You've now published three books. What made you decide to take the risk and write your first novel?
Yes, I have written three romance novels: “Dreamer of Destiny”, “Love Through Time”, and “Fate’s Intervention”. In addition to these books, I have also published a paranormal thriller, “Edge of Insanity”, and a juvenile adventure (for my children) entitled “Freepetopia”.

Why did I decide to begin writing? Because I fell in love with the written word. Many years ago, I was laid up with a broken kneecap. My dad saw that my reading material was sorely lacking in diversity so handed me a copy of Clive Cussler’s “Iceberg”. I was enthralled with Cussler’s prose. I started reading everything my dad could get for me, no matter the genre. Several years later, I decided that I not only enjoyed reading, but also had an aptitude for writing.

I began to pen my first novel right after the birth of my first child, as I was to be staying home full-time at that point, and even though I was seriously sleep deprived, that first book nearly wrote itself.

Are there other novels that have been started and stopped along the way?
Yes, about twenty thus far. Many of them I plan to continue working on as time permits; however, there have been a few in which my heart just wasn’t with the characters, the setting, or the story. Those, I may revisit one day, but for now each sits in a file on my computer labeled “flop”.

How did you come up with the idea for your book Love through Time?
Actually, “Love Through Time” is one of my favorite books because the two characters came to me while watching my, then, teenage daughters interact. Their interaction – whether it was laughing, fighting, sharing something funny or special – was genuinely intriguing to me as a mother. Moreover, despite adversity, the bond between them was (and is) powerful, unbreakable.

That is where the true similarity is between them and my characters – Savannah and Tyeshia. The characters in the book face adversity and their friendship is severely tested (getting hurled back in time when equality didn’t exist, and fighting over two-hundred-year-old men will put any friendship to the test); however, in the end, that bond of friendship can’t be broken. Anyone with a sibling or a friend with whom they are close would appreciate this book very much, I believe.


How long did it take you to write this book? Who helped you with the editing?
“Love Through Time” took approximately a year from start to finish. As I am the owner of an editing firm, I did a majority of the editing myself; however, it is never easy to edit your own works – too easy to overlook errors – so I was fortunate to have several other people who contributed in this area.

Did you try the normal route and try to find a traditional publisher to handle your book?
In actuality, my very first book was accepted by a traditional publishing house. The editor who accepted the work requested some revisions. It took a little more than a month for me to complete the requested revisions; however, when I resubmitted the work, I was informed the editor working with me had left the firm. My book was sidelined.

During those revisions, I also came to a realization – someone else’s idea of what would “sell” was replacing my creativity as a writer. I determined then that divine intervention took place while I was doing revisions, because if the editor had not left, my work would no longer have been my work.

How do you write? Did you do individual character development before doing the full plot?
To date, I have not done individual character development. Occasionally, I will complete an outline to keep track of the details I want to include. Most times, an idea comes to me. When that happens, I sit down and start typing until the idea plays itself out. From there, I read what I’ve written and think, “What type of character would go well in this setting?”. Once I determine that, the words just flow onto the paper.

What type of publicity do you do to promote your book? How does social media play into your promotions?
Social media is a huge medium for self-promotion. I also take advantage of free giveaways on Goodreads and Amazon. However, I can only do so much to get my books noticed. Recently, my daughters and I started researching book promoters. I have narrowed the list down to three, one of which I plan to contact before the end of April.
 

What do you know now about writing/publishing that you wished you had known sooner?
So very much, but I’ll try to select one of the most important. About writing? I think the most important thing that I wish I’d learned sooner is “write what you know”. I can’t remember where I saw that or who to attribute the quote to, but it made a big difference in my writing. My children often remark, “I can see you in this character or that one,” and I had a sibling contact me recently and say, “It must have been hard to write that particular part...”, because she knew it closely resembled the tragedy in my own life. So – write what you know.

Publishing? I would have to say trust yourself. If you have confidence in what you’ve written, don’t let someone else muck it up. There is a huge difference between allowing someone to edit what you’ve written in order to improve flow, transitions, and assist with the mechanics of writing and allowing someone to change what you’ve written. Self-publishing is not an easy route to take, but it was a preferable route for me.

You also have a service called "Worth Reading." Can you tell me a little more about it, and why you think people will benefit from it?
I love to write, and I love to read. Those two reasons are why I started Worth Reading – to assist those with the same passion for the written word as I hold. Moreover, having worked with an editor at a traditional publishing house, I am aware of the expectations for submitting a manuscript for publication. Those same expectations should hold true if self-publishing. Self-publishing a manuscript does not mean entitlement for careless work. After all, you will be competing against, and want your work to compare favorably with authors from traditional publishing houses. To ensure a satisfactory self-publishing experience, all writers should consider having their manuscript edited to avoid potential embarrassment.

Why Worth Reading? Because I am not just an editor, but an author also, so can readily empathize with how difficult writing can be. Moreover, I respect that a manuscript is more than just a bunch of words; it’s a person’s “baby” and should be treated as such. A few years ago, I worked on an editing project for an individual self-publishing two books. When completed, he mailed me two copies with a letter enclosed, part of which read:

“You played a valuable part in this project by supporting my writing effort. You’ve not only helped me with general inspiration and encouragement, but also provided me with right-on-point editorial suggestions as well as insightful and inspiring comments” – This sums up why people can benefit from submitting their work to Worth Reading.

What is the best advice about writing you’ve learned that you would like to pass along?
The first advice I mentioned above – write what you know. The second – write about what you love. Third – never assume your work is perfect at the onset. Always have two or three different people peruse your work – preferably the target audience – and then listen to their feedback. Finally, have it professionally edited; no matter if you are self-publishing.

That's it for today's interview. If you would like to learn more about Barbara's writing or editing services, here are some links to do so...

www.WorthReading.weebly.com
www.LiteraryAdventures.weebly.com (Worth Reading’s author spotlight).

Writing with an Alter-Ego, Author Interview with Richard Stevens & Salty Tails

What made you decide to take the plunge and write your first novel?
Richard: Pure chance and circumstances, and a lot of goading from a couple of friends. I can thank poor choices on my part, and the State of Maine, for the time and circumstances. It was during my short stay in one of their fine, ‘gated communities’ that I met Susan Richardson, a volunteer instructor. I was at the time working in the school department and teaching a business course, when I was talked into sitting in on her small writing group.

I have always been an avid reader, but unhappily, the fine art of spelling and grammar had alluded me. Susan, and several other members of the group encouraged me to overcome my fears and give it a try. Within a month, a love of writing consumed me. I spent the next two years learning everything I could about writing, from basic grammar to the many theories of fiction writing.

I learned much of it by writing and rewriting Pirate Tales. To read my entire story please visit to my web site, listed below and click, ‘Learning to Spell at 50.’

Salty: I thought this interview was going to be about me?
Richard: No Salty, it’s about Pirate Tales.
Salty: Well it better get about me fast or I’m going sailing with Stormy and JD.

Are there other novels that have been started and stopped along the way?
Richard: Pirate Tales is my first “Baby.” We started and finished two sequels to Pirate Tales, as well as a children’s story, and several fun shorts, prior to completing what I believe was the 10,000th rewrite of Pirate Tales. Having to deal with an overbearing writing partner certainly didn’t help. Talk about a bossy.

Salty: Hey! Who you calling bossy?
Richard: I also started a novel about a boy who wants to train horses, called Bobby Tucker. I’m hoping to have the first draft completed this summer.
Salty: How come I’m just hearing about this?

How did you come up with the idea for this book?
Richard:I wish I had a good answer. The fact is it sort of morphed from a short story I wrote from a writing prompt during my first fiction class. That short, called The Race, eventually turned into the second chapter of Pirate Tales. Salty simply showed up one day and refused to leave. Since then he’s kinda taken over.
Salty: I’m a cat and a genius, so writing came naturally to me, unlike you more primitive species.
Richard: You forgot to mention humble.
Salty: Keep it up Rick, just remember, I know where you keep your favorite shoes.

What other writing credentials did you have prior to writing this book?
Richard: Does signing the bottom of a check count?
Salty: When does this get about ME?

How long did it take you to write this book? Who helped you with the editing?
Richard: Two years with several breaks between rewrites to work on other projects. The list of those who helped me edit, and edit, and edit… is a long one. Susan Richardson, Patrick Armstrong, to name a couple, and of course, our biggest fan and insane cat lover, my mother, Linda.
Salty: I just love Rick’s mom, Linda. But I’m guessing her wit and charm skipped a generation.

Did you try the normal route and try to find a traditional publisher to handle your book?
Richard: No. I did a lot of research, and more hours of deliberation than it probably needed before making this decision. In the end, I chose to ride what I consider the publishing wave of the future and go independent. Only time will tell if this is the right decision.
Salty: I certainly wouldn’t say no to any publishers interested in my work.
Richard: Your work? My name does come first, Salty.
Salty: Yeah but it’s my picture on the cover. Top that smart guy.

How do you write? Did you do individual character development before doing the full plot?
Richard: I write by instinct, letting the characters develop on their own. That being said, I tend to follow Hemingway’s, ‘Iceberg,’ approach and build up a detailed history for my characters from which they draw motivation for their actions or reactions.

I’m not sure that answered your question. The fact is, much of what I do is still a mystery to me. Some days I wake up with no clue what I’m doing and end the day with what I believe is the best scene I’ve ever written, and no clue where it came from or who wrote it. Other times I have to work through a scene for days.
Salty: I don’t really care much about the characters as long as I get to say what I want. After all, why have opinions if your not going to share them, I always say.
Richard: Whenever I find myself getting frustrated, I remind myself that writing is supposed to be fun. It also helps to remember the purpose of our books, which is to provide a few short hours of entertainment to my readers. I want my books to be just plain fun to read. I think the term is, ‘A great Beach Read.’

What type of publicity do you do to promote your book?
Richard: I think positive. I’ve also run some ads and offered giveaways through Goodreads. I ran a two week five book giveaway right after it’s release that brought me 632 entries. I have one running on the, ‘All About Animals,’ group right now.
Salty: Not my problem. I am an artist, and artists do not promote.
Richard: But Salty, you’re doing this interview.
Salty: Nobody asked you.

How does social media play into your promotions?
Richard: It’s yesterday’s word of mouth on steroids. I have a Facebook page, a twitter account, a wordpress blog, and a website, but I spend most of my time and energy on Goodreads.
Salty: I have better things to do with my time than worry about all this social gossip stuff, so I leave most of it up to Rick.

What do you know now about writing/publishing that you wished you had known sooner?
Richard: I’m getting too old to learn all this new technology. LOL. We didn’t even have personal computers when I graduated High school. The truth is, I believe we should never stop learning. My only wish is that I’d discovered the joy of writing and publishing sooner. I’m even glad I met Salty, most of the time.
Salty: Come on Rick, I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to you and you know it.

What other tales are in the works for Salty?
Richard: As I mentioned earlier, we have completed two sequels. The first sequel, Vanished Tales, should be available this summer. Our third tale, Obsession Tales, is marinating on the shelf until I’m ready to go back through it. Probably after I’ve completed Bobby Tucker.
Salty: I’m working on a fourth ‘Salty Tales Mystery.’ This one will bring Stormy and crew back to Maine to help a friend film a movie.
Richard: I like what he’s told me about it so far.
Salty: And your point?

What is the best advice about writing you’ve learned that you would like to pass along?
Richard: How much time do we have? First, never stop writing; it’s the only way to learn. Second, you have to read, especially in the genre you intend to write in, but read daily. I think of reading as the fuel that feeds my imagination. Third, embrace your delete button. You have to check your ego at the door, especially during the editing faze.

Ignoring Salty’s arrogant pleas, I ended up deleting two prologues, three chapters and more sailing jargon than you would believe from Pirate Tales before it was completed.
Salty: I’ve heard enough; I’m out of here. (Click)
Richard: Sorry about that. Unfortunately, dealing with his ‘Artistic Moods’ is just part of the package. But I have to admit, he tells a great tale.

You can reach Richard and Salty a number of ways and here's the links to do that
www.richardstephensblog.wordpress.com
www.richardstephens.me
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Richard...
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

Interview with Timothy Bryant, author of Just a Song Before I Go

To begin, I have to ask is one from your bio which says you are a multimedia designer for a newspaper. What exactly does that mean?
First, Christine, I would like to thank you for this opportunity. It is blogs such as yours that help to not only make the writing/reading community closer, but also give a vary of insight from such a wide range of folks.

Now to answer your first question … as a multimedia designer for a newspaper, my duties involve designing and developing print and digital advertising. And though I’ve done some copywriting, I’ve never worked as a journalist.

What made you decide to take the plunge and write ‘Just A Song Before I Go’? 

I tell folks that when I have an idea for a story, it can be a lot like being constipated – that overwhelming sense that something inside needs to come out. So when it came to writing ‘Just A Song Before I Go’, it was more like an exhilarating release than it was a plunge. In no time, the completed storyline played out in my head, followed by the words flowing.

Is this your first novel or have others been started and stopped along the way?

‘Just A Song Before I Go’ is my first, widely available, novel. A few years ago I wrote ‘Are Monasteries Opened on Saturday?’ – the journey of a young man’s search for love. That book was picked up by an e-publishing company out of Australia, and initially seemed to have a good response. Unfortunately the company closed, so I shelved the book… for now.

How did you come up with the idea for this book?

‘Just A Song Before I Go’ started its’ roots as imagining myself a lonely, elderly man, sitting in a nursing home, dwelling on a past love. And though I am happily married, I feel that everyone has a ‘what if’ in his or her lives – and so that was capitalizing on that kind of pondering. Add in my past experience as a performer in the clubs – piano bars and such – I wanted to incorporate that as well. And so, Joseph Scallettio, retired musician and composer from the Big Band era was born.

I felt that for him to share this story – this emptiness he felt – there was a need for another strong character. It was then I thought how unique it would be to make it a young female, Makia, that’s totally out of her element, thrown into his life; a great way to delve into areas far beyond the initial storyline.

As for the location… well, I wanted it to take place in a large city, full of rich history, but I didn’t want it to be New York – since that card had been played too often. So it was Chicago…a city that happened to be the birthplace of Big Band music.

What other writing credentials did you have prior to writing this book?
Before writing ‘Just A Song Before I Go’, I had transcribed an original Civil War diary, transcribed a stack of love letters from the late 1920s, wrote some poetry and short stories, and penned my first book ‘Are Monasteries Opened on Saturday?’ One of my short stories, ‘That Most Precious Gift’, is available for eBook at Smashwords.com as well as on Lulu.com.

How long did it take you to write this book? Who helped you with the editing?

It took about eight months to do the initial writing of this novel, and went through a couple of small rewrites. As for getting help with the editing…I was blessed to have been working for a national magazine publisher at the time. So, needless to say, I was able to get major editing assistance from a small group of professional writers – who happened to be personal friends as well.

Did you try the normal route and try to find a traditional publisher to handle your book? Did you pitch any agents?

After finishing the book, I hit both the web and bookstores in hopes to find publishing/agent contacts for that type of read. From this research, a long list was made. I then emailed and/or snail-mailed everything from query letters, to synopsis, to a few chapters, to the full manuscript.  This was a process that continued over a few months.
 

Of course what followed were a multitude of rejection letters, in all shapes and sizes.

Did you pitch any agents?

Finally, a great lady who owned a literary agency contacted me to sign me up. Oh happy day! After a couple of years however, things didn’t work out. It was after the manuscript was released did I then begin to consider self-publishing.

How do you write? Did you do individual character development before doing the full plot?

Before I write, I have already played out the entire book/story in my head – much like viewing a movie. I then write out a rough outline, with an idea of how the characters will develop. However, all of this changes here and there as the story takes place.

What type of publicity do you do to promote your book?

I utilize whatever means possible when promoting the book. Whether it’s going door-to-door in the neighborhood, having book signings, print and digital advertising, online communities, or being a part of interviews such as this one, I have found that all avenues are helpful in getting the word out.

How does social media play into your promotions?

I have found social media to be the best avenue when marketing a book. In fact, it was through LinkedIn.com where I was blessed enough to hook up with Melissa Giovagnoli Wilson, social media & publishing expert, speaker, and author of ‘Ask Me How to Write a GREAT Book in Four Months or Less’. She has helped me out immeasurably.

In all, I look at promoting a book as a way of farming. First, you get the right type of seed. Then you look for fertile ground. Once found, you then cultivate and sow the seeds - trying not to scatter them about. Water and fertilize constantly. And then finally - though knowing that all seeds won't produce - you wait on the harvest.

What do you know now about writing/publishing that you wished you had known sooner?
That it is truly harder to market a book than it is to write one.

You’re also working on a children’s book series. Can you tell me some details?

The children’s series that I’m working on is a good way to break away from the other books I have up my sleeve. With the storyline having to do with the ‘Why?’ questions from a child, it lends the writings to be more simplistic and direct. And being a child myself – mentally – I just enjoy it.

What is the best advice about writing you’ve learned that you would like to pass along?

The best advice that I could give to anyone who like to write, and who also likes to share what they have written, is the following:

Be aware of the entire world around you. Listen carefully, and fully, to everything and everyone you are near. Be open to diversity and honest with humanity. Be willing to take criticism and rejection. And always be true to your self. Oh, and one more thing … don’t expect to become rich. Express to express.

If you would like to buy his current book or learn more about it, here's some links to do so

Amazon              Barnes & Noble  

For more on the author here's some options:   Webpage            Facebook       LinkedIn

 

Second Chances on Writing, an interview with romance writer, Peggy Bird

Writing was not your first or even second career. When did you decide to get serious and try your hand at writing?

I have been a writer all my life. It has been part of almost every job I’ve ever had and I’ve written for myself for as long as I can remember. During the years I had one of those pesky, time-consuming day jobs, I wrote short pieces. Thanks to a supportive husband, I was eventually able to let that part of my life go and focus on writing—longer pieces first, then novels.

Did you take writing courses in college?

My college career was almost as varied as my occupational one—I was a wife and mother in addition to working full-time when I went back for a college degree. I ended up with a double major in history and political science and enough credits for a degree in English if I’d taken 9 more hours of a language. I had already been in college for years and was ready to leave so I didn’t go for it. I have regularly taken writing workshops since then, the latest, a day-long workshop with Donald Maass sponsored by my local RWA chapter.

Prior to your current book series, your works were published in such notable series as Cup of Comfort and Chicken Soup for the Soul. What was the first thing that you wrote that got published?

The first piece I ever submitted was accepted for an anthology. The second piece I submitted was published in a regional magazine. Wow, I thought. This is easy. Then reality hit as the next dozen or so pieces were rejected. I kept at it, though. Eventually, after almost a decade of writing, I’ve had work published in a dozen anthologies, a number of magazines, have won awards for children’s stories and memoir pieces and have five books under contract with Crimson.

In your bio it says that your children’s stories “were not vetted by anyone before being published.” Does that literally mean no one reviewed or critiqued your work at all prior to submission?

Heavens, no. I have been lucky enough over the years to have wonderful critique partners who willingly read my work, sometimes enduring the same piece over and over again. The comment you quoted was meant only to say that, although I let my daughter read a piece beforehand to decide if I’ll embarrass her by publishing something about her childhood, the other stories I write don’t need to be given her seal of approval. Which, considering I write spicy romance, is probably a good thing.

When did you decide to start writing a novel? When did you decide to do a series?

I wrote a mystery novel when I first started writing seriously because that was my escape genre of the moment. It got some amazingly good rejections. But when no one was interested in publishing it, I put it away and stuck to short pieces. I also began another art career in kiln-formed glass.

However, a series of about five characters began to obsess me—a couple of cops, a DA, an artist and an art gallery owner. As they began to pair off, fall in love (and fall into bed), it was obvious I was writing romance. One set of characters led to another and pretty soon I had a series of six novels with stand-alone plots but characters who wander from book to book. 

How many rewrites of each of your books would you say you do?

The first three novels I wrote have been rewritten so many times I’ve lost count but I’m sure each one is had rewrites in double digits. Interestingly, these are books 2, 3 and 6 of the series. (In fact, I’m polishing #6 right now.) Books 1 and 5, I wrote during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWrMo) in 2010 and 2011 and they went through, maybe, 3 drafts and final polishing, as did book 4. 

How did you first go about finding a publisher? Did you query agents?

I queried agents, was able to get a half dozen to read one or another of the first completed novels but not successful in snagging one to take me on as a client. Then I read a Facebook post about an editor looking for romance novels for a new imprint from Adams Media, which had published some of the anthologies where I’d placed work. I queried, got accepted and here I am, a year later with five books under contract and one more almost ready to go to my editor. Still no agent and not really looking for one at this point.

I understand your publisher does eBooks as part of a monthly book club for a flat fee similar to what Netflix does for movies. How are you paid?

Crimson publishes our books in several ways. One way is the book club you mention and we do share the monthly fee between the authors whose books are downloaded. 

But that’s not the major way our books are released. The biggest sales are from individual downloads from Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other outlets for eBook platforms—Kindle, iPad, Nook. Also, about 3-4 months after release as an eBook, our books come out in trade paperback as Print on Demand through Amazon.

How has your attitude about writing changed over the years?

What has changed about the way I look at my writing is that I am much more aware of the business end of things and the need for marketing, no matter who the publisher is.

How long does it take you to write a book today as opposed to your first novel?

I can now write a first draft of a 50K word novel in 30 days—NaNoWrMo training. I work at my writing about 6-8 hours every day. I don’t have a daily word count goal but I do have monthly deadlines for what I want to accomplish.

Are you going to stay with writing romance or do you want to try your hand at other genres?

Yes, I will be continuing to write romances until my editor stops contracting with me for them. I do, however, have a woman’s novel I’m working on which isn’t a romance.

How long does it take for a writer to write exclusively and not hold down a second job?

To be blunt, don’t quit your day job unless you have another source of income to pay your mortgage. It takes time for most writers to build a platform, to build a readership, to build a backlist, to make sense of an industry in turmoil over the future of eBooks and bound books, the role of agents, how many publishers does it take to change Amazon, where will books be sold when the last bookstore closes. And while you do all that, you have to eat and have a roof over your head. Most of my Crimson Romance sisters work full-time, raise kids and write when they can grab the time to do it. I’m in awe of them.

With the constant churn of new romance novels each month as your publisher does, what type of shelf life does your book have?

With eBooks, there is no shelf life—they last forever. In the old days, category romances like mine were pulled from the shelves and pulped after three months. Now my eBooks continue to exist online, each of my releases sells my backlist. The books are always there, always visible when you pull up my name on Amazon or the Crimson Website.

What suggestions do you have for enhancing a writer’s social media platform?

I joke that if I knew the answer to how to use social media and the internet to effectively sell books, I’d stop writing romance and write a book about that to help everyone who’s in the same boat I am—paddling along in a sea of confusion, trying to figure it out. I regularly use Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pintrest and blog on my own and other websites. I solicit reviews from book bloggers. I do local readings, pass out postcards with my book cover/book blurb, do press releases and Goodreads giveaways. With each book release, I seem to do more of all of the above.

Does it result in book sales? I wish I knew. I’m lucky enough to have a cadre of other Crimson Romance writers who are generous in sharing their experience with everything from who to contact to review our books to where to get the best deal on postcards and other promotional materials to how long to run a Goodreads giveaway.

One of my Crimson sisters is trying to put together a list of what we’ve all tried to see who has had the best luck with which approach. I hope she comes up with a magic answer. Until someone does, however, I’ll use every tool I can to get my name out and to plug my books. It’s the old throw-enough-mud-against-the-fence-and-some-will-stick approach.

What is the best advice you’ve learned you’d like to pass along to other aspiring writers

My best advice to writers is the advice every writing workshop teacher I’ve ever had has said at some point in the discussion—just write. As often as you can. As much as you can. The old cliché is true—writers write. Keep at it, no matter what.

Or, to paraphrase Corinthians, now abideth craft, talent and persistence, these three but the greatest of these is persistence.

Love that last line. It is definitely all about persistence. The more you write the greater your chance of getting published. If you have enjoyed this interview and would like to learn more about Peggy and her writing here are the options:

To buy her books on Amazon         Facebook                  Twitter                   Website

Writing Romance and Betrayal: Author Interview with Joanne Clancy

According to your bio, it says you are now on your 10th book to be published. Looking at the print dates on Amazon, it looks like they only go back to 2011. When did you actually start writing them?

I wrote my first four books: Unforgettable Embrace, Unfaithfully Yours, My Love, and The Wedding Day, over a period of several years. I decided to self-publish those books as e-books in 2011, having read about Amanda Hocking's success. 

How quickly do you write a book? How many rewrites do you do?

It takes me about four months to write a book. When I'm working on one book, I tend to plan and write drafts of my next book. I like to do four re-writes per book on average.

What made you decide to take the plunge and write a novel?

Reading and writing are my twin passions in life. I wrote short stories for many years, and attempted to write a book several times, but something always seemed to get in the way. In late 2010, I decided to take the plunge and write full-time, so I quit my day job and dedicated my working day to writing full-time.

How long did it take you to write the first book? Who helped you with the editing? 

It took me six months to write Unforgettable Embrace. I rewrote it four times, with the help of my family and friends. I was living on my savings at the time so I couldn't afford a professional editing service.

Some of your books are more of a novella style as they are under 200 pages per book. Is there a reason you chose the shorter length?

My first book, Unforgettable Embrace, is just over 100,000 words, and Unfaithfully Yours is 75,000 words. My other books are less than 200 pages. I found that I could tell a more coherent story with the shorter books, plus I sell more of my shorter books than the longer ones.

It’s also looks like you’ve packaged your trilogies in one book? Are more sold as a trilogy or separately? 

I packaged my books as trilogies because some readers prefer to read an entire series together. I also thought it would be an interesting marketing tool, but I've sold more books separately than as a set.

What is your best selling book to date?

My best selling book to date has been "Secrets and Lies".

Did you initially plan to write a trilogy or did the story evolve too much for one book?

I planned to write "Secrets and Lies" as a trilogy. I'd written four stand-alone books before "Secrets and Lies", and I was interested to learn about the process of writing a trilogy. It was certainly a challenge! Keeping the storyline and characters together for three books took a lot of detailed planning.

Another book of yours has a sequel. How did that come about?

I wrote "Revenge" as a sequel to "Unfaithfully Yours" because many readers had emailed me to ask if there would be another book. I hadn't planned on writing a sequel, but once I re-read "Unfaithfully Yours" I could see how my readers would be interested in a follow-up. "Web of Deceit" is the third book in the series, and I'm planning on writing a fourth.

Is Cupid's Arrow Publishing your imprint?

Cupid's Arrow Publishing was a name I used instead of Amazon Digital Services. It's a name I would like to use for my own imprint one day.

Did you try the normal route and try to find a traditional publisher to handle your book? When did you decide to self-publish?

I wrote hundreds of letters and emails to publishers and agents, but without any success. I decided to self-publish after reading Amanda Hocking's amazing success story. She has been my inspiration.

How do you write? 

Initially, I write a very rough outline where I brainstorm the main plot points and do a few character sketches. After that I spend a little more time fleshing out the main story and characters, but I try not to get too bogged down at the planning stage. Then comes the hard part; writing! I aim to write about 4,000 words a day; 2,000 in the morning and 2,000 in the afternoon.

I write the first draft as quickly as possible, just to get all my thoughts in some sort of a coherent order. Then I start rewriting and editing. The second draft is where I trim the excess and focus on the main plot points. The third draft is more focused on my characters and how their individual voices are portrayed. The fourth draft is where I try to be as objective as possible, and focus on how the book reads from a reader's point of view.

What type of publicity do you do to promote your book? What has worked best for you in generating sales?

I've tried social media to promote my books but there's only so many times and ways to say "please buy my book". I have a Twitter page, a Facebook author page, and a blog but I think writing as well as you can, as often as you can is the best method of promotion. I found KDP Select's free days to be most helpful in getting my books known.

What do you know now about writing/publishing now that you wished you had known sooner?

I wish I'd known earlier that I should focus my time on writing, and not spend so much time trying to promote my books on social media. I won't say it was a waste of time, but I think that writing should be the main focus for any writer. 

What is the best advice you’ve been given about writing or that you’ve learned that you would like to pass along?

This may sound like a cliche, but the best advice I've learned is "never give up". Also, don't focus on the blank screen, tell yourself you only have to write one sentence, and the rest will (hopefully) flow from there.

That's all for today's interview. If you would like to learn more about Joanne's writing or buy her books, here's a link to her blog.