behind my writing. I wrote my first book when I was just six years old! Throughout my childhood there were many “signs” of my inner writer; it just took me a while to discover her. It wasn’t until I was 13 that my inner writer really began to emerge. Since then, there’s been no stopping me. Writing is in my heart and soul.

2. Tell us about your recent release. What was your inspiration for it?

My most recent release is My Beginning, a young adult dystopian adventure about 16-year-old Ivory, a girl who has spent her entire life sealed in an institution. A devastating plague wiped out scores of people and animals, polluting the earth and requiring that children never venture outside. Or is that all a lie? Ivory and Aidan decide to find out. They escape the institution and find a world unlike anything they had ever known. My Beginning won the 2011 Halloween Book Festival Award! You can find the gripping book trailer and more here

3. What do you do for inspiration and unleashing your creativity?

I enjoy using various creative methods to make my characters come to life. For My Beginning, I created character sketches and collages, built an institution scene using miniatures, and collected props including uniforms, textbooks, Ivory’s necklace and institution keys. I use these tools for visual inspiration and fun! You can view these and other character creations on my website.

4. What are you working on now?

My second young adult novel, titled Storm, will be released this winter, so I have been hard at work getting ready to launch! Storm is a captivating true-to-life novel laced with mystery, romance and intrigue. Beneath the juicy drama and colorful characters, the story has a beautiful message – one that I believe both teens and adults can relate to. It’s ultimately about relationships, connections and overcoming obstacles. Because it deals with many issues that teens today face, I am donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale to youth organizations – something that is very important to me. You can find a full synopsis and more information aboutStorm on my website. I am very excited to share this book with the world!

5. What advice would you offer aspiring writers?

Believe in yourself and never give up! Create a platform, network and promote yourself as a professional. Embrace yourself as a writer and go for it!

Interview: Valerie Bowen, Author of Tormented

I have a great deal of respect for people who do not let negatives in their life define who they become.  I am hugely impressed with Valerie Bowen and her willingness to share her personal experiences in her writing. Her novel, For the Sake of Amelia Tormented, has been an eye-opener for many people.  Her book gives the reader hope; it shows that one can find hope even in the most dire circumstances.

Can you explain why you wrote For the Sake of AmeliaTormented ?

I had a strong desire to make individuals who had been abused realize not all is lost. There is always hope. Although there are few people who have endured the magnitude of abuse the character Amelia had endured, I wanted the message to come across to the reader that your life is not carved in stone. I know Amelia’s character has touched many readers just by the comments alone. My ultimate desire is the For the Sake of Amelia series will help at least one individual escape from a dangerous or deadly situation.

Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
Yes. I have been a victim of abuse basically from the time of birth. Although I have never been brutally whipped like the main character, I felt the need to enlighten the readers about the many emotions that race through a victimized person. The physical and emotional toll abuse takes on a person of abuse is inconceivable to people who have not had to go through that kind of trauma. Many readers have said the emotional descriptions that I allowed the character of Amelia suffered through were so vivid, that if they hadn’t felt the pain in real life they certainly felt Amelia’s.

What was your favorite chapter to write and why?
The first is titled “Patio Furniture”. In this chapter, Amelia puts Kyle’s love to the test. Amelia is barely five feet tall and Kyle is a six foot six muscular man. In this chapter she insisted on driving him around (she thought he could relax for a change). The way Kyle had to mash himself into the vehicle was quite comical…I must say I had tears running down my face when I was describing this little scene.

The second chapter in Tormented that brought tears to my eyes when I wrote it is titled “Reality Sets In.” Kyle and Amelia return to Colby, Kansas, to the very farm where she had been brutally whipped. Although Amelia isn’t able to go into the barn where she nearly lost her life, Kyle wants to see the actual site. I worked hard on the descriptions of all the barn scenes within the three novels, but for some reason description of the whipping scene in Tormented played heavy because I had to bring Kyle down to his knees and made him fully aware of just how much Amelia suffered. Let me tell you bringing a six foot six muscular man to his knees and make it believable is a task in itself.
Did you learn anything from writing your book?
Writing these novels and discussing them with the beta readers made me realize the words on the paper have to connect the readers to the characters. I have been told by many people who have read the three novels they were sad when they read the last page because they felt as if they lost a few close friends. With every rewrite I did on these novels, I added more realism to the characters. I wanted the reader to believe these characters could be their neighbors; I needed them to relate to not only Amelia but the other characters as well.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
The message is to never give up. Anyone who has the desire to get away from a bad situation has to believe in themselves. They have to realize there are people willing to help them if only they take the first step. To quote myself “With love there is strength;” you just have to love yourself to gain the strength to help yourself.

 Can you name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members?
I would have to say that if it wasn’t for a man I met on a social network this entire series would have been a pipe dream. This is what happened…I posted one evening that I was signing off to go write. This man that I only knew through a certain game asked me what I was writing. I explained the novel and he requested to read Tormented. After reading he asked me if he could give it to his wife to read. I didn’t think anything of it, as a matter of fact I was kind of stunned that he actually thought it was “a great read”. Once his wife finished reading Tormented she sent my novel to an indie author (at this point in time I had never heard of indie authors). It was that author who mentored me and set me on the road to self-publish the Amelia series.

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in For the Sake of AmeliaTormented?

I have read and reread Tormented more times than I care to say, and I still find extremely minor things I could change. As far as if I had to do it all over again…I wouldn’t change a thing.
What are your current projects?
I am currently writing another series titled Mind of a Madman, the first novel in the series “Evil Unleashed“ that brings the reader face to face with a psychotic killer. Although you want to hate him for all the brutality, I make the reader actually feel sorry for the killer. Although as the series progresses and the murders get more and more brutal you’ll find yourself actually hating the man you once felt sorry for. As the main character’s illness progresses, so do his crimes. I am having a great time writing this series, although at times I am so mean and descriptive with the murders I wonder if I’ll get arrested.

Do you have a website where readers can learn more about you?
Readers can go here. I also would like your followers to know I have also written a young adult novel titled Faerie Wishes. In this novel you find Talia, a female faerie who falls in love with a human male (Cayden). She is willing to give up eternity as a faerie to live in the human realm with the man she has fallen in love with. But then she realizes life is far more difficult in the human realm than she had imagined. Cayden has to make a heartbreaking decision to save the woman that he loves more than life.

Please tell readers where one can purchase your novel?
All of my novels are available through Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Smashwords and Lulu.

Read more: http://blogcritics.org/books/article/interview-with-valerie-bowen-author-of/page-3/#ixzz1lq2Wc6CN

INTERVIEW: MY BIRTHDAY IS SEPTEMBER ELEVEN AND OTHER SHORT STORIES

A huge thank you goes to my author friend Cherese Vines for interviewing me.

http://cheresevinescharmingwords.wordpress.com/2011/08/26/interview-author-of-my-birthday-is-september-eleven/

Interview with the author of My Birthday Is September Eleven: Nicole Weaver. Thank you for the interview.

1) Tell us who you are.

My name is Nicole Weaver.  I am Haitian American.  I am fluent in four languages-French, English, Spanish and Creole.  I am a veteran French and Spanish high school teacher. I am also a published author of a trilingual book titled: Marie and Her Friend the Sea Turtle/ María y su Amiga la Tortuga Del Mar/ Marie et son Amie la Tortue de mer. I have a second trilingual book titled My Sister is My Best Friend due to be published fall 2011 by Guardian Angel Publishing.  My third trilingual book titled: My Brother is My Best Friend is under contract with Guardian Angel Publishing.

2) What influenced you to become a writer?

 

I first became interested in writing after winning a poetry contest.  That experience fueled my interest in writing.  I later joined my church’s writing group.  Being a part of the group allowed me to venture out with my writing.  I have pieces published in my church’s journal.  Next, an author friend talked me into attending a writer’s workshop.  The workshop peaked my interest even more.  I later decided to write my first trilingual children’s picture book.

3) Why do you think you chose to write for children?

 

I see a huge need for more books that portray children of color in a positive light.  I also see a need for more books that encourage the learning of a foreign language. I write all of my children’s picture books as trilingual books because a child’s brain is wired to learn language when he or she is young.

 

4) You mentioned that many of the stories from My Birthday is September Eleven are true. Are all your stories/books based on true events? Where else do you get your inspiration?

 

Yes, most of my stories/books are based on true events.  Having been an educator for the past twenty five years affords me many opportunities to see and experience many things.  Many times I am emotionally moved by these experiences and I must find a way to channel the emotions into a positive way and writing provides me with that outlet. For instance, around ten years ago, I received a call from a woman who adopted a Haitian little girl.  The little girl only spoke Creole; she wanted me to help her communicate with her in Creole.  I was very honored and blessed to help her.  I later learned that the little girl was dropped off at the local adoption agency in Port-au-Prince Haiti, because her mom could not feed her.

 I carried that information in my heart and I always wanted to write a story about it.  This is where the idea for the story “No More Hunger” came from.  Imagine the pain that mother experienced when she dropped her daughter off.  I hope my story will bring attention to what goes on in my native land of Haiti.

I also get inspired by what I see in my classroom.  I taught middle school for fifteen years.  During my tenure as a middle school teacher I observed how cruel students can be towards one another.  It pained me greatly to witness the way many bi-racial children were constantly teased and picked on.  The short story “Zebra Boy” is based on what I saw happening to those children.  Honestly, it would take me two lifetimes to write about all the things I have seen and experienced as a classroom teacher.   

 

5) What would you have liked to have been told as a budding writer?

 

It would have been nice to know how difficult it is to market yourself.  Getting published is only the first step; the real work begins with marketing yourself and your book.

6) Can you tell us something that your readers may not have guessed about you?

 

I love being an American citizen.  My life changed for the better when I set foot in America. I believe the only way to beat bigotry is through education. Through hard work and dedication one can achieve great things.

 

 

7) Is there anything else you would like your readers to know?

 

Never give up on your dreams.  When I first came to America, after reading many books from the Curious George series, I instantly knew that I would one day write my own picture book.  I also invite all readers interested in learning more about me can visit my sites:

 

My Sister Is My Best Friend Blog:

http://mysisterismybestfriend.blogspot.com

Marie and her Friend the Sea Turtle Blog:

http://marieandherfriendtheseaturtle.blogspot.com

 Websites:

http://outskirtspress.com/nicoleweaver

http://www.melangeofcultures.wordpress.com

http://nicole-weaver.com

 Educational Expert:

http://www.bizymoms.com/city-experts-cp/ce-nicole-weaver-130.php

Blogcritics Contributor:

http://blogcritics.org/writers/nicole-weaver

MY INTERVIEW WITH MAYRA CALVANI

I am thrilled to announce award winning author, Mayra Calvani recently interviewed me for Blogcritics.  You can read the interview here: http://blogcritics.org/books/article/interview-with-nicole-weaver-author-of1/

Interview with David Loeff, author of Graphics Essentials for Small Offices

Are looking for a graphic designer who does not cost a small fortune?  If you answered yes, read the interview below.

 

Recently I attended a writers’ critique session in my home town of Denver Colorado. While there I met David Loeff. I was immediately impressed with his knowledge of graphic design. I am very happy David agreed to let me interview him and learn about his newly published book on graphic designs.

Can you please tell the readers about your background?

 
I am happy to say that my background has been quite varied. My first job out of college was with a sewn goods company, which manufactured kitchenware, pillows and stuffed toys. After several years, I was stationed in Taiwan as the company’s overseas buyer. I learned to speak Chinese while there, and gained familiarity with Chinese culture.

After returning to the States, I worked as a graphic designer and as a mental health clinician. During this time, computers began to play a greater role in graphics. I took courses in multimedia, database design and technical writing to sharpen my computer skills. This led to a second bachelor’s degree and a new career in technical writing and support. Being a computer technician at the Art Institute of Colorado further sharpened my graphics skills through frequent contact with instructors and students. Since that time, I’ve specialized in business writing and graphic design.

I understand you recently published a book as a paperback with CreateSpace, and as an eBook for Kindle — can you explain what the book is about and why you wrote it?

The book is called Graphics Essentials for Small Offices and it’s intended to help small organizations save money while producing good-looking graphics.

I have spent a lot of time helping art students with technical issues and advising clients about the pros and cons of different types of printing and about how to allocate graphics budgets wisely. I’ve found that smaller organizations often lack employees who are familiar with graphics. They don’t understand how to design materials to look good in print or what questions they should ask graphic designers

I wanted to write a book that was both concise and easy to read. I realized that I couldn’t cover every topic, but I wanted to give a broad and practical introduction to graphic design. I haven’t seen any other books that have taken this approach. Most tell you how to use a certain software or how to become a graphics professional. I wanted to write something more broad-based and practical.

What other projects are you currently working on?

Since most of my work involves putting information together in the form of catalogs, brochures and manuals, I relax by working on fiction. Currently I’m writing a historical novel that takes place between 1859 and 1883, and between 1966 and 1968. I don’t want to give too much away but I can tell you it involves gold miners, merchant seamen, anthropologists and hippies. I hope to have it available by June 2012. In the meantime, I’ll be dropping hints on my Truth and Tall Tales blog.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

As a child, growing up near Chicago, I enjoyed walking in the woods and exploring places on my bicycle. While riding, I daydreamed of someday visiting a lot of different places and writing about them. I’ve already written about some of the places I’ve visited in Colorado and Taiwan on my website.  I plan to do more traveling over the next few years and when I do, I’ll tell you readers about it.

Read more: http://blogcritics.org/books/article/interview-with-david-loeff-aut…

 

Interview with African American author Jacquitta McManus

I love reading and reviewing children’s picture books. I think it is so important to expose all children to reading at an early age. After having read so many books, one thing that stands out is the lack of books with children of color. This is what propelled me to self-publish my first children’s book: Marie and Her Friend the Sea Turtle. This topic got me interested in interviewing authors of color. My desire is to help promote them and the contribution they are making to the publishing world. Today, I present to you Jaquitta McManus.

Can you tell the readers about yourself?

I’m a wife, a mom and a fanatic of the fantasy/adventure genre. Blackberries are one of my favorite fruits. And one of my favorite quotes is: “It is sometimes necessary in life to do something extraordinary” by Sagalevitch. I think I’m creating something extraordinary by creating exciting new fantasy adventure children books with characters of color.

My first book for ages nine to 12, Labyrinth’s Door: Anyia “Dream of a Warrior, is about Anyia, whose dream of becoming a Nagoran Warrior is infused with adventure and danger. Running from her duties as a Yora, she dares to break tradition to follow her own dream, during a time when Empress Zarina threatens the magic treaty that protects her village.

And my second book for ages four to eight, Talee and the Fallen Object, is about Talee, a girl who lives on the gas planet Gala who has her curiosity piqued when she sees an object fall from the backpack of a mail flyer and journeys out to see what it is.

Talee and the Fallen Object is currently just an ebook but the coloring book adventure is available on my website.

What inspired you to start writing children’s books?

 Overall it was my children and the love of the fantasy adventure genre. But the actual inspiration came over time through a couple of different things but the one that stands out the most was the desire to read fantasy adventure books to my daughter with characters that look like her. And since I couldn’t find any I thought I would write them!

What are your thoughts on the lack of children’s books that portray children of color in a positive light?

I can find positive books with children of color … not a lot but they are out there if you are looking for picture books and some earlier readers. For me, the lack of variety is what concerns me. With the age of technology it’s hard to get children interested in reading and one genre that I’ve noticed that keeps my children reading is the fantasy adventure genre and there is a lack of books with children of color for them to choose from.

What kind of books do you like to expose your children to?

I have a 12-year-old son and an 8-year-old daughter and I like to expose them to a variety of books, from comic books to novels in any genre. I just want them to read, so if they are reading I’m happy. Do I wish more of their books were with characters of color? Yes. But I can’t recommend books that aren’t there.

What in your opinion are the most important thing African American authors can do to make a huge dent in the children’s publishing world?

We have to write and publish more books in all genres. We have to give mothers and children more to choose from. And we have to stick together. I would love to attend an African American children’s book event. I would love for other authors to reach out to me so that we could do something together.

Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers?

Yes, I started a new website just about a month ago, InsideTheBooks.com, as a way to help promote African American children’s book authors. I invite everyone to stop by, check out the books and be a part of the community.

If there is a book you would like added or an author you would like to know more about please contact me at: Info@InsideTheBooks.com

Where can one find more information about you and your books?

My website, WorldsToDiscover.com, is the best way to find out about what books I have available and what I’m up to, but it you want to chat with me, and I invite everyone to chat with me, you can find me on my Blog, Facebook, Twitter and GoodReads.

Thank you for taking the time to do this interview.

AUTHOR INTERVIEW: JESSICA ADAY KENNEDY

Please join me in welcoming the talented, Jessica Aday to my blog.   I decided to interview Jessica after reading and reviewing her newly released book:  Stella the Fire Farting Dragon.   It is always such pleasure learning about how authors get inspired.

 

What inspired you to write Stella the Fire Farting Dragon?

I was inspired by a nephew’s smelly reaction to pizza when I was brainstorming for a topic that would induce laughter and be attractive to reluctant readers. [WARNING -Be careful what you do in front of writers it might end up in print.]

Can you tell me about your background?

I’m a closet historian. I wanted to teach history in a way that would make children love it and not dread it. I got a stroke. Unable to teach, I began writing. I started writing for adults, but found writing for children was a perfect fit. I have the heart (and mind) of a child.

 

How long did it take you to write the book?

It took a day to write the basic story, but it took about three months of editing, tweaking, and allowing the book to sit between drafts.

 Tell about your journey to publication?

My first foray into publishing began with a humorous story about tying dozens of red ribbons in my dad’s hair when he was on a business phone call. I wrote for adults in magazines and newspapers until I became determined to write for Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies.  My adult works revolved around my faith and inspiring others.

I began writing for children in 2008. I’ve taken dozens of classes, researched writing techniques and read more children’s books than I can count.  All of my picture books are reluctant reader friendly, humorous and teach a positive lesson.

Thank you for doing this interview Jessica. Anything else you would like to say to my readers?

I sell whoopee cushion with Stella’s picture imprinted on them.

 

I also have temporary tattoos with Stella’s picture.  I give them away to anyone who sends me a SASE.

 

For more information about Jessica you can visit her sites:

www.jadaykennedy.com

http://jadaykennedy.blogspot.com

http://brainfartexplosion.blogspot.com

INTERVIEW WITH AWARD WINNING AUTHOR: RENEE HAND

Please join me in welcoming Renee Hand to my blog today.

Please explain your background? I write because it is a passionI have. I’m a homeschool parent and like to create books that educate and inspire the children of today. I was born in Michigan and still live there with my husband and two children. I have a degree in Zoology with a minor in Chemistry. I’m the author of the amazing mystery series known as the Crypto-Capers Series that encourages children to read by incorporating several topics of interest. The reader participates into the story by solving cryptograms and puzzles to solve the case. I also the author of the Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill Series, which focuses on animal detectives. Book 1 in my series is about animal tracks while the other focuses rocks and minerals. This series is a great way to teach children about animals in a fun and interesting way that captures the reader’s attention and yet fills them with knowledge they will be learning about in school. All books are great to use in a classroom setting to supplement various topics or to just enjoy. I’m an award-winning author, receiving awards such as a Best Book Award, a National Literary Award and a Preferred Choice award for my children’s series and adult books. I have also won a Seal of Excellence award in Storytelling for my Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill Series. Not quite sure what a cryptogram is and want to learn more? Visit my website atwww.reneeahand.com  to learn about cryptograms and how to solve the ones that are in the books. How long have you been writing and do you write in only one genre? I’ve been writing for over twenty-five years. I mainly write in the mystery genre writing children’s chapter books .What inspired you to start writing?  When I was younger my family moved around a lot. I didn’t like it but couldn’t do anything about it so I began to write. Writing for me became a way to express myself and my feelings. Sometimes I was expressing things I could not say. Then my ramblings started forming into stories, and from there another world opened up for me. How many books have you written?  I currently have 9 books published with another one coming out in the fall. How do you come up with the names of characters for your books?  Some of my characters are created based off people I know or run into, family members and experiences. Others are based off what I feel they should be and find interesting. I try to have the name fit the characters. What are you currently working on? I am currently working on book 5 of my Crypto-Capers Series, The Peacock Diaries, which will be coming out in the Fall. In this story the Crypto-Capers are going to England in search of a missing inventor who leaves them clues about the true identity of the Panther, who is the main villain in the series. Many obstacles are thrown in their path, and a truth is revealed that will haunt them all. Can you explain where one can purchase your books and find more information about you? My books are available at Barnes and Nobles Booksellers, Borders, Amazon and other book stores and places on-line and off, big or small. My books are also available through my website where I will sign copies and send them out the very next day.

Thanks for taking time out of your schedule to do this interview.My pleasure, Nicole, I greatly appreciate the opportunity.

                                                MY BOOK REVIEW

 

 

 

As a teacher I am always in search of books that will keep my students captivated. Even though I do not teach science, after reading Renee Hand’s book The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill Case # 2: Mineral Mischief, I am certain this fun book can be used as a resource to get second and third graders interested in science.

This book satisfies the requirement of the National Science Education Standards for Earth and Space Science. The author uses animal characters to introduce in concrete ways information about rocks. The story starts with Maple Moo, a cow whose rare mineral goes missing.

Maple Moo seeks the help of two famous detectives, Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill, to help her recover the missing mineral. Will the detectives be able to find the missing mineral? The twists and turns will keep the young reader in suspense until the very end, all the while he or she will be learning about minerals and rocks.

I am hugely impressed with the author’s abilities to present a wealth of information in a hands-on way. Most children are visual learners, and this is what makes The Adventures very valuable in a science classroom.

The author also includes a picture of the rock cycle, terminology, a ‘Did You Know’ section, which gives tons of extra information about rocks and minerals.

Various experiments and works on inquiries, creating charts and using variables and constants to determine an outcome of particular rocks and elements are also included at the back of the book.

The humorous illustrations by Jake Karwoski make the book even more appealing to the reader. The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill Case # 2 is a book, in my opinion, every science teacher should have in her classroom.

Read more: http://blogcritics.org/books/article/book-review-the-adventures-of-joe/#ixzz1PLsAXaTy

Interview with Suzanne Lieurance, Author and Children’s Writer’s Coach

Have you ever wanted to write children’s books and are clueless on how to  start?  If you answered yes,   it might be in your best interest to consider a  writer’s coach. I invite you to read the interview below so you can learn about  the huge  benefits of having a coach .  Thank you so much, Suzanne, for taking  the time out of your busy schedule to do this interview.  Having reaped so many  benefits from working with you, I knew I had to find a way to let other  inspiring authors learn about the services you provide.  I also want to publicly  thank you for helping me take my manuscripts to the next level.

Can you tell me about yourself?  What inspired you to become a writer’s  coach?

I’m a former classroom teacher, now a full time freelance writer, children’s  author, and writer’s coach. My years as a classroom teacher are what inspired me  to become a writer’s coach. I just naturally gravitate to teaching and coaching  as well as writing. I like helping other people become published writers almost  as much as I enjoy writing for publication myself. In fact, sometimes I think I  spend too much time teaching and coaching and not enough time writing. But I’m  going to change all that this summer. I’ll be leading a Book Bootcamp for other  writers, but I’ll also be writing two books myself during bootcamp.

How long did it take you to acquire the skills to become a writer’s  coach?

Actually, my years as a teacher helped me become a writer’s coach, so you  might say it took me several decades to become an effective coach. My experience  as a writer has also helped me become a better writer’s coach because I know  some of the pitfalls writers face. As a children’s writer, I think I’m able to  write materials in an easy-to-understand way, and this includes my coaching  materials, so my experience and training as a children’s writer has also helped  me become a good coach. Still, I’m always learning more about coaching, just as  I am about writing, so I hope I will continue to get better and better as a  coach and as a writer for years to come.

Writing for children is extremely difficult. Can you explain what a  new author like me must do in order to fine tune my writing skills?

For anyone who wants to become a published children’s writer, I’d say read,  read, read the type of children’s writing you wish to write. If you want to  become a picture book author, for example, then read picture books on a regular  basis. Go to the bookstore or the library and just read dozens of picture books.  Do this every month.

Also, take classes and workshops to become a better writer, or join a  coaching club like the Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club, to learn more about  writing for children and the business of writing for children.

Finally, write and submit on a regular basis and join a critique group that  includes at least a few writers who have published in the genre you wish to  write. When these writers critique your work, consider their comments and  suggestions carefully. You don’t have to do everything they suggest. But if they  know what it takes to become published in the genre you’re hoping to break into,  then listen to what they have to say.

You have blown me away each time you have critiqued  a manuscript for  me, in fact, I got a contract for a second book with my publisher after I  followed your suggestions.  How does one develop such a sharp eye for details  when writing for children?

I don’t know how other writers develop a sharp eye for details when writing  for children, but here’s how I did it (and continue to do it). First, I was an  instructor for the Institute for Children’s Literature for about 10 years. The  training I received from the Institute helped me learn what makes a children’s  manuscript marketable. Knowing what makes a manuscript marketable is often the  key to getting published, yet many writers never take the time to learn about  the “business” of writing, so they never get published. Each time I review a  manuscript (mine or someone else’s) I use a checklist to determine whether or  not the manuscript is marketable the way it is. It could be that the writing is  good, yet the manuscript is missing several elements needed to make it more  marketable. Those elements are generally what I’m looking for when I review a  manuscript.

I  was also the regional advisor for the Kansas chapter of SCBWI for several years,  and I learned a lot from other writers I met back then. I even got my first book  contract through SCBWI, so I always encourage writers to take an active part in  writer’s associations like SCBWI. Volunteer at your local level. You’ll meet all  sorts of other writers, editors, and agents you can learn from and network  with.

I also attend conferences and writer’s workshops regularly so I keep up with  current writing and publishing trends for the children’s markets. I continue to  read children’s books all the time, too, and I also read every book about  writing and writing for children that I can get my hands on. I think all writers  need to keep up with current trends and network with other writers, editors, and  agents on a regular basis through attendance at conferences and online through  listservs, forums, and social networking sites such

How many books have you written?

Gosh, I’ve lost count because I’ve ghostwritten several books, so those books  don’t have my name on the covers and I tend to forget about them. But I think  I’ve written 22 published books and my 23rd is due for release soon. I’m  currently working on 2 more books right now. One is a novel, the other is a  nonfiction book for freelance writers. I also have a cozy culinary mystery that  I’m going to self-publish soon.

Besides being a writer’s coach, can you explain what other services  you offer?

Well, I’m also a speaker and a writer, of course. I love to speak at writer’s  conferences and visit schools, bookstores, and libraries to talk about my books  and/or writing for children or freelance writing. And I provide in-service  training for teachers on a variety of topics.

I also often write for educational publishers. Sometimes I write books, other  times I write testing materials or reading passages. I also write for small  businesses — press releases, articles, create media kits, etc.. And I also do  some editing and consulting.

As the Working Writer’s Coach, I offer instructional materials – including  teleclasses, e-courses, and audio files — to help people learn to write for  publication and/or start their own freelance writing business.

Is  there anything else you would like to share?

Well, for anyone reading this who wants to become a published author, I’d  say, just start small. You don’t have to change your entire life and write for  hours and hours every day to become a published author. You just need to write  on a consistent basis. Even 30 minutes a day adds up. If you only write one page  a day, at the end of a year you’ll have a book! So don’t make excuses. You can  become a writer if you really, really want to. Just get started! Then find the  help you need to make sure the manuscript you’re writing will be marketable!

Please tell the readers where they can find more information about  you and your services.

Visit my coaching website at http://www.workingwriterscoach.com or my author  site at http://www.suzannelieurance.com and to find out more about the  Children’s Writers’ Coaching Club, visit http://www.cwcoachingclub.com — You can  also find me on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/writerscoach and Facebook.

Read more: http://blogcritics.org/books/article/interview-with-suzanne-lieurance-author-and/page-3/#ixzz1NwXqXqOMas Twitter and Facebook.

 

 

 

 

INTERVIEW WITH SCI-FI AUTHOR, B.A CHEPAITIS

After reading and reviewing The Fear Principle, I could not wait to interview  the author. I wanted to learn as much as possible about the inspiration behind  such a well written and suspenseful book about people who must learn to face  their fears. Please join me in welcoming B.A. Chepaitis.

1. Can you please tell me about your background?

I  was born and raised in a small town in upstate New York, in a house full of  Lithuanian and Italian immigrants. My parents believed that the mind was the  best toy in the world, and they encouraged me and all my siblings to read, to  explore science, to always ask questions.

 Our house was also filled with music,  which probably explains why my writing often works with sound as much as  sense.

2. How long did it take you to finish writing The Fear  Principle?

This novel was a short story first, and when I had an editor’s interest in  seeing it as a novel I had to finish it rather quickly. Within two weeks, with  lots of all-nighters. But then my first draft process is always fast, and my  editing is always slow.

3. I love your style of writing, how did you develop this prolific  way of writing?

As I said, a lot of my writing style comes from playing and listening to so  much music. I can clearly remember sitting at the piano and thinking that I  wanted to make words do what music does — give readers a direct experience of  emotion. The characters, such as Jaguar Addams, come from growing up with  strong-minded people who said what they thought out loud. In particular, the  women in my family were very outspoken. In fact, my Italian grandmother marched  with the Suffragettes.

4. There is so much detail in the plot of The Fear Principle— how did you come up with these ideas?

I don’t think I ‘come up’ with the ideas so much as I ‘listen’ for them.  Sometimes that listening is internal. There’s an image or idea bubbling up  inside me that suddenly makes itself known. That’s how Jaguar appeared. Other  times there’s situations in the world that grab my attention, such as our  culture’s fascination with serial killers, and our overcrowded prisons. When two  such ideas meet, you have a novel!

5. Do you write from an outline?

Outlines are way too linear for me. I spend a lot of pre-writing time  daydreaming about my characters and their situation, and making notes on random  pieces of paper. Often I lose the notes, but once I’ve written them down they  stay with me. By the time I’m ready to write, instead of an outline I have the  book inside me, as a sort of movie of the mind.

6. Thank you for allowing me to interview you, is there anything else  you would like to share? What are you currently working on?

I’m continuing with Jaguar’s series, writing the sixth one — A Strangled  Cry of Fear. I’m also shopping this in script form, because I think this  series is suited to that medium. I’m also writing an unrelated book of  nonfiction and an unrelated fantasy novel. As you can see, I like to keep  busy.
If anyone would like to know more about my work, I hope you’ll visit  me and Jaguar on Facebook, or stop by and check out my website. Information for  that is below!

Bio:

You can follow Barbara on her virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book.

Barbara Chepaitis is the author of eight published books, including The  Fear Principle, the critically praised Feeding Christine and These Dreams. Feathers of Hope, her first nonfiction  book, is about Berkshire Bird Paradise  and the human interaction with birds. She’s working on a sequel about Eagle  Mitch, a bird she helped our U.S. troops rescue from Afghanistan. Barbara is  founder of The Snickering Witches, a storytelling trio, and faculty coordinator  for the fiction component of Western Colorado’s MFA program in creative  writing.

Facebook site for Barbara: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=615302442

Barbara’s website: http://www.wildreads.com
The Fear Principle is  available at wildside press, and Amazon.com

Read more: http://blogcritics.org/books/article/interview-with-ba-chepaitis-author-of/page-2/#ixzz1NMSUxVXv