Managing Social Media: An Interview with Maria Dismondy

Maria is the author of multiple award-winning children's books, including Amazon bestsellers. She is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children through children's literature. Maria's a frequent speaker at local elementary schools and other venues. 

Her topics cover bullying, building character, and reading and writing for young authors. Additionally, she has her own publishing company and will soon be open for new submissions.

You write picture book stories for children that teach positive actions? What inspired you to write the first book?

I was a classroom teacher and it was my students that inspired me to start writing. 

You’ve published nine books. When did you actually start writing your first one?

My first book was written in 2006 and I worked on it for several months before sending it out to publishers.

Who encouraged you along the way?

My husband was my biggest fan! 

Prior to writing your books, what was your publishing and writing background?

I graduated from Michigan State University with a double major in English and Child Development.  I was a teacher for over a decade and used picture books in my classroom daily.

What made you decide to start your own publishing company?

After writing picture books for ten years, I decided to try something a little different. We are open for submissions every November 1st-February 28th. 

How many staff members do you have working for you?  

Right now, I have twelve team members who work regularly on our projects and four authors/illustrators.

How long have you been coaching and doing paid workshops?

I have been coaching way back from around 2011 when I was getting a ton of aspiring writers reaching out to me for mentorships.

Do your illustrators work strictly from your text or do you give them suggestions of how you want the story to be done?

We find illustrators from reputable art agencies. We have some art notes in our submitted manuscripts, but we allow our artists to have creative control over the project in the design phase.

Do you handle your own social media, or do you have someone/service working for you? 

I am part of all my social media, but I have team members who help schedule and post. I never want my voice or vision to be absent, so I continue to play a role.

What’s the best tip you could offer other writers about using social media?

My best tip for writers using social media is to choose just two platforms to focus on. Share valuable content to your audience and be consistent about it. This will help create visibility to your brand!

What has frustrated you the most in putting your books together?

We have made some mistakes and for having a team, that frustrates me that sometimes we all miss something!

What has pleasantly surprised you in the process?

I’m surprised how much I love the work I do, all phases make for variety!!!

What advice would you give someone who wants to write children’s stories?

Just do it! A professional editor is also important. Don't allow your family to edit your work before submitting it to publishers. Have it professionally polished!

What is the writing best advice you’ve been given?

Be authentic!

How much time daily do you have for writing?

It depends on the day. We have three young children, so I squeeze work in here and there. I am a fan of waking up before the sun (and the children and husband) to write.

 

What message would you like parents and children to take away from your books?

I want children to know they have the power to make a difference through simple acts of kindness that can happen in their home, school or community! 

What future plans do you have for the publishing company?

Each year we plan to take on a few more projects.

What’s the next book coming out?

Dazzling Travis by Hannah Carmona Dias (Spring 2019)

That’s all for today’s interview. If you would like to learn more about what Maria is looking for in submissions or buy one of her books, here are some links to get you started.

www.mariadismondy.com

www.instagram.com/mariadismondybooks  

www.cardinalrulepress.com

Write a Book Review Today! An Interview with John H. Cunningham

I see one of your writing influences is Jimmy Buffett. Did his Joe Merchant book inspire you to write your own books? Or was it the Indiana Jones movies? If not, what did get you started writing?
I was writing before Jimmy wrote Where is Joe Merchant, but I did enjoy the book. His music has always been inspirational to me in an escapist sort of way. Indiana Jones was also indeed an inspiration to create an Everyman hero that makes mistakes and doesn't always win, but that people will relate to. In creating Buck Reilly, I sought a middle ground between Carl Hiaasen's characters and John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee for a mix of humor, social issues, setting, and style.
How long did it take you to write your first book?

I wrote my first novel on about a dozen legal pads and asked my girlfriend at the time (now wife) if she would "type it up" for me. LOL. Needless to say, that didn't happen.

Who encouraged you along the way?

I have worked with a great professional editing group for twenty years called The Editorial Department (TED) and they have been very helpful and taught me a lot on early unpublished books that helped me create the Buck Reilly series to be tight and entertaining. Renni Brown was a senior editor at Scribner's before she started TED, and her son Ross has run the company since the outset. Literary agents have been encouraging, but when I chose to go Indie, it was really readers who became my largest source of encouragement.

Is Green St LLC your personal imprint? If so, what made you go the indie route?
Greene Street is my own imprint. I chose to go Indie after years of working with literary agents and publishers who are overworked and underpaid. The publishing industry has changed dramatically, and the old paradigm does not work for many more than a handful of blockbuster writers that the publishers invest most if their efforts and advertising focus on. Plus, the time for them to accept a book and then get it out is way too long in our immediate gratification culture. 

What is the hardest part of writing for you? Starting? Creating a scene? Tension, etc?
I love the research and writing process, especially with a dialogue-driven character-based series. When it comes to editing I do rely on outside eyes which sometimes slows down the process to await the availability of the right people, which can be frustrating.

Starting a new book is always a great feeling as a lot of research will have already gone into the storyline, setting, characters, underlying social issues and outlining of my thoughts. Dialogue comes very naturally given my interests and history matched with my protagonist and cast of new and recurring characters.

It is fun to write the Buck Reilly series, and I'm told it’s fun to read, too. Tension is what it's all about. Readers of SILVER GOODBYE, the latest Buck Reilly book say they cannot put it down, which given all the elements, I believe to be true. 

What does your editor remind you to do most often?
The reminders from my editor have changed over the years. It started with "show don't tell" and "don't be afraid to kill your darlings." I used to write long sentences full of description but have continued to hone my craft to be tight, terse and plant seeds that allows each reader to imagine the details. Keeping the pace is important, and too much description or interior dialogue slows it down. Now it's mostly just cutting out redundant language to make that happen. 

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
One fun thing about my series is that I have had a number of musicians want to appear in the stories and we have co-written several songs that have appeared in the books and are available on iTunes or on their CD's, which has added another dimension to the series. I have also had my series optioned for tv and film and hope that someday Buck Reilly may come to life on the big screen. 

We have all experienced rejection. Give me an example of how you learned to write past it.
All writers experience rejection, initially from agents, and then from publishers, but if readers ultimately reject you, it's the death knell. I got my first agent through a famous bookstore in Paris where Ernest Hemingway used to hangout--Shakespeare and Company. This was in the early 90s. 

The NY based agent was named Bertha Klausner and she worked with some top writers and did deals with the major publishers. This was pre-Internet. Bertha sent me some rejection letters from publishers and I noticed she was submitting several books at once, all of which were getting rejected. Bertha's birthday came and I sent her flowers and followed up with a call. I learned she had just turned 90 years old! We didn't work together much longer and it was the start of my being more self-reliant. 

What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing? What frustrated you the most? 
I'm often surprised at how writers who work with traditional publishers often refuse to collaborate with good indie writers to provide reviews or blurbs. Again, the reviews from readers are the only barometers that matter, and I see a lot of indie writers with far better reviews than some traditionally published ones so it can be frustrating. There are literally millions of indie books available now, so naturally, people need to be cautious with who they assist, but just drawing a hard line between Indie and traditional is reminiscent of those who were certain horse-drawn carriages would never be replaced by automobiles. I'm always open to helping peers regardless of their genre, or the name of their publisher. 

What do you know now about writing that you wished you had known sooner?
I wrote four books before I ever "gave in" to writing a series. That's another area where there are often splits between writers--series vs stand-alone books. Now I think writing a series is fun, rewarding and frankly easier, and I can see why readers prefer them. We all want to see a character arc, and a series is a broad arc where continued growth or setbacks are critical. Individual books are great and many of my favorites were stand alone, but in today's binge-oriented culture, whether Netflix, Harry Potter or the Buck Reilly series it is well served by series fiction.

What is the best writing advice that you’ve received or could give?
It is cliché, but it is also what made me decide upon the broad tenets of the Buck Reilly series, and that is to write what you know and love. Also, keep the editorializing and the author's voice out of your story. Readers want to hear your character's voices and opinions, not the author's.

Are there any other points about writing that you would like to add?
Writing and reading continue to evolve. The majority of the public does not read fiction these days, and those that do often prefer short chapters and what I call USA TODAY styled writing, which is short sections that are concise and to the point. I consciously keep chapters and sections in the Buck Reilly books very tight, and use dialogue and setting to show not tell the action. As much as I love the beautiful use of descriptive language, it does not fit this genre (action adventure / suspense / mystery), and generally only works in literature, so even though I still write that way, I have to be ready to "kill my darlings" when it comes to editing. 

What is the next book that will be coming out?
SILVER GOODBYE just came out a month ago. 

Can you give me a short synopsis?

Imagine learning that someone you loved, the person who had been your role model and rock, had a past life so deep and dark that it obliterated your entire relationship. 

Silver Goodbye takes off fast when Buck Reilly, the once famous archaeologist who lost his company, fortune, supermodel wife, and parents, makes a discovery that shakes the fragile foundation of his world. The revelation sends Buck back to Key West aboard the Beast, his ancient flying boat, to search for answers to a thirty-year-old family mystery and a cache of untold riches. 

Turns out that Jade Diaz, the daughter of a dead drug smuggler is on the same hunt, and when she reluctantly teams with Buck, the dark past returns to hunt them with a vengeance. 

To make matters worse, Hurricane Irma is ripping a path of destruction through the Caribbean, forcing Buck to race against its descent onto the Keys to save Jade and find the buried stash before the storm surge washes it away. 

Silver Goodbye will shake you at the start, stir you in the middle, and blow you away at the end."

Any last thoughts?

I would like to encourage your readers to write reviews of the books they read, on Amazon, Goodreads or other venues. It only takes a couple minutes and it is them who we write for, so hearing their impressions, whether good or bad, is more important than hearing from "critics" or professional bloggers.

It really helps not only other readers, but also writers, too. It's a lonely business and getting feedback is always important. My goal is to entertain, teach, remind people of places they've been or introduce them to places they've been interested in going--all while sitting on the edges of their seats unable to put the book down. That is the magic, and when it works it helps to know, and conversely if it falls short.

'

That's all for today's interview. If you've recently read a book you like, post a review. Help others learn about that writer, too. And if action-adventure stories are for you, here's a link to learn more about John's books: 

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4679853.John_H_Cunningham

Vegies and Kids: Author Interview with D.S. Venetta

You’ve now done two books teaching middle-grade readers about growing vegetables. What made you choose this topic for your book?

A few years back I spear-headed a school garden for my children’s Montessori school. Working with kids K-8, I had so much fun watching them take charge, explore and question everything they did and that simply inspired to write about it. It’s a far different subject matter than my romance novels, but one I felt compelled to share. Maybe it will inspire other youngsters to garden.

Who helped you polish your story?

Actually, I had a few children editors join the process. In addition to my normal routine of editors and copy editors, I asked a few youngsters to read through my stories and weed out any “boring” spots. These books must be entertaining as well as educational. According to the reviews thus far, it worked!

Love your gardening puns! Are you active in any writing critique groups?

Lately, my involvement with writing groups has been online. Between writing romance, children’s books, marketing and sales, plus my number one job as Stay-At-Home Mom, I don’t have a lot of time to spare. But I do help other writers whenever possible. It’s crucial to staying connected in this industry.

Prior to writing this book, what was your publishing and writing background?

As I mentioned, I write romance, too. My debut novel, Jennifer’s Garden, is a romantic women’s fiction and won Best in Romance from the Indie Romance Discovery Awards. Ironically, it’s set in a garden. My romance readers know that I LOVE to garden. To prove it, my street team is known as the Bloomin’ Warriors! I write romantic cozy mystery fiction and general romantic mystery in addition to my romantic women's fiction. Quite the variety, but it works!

Did you try the traditional route of seeking a publisher and/or agent to market your book?

I did. I began marketing Jennifer’s Garden to agents and publishers as romance before I realized it was romantic women’s fiction. The responses were all the same: “Great writing, but where do I shelve it?” My response was: “Huh?” It’s not a typical romance, but it is a romance.  So after a couple of years seeking the traditional route, I realized—through the help of many like-minded authors—that what we were writing was romantic women’s fiction, not traditional romance. Where it didn’t exist as a genre before, it does now. Accepted and understood. It was my impatience with the “shelf” issue that propelled me toward indie publishing. I figured I’d let the readers decide. So far, so good!

I understand what you mean about women's fiction with romantic elements. I run into problems with editors on that as well. When did you decide to self-publish your own imprint?

I created BloominThyme Press back in 2011 as an umbrella for all of my writing endeavors. It actually stemmed from my garden blog, BloominThyme, where I make gardening easy and fun for moms and kids, including gardening tips, fresh recipes and kid crafts. No wonder that I now write children’s gardening fiction, right?  My tagline for romance is “A woman will bloom in her own sweet time” since romantic WF is all about a woman discovering her true identity. I also contribute gardening advice for various websites, publications and schools. It makes sense for me.

Tell me about the process. Did you have previous marketing or publishing experience?

No publishing experience, but I’m a sales gal at heart. Gift of gab, drive and determination, those things come easy to me making indie-publishing a good fit. My only issue is time. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything I want to do, so I have to prioritize and remind myself that I’m building a pyramid not a slingshot. It’s a commitment. So long as I enjoy what I’m doing, I’m okay with the longer road to “household name” status. Build it and they will come, right? (He, he. Gotta dream big!)

How did you go about choosing your marketing plan?

I started by asking questions. Who are my likely buyers? Where do they buy books? How do they choose them? The list went on until finally I developed a fairly specific target market. For me, that includes green communities, organic lovers, educators, librarians, moms, etc. What do we all have in common? A love for gardening and getting our kids involved. I then created a marketing packet that includes educational resources for the funding and development of school gardens, fun activities for the kids, information about my books. Next, I get the book and packet into the hands of as many people as I can!

That's a lot of work. Were you overwhelmed by trying to learn everything about publishing

from print format to cover design and marketing?

Yes, in the beginning. And the deeper I delved, the more I realized how much I didn’t know. It was a daunting process, but I knew that if I persisted and didn’t give up, I’d win. I also understood the value of hiring professionals. While I can do a lot on my own, I can’t do everything—shouldn’t do everything. I continue to learn as much about the industry as I can, because my goal is always to expand my reach and put the best product forward as possible. It’s a steep learning curve, but I’m okay with mistakes along the way. It’s called life!

What are some of the promotions that you’ve done for the book that have been the most successful?

Put a cupcake in their hand and they will eat it. If they like it, they’ll buy another.

I put books into the hands of interested readers. Like most books, the best marketing is word of mouth. I’m convinced that if people read book #1 in my Wild Tales & Garden Thrills series for kids, they’ll buy book #2 and #3 and then they’ll tell all their friends!

What would you tell other authors to avoid?

Avoid thinking you’re a one-person show. You’re not, nor do you want to be. Network with other authors, help as many as you can and they’ll help you. Their success doesn’t negate your success. There is enough pie for everyone.
(Yes, as an indie or traditionally published author this is a prerequisite.)

What has frustrated you the most in putting this book together?

The artwork. I have a wonderful artist who creates beautiful images that bring my story to life, but I must first explain what I’d like those images to look like. That’s been hard. I had no idea how difficult it would be to convey what goes in my imagination to another individual. Apparently, not everyone’s mind works the same way mine does. Translated: I’ve edited images more times than I care to count—my artist, too. Poor guy probably thinks I’m nuts, but in the end, the result has been spot on.

What has pleasantly surprised you in the process?

How much satisfaction I derive from sharing my books and meeting people who share my passion for gardening. Especially when it comes to kids. It’s so gratifying to hear the reviews from youngsters reading my books. Really makes me smile.

What advice would you give someone who wants to publish their own book?

Go for it. Understand it’s not an easy process, but if you love what you’re doing, it’s totally worth it. Every day that I write and create, market and sell, I’m enjoying myself. Every day.

What is the best writing advice you’ve been given?

Get the words onto the paper. Write them, and the rest will come. So many people struggle with writing the first paragraphs or chapters, because they get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of words required to ultimately create a book. I say write. Outline. Get your thoughts on paper and then organize them. You can always edit. You will edit. Just let the words flow and don’t worry if you have to cut half of them out. It’s a process!

What message would you like parents and children to take away from this book and future books?

Gardening is fun! It’s easier than most people think, and once you catch the bug, you’ll be hooked. And it’s certainly a healthy addiction, one with a ripple effect. Gardening leads to healthier eating habits and healthier eating habits lead to a happier individual. And a happy individual will share the adventure of gardening with a friend!

What other books are in the process?

Book #3 in the series will address community and library gardens, while future books include square-foot gardening for apartment living, hydroponics, butterfly gardens and more.

Any other thoughts on writing you’d like to add?

Whether you write for a living or write for pleasure, it’s an outlet we all share in some form or another. And what a great way to connect and communicate. I love it!

That's it for today's interview. Hope you learned some tips and might even be encouraged to try some gardening for yourself. If you like to learn more about Dianne's books, here's links to get started.

Website: www.dsvenetta.com        Garden blog: www.bloominthyme.com

From Games to Books: Interview with Fantasy Writer, Tom Fallwell

You came from a career as a software developer and programmer. Was there anything in that work that helped you in new career as a writer?
I guess you could say, due to my programming career, that I became accustomed to spending hours on end sitting at my computer. That definitely helps when writing using MS Word.

What drew you to writing fantasy?
I had actually started writing before I began my career as a software developer. Back in the late 80's, when there was a huge boom in the comic industry, I was writing a story for a comic book called Dark Regions. Without financial capital, that venture did not last long and I went into programming. 

I have always wanted to write fantasy and science-fiction stories, always. I have been a fan of the genres ever since I can remember, but it was The Lord of the Rings that really fired up my imagination. The release of the movies recently just spurred that even more. I also spent a lot of time playing Dungeons & Dragons, table top role playing, as a DM or Dungeon Master. I would create adventures for the other players to experience. I have always had a good imagination.

When did you actually start writing your first book?
My first book, Dragon Rising, was something I had in my head for a few years. The idea actually came to me while playing a game. I had created a character for the role playing game, Skyrim, and the idea of the story came to me then. It wasn't until the Spring of 2014 that I decided to start writing it down.

How long did it take to write your first draft?
With Dragon Rising, I was still learning to write a novel. I had never done so before. So I didn't actually write a first draft. I kept revising as I went until I had what I felt was a complete story. I have learned much since then, and now do a complete draft before I go back and start re-writing and revising.

How many re-writes do you think you did?
I changed things many times throughout that first book as I wrote. The central plot never changed, but I went back many times and re-wrote sections, sometimes entire chapters. I really don't remember how many times I did that.

Who encouraged you along the way?

I have a wonderful, long-distance friend who lives in another state from me. She was a great source of encouragement throughout the whole process. The first book is dedicated to her. Her name is Jeri.

Are you active with any writer’s critique groups?

I am active mainly with several author groups on Facebook. They have been a wonderful source of encouragement and inspiration. I recently setup a beta reader group who are now my main critics and help me with my current project. I also have a wonderfully talented editor who has been absolutely essential.

I see one of your early publications was for a short story called A Strong Tower. Did you do this to test the waters as a writer to see if you could sell your stories? 
That was written before any of my novels, and was a spring board to my confidence as a writer. I wasn't sure what I was writing, as I simply began to write down an idea I had. It took on a life of its own and within a few weeks I had a short story. My friends said it was good, so that gave me confidence to begin a full novel. 

Whether or not my stories sell has never been as much of a factor as just the fact that I am writing them. I don't focus on the financials of writing, at least not heavily, but on the pure joy I get from doing it, and the great feeling of accomplishment when someone tells me they liked what I have written. That is the most important part for me.

Each of your books are indie-published. Did you first try the query route with agents and publishers? What type of research did you do before you chose your source to publish?
I spent many hours researching how to submit manuscripts to agents and publishing houses, and on the self-publishing tools and avenues available. I decided to self-publish because I did not want my stories sitting in some agent's inbox, never being read, or being read by one single person and rejected. I wanted my stories available to people who enjoy reading. So, I chose the Indie route and have been absolutely satisfied with that decision.

Other than completing your novels, what was the most difficult aspect of publishing for you? 

The most difficult thing for me is marketing. There is a huge field of writers out there, and getting noticed among them is not an easy task. However, I found they are not my competition.  I actively promote other writers on my website and Facebook account, because we are all in this together. So, I focus more on fun. If sales come, they come and I am pleased. I don't focus on sales over simply enjoying writing and talking with other writers.

What has surprised you the most about getting published other than the joy of seeing your book in print?

My biggest surprise came when my father, who is 86 years old and never reads books, read my book ... and liked it! That was not only a surprise, but an awesome boost to my confidence and joy in writing. Seeing a printed copy of my book was also an awesome experience. Now that A Whisper In The Shadows, my first book in my Rangers of Laerean series, is out as an audio book, it was another fantastic and beautiful experience to hear my story and characters come to life. It was very exhilarating.

What do you know now about publishing that you wish you knew sooner?
I learned a great deal with my first novel, but the main thing was I was not an editor. A writer, yes, but not an editor. There were many mistakes, but the editor I have now helped me correct much of it. I have used him to edit my books ever since. He and I seem to operate on the same wavelength, and work very well together. Finding a good editor and a good cover artist, I believe are essential for someone starting down the self-publishing path. I am still learning more each day.

What’s been your best promotion for selling books?
I have had more success doing events that promote other authors, but I am still getting my feet wet in the realm of promotion. I am in the planning stages for more live events to come, but I also keep doing Facebook events. I have had a great time doing that, and have found many kindred spirits among other indie authors. I will continue learning how to market myself and my books.

What advice would you give someone who wants to indie-publish? What is the best advice you’ve been given or learned?
Indie-Publishing sounds good at first, because people may think there is no cost. That is not the truth. If you intend to self-publish and make money, you are going to have to spend money. For editors, artists, marketing and more. It is not free. With that said, if you simply enjoy writing and sharing with others, without focusing on being financially successful, then you can find a lot of enjoyment and fun with indie-publishing, as I have. However, anyone planning to enter the realm of indie-publishing needs to be aware that there will be costs - both time and money.

What other works do you have in the process?
I am currently working on Book #3 of the Rangers of Laerean series, The Shadow of Narwyrm. This will complete the three-part story I have been telling, but I plan to write more books in the series. Additionally, I am starting a free monthly installment series, exclusively for my mailing list members, that will tell the history of the world in which the Rangers of Laerean takes place. 

I have some ideas for other books and genres besides fantasy. For now, I am focused on The Shadow of Narwyrm and completing the story I started with A Whisper In The Shadows. Some have asked if I any more plans for the characters in my first book, Dragon Rising. I had not planned that, although it is possible I may write another story for those characters in the future.

Any last words you’d like to add?
Just thank you for talking with me and allowing me into your own list of readers.

That's all for today's interview. If you're a fan of fantasy and are looking for a new read, here's how you can find out more about Tom's writing...

Website: http://tomfallwell.com              

Facebook: http://facebook.com/TomFallwellAuthor

You can also subscribe to his mailing list to keep up-to-date on events and book releases, and read The Chronicles of Hir, in free monthly installments.  http://eepurl.com/bSZiwr

His books can be found on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, and other online outlets. 

The Importance of Editing: Author Interview with Glen Robinson

You've taught writing classes as a college professor. What made you decide to go from the editing side of grading papers to the writing side as an author? When did you actually start writing your first book?

Actually, I was a writer long before I was a teacher. I’ve wanted to be a writer since high school. Before I took up teaching 17 years ago, I was a newspaper, book and magazine editor, and worked in public relations for a while. All that time, I tried—in varying degrees of success—to write books. My first one was published in 1982. It was a how-to book for Seventh-day Adventists called 52 Things to Do on Sabbath.

How long did it actually take you to write it?

52 Things was a great idea that I sat on for about a year before summoning up the courage to write it. You know, if you never write it, then they can never say no. When it came down to it, I wrote the little book over a Memorial Day Weekend. If it hadn’t been for one particularly persistent book editor, I might never have gotten it done.

Are you a more detailed editor for yourself or your students?

I don’t do a lot of rewrites, and probably should do more. Rewriting is my most difficult area and the part I hate the most. I rarely rewrite my students’ articles and stories. If it’s bad, I tell them what’s wrong and expect them to do the rewrite. Editors don’t do rewrites unless they absolutely have to, and rewriting is how students learn.

Do your students critique any of your works? Are you active with any writing groups?

Eight years ago, we started The Rough Writers, a creative writing club for students here on our campus, and yes, I let my students critique my work too. We all sit through critique. You learn that critique is actually a good thing, and we compete to see whose work is going to be reviewed. 

You write in multiple genres from middle grade books to YA novels and Biblical-based novels. How do you move so easily from one genre to another?
I usually just say I have a short attention span, and yes, I am probably doing myself a disservice marketing wise. But writing isn’t my primary source of income, and so I can afford to feed my muse. I wrote children’s book as a ghostwriter back in the 90s, then got into adult Christian suspense. In the middle of that, I threw in some steampunk and other science fiction just for fun. But right now, Christian suspense is my area of focus. 

Do you have different readers and editors for each style? 
As far as editing, indie authors usually need an editor badly, yet can’t really afford one. I lucked out in that a fellow indie author, Céleste Perrino-Walker, is also an editor. We’ve arranged to edit each other’s books as a swap. If possible, I encourage other indie authors to do the same thing.

What do you want readers to take away from your stories?
As I mentioned, I am a Christian suspense writer, and I obviously have an agenda. It’s posted on my website for anyone who’s interested. I call it the Great Adventure Manifesto.

You started with a traditional publisher and now indie publish. Why did you make the switch?
I published traditionally for many years, and I have nine books published that way. But I found that publishers were paying authors less and less and expecting more and more. It’s come to the point that the only thing traditional publishers offer that I can’t do on myself is advertising dollars. In addition, it’s easier to publish what I want this way.

You’ve published 19 books in what looks like a very short time span. Are you that quick a writer? Or have these stories been simmering for a while?
The first one was published in 1982. From then until 2012, I had another eight published. Then in January 2012, I decided to go out on my own. I’ve written a few books in the past two and a half years, but many of them are either reboots, anthologies, or in the case of the Champion Series, something I had recently completed. That trilogy took me six years to write. I’d just finished it in time to come out in 2013.

How do you write? Did you do an outline first? Did you do individual character development before doing the full plot?
The first book I wrote was without an outline, took me two years and was a disaster. I am glad to say I never published it. That was when I decided that my time was valuable enough to merit a good outline first. Today I don’t start writing until I have a clear view of the road ahead. Part of that is the characters, part is the storyline.

What type of publicity has been the most successful in promoting your book?
The two things I really like about indie publishing is (1) you pretty much do everything yourself, which fits my personality (I have the added advantage of so many years as an editor); and (2) you’re always learning something new. Every indie author has to learn what works for him or her as far as marketing. Social networks, advertising, giveaways, book signings. I’ve tried them all with varying success. No secrets; you just have to keep trying.

What do you know now about writing that you wished you had known sooner?
Writing is like swimming. You have to jump in, swallow a lot of water, almost drown a time or two, and learn as you go. You will never learn to swim (or write) sitting on the poolside.

What other books do you have in the works?
I’m glad you asked! September 1 is the launch of Salome’s Charger, my first opportunity to co-author with someone, in this case Céleste Perrino-Walker, whom I mentioned earlier. It’s a Christian suspense novel about the platter that held the severed head of John the Baptist, how it’s discovered by archeologists, and how it is rumored to have the power to change the future. The story’s full of international thieves, cults, lots of danger and is set in Dallas and Juneau, Alaska. Great fun and we look forward to sharing it.

What is the best advice you’ve been given about writing or that you’ve learned that you would like to pass along?
My writing mentor was a British gentleman by the name of Arthur Milward. He used to regularly write short stories for Reader’s Digest, Redbook and The Saturday Evening Post. He used to say, “You can tell the house of a successful writer. He’s the one who hasn’t mowed his lawn.”

Thanks for your insights about writing. That's it for today's interview. If you would like to learn more about Glen, his writing and upcoming works here's some options to do that.

Website: http://glenchen.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/glenchen
Facebook fan page: http://facebook.com/booksbyglenrobinson
Goodreads: https://goodreads.com/glenchen

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/Glen-Robinson/e/B000APTC6I/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1436484146&sr=8-1

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).