Writing Innovations Interview
This interview is posted on the Writing Innovations Website http://writinginnovations.blogspot.com
WI: When did you
first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I have been a story teller
all my life. When I was in Junior High School, I started writing
funny little novellas for my friends. After graduating from college,
I went on to become a radio and television reporter and anchor. My
job required me to write stories every day, although my style was
restricted to news copy. In my free time, I wrote the manuscripts
that I eventually turned into audio books called Jitters – A
Quirky Little Audio Book and Yikes! Another Quirky Audio Book.
WI: What inspired you to
pen this particular novel/book?
I wanted to write something
which reflected the quirky things unique to Utah. Both of my audio
books address the subject of polygamy. My definition of satire is to
exploit the absurd, so I use humor to explore sticky topics like
marijuana, Gay Rights, bullying and discrimination.
WI: What road blocks did
you come across while writing this story?
One of the other problems I
have encountered is answering the question, “What happens next?”
I have learned that writing an outline is very helpful. If I don't
have to worry about plot lines, I can concentrate on making the
content interesting and funny.
I've also noticed it is easy
to get wrapped up in my regular work, so setting aside time to write
has always been a challenge. I have to be disciplined when the nice
weather beckons me to go for a ride on my bicycle or ATV.
WI: What do you do if a
story just doesn't seem to flow the way you were hoping it would?
Sometimes I have to settle
for just getting something down on paper. I can always go back and
fix things that are awkward. I believe that stagnation kills, so
it's better to write something that isn't up to par than it is to
write nothing at all. Besides, I've always heard, “the write is in
the re-write!”
WI: What has been the
hardest thing about marketing this story?
My writing style is very
unusual so the challenge has been to find people who are interested
in my quirky brand of humor. Both Jitters – A Quirky Little
Audio Book and Yikes! Another Quirky Audio Book
use a full cast of characters who speak in first person narratives,
so my products are vastly different than mainstream audio books.
When marketing my products, I have to find listeners who are open to
audio books which color way outside the lines.
WI: What is one thing
you wished you knew before, that you now know about marketing?
I have learned to do more
research on the people I ask to review my work. In the past, I
thought that blasting out a bunch of generic requests was all that
was required. I have since discovered that my work doesn't meet the
needs and tastes of every reviewer, so I try not to waste people's
time by pitching them a genre that isn't of interest to them.
WI: What is one piece of
advice that you received to help your writing that you still carry
with you today?
Because
I worked as a radio and TV reporter for so many years, the scripts
for my audio books started sounding like news reports. My Mom is a
former English teacher who suggested I try writing in first person so
that I could stop “telling people” the story and start engaging
them in it instead. This piece of advice led me to produce my
products using first person narratives which is a huge departure from
mainstream audio books. Although my style is very different, I'm
happy I arrived at it nonetheless.
WI: Tell us what a day
in your writing life is like, do you have any writing quirks?
Like many authors, I have
numerous obligations which make it so that I have to carve out time
to write. However, I don't think I could spend a whole day working
on my manuscripts even if I wanted to. I tend to work in
concentrated blocks of two to three hours at a time.
As for writing “quirks,”
I'm a neat freak. Also, I like my office and recording studio to
feel friendly and inviting. I decorate my work space to reflect the
changing seasons. Because it is spring, my office is now filled with
bright floral swags and colored glass pieces with butterflies and
flowers.
WI: Where do you hope to
take your writing in the future?
I am currently working on
the next installment of the Quirky Audio Book Series. I'm also
interested in writing some audio books for young adults. These
stories will involve two cousins who solve mysteries together in a
variety of locations including Navel, Utah.
WI: Are you currently
working on any new projects?
I'm working on the script
for a new audio book I'm calling Quirky Three until I'm ready
to release the actual title. This audio book will feature characters
from both Jitters – A Quirky Little Audio Book and Yikes!
Another Quirky Audio Book. This is part of the Quirky Audio Book
Series, but each audio book is a “stand alone” project. My audio
books are in chronological order and all take place in the fictitious
town of Navel, Utah. However, listeners don't have to hear all the
stories in order to understand whichever audio book in the series
they are listening to.
WI: Do you have any
upcoming events or special news you would like to share with our
readers? (Any contests, giveaways, book signings, upcoming/new
releases, or author appearances, please let us know.)
I
have some upcoming radio interviews that people can listen to online.
On April 22, I will be a guest on “January Jones Sharing Success
Stories” http://www.blogtalkradio.com/januaryjones.
On April 25th,
listeners can hear a pre-recorded interview with “Book That Author”
with Linda Leon http://www.blogtalkradio.com/book-that-author.
Also on April 25th,
I will be doing an interview on Eunice Nisbett's show, “Book
Marketing in Five”
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/savvybestsellers/2013/03/14/book-marketing-in-five.
WI: Where can readers
find you?
Both of my websites feature funny YouTube videos, cast bios, sound
samples, links to purchase the audio books at Amazon.com and
Audible.com and information about Straight to Audio Productions, LLC.
WI: Where can your book
be purchased?
Both of my audio books are
available on Amazon.com and Audible.com. Links to these sites can be
found on the Yikes! website http://www.yikesaudiobook.com
and the Jitters website http://www.jittersaudiobook.com.
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