Note: This interview
was conducted by Kristina Aziz and posted on her Kristi Reads Book Blog -
you can read the original here and check out her other excellent reviews
and author interviews.
-Tell us about your
latest work.
My latest work is a new book
in my best selling Lust, Money & Murder series, Book 6 - The
Extraction. This story begins with the hero (Secret Service Elaine
Brogan) trapped in Eastern Europe by the villain. I have decided to publish it serially on my blog as the
final version is proofread and keep it there until the official book comes out.
This approach is an experiment to get my books out faster to my readers,
gain new readers and drive more traffic to my blog, and it seems to be working.
-what advice do you have
for other self published authors?
Well, I'm not sure I am in a
position to be giving advice. I would say 1) write a fantastic book that
people cannot put down until the end (quite a challenge, usually does not
happen with first or second book), and 2) make as many people as possible using
social networks, giveaways, sending it to bloggers for review, etc.
-you're relatively
successful compared to other self publushed authors. Do you still have a day
job?
No, when I started this
indie publishing adventure I was working full-time and cut back to half-time
until I got it going, then quit the job (university business professor)
entirely, though I still teach a class in entrepreneurship in summers just to
get out of the house. I also teach creative writing and book marketing
from time to time. Teaching helps me with my writing and indie publishing
business, gives me perspective and fresh ideas.
-What is it like
coauthoring a book with someone? Is distance ever an issue?
Coauthoring is interesting,
has worked for me well most of the time. I have found that one of the key
elements is having a artistic style/genre vision that is compatible,
should be discussed and agreed upon up front (i.e., how much sex and violence
you will include, what kind of ending you want, these sorts of things).
With Skype and online chatting and all that, I don't think distance is
much of a problem these days - all three of my coauthors live in other
countries.
-what makes a book
"unputdownable"?
Good question. I would
define "unputdownable" as a strong desire on the part of the reader
to find out what happens next at any given point in the story. This means
really getting the reader into the character's skin, experiencing his or her
dilemmas, wanting the character to succeed or (in the case of a villain) fail,
and so on. Cliffhangers are no good unless the reader truly cares about
what happens to the characters. That is the core component.
-What effect do you hope
your books have on the world?
Another good question.
I would never (I hope) write a "preachy" book, but I suppose
what I hope is that my books inspire people to keep on going through difficult
times, not to give up on their dreams, to try to see the positive side of any
situation, because if you look hard enough you can always find one.
-have your family and
friends always supported your writing?
Yes they have always been
very supportive--I have quite a few writers in my family and of course (now)
many friends who are also writers.
-What can we expect next
from you?
From me, always expect the
unexpected. I try to be an innovator not only in my writing but in the
promotion of my books.
Thanks so much for
interviewing me on your blog, Kristina, you asked some good and unusual
questions!
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
Comments 0