You’ve now written several Christmas themed books? What draws
you to this theme?
I love winter. To me
it's the most beautiful time of the year. I've always felt there's nothing more
wondrous than snow falling and a field covered in untouched snow-combine
that with the feelings of home and family stirred by Christmas and the
story lines, to me, are endless. When I sat down to write my first
Christmas-themed book for adults I knew I wanted the story to be about real
people with normal lives, going through the ups and downs we all do. I didn't
want to write a fairy tale story about Christmas.
I wanted readers to be able
to identify with the characters while at the same time I wanted to weave in the
absolute wonder we felt as children at that magical time of the year. I feel we
all reflect back on our lives-our families at Christmas so while I wanted
the story to be real, I also wanted it to inspire. I wanted readers
to think about the characters and story long after reading the book. I still
love watching the original version of, "Miracle on 34th Street." I still get goose
bumps when Santa's cane is discovered leaning by the fireplace.
Aren’t you concerned that your books might have a
shorter life span for readers because they are holiday driven?
It never crossed my mind that my books might have a shorter
life span for readers because they are holiday driven. A writer has to be true
to their craft. After years of writing in various genres I believe I am meant
to write Christmas-themed stories for adults. And from the response of
readers, they feel that way too. I've discovered there's a huge market for this
type of fiction. But that's not why I write Christmas stories. I write them
because it feels right. It fits me. I love the characters. They are like family
to me-and that's what Christmas is all about.
What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
After Christmas dinner, my family enjoyed taking part in a
tradition we called, 'Table Tree Gifts.' It started on Thanksgiving. The name
of each family member was written on an individual slip of paper. Each was
folded and put into a ceramic Santa. After the table was cleared-and before the
pies were enjoyed-a few of the younger ones would go around the table with the
ceramic Santa. Everyone would pull a name. The person pulling the name was
responsible for buying that person on the slip of paper a small gift. Some
would tell who they'd pulled. But most would keep it a secret. The small
gifts would be opened after Christmas dinner-thus the tradition of 'Table Tree
Gifts.' It always brought lots of laughs. Since the family has evolved, that
tradition is no longer-but the memories remain. Now we have a tradition of
going to the woods for our Christmas trees-and gathering on Christmas Eve after
mass-with traditional dishes.
One of your recent books, The Reindeer Keeper: Believe Again,
has been “optioned” for TV or screen? What exactly does that mean?
Opted for TV or screen' means that particular agent has
chosen to represent 'The Reindeer Keeper' in seeking an interested party to
turn the book into a screenplay for a made-for-TV movie.
Are you close to getting a contract?
While "it" hasn't happened yet, the book is
receiving valuable exposure to people I would never get in front of on my own.
I've learned the value of networking. My goal was to write the best possible
story I could-and to keep on writing. That's what I am doing. Anything else
that might happen is a bonus.
Prior to writing your books, what was the first piece that
you had published?
Back in 1976, I submitted an essay on my grandmother in
response to a contest in Ladies' Home Journal seeking written submissions of
women who represent the Spirit of America. Five were selected. Mine was one of
them.
My first actually paid piece was a short story for children
in Highlights for Children. I'd
submitted it to their annual short story contest. While it didn't win the
contest, they did publish it. But after that I was rejected so many times I
lost count before finding a publisher interested in another one of my stories
for children. I could have wallpapered a house with rejection slips.
I see you’ve been published in the Chicken Soup books. How
many times did you actually submit stories to them?
Chicken Soup for the Soul is a great place to get published.
The stories are short, non-fiction. To say you've been published by Chicken
Soup is a plus. I've submitted material to 8 possible book topics. Two were
actually published. One was in the running but cut. Two were rejected. Three
are still pending. I always checking their website to see what possible titles
are in the works.
Your first books were childen’s books. What drew you to
writing for that genre?
I'd wanted to be a writer since I was seven years old. Once
I had children, the storylines were constant. I would tell my children stories.
Then I started writing them down. It felt natural to be writing for children
since my audience was at my fingertips and ideas were everywhere.
How did you go about finding a publisher?
This was prior to the internet so I would do research
in the library for publishers-agents-anyone I could find. I was pushing one
particular story at the beginning. After getting endless rejections I decided
I'd have a better chance of getting published if I could find an illustrator.
So I went searching. While I found some talented artists none of what they sent
me was what I imagined.
So how did you proceed from there?
My children told me I should do the illustrating. I'd never
considered doing the illustrating. I never had the training nor taken any
courses in illustrating. But I went back to the library and slowly did the
research. It took about two years. My children were young and my time was
limited. It was through trial and error of various mediums that I discovered a
comfort with markers and colored pencils and another two years or so to feel
comfortable illustrating. Once I got into it-I loved it. And because of my
illustrating I found a publisher.
By the time that happened my oldest child was grown and
living in Denver.
She was exhibiting some of my artwork in a mall when it caught the
attention of a gentleman whose wife had connections to a publisher in search of
material for a children's division they were developing. They loved my stories
and artwork. I signed a contract, starting with two picture books. But the
publisher changed the focus of her company due to my first book's release
paralleling the date of the tragedy of 9/11. While the two books under contract
were published they were never marketed. It was all left to me as the publisher
turned her focus on publishing home arts and crafts books.
You are now writing books for adults. Why the change?
While I started writing for children, way down deep inside
me I felt I really wanted to write for adults. But I kept pushing that feeling
away because of fear. I didn't think I'd be able to write a story that would
catch a reader's attention at the beginning of a story and keep it all the way
to the end. I didn't think I'd be able to make the story flow. I didn't think
I'd be able to connect the dots and have it all make sense while developing
characters and interesting plots.
One day-while at an event with my children's books, I met a
writer of adult books who told me getting children's books published is harder
than getting material for adults published so it got me thinking. And when the
idea for a Christmas story involving my grandfather's old barn hit me one snowy
January afternoon, the idea was so strong that I had to sit down and start
writing it. All I knew was something wondrous was happening inside that
barn-something that had to do with a 'reindeer keeper.' Once I got into the
storyline, the characters took over and out it came.
Will you also continue to write for children?
I feel I am meant to write Christmas fiction for adults.
However, I do have a Christmas story for children written and at some point, I
would like to revisit it and see what happens.
How do you write? Did you do an outline first? Individual character development first?
I write without doing an outline or any character
development. My characters develop as I am writing. They take over and
write the story. I have the title in my head and sit down and see where that
takes me. I'm often surprised when going back and reading what I wrote. A few
times I've cried and have had to take a break. I become close to my
characters as they develop and grow through the storyline. I react-which I
consider a good thing.
I have no clue where the story will go-and that works for
me. It mirrors life. You can plan and plan but often, it's all out of our
control. I think that comes from being the daughter of a funeral director and
hearing about so and so who died at such a young age or so and so who died so
unexpectedly.
How much does social media play in
your promotion of your books?
I remember when the library was my only
source of information. Now anything I want to know is at my fingertips whenever
I want it. Social media has been a lifeline-an invaluable tool in promoting my
books. The trick is not to spend so much time on the internet that it steals
time from one's writing. There are so many sites out there for writers. You
have to remain diligent in choosing the ones that can best serve your
needs and watch out for those who will promote you for a fee. Make sure you
know what they are offering.
What suggestions do you have for
enhancing a writer’s social media platform?
Through trial and error I've learned that a well-presented
website is a necessity. And the website must include a blog and you must blog
as often as possible. Make sure it makes a statement as to who you are as a
writer. My website used to be the name of my first Christmas story but I
learned I am much more than one book title so now my website is my full name. I
love Twitter-Linked In-Goodreads and I have a Facebook page for The Reindeer
Keeper. Seek out websites where you can submit material. This gives you
exposure as a writer. To do this you must know your target audience. I
contribute monthly to boomer-living. com. My target audience is baby boomers.
What type of publicity do you do
to promote your book?
I use Goodreads Giveaways to promote my books. I use Twitter
and Linked In. I seek out similar works and see who has reviewed them-and then
seek those reviewers out for my books. I buy ads on sites that reach my target
audience. I also place ads in actual physical publications and do online radio
shows and have a video book trailer produced and up online anywhere I can post
it. I keep my Amazon Author Central page up-to-date and make sure my books are
available on all electronic mediums.
What do you know now about
writing, that you wished you had known sooner?
I was so naïve. All I knew was that I wanted to write. It's been a
learning process. I wish I'd had more confidence in my abilities and listened
to my gut and dared to sit down and write what I felt way down deep inside me.
But I'm a believer in the process so I feel I am where I am supposed to be at
the moment.
What is the best advice you’re
been given about writing?
Listen to that voice inside you. The best advice I can pass
on is less is best when writing. Keep your writing clean and concise and enjoy
the journey.
Looking for some fun Christmas reads? Try one or two from Barbara. www.barbarabriggsward.com
