Writer Spectacle
Featured Writers

Barbara Williamson
Wayne Turmel
Shawn Dawson
Aaron D. Schneider
Claire Davon
Hope Bolinger
Jeremy Roadruck
Sheri Chapman

Table of Contents

Barbara Williamson

What kind of content do you mostly write?
Fiction with a strong historical basis.

How long have you been writing?
4 years

How many hours do you dedicate to writing per week on average?
40 – 50

Do you have any formal education, mentoring, or experience related to writing?
yes plenty of life experience

In one sentence, what motivates you to write?
Overwhelming curiosity and the need to be challanged

Pick an excerpt from any of your writing that you’re really proud of Blood Shadow

Once I had seen the material and there were no more unanswered questions, I begin to feel a mighty force pulling at me. The silhouette of Michael the Archangel was present within the room; my mother was right after all. As quick as I could I rushed at Angela, and our bodies merged. I know she felt my energy because her body gave a little jolt and then relaxed as she accepted my spirit. I could hear Gramie and my mother and one unfamiliar voice calling; I assumed it was Louise. Then I spotted Gino hiding among the clouds; his hands outstretched for me to join him. My joy of seeing him was of excitement and thankfulness. Angela blinked, and her body gave a slight shutter; she also heard the echoes and felt my contentment. My Great-Granddaughter and I connected as mortals for just an instant, and in the hush of a breath my release was complete. I whispered goodbye and thank you in the Irish slan and go raibh maith agat to her as the force became overpowering.

Post a direct link to your most proud of written work
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1980958904

Your website or blog
https://barbarawilliamsonauthor.wordpress.com

Barbara Williamson

With the help and support of family and friends, one can accomplish anything; even cleaning a 10,000 sq. ft., neglected mansion in twenty-four hours. For this tremendous task I chose my three grown children and husband to play “beat the clock” with me.

I worked for an auction house in New York before marrying and becoming a mother. When the children went off to college, I started a small consignment shop, also providing de-cluttering and estate sales services. This is how I got the job.

On the appointed time and date, we all gathered at the front door of the dirty, monstrous dwelling. My oldest is Holly; a free thinking, dramatic and very fashion-minded young woman. Benjamin is my curious middle child; a daydreamer, and the biggest germaphobe in the world. Last, but not least, is happy-go-lucky Spencer; carefree and high spirited. The man I married, William, is straightforward and direct when a job is to be done. I’m the appeaser, pleaser and cleaner.

I inserted the chunky skeleton key into the door lock. The mechanism clicked and a with necessary shove from Spencer’s left shoulder, the weather-beaten door gave way. Now, the clock was ticking.

Once inside, my husband announced that the place should be inspected from top to bottom so he headed to the attic. I watched his trim figure sprint up the wide, cantilevered staircase. Dust balls in the corner of each stair whirl about as my husband climbed, leaving footprints in the faded, Fleur De Lis, burgundy rug runner.

“Ma, look up,” called Holly. My daughter was cringing with disgust at the cobwebs dangling from a Victorian chandelier that had only two of the eight etched glass shades remaining.

Spencer shouted “This place is cool!” He then turned to the room on the left and wandered off into the shadows.

“Please pull back the curtains and let some light in,” I told him.

Benjamin was standing in the round alcove behind the massive staircase searching through his backpack. He was holding the backpack tightly between his knees not letting any part of it touch the grimy black and white marble floor. “I found them!” he announced. He then took out heavy-duty face masks from a side pocket. “I brought extras. Got them on sale, “ he said grinning.

I heard my husband coughing on the second floor and Spencer making floorboards creak as he walked around in the first floor rooms. I turned to Holly, “Let’s find the kitchen?” I suggested.

We walked in the kitchen. “Did the owner have cats? I smell pee,” Holly said with a twisted face just before covering her nose and mouth with the sleeve of her sweater. Every surface was covered with dust, grease and a thick layer of fur. In fact, the stove looked like one of the household pets!

“My guess is, yes, to the cat question,” I said to my daughter. Holly was pulling in her limbs attempting to make herself as small as possible.

Benjamin entered the kitchen in full hazmat gear. “I have five suits; one size fits all,” he proudly told me and his sister. “I’m not wearing that and you look like a dork.” Benjamin shrugged off his sister’s insult. “Where do I start?” he asked.

Before arriving, I had purchased five cleaning caddies with handles, and various cleaning solutions. I handed Benjamin a caddy and he began to work on the stove. From the hallway, my husband called out, “The attic is packed with antiques!”

“The lawyer said there was only junk up there!” I shouted back at William.

When William entered the kitchen, his salt and pepper hair was dusty, and spider webs covered the back of his flannel shirt. “When is the dumpster arriving and does that come out of the $3,000?”

“Soon, but I’d like to take a look in the attic before you start throwing things out,” I said. I’m addicted to anything old, faded and well-used. Yard sales are where I do my best shopping. There is nothing better than a treasure hunt.

Suddenly, there was a loud banging on the front door. The three of us all jumped in unison. The dumpster had arrived.

“I’ll get it!” Spencer shouted. We then heard a thud and the sound of glass breaking. “I’m okay! Don’t worry Ma!” Later I found an entire box of broken and cracked tumblers, eight in all. It was a collection of McDonald’s glasses from the 1970’s.

One hour later, my husband, and two sons were tossing broken furniture, piles of clothes, and stacks of newspapers to the dumpster from a large window in the attic. The trick was not to hit the house with the unwanted items while they tumbled down three stories. Benjamin and my husband’s aim were better than Spencer’s. When all was said and done only a few of the attic pieces ended up in the front yard and only one window pane broke.

I managed to rescue a few items before the tossing began: five boxes filled with depression glass, mostly pink, George III mahogany knife boxes, and a dark green Scottish 19th century baby cradle.

Spencer pointed to a man across the street, “He’s been watching us.”

“He’s most likely one of Mr. Brown’s men keeping tabs on us,” I said.

“Mr. Brown?” asked Benjamin.

Holly answered, “The sadist that hired Ma to clean this place.”

As William and the boys were working from top to bottom, my squeamish daughter and I continued cleaning the kitchen. She and I both wore thick aprons, the mold masks that Benjamin had brought, and yellow rubber gloves. We were only thirty minutes into the task when she quit on me after finding out that more than cats had been in the house., “I’m not dealing with dead birds and mouse poop.”

Her new job would be to gather up all the throw pillow and small area rugs. “I don’t think clean living space was important to the people that lived here,” she said, returning to the kitchen. My response, “A group of unruly primates would do a better job at housekeeping than the occupants of this house did.”

When I opened up the refrigerator both my daughter and I lost our breakfasts into the deep, double porcelain sink situated under a very large window. When I recovered, I drizzled a few drops of brown disinfectant on a tissue and slipped it into my mask. Holly took a large garbage bag and emptied the larder. I could hear a shop vacuum in the distance humming away as I rubbed, scrubbed and hammered away years of built up filth. After three hours of back breaking labor, a kitchen forgotten in time was revealed. Aside from the stove and refrigerator everything was outdated from the blue cupboards to the slate floor. It was the perfect place in my mind. I love old kitchens. This kitchen was made for baking birthday cakes, Christmas cookies and making Thanksgiving dinners for the grandchildren. The same grandchildren I hope to entertain and enjoy one day. I exclaimed into the clean kitchen, “You are not a junky house, just illtreated!”

“Ma, I spotted that person again in the back of the house. He looks like and Leprechaun,” my daughter announced. My spine tingled, “Don’t go into the backyard alone.” She rolled her eyes at me.

I moved to the dining room leaving the kitchen, butler’s pantry and adjacent mud room smelling like an over chlorinated swimming pool. With another large garbage bag, Holly and I cleared the Jacobean table of its multiple layers of coupons, flyers, and manila envelopes. I labeled the bag: just in case some of the documents were important, then set it aside.

As my daughter and I were polishing the dining room furniture with bees-wax and lemon, I realized that the house had gone quiet; no shop vac sounds. I left the dining room through the formal parlour. As I was passing through the front foyer by the door I heard loud laughing. In a distant room more cheers erupted; my family was enjoying themselves. I found the boys and my husband in the billiard room. “Hey Ma, want a beer?” my youngest son asked. They were playing pool and not one bit ashamed of the fact.

“What the hell are you all doing? We have less than twenty-four hours to finish!” I roared.

“Come on Annie. We’re never going to finish in the allotted time,” William said.

“We should just admit defeat and have some fun,” Spencer said.

“Ma, maybe if we can get more help it might be possible,” said Benjamin.

Holly was now at my side, “Ma, I think you have bitten off more than we can chew.”

I felt my blood pressure rising, “All of you get back to work!”

“Come on Spencer. Help me toss all the mattresses and box springs into the dumpster,” said my husband.

“Benjamin said, “I’ll take the shop vac into the library.”

“Ma, I think the guys are right we should just go home,” Holly said.

“You continue with the dining room. I’m going into the library with Benjamin.” I countered.

The library shelves were built of Tiger Oak wood and had glass doors protecting the many volumes of books. I looked around dreamily. “I’m in book nirvana,” said I to my middle child. Benjamin was a reader like me. He dropped the shop vac handle and it fell with a thud. He nearly tripped over his own feet when I told him I was holding a first edition of Edgar Allen Poe poems.

I’m not sure how long he and I drooled over the collection. We were slumped back to back, sitting on the dirt ingrained Persian rug reading, when Spencer found us. “Hey! Get back to work!” he shouted in a teasing manner.

The sun had almost set and only ten percent of the house was done. I was deluding myself; the task was to great. Work on the mansion had ground to a halt because I had forbidden my family from throwing anything else into the dumpster until I looked at the stuff first. I had spotted a box of smashed milk glass in the dumpster earlier and flipped-my-lid over the breakage.

William, Spencer, and Holly were rolling up rugs. Benjamin was in the library and I was in was master bedroom pulling out vintage clothing from the closet when our dinner arrived. At the shiny dining room table over greasy take out food, I was once again being pressured to give up the task at hand.

“Even if you all desert me, I’ll not give up,” I said.

“Jeez Ma! It’s a losing battle you’re fighting,” Spencer exclaimed as he devoured his share of the food.

Holly slumped elbow-style over her meal looking exhausted and William just mindlessly and methodically chewed. I was sitting next to Benjamin watching as he was picked at his food pulling out bits he didn’t like. I was beginning to feel guilty at the sight of my family and was about to capitulate when I began to feel itchy.

I pulled up the sleeves of my shirt to find my forearms covered with pin-size red dots. “I think you’re having and allergic reaction to the dirt and mold in this house,” Benjamin said slipping his mask back in place.

“She’s just got a nervous rash,” Spencer remarked.

“How’s your breathing?” Holly inquired.

The room started to spin, and I could feel the panic of failure. “I think she’s going into Anaphylactic Shock!” Benjamin said.

The room erupted around me as my family rushed and rallied. Before they dragged me off to the local emergency room, I witnessed some of our dinner topple from the table onto the clean dining room floor. I also spotted the Leprechaun again as we exited the front door. “Lock up!” I wheezed.

In the waiting room my breathing was ragged. My heart was quick stepping and I was experiencing swiss cheese vision. Across from me my children sat slumped in chrome chairs. Holly looked well put together despite the long day of dirty work; she was texting, her green eyes intently scrutinizing the screen of her phone. I wondered when she had found the time to tidy up her face and brush her long thick blonde hair. Benjamin sat with hands folded together, his long legs stretched out far beyond the chair. His soft dark curly hair waved about to the beat of the music his earbuds that were attached to his phone. Spencer had a gigantic smile on his face. His blue eyes sparkled. He loved playing games on his phone. Stray cobwebs clung to his short course blonde hair and he had a patch of dirt on his left cheek. William sat next to me as a soldier on guard duty.

After I was seen by the doctor he told me I had experienced a panic attack and my arms were infested with scabies. I most likely picked up the scabies from my consignment shop because the little buggers have and eight-week incubation period. I was also told that I needed to scrub my own home, change the bed linen and wash all of the family’s clothes. Ointment was dispensed to the entire family.

In my own bed that night I burned with failure so sleep would not overtake me. I could hear Spencer snoring three rooms away. William’s body heat was that of a blast furnace causing me to sweat. I think the little mites crawling around in my forearms like the heat, because the itch factor was on high.

The next day I went back to the 10,000 square foot mansion to face my failure. Mr. Brown the owner’s representative greeted me with a smile. “I see you didn’t finish.”

“Well, we had a few unforeseen difficulties,” I said.

“Did you find anything worth keeping?”

“Mr. Brown, the entire house is worth keeping.”

We locked eyes, “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure?”

“Something like that,” I smiled.

Mr. Brown looked up at the towering mansion and while in thought, he rubbed his chin. “The town wants to condemn it.”

“This place should be on the town’s historical register.”

“I agree!” boomed a voice from the shrubbery. It was the Leprechaun!

He dashed forward and grabbed my hand before I could explain the scabies. “You and your family were the only people brave enough to tackle this project…you win! You win!” He was shaking my hand, arm and shoulder as he enthusiastically talked away.

“My grandmother was born and died in this here house. She was a grand lady! Her family ran successful speakeasies all across the state during prohibition. Made buckets of money during the war; textiles you know! After the war the family started up a supermarket chain and then sold it for millions!”

Mr. Brown continued when the Leprechaun danced away without warning. “That is Mr. O’Mally. He owns the property.”

“Why did he let it go to rack and ruin?” I asked.

“As you can see for yourself, he’s a bit eccentric. He’s also a bit unfocused. These days, it’s called ADHD. He now lives in Ireland but his sentimental attachment to this house led to this scheme.”

“Brilliant! Just brilliant!” Mr. O’Mally chuckled.

I turned to Mr. Brown, “What you’re really saying is that my family and I have been played for fools.”

“No, not at all Mrs. Santoro. He intends to give you the house along with a healthy endowment so the dwelling can be put on the town’s historical register. I’ll be providing the legal assistance at no cost to you or your family.” the lawyer stated.

“Why?” asked I.

“He’s been watching you and he believes you love the house.”

I nodded, “I believe I do.”

Mr. O’Mally light-footed in and out of the house, talking to himself. “He looks like a…,”

Mr. Brown finished my sentence when I hesitated, “Leprechaun?”

“Maybe if he didn’t wear that green suit. It’s way to theatrical when one has red hair and the beard to match,” said I.

“He also claims to have hidden pots of gold all over Ireland.”

“Are you sure he hasn’t been thumped on the head one time to many with a shillelagh? Is he really competent?” asked I.

“He keeps me on my toes. Nothing gets by him. He may act as mad as a hatter, but he’s as sane as you or I,” said Mr. Brown.

“Sane did you say? I’m not so sure about that. I’m agreeing to accept the responsibility of taking care of a house that will be a life-long project. In a few years you might find me skulking around in the bushes wearing a green frock!” I said while laughing.

Do you have any funny or unusual writing habits?
I call it the “June Cleaver” effect. In order for me to be productive, through 90% of a writing project my house must be clean, tidy and a home cooked meal waiting for my husband when he returns from work. Throughout the day an active punch list engages my mind as well as my body. Dust balls rolling across the floor distract and irk me.

If a new writer asked you what you thought was needed to become an internationally famous and successful writer, what you would say or recommend them to do?
I’m still in the trial and error phase. I’m leaving my comfort zone, discovering and moving forward. Most anyone can do that, that would be my advice.

What advice, if any, would you give to a fellow writer who has just been rejected by several large publishers and told he or she has zero chance to make it as a writer?
Although I’m not internationally famous or a successful writer, I do feel qualified to answer this question with confidence.

I would ask said rejected person, “Do you still love writing?”

Rejected person hopefully answers, “Yes.”

In a kind supportive voice, I would advise, “Then shake off the negative feelings. Babe Ruth, Monet, and Lucille Ball were all rejected too. Never give up!”, etc…

In other words, I’d go into mother, grandmother and coach mode.

The above is what I’d want to hear, after so much rejection.

What is the most important tip that you can offer other writers?
Don’t be afraid.

What would you say are some common traps that aspiring writers should avoid?
Since I’m at the end of the beginning of this new, challenging career, I’ll need to fall back on life experience to answer this question. Failure will surely result if one is undisciplined and unwilling to learn.

Have you had any adversity or challenges surrounding your writing career? If yes, what?
Guilt and selfishness often perch on the edges of my psyche. Earlier, I mentioned that I suffer from an infliction I call the “June Cleaver” effect. I’m a product of the 1950’s; the era when women typically didn’t think or put themselves first. Life-weaving or juggling the needs of myself, family and others has resulted in a dogged, loud, and mettlesome tug of war in my head.

Anything else you’d like to say?
I assume that most people are familiar with the term, “everything happens for a reason.” My participation in the Luster Lexicon Writer Spectacle has been a welcomed challenge and needed distraction from the current chaos I’m experiencing at the moment. The “me” side, of that mental tug-of-war game is winning right now. I’m ignoring the dust bunnies! Actually, it’s only half the time, but I’ll take it.

At the present I’m “Life-Weaving” my husband’s retirement, writing, family and a move. We are selling one home and finding another. The stress meter is beyond red and the gray hairs are sprouting daily. Friedrich Nietzsche states, “That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.” He should be drawn and quartered!

Thankfully, writing can be very Zen like

Wayne Turmel

What kind of content do you mostly write?
This is a tricky question because I’ve been traditionally published, hybrid published, self-published and had my stuff sprawled on cave walls because, yes, i’m that old. When I’m flogging my writing, I usually don’t mention my nonfiction because it reminds me too much of the dreaded day job.
My novels are historical fiction, one set in the 1920s (The count of the Sahara) and two set during the Second Crusade (Acre’s Bastard and Acre’s Orphans).
My short stories cover a variety of genres and have been published traditionally and online.
Sorry you asked?

How long have you been writing?
I have been writing most of my adult life, but my first non-fiction book came out in 2004 and my first novel in 2014

How many hours do you dedicate to writing per week on average?
6-7 I would guess

Do you have any formal education, mentoring, or experience related to writing?
I have an associates degree in broadcast journalism burning a hole in my pocket, but I haven’t taken a traditional writing class since college.

In one sentence, what motivates you to write?
To get the stories and voices out of my head and into the heads of other people.

Pick an excerpt from any of your writing that you’re really proud of
Barseghyan had a long lead on us, but Nahida was determined to catch him. She laid her body flat against the horse’s neck and urged it on with cries and ululations, while I bounced behind her, praying I wouldn’t fly off each time my bum slammed into its spine.
The sun threatened to set into the sea now, and the world was painted bright orange, bathed in firelight. The shadows were long but fading—it would be dark soon, too dark to chase a man on horseback with a good lead. Luckily, the road was clear of travelers. The first wave of refugees had found the camp outside Tyre already, and those still on the road already had found shelter or at least a flat spot to camp for the night.
The onrushing darkness didn’t seem to bother the horse any. Given the chance to run wild, the gelding was taking full advantage and seemed to enjoy itself nearly as much as Nahida did. The girl laughed and whooped, while I screamed and prayed and buried my face in her back. Occasionally someone shouted at us to slow down, and I waved apologies as we charged right past them.
Up ahead, the road curved and snaked in the way of shore roads. That meant I could see what lay two twists ahead when the bends were close to the ocean, but nothing straight ahead as a quick turn one way or the other meant we were flying blind. It was getting too dark to make anything out, and I had no way of knowing if we were gaining ground on our prey. I hoped we were—if only so the bouncing would stop.
Just before blackness engulfed us, we reached another bend. I managed to unsqueeze my eyes long enough to make out a fast-moving blur, perhaps a little more than a quarter mile away, that could only be a horse and rider. It wasn’t moving nearly as fast as we were, but I’d been in gales that didn’t move as fast as Nahida’s animal. Either Barseghyan’s horse was getting tired or he didn’t think he was being pursued.
“That’s him,” I shouted.
“We’ve almost got him.” She sounded triumphant. I was a little less excited as a question occurred to me.
“What are we going to do when we catch him?” I had the dead trooper’s knife, but we were two children against a grown man—one who didn’t seem to have any qualms about hurting us.
“You’ll think of something. Heeeeee,” she told the horse and gave another kick of her heels.
I will?

Post a direct link to your most proud of written work
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07P7Y594V

Your website or blog
www.WayneTurmel.com

Well, I’ve found–and don’t ask me how– that poltergeists can be easily fooled. A place like that must be lousy with them so….

I would spend part of the $3000 on stock footage of hoarders (papers piled to the ceiling, junk piled everywhere) and tack them to the wall. Then i’d stand in the middle of the room and say really loud, “Man, I only have a day. I hope nobody messes with all this great junk or I’m in big trouble.” Then I’d spend the rest on a limo and a night out drinking tequila while the spirits do their “worst.” Works every time. Well, except once, but I swore never to speak of that again.

Do you have any funny or unusual writing habits?
I actually write in white-hot bursts. It started in high school when I had a job in a restaurant while still going to class during the day. I used to compose my homework in my head, then get home and write it all down.
I still work like that. I’ll noodle and plan, then sit down and crank out 3-5000 words in a sitting. It sounds impressive but those sittings are too far apart!

If a new writer asked you what you thought was needed to become an internationally famous and successful writer, what you would say or recommend them to do?
Well, since it’s worked so well for me, being all internationally famous and stuff…

I think the important thing to remember is that typing is solitary, writing is social.
My most surprising and enthusiastic supporters are people I’ve never met in person but have tweetfacelinkblogged with. Connect with other writers. Support them and believe that karma will come around. You need to commit some time every day to letting the outside world know about your work. That said, don’t go so far down the social media rabbit hole that you can’t claw your way out when it’s time to get the work done.
Oh, and don’t be an a**hole.

What advice, if any, would you give to a fellow writer who has just been rejected by several large publishers and told he or she has zero chance to make it as a writer?
Don’t drink cheap tequila. You’ll only feel worse. Reposado or better. Trust your Uncle Wayne on this one.

Seriously, a simple internet search will show you hundreds of examples of great (or at least successful) writers who were rejected over and over. Maybe that will make you feel better.
Or not.
Anger and resentment are great motivators. Use them to propel you forward.

What is the most important tip that you can offer other writers?
Read a lot, and in different genres. You’ll learn something. For example, I’m not a big sci-fi guy, but I have learned that you can’t front load your story with all the facts and minutae or you’ll bore your readers. That is actually a great lesson for historical fiction writers, who too often do the same thing. We build worlds too.
Romance can teach you about writing the romantic sub-plot even if yours is a hardcore thriller.
Also, you’ll learn that there are a lot of terrible writers with book deals, and that should give you hope.

What would you say are some common traps that aspiring writers should avoid?
I think there are two, and at the risk of sounding pretentious and condescending….
1) Don’t write to what you think publishers and agents will want. By the time you’ve written your book, they will have moved on to some new fad. Write the book you want to read.
2) Rudyard Kipling said “If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too”. That’s pretty darned good advice for taking feedback. Listen to it with an open mind. Then take the good stuff and toss the rest.

Have you had any adversity or challenges surrounding your writing career? If yes, what?
Besides being a nearly-sixty year old guy with no college degree, writing about subjects most people haven’t heard about and having zero connections in the publishing industry? Nah, why do you ask?

Anything else you’d like to say?
I love talking writing with other writers, and the internet means you can connect with talented people anywhere in the world. In the old days, you had to hang out in the same London or New York bars to have these kinds of conversations!

Shawn Dawson

What kind of content do you mostly write?
I mainly write autobiographies. I have just started my second book which will be a self-help book.

How long have you been writing?
1 year

How many hours do you dedicate to writing per week on average?
25

Do you have any formal education, mentoring, or experience related to writing?
no

In one sentence, what motivates you to write?
Helping people is my motivation to write.

Pick an excerpt from any of your writing that you’re really proud of
The next day, Dad had slipped back in to a coma and was moved back to the ICU. The doctors all had the same conclusion. Dad was slowly slipping away and the only thing keeping him alive was the machines. They discussed with us the possibility of “unplugging” him, but Mom refused that option. Her thought process was that she didn’t want the feeling of killing her husband by pulling the plug. This went on for weeks. My brother and I tried to explain everything to her, but she kept refusing.
Finally, there was a family meeting which included Mom, my brother, my sister-in-law and myself with Dad’s team of doctors. The consensus was unanimous. Dad was already gone and there was nothing more to do but to unplug him. Mom cried, then told them to go ahead. Within 15 minutes, Dad’s life support machines were turned off. All of us stood around his bed and, one by one, gave him a kiss and talked to him. His heart monitor began to beep slower and slower. Finally, it was my turn.
I took Dad by the hand and whispered “Dad, it’s ok to go now. You taught me well and I promise…I will take care of the family. I love you.” That’s when Dad took his final breath. I had lost my Dad…my mentor…my teacher…my rock. What was I going to do now?
The biggest shard cuts the deepest.

Post a direct link to your most proud of written work
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1793062447

Your website or blog
N/A

Do you have any funny or unusual writing habits?
The book, My Quantum of Fractured Mirrors, was my first novella or writing at all (aside from term papers in college). I had been debating about whether to write it or not for a long time, but finally decided to do it.

My writing habits are not really funny nor unusual. When I write, I try to find a television show that emits the same emotion that I am trying to convey in that section of the book. Once I m in that emotional state, I write.

If a new writer asked you what you thought was needed to become an internationally famous and successful writer, what you would say or recommend them to do?
In order to become an internationally famous and successful writer, you must have patience and persistence. It does not happen over night. You must continue your marketing efforts with the understanding that it may take a you writing a couple of books in order to be recognized.

When your book is released, tell your family and friends first…then your co-workers…then anyone else. Ask them to send you a review of your book and to be honest. The best way to know how to improve your last book is to get honest reviews.

What advice, if any, would you give to a fellow writer who has just been rejected by several large publishers and told he or she has zero chance to make it as a writer?
Publishing companies are good, but if you are receiving rejections, then self-publish. Never take “you have a zero chance to make it as a writer”. If it is in your heart to write, then WRITE! Then, keep writing.

What is the most important tip that you can offer other writers?
Stay persistent!

What would you say are some common traps that aspiring writers should avoid?
Some common traps, unfortunately, come from social media. Everyone will edit, review, make a trailer or some other marketing scheme to lure you in. A lot of these marketing things can be done independently. If you do not have the talent or skill to do a certain marketing step, seek out someone that you trust or has a reputable business to assist you.

Have you had any adversity or challenges surrounding your writing career? If yes, what?
My biggest challenge was how to market my book. I found that, in the beginning, face-to-face marketing worked out the best.

Anything else you’d like to say?
I want to encourage all first-time authors to keep honing their craft and keep writing. No one becomes a New York Times Best Seller overnight. It takes time, patience and persistence. You can do it.

Aaron D. Schneider

What kind of content do you mostly write?
So far I’ve written mostly military fantasy which tinges into the areas of urban and epic at a turn. I’ve worked on romance before but its not my preferred genre. Mostly, I strive for stories of conflict and decision with characters that bleed and burn with life.

How long have you been writing?
All my life, but publishing wise about 2 years.

How many hours do you dedicate to writing per week on average?
When I’m in full drafting mode, it is full time 40-50 hours. When not pushing out something knew it is about 10 to 15.

Do you have any formal education, mentoring, or experience related to writing?
I studied in undergraduate under the poet Jamie D’Agustino in college, and then the poet Obi Nwakanma in my graduate program. I’ve also worked as ghost writer for a few years.

In one sentence, what motivates you to write?
Stories bite and claw their way out of me, one way or another.

Pick an excerpt from any of your writing that you’re really proud of
Bryth knew she should have felt some kind of vicarious joy at justice served, but all she felt was a barren, sharp-edged satisfaction. Something had to have been done, and it had been, as completely as could be. But completion was not resolution. It was not healing.

Together, Bryth and Grimple stared out, looking for something beyond the valley or the mountains or the edge of the Eternal Sea in the East. They both knew what it was, but it was impossible to put into words.

“I am sorry for what happened to you, Grimple.” Bryth finally drew her eyes down to the Goblin.

“Not your fault,” Grimple replied. “Why apologize?”

“It’s not about fault, none of it.” Bryth let out a breath. “But it is about understanding. We understand each other better now—we can see the stains on both of us—and for my part, I’m saying that I am sad for your pain and sorrowful for your hurt. I am so sorry, Grimple.”

The Goblin nodded and then, without ever looking at her, reached out a hand to squeeze Bryth’s shoulder.

“Well, if that’s how it works then . . .” Grimple weighed each word on her tongue. “I’m sorry too.”

Post a direct link to your most proud of written work
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NT7XVZW/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Your website or blog
https://aarondschneider.com/

Armed with such incentives I would entice the local goblin population to get to work in exchange for such a bounteous feast. If goblins are in short supply, pixies, nixies, and hobbs will do in a pinch. If we are really scrapping the barrel I will settle for bored college students.

My little, food-bribed hive will be divided into teams or mobs with each section given jurisdiction of different parts of the estate.

The remaining funds will go half to cleaning supplies and the other half to some gaudy trophy (the more superfluous and flashy the better) that one team can win if they do the best job.

From there it is just a matter watching over my mob and making sure they don’t eat each other between snack breaks (especially those college students).

Do you have any funny or unusual writing habits?
I like it dark, cool, and sequestered when I write, but I am not particularly picky about location. My second and third published books were literally written out of a university library basement down where they stored special collections. I knew some folks and worked there once upon a life so I was allowed my subterranean fetish for the better part of two months while I plugged away. I’m not sure if that counts, but I don’t know any other writer who becomes a troglodyte to get their work done… at least none willing to admit it.

If a new writer asked you what you thought was needed to become an internationally famous and successful writer, what you would say or recommend them to do?
First, I’d tell them to talk to someone who actually is an internationally famous and successful writer, not bother someone in the process of becoming one. Those people have to much work, to bother with such questions… I’m kidding of course.

The first thing I would tell them is that a must have is a sense of pace and some humility. Pace isn’t just talking about your writing, but for your career as a writer. For the vast majority of those who make it in this business, its a marathon not a sprint. As far as humility goes it is one of the only ways I know how to make sure you keep growing and keep honing your craft. Recognize that you are going to fail or falter, and that is just one more step on the way to becoming better.

What advice, if any, would you give to a fellow writer who has just been rejected by several large publishers and told he or she has zero chance to make it as a writer?
Before I’d say anything I’d probably buy them a beer or something to cheer them up, because nobody likes to have their work shoved back in their face like that.

After that I’d remind them that failure is how we learn, but we have to remember that we only learn if have a healthy perspective. Specific criticisms that push to trim the fat, sharpen our descriptions, enliven our characters, all that comes in criticism, constructive or otherwise. But don’t let that criticism reach past what it’s good for. The opinion one person or a thousand people, doesn’t define who you are or who you will become. That sort of thing is between you and God.

What is the most important tip that you can offer other writers?
Stay hungry but keep your perspective. At the best of times we make true art, but it is a privilege, plain and simple.

What would you say are some common traps that aspiring writers should avoid?
Don’t be to proud to ask for help and advice, but understand a lot of this business is something you learn for yourself. Don’t be discouraged by failure, learn from it. If something sounds too good to be true, you should be very skeptical before throwing money, or even worse, your intellectual property to it.

Have you had any adversity or challenges surrounding your writing career? If yes, what?
Most certainly.

Besides being rejected by over two hundred different publishers at one point in time certainly qualifies. It just seemed that it was never the right time or never quite what they were looking for. That was a pretty rough point, but it was just prepping me for the time when I would have a chance to be published and encouraging me to be grateful for the opportunity I was given.

There have been other bumps along the way, but I think the above was the most defining difficulty for me so far.

Anything else you’d like to say?
First and foremost, thank you.

Thank you for the time and attention, and that gratitude goes double for my readers. Whether you loved my work or were less than impressed, I’m thankful that you were willing to spend your money and your time to give me a chance. That is all I could ever ask for.

To other authors out there, remember that gifts are meant to be given. Give well.

Claire Davon

What kind of content do you mostly write?
For novels I mostly write paranormal/fantasy romance, although I have self-published two contemporary romances as well. For short stories I write across many genres, including science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, etc.

How long have you been writing?
Most of my life

How many hours do you dedicate to writing per week on average?
30 or more

Do you have any formal education, mentoring, or experience related to writing?
I minored in writing in college

In one sentence, what motivates you to write?
Writing gives my imagination an outlet and stops my mind from spinning.

Pick an excerpt from any of your writing that you’re really proud of
There were so many feathers it looked like a congress of ravens had molted in the yard.
Emory picked his way through the chaos to a small indentation in the bare dirt. The hole didn’t look like any impact crater he’d ever seen. It was as if someone had slammed a hand into the earth and left feathers behind. He plucked one of them at random. Emory twirled it around, admiring the way the vane and the downy barbs spread out. One side was wider than the other, indicative of a flight feather.
He selected another. This one looked like a contour feather, only its size said it couldn’t have lent its color and shape to any known bird. Plus it weighed too much. Each of the two feathers he picked up was like small weights, as if they were made up of more than vane and barbules and rachis.
His sister Stella’s mouth made an O of astonishment at the scene. At six years younger than him, Stella was just entering high school. Typical bratty younger sibling.
“What did you do, Emory?” she said.
He shrugged, reaching down for another flight feather. There were some types that were missing. He didn’t see any down or semiplume feathers but perhaps they were under the bigger ones. He would check in a moment. First he had to deal with Stella, who would be trying to figure out a way to get him in trouble.
He couldn’t wait to move out.

Post a direct link to your most proud of written work
https://www.amazon.com/Water-Fall-Elementals-Challenge-Book-ebook/dp/B07GQVRDMK

Your website or blog
www.clairedavon.com

You are tasked with cleaning up and organizing a dirty, junky 10,000 sq. ft. mansion within 24 hours. The owner of the mansion hasn’t made an attempt to straighten the place out in 3 years. You are given $3000. What would you do to get it as clean and organized as possible for its happy owner?
Sounds like an episode of Hoarders! My first inclination would be to get a dumpster and get rid of everything, but I doubt that would make the owner happy. If keeping the possessions isn’t a factor, then my first priority would be to do exactly that, get rid of all the junk and then see what was left. But…24 hours to clean 10,000 square feet? My house is 1,400 square feet and it takes me all day to clean that-and that’s without junk!

Do you have any funny or unusual writing habits?
Unfortunately, I don’t. My writing consists of me at the keyboard, with a mug of coffee in front of my monitor, doing my daily writing and editing. No music, even the sound on my computer is turned off. I can’t deal with distractions or noise. (Maybe that in and of itself is unusual)

If a new writer asked you what you thought was needed to become an internationally famous and successful writer, what you would say or recommend them to do?
That when I knew, I would tell them. There’s no magic formula.

What advice, if any, would you give to a fellow writer who has just been rejected by several large publishers and told he or she has zero chance to make it as a writer?
I have a saying that I stole from somewhere, which is “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Getting rejected sucks but nobody has the right to tell you you won’t make it as a writer. That is wholly unknowable. What you can do is improve your craft. Learn about the red flags that put publishers off. Improve on showing not telling, work on your filter words—all the mechanics. But if anyone lets another person tell them they have zero chance and they give up because of that, they they really do have zero chance. Because they will not take the shot that might have changed things.

What is the most important tip that you can offer other writers?
To write every day. Write until it becomes a habit, even if it’s just fifteen minutes every day or a hundred words. Just commit to a goal and stick to it. I commit to 1,000 words a day and when editing, at least ten pages. I once went to a workshop that said “write a million words in a year.” Pretty impressive, right? Until I realized that that was 3,000 words a day. When you break your goals down into the individual components they aren’t nearly as scary.

What would you say are some common traps that aspiring writers should avoid?
One of them is soliciting too many opinions from other people. I see people on Facebook groups, for instance, putting an idea online and asking for feedback. That is a good way to get many different, and competing, bits of advice. Early on in this iteration of my career I went to a meeting and the speaker talked about sending her work to four different agents. She got four different sets of notes on how to improve the story-all at odds with each other. We as writers should learn how to take critique and feedback gracefully while also not straying from our core message.

Have you had any adversity or challenges surrounding your writing career? If yes, what?
I let myself stop taking the shots after a couple of setbacks. I was overconfident and thought after winning a contest the next step was surely a book deal and international stardom. After a few rejections I stopped writing for several years—I let others dictate my worth. It was only when I realized that in order to call myself a writer I had to get off my butt and do it that I got back into the fray.

Anything else you’d like to say?
Keep at it! Two hundred words a day is 73,000 words in a year, which is a full length novel.

Hope Bolinger

What kind of content do you mostly write?
Usually situations I don’t want to end up in.

I like to write contemporary YA with a weird twist: time travel, angels/demons, superheroes, you name it. Because life is weird enough if you pause to think about it for a few minutes.

How long have you been writing?
Since I was in first grade, but as for book writing, I took that up at the age of 16. I’ve never looked back.

How many hours do you dedicate to writing per week on average?
During a book writing period: 8-10

Do you have any formal education, mentoring, or experience related to writing?
Yes, here’s a bio: Hope Bolinger is a literary agent at C.Y.L.E. and a recent graduate of Taylor University’s professional writing program. More than 300 of her works have been featured in various publications ranging from Writer’s Digest to Keys for Kids. She has worked for various publishing companies, magazines, newspapers, and literary agencies and has edited the work of authors such as Jerry B. Jenkins and Michelle Medlock Adams. Her column “Hope’s Hacks,” tips and tricks to avoid writer’s block, reaches 2,700+ readers weekly and is featured monthly on Cyle Young’s blog, which receives 63,000+ monthly hits. She is excited for her modern-day Daniel “Blaze” to come out with IlluminateYA (an imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas). She enjoys all things theater, cats, and fire.

In one sentence, what motivates you to write?
I can’t do anything else; it burns up inside of me, begging to spill onto paper.

Pick an excerpt from any of your writing that you’re really proud of
Excerpt for a YA manuscript on query:
The Tube jolts to a halt.

Oh, great, here we go again.

My grip on the red pole slips, and I stumble backward into a man wearing a business suit.

I mutter a quick, “Sorry.” He flares his nostrils in reply, but I imagine something like “stupid,” “fat,” and “American girl,” just fluttered through his thoughts. Charming guy.

All the British are just that . . . charming.
The latter two are true, though. The stupid and fat, I mean. I’ll give him that. The blue pixie cut and sweatpants and hoodie probably didn’t help with his perception of me.

A ding-dong, ding-dong emits from the sliding doors as they open to a concrete station. The smell of wind fills the car.
My heart plummets into my lower intestines when I see the large crowd gathered at the edge of the train platform. I tighten my sweaty grip around the pole.

Fantastic. What could make this day any better? Oooh, I know, squeezing me into a crowd full of prim British people who hate Americans with blue pixie haircuts. Great plan.

I glance around at the inhabitants of the Bakerloo line. Please tell me all of you wanted to stop here.

Yeah, they don’t want that, Harper. Clearly.

“This is Baker Street.” The crisp female voice of the overhead sounds to the backdrop of a flickering train light. A pitiful number of bodies exit the coach. Thanks a lot for your contribution, guys. “Change for the Bakerloo, Jubilee, and Metropolitan lines.”

That’s a lot of lines. You guys sure you don’t want to get off?

Of course not. And people wonder why I hate people so much.

Post a direct link to your most proud of written work
https://www.hopebolinger.com/blaze

Your website or blog
https://www.hopebolinger.com/

Do you have any funny or unusual writing habits?
Oh, where do we begin?

– I write books in about 9-45 days. Everything is on fire for about a solid month. I often compare it to giving birth. My sister, who just gave birth, resents this comparison

– I enjoy dressing up like my own characters and just dressing up in general (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1951691624919192u0026amp;set=t.1589041534u0026amp;type=3u0026amp;theater)

– I enjoy making my own playlists for my books (https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4kXdjZSHqf09ooHU10dMjf)

– I actually really love marketing. I’m planning on doing a baby photo shoot soon in which I’m taking cliche “baby pictures” with the ARC copies of my book

– I write about 3 novels a year, and 100 or so other works (poems, articles, etc.) and work about 4-5 part-time jobs. I’m not entirely sure how to relax.

If a new writer asked you what you thought was needed to become an internationally famous and successful writer, what you would say or recommend them to do?
Sure, follow these steps:

1. Cry.

2. Build your platform as much as possible. It could be from posting aesthetically pleasing smoothies on Instagram to becoming a Wattpad superstar. Find your niche. There are millions of authors on Facebook. Find what makes you unique and post regularly.

3. Read. All. The. Time. Reading is essentially a writer’s toolbox. If you haven’t picked up a book in a while and intend to write one of your own, you’ll have no supplies to do it.

4. Write. All. The. Time. They say it takes an author 1 million words before they finally find their voice. It took me 15 books and almost 200 other works for me to find mine.

5. Don’t give up. Like all good things, it takes time.

What advice, if any, would you give to a fellow writer who has just been rejected by several large publishers and told he or she has zero chance to make it as a writer?
First: I would buy them their favorite treat. Because every rejection feels like a break up, so we’re breaking out the cookie dough.

Second: Once they’ve made their way through the cookie dough, and several episodes of Parks and Rec. to lighten the mood, I would pull up my email and dig up my own rejection slips.

Third: I would show them that even though I’ve published 300 works and have a traditionally published book (“Blaze”) coming out in June, I’ve received hundreds (if not thousands) of rejections since I took up professional writing six years ago. For every acceptance, I want to say there were dozens of rejections behind it.

Fourth: I would quote Sylvia Plath, “I love my rejection slips. They show me that I try.”

Fifth: I would tell them, “Prove all those publishers wrong. Make them wish they’d taken you on.”

Sixth: I would send them encouraging quotes and memes every day until they feel as though they can fly again. Rejection is tough, crippling, and those who say, “Get over it and get a thick skin,” obviously never got over it.

Seventh: I would sit back and wait in anticipation, because they’re going to do it. They’re going to prove all those rejections wrong. And they’re going to inspire other authors by repeating steps one through seven for them.

What is the most important tip that you can offer other writers?
Do. Not. Give. Up.

Ever.

This industry is pitted against you, and giants like Facebook and Amazon do not make it any easier. Although several authors can support each other, many have gotten in the good habit of slitting throats (and not just the ones of their characters).

Keep going.

Writing doesn’t come easily. Editing is like stepping on glass. And even after you get a contract, marketing takes hours of what can seem like fruitless work.

Keep writing anyway.

Your dreams are worth it. Your writing is worth it. You are going to change lives.

So do not give up.

What would you say are some common traps that aspiring writers should avoid?
I love lists, so let’s try a few of these:

1. Giving up too fast – Some writers see writing a book as a sprint intstead of a marathon and burn up by chapter three.

2. Thinking too highly of their writing – Trust me, I had this phase. Writers early in their journey tend to think their writing is the best thing since ink first touched papyrus. It’s not. Sorry.

3. Thinking too lowly of themselves – On the other end of the spectrum, insecurities abound, and writers quit when feeling a heavy dose of that imposter syndrome.

4. Ignoring critique – There was a time when I would blow up at anyone who had something remotely negative to say about my work. After years of refining and accepting criticism, I learned the beautiful benefits of an editor. But I can’t help but think of all the time I wasted not listening to other readers.

5. Sounding like your favorite author – I can usually tell if an author loves J.K. Rowling or Ernest Hemingway, because their writing sounds just like a copy of Harry Potter or The Sun Also Rises. It takes time to hone one’s own voice, but don’t try to be the next best JRR Tolkien. Be the next best you. Be the writer someone wants to copy.

Have you had any adversity or challenges surrounding your writing career? If yes, what?
Without a doubt.

I would say a few major factors contributed.

Mental health: I deal with severe depression and anxiety. Both love to play a tennis match in my brain, especially when I sit down to write.

Familial problems: I love my family, but like most authors, they did mess me up a bit. I won’t dive into details here, but although it provided lots of writing material, it also contributed a great deal to the mental health section.

Time: Working four-five jobs while balancing life as a full-time college student made squeezing in writing time difficult. I managed, but my family and friends who didn’t write couldn’t understand why I would shut myself in my room and write for hours. They would often pass off passive aggressive comments about my lack of priorities.

Age: I’m 22 years old and fresh out of college. But in the writing world, in which the average age of a debut author is nearly 40, no one at writer’s conferences, meetups, or professional writing groups will take you seriously. I often work on staff at conferences as a literary agent. Often writers will bump into me and squint their eyes and paste on a pitiful sort of smile, crooning, “Oh, I just love it when you young writers come to these big conferences. I would never have been so brave.” They would sort of place their hands on their knees as if talking to a dog. “You excited to talk to literary agents?” Their eyes would go all big, voice shooting up an octave. I would clear my throat and say, “Umm, I am a literary agent.” A flush of horror would don on their face. I didn’t blame them, but I did have several one-on-one meetings where I would answer barrages of publishing trivia questions just to establish that I did know what I was doing. I can’t tell you the number of times someone would shake their head and say, “You are too young to know all of this.”

Rejection: I have clients who have sold more than 100 books who receive regular rejections. It’s part of the writing process. But it never really does get easier. You just learn to break out the cookie dough each time.

Anything else you’d like to say?
Believe in yourself, your writing, and write what scares you. Most often the thing clawing at your very soul that you fear will get the most rejection will probably change the most lives.

And when things seem most dire, you’re probably the closest to your dream. So take another step. And then another. And then . . .

Jeremy Roadruck

What kind of content do you mostly write?
Parenting, personal development, psychology, mindset, attitude improvement

How long have you been writing?
Started as a kid

How many hours do you dedicate to writing per week on average?
2

Do you have any formal education, mentoring, or experience related to writing?
Self-published book went #1 in 8 hrs on Amazon in 3 categories, also #1 in the UK too

In one sentence, what motivates you to write?
Pain and confusion is a part of life, suffering is optional and entirely self-generated; there’s a better way.

Pick an excerpt from any of your writing that you’re really proud of
I’m exactly the type of person I needed in my life when I was 6, and my parents didn’t see the signs they were dealing with a child who had been hurt deeply. They loved me unconditionally but were at a loss to understand the anger and the “differences” they saw in me from when I was 6. In fact, this material is the result of work I started to do when I was just 6 years old and discovered that I was often on a different page than everyone else around me. Because of the disconnects that I felt with others, I started studying human relationships, family dynamics, and child development because I realized no one understood me – we’ll cover this more in Chapter 6.

In all my years teaching and training, sharing, encouraging, and communicating, I’ve looked for the common denominators of success in families – and I’ve seen the same patterns playing out over and over again. I’ve sought to answer: Why do some students and families thrive and some students and families seem to stagnate, or worse… regress to lower and lower standards? And over time, I’ve realized that all children play games of one sort or another, and we’re ALL built to win the games we play. For example, if you’ve ever seen the arrogant, disconnected, mopey, depressed teenager – they’re playing the “poor me” game and they’re winning that game! I was one of those when I was younger, so I know that game well.

All children play games, everyone is someone’s child (literally or metaphorically), and all human beings are born to win the games we play – it’s not a question IF you’re going to play a game, you will.

You are.

It’s human nature.

The real question is this:

Is your game worth winning?

Post a direct link to your most proud of written work Your Best Child Ever: Is This Game Worth Winning? How to Raise a Stable Centered Respectful Self–Disciplined Confident Self–Motivated Self–Directed … Coaches of Children of All Ages! (Volume 1)

Your website or blog
Https://www.theparentingprogram.com

You are tasked with cleaning up and organizing a dirty, junky 10,000 sq. ft. mansion within 24 hours. The owner of the mansion hasn’t made an attempt to straighten the place out in 3 years. You are given $3000. What would you do to get it as clean and organized as possible for its happy owner?
I would hire 15 people at $100 each. We would work as a team to identify what the owner would want kept and removed. Everything removed would be put on ebay and profits generated would be shared equally among the team of 15.

One of the 15 would be the lady I paid $200 to clean my office, the one I was living in after the end of a 5 year relationship and I had nowhere else to stay. In 4 hours, she cleaned my office and found $380 in gift cards.

Do you have any funny or unusual writing habits?
I tend to listen to the same 3 songs on repeat while I write, and my need/desire for sleep drops to almost nothing at night when I’m writing because what I’m writing has typically been in my head for a while.

If a new writer asked you what you thought was needed to become an internationally famous and successful writer, what you would say or recommend them to do?
1) write something – book, short story, novel, etc.

2) network with others

3) learn marketing

4) get a mentor/coach to help you along

What advice, if any, would you give to a fellow writer who has just been rejected by several large publishers and told he or she has zero chance to make it as a writer?
Opinions are like A-holes, some people just are what they eat. JK Rowling was rejected TONS of times before her stories found an audience, right?

Get clear on why you write, who would LOVE to read your writings, and get yourself in front of those people. Where do they hang out? How can you get there too?

What is the most important tip that you can offer other writers?
Not everyone is going to like everything you write – so take their feedback with a grain of salt. Get out of your head and into your heart, then write that next word!

What would you say are some common traps that aspiring writers should avoid?
1) being promised by some company that they will do X, Y and Z… for a nominal fee (of course).

2) thinking that what you write must be 100% perfect before you share it with anyone. Feedback is the breakfast of champions!

3) don’t wall yourself off from the world outside you, or from your feelings inside you. Both deserve a voice in your writings.

Have you had any adversity or challenges surrounding your writing career? If yes, what?
Absolutely, wrote my first book and no one other than my immediate family cared.

Changed my approach, my 2nd book went to #1 on amazon in the US in 8 hours in 3 different categories… and then a year later I did a mother’s day promotion and hit best-selling status in the US and the UK simultaneously.

Always be open to learning and adjusting your approach. Don’t be married to your methods.

Anything else you’d like to say?
Can’t “say” anything here as we’re typing, not speaking… and yes, I’m pedantic. ^_-

Thank you for the opportunity to think about writing as a craft. I initially started writing because I have a message to share with the world – specifically families and kids – and after more than 2 decades serving that audience, I’ve found simple, practical tools that make life easier. Going through this interview contest has helped me clarify my motivations as I am gearing up to write my next book in a few weeks! So, thank you! You rock! *air guitar*

Sheri Chapman

What kind of content do you mostly write?
I write multi-genre. My first book is a historical romance, but I’ve written shape shifter young adult, horror, paranormal, memoirs, and more. Most of my work has action and a lot has a romantic element.

How long have you been writing?
I wanted to be a writer when I was a fifth grader (about forty years but not professionally lol)

How many hours do you dedicate to writing per week on average?
I write all the time – I write as a teacher and I write for fun in my free time. I probably spend over fifteen hours a week writing.

Do you have any formal education, mentoring, or experience related to writing?
I have a lot of formal education but it’s for teaching and administration. I really haven’t been trained to be an author.

In one sentence, what motivates you to write?
I love getting lost in my world and want to share my stories with the world.

Pick an excerpt from any of your writing that you’re really proud of
Wild Passion (Passion Series Book 1 – Adult Historical Romance – Indian Captive) by WILD DREAMS PUBLISHING Word Count: 106,780

BLURB: When Kaitlin’s father promised her hand to the foulest individual in the newly settled town, she decided she’d had enough! No man would control her anymore! Kaitlin packed her meager belongings and headed out on foot from their remote home to find refuge in the small settlement. However, she marched straight from one man’s command into another’s. The Oglala War chief on a mission for revenge found a beautiful woman to rescue. Once the warrior had saved the girl’s life, she owed it to him forever. Tamed by the wild culture of these caring but fierce people, Kaitlin learns that freedom isn’t always defined by personal expectations. Being a slave could never be an option, but how could she ever want liberty when her freedom is claimed by an attractive war chief who has also captured her heart.

Wild Passion is to be filmed in 2019 – renamed “Captive Heart”.

BOOK 2 to be released SOON!!!!

Post a direct link to your most proud of written work
https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Passion-Book-1-ebook/dp/B075PCV17D/

Your website or blog
https://prayerpawpuppies.wixsite.com/authorsherichapman/books

You are tasked with cleaning up and organizing a dirty, junky 10,000 sq. ft. mansion within 24 hours. The owner of the mansion hasn’t made an attempt to straighten the place out in 3 years. You are given $3000. What would you do to get it as clean and organized as possible for its happy owner?
While standing in the piles of clutter, I suspected there were many hidden treasures. (Wealthy people didn’t tend to just collect garbage.) Taking care not to be noticed, I withdrew my unicorn hair and willow wand. Although it didn’t take a lot of courage to use magic, it did take some: I wasn’t supposed to use spells around muggles.

With a wave of my tool, I organized the piles into several categories: trash, antiques, unknown items, for donation, and still valuable. I’d have to carry out the piles by hand, more than likely, but while in the house, I could assist myself. I wanted to explore several of the piles for hidden treasures. Who know what one could find? There might be a dragon egg or a vase with a genie! There were limitless possibilities. At the very least, my imagination would make the clean-up fun.

Do you have any funny or unusual writing habits?
If you’re in the room while I’m writing, you may get a little distracted by me… I talk to myself (out loud) a lot! Hahaha!

As for unusual? I don’t know about other authors, but typically, I just get motivated by an idea and start writing. Sometimes, I don’t know where it will take me. Other times, I have an idea of a general direction I want to go, but no other clear details. They all work out as I write.

If a new writer asked you what you thought was needed to become an internationally famous and successful writer, what you would say or recommend them to do?
You need to find a company with the same goals that you have. If you’re independent, it’s a lot of hard work but can be done. Do your research. Join all the media you can. Promote yourself as much as possible. Do blog posts and make connections. Use popular hashtags! Research IMBd and Linked In. It’s a lot of work and time-investment, but it’ll pay off. Don’t let rejections stand in your way!

What advice, if any, would you give to a fellow writer who has just been rejected by several large publishers and told he or she has zero chance to make it as a writer?
To a fellow writer who has been told to give up by a large company, I would tell them to not put all your eggs in one basket – or even two or three. The whole world has an opinion. Why would you give up on what one or even ten people in the whole universe has to say? Stay true to your dreams although it may take some hard work.

Large companies deal with a lot of submissions daily. They may not be as prone to give someone good advice or encouragement due to the volume they deal with. They also would not be as empathetic or willing to give a chance to an unknown author like a smaller company might. I did this very thing. I started targeting the big dogs when I should have started small with start-up companies. They are much more likely to giving someone else starting a chance.

If you need help with grammar or ideas, get a lot of people to read your work before submitting. Anyone with a dream can make it happen if you have the determination to see it to fruition. You will need to invest in yourself, however. An editor is typically not free (not a good one).

You need to get someone who will be truthful with you, and not a friend who is afraid to really say what you need to hear. PROOF, PROOF, PROOF. You also need to capture your audience within the first few pages. Start with an action scene or a snap shot of something intriguing. Get that hook set and then reel away! Make sure you have some showing of information and not just telling because if you don’t let your reader think, they’ll probably become bored.

It takes a lot of practice. It may mean going back to the drawing board, even on a piece you don’t want to change. If you have an open mind and can accept constructive criticism, you can be successful.

What is the most important tip that you can offer other writers?
I think patience is optimum. Nothing happens quickly in the writing world. Each step is a process: writing, editing, designing the cover, marketing, and promoting all take time. Be prepared to hurry up and wait. Sales are also slow. Be patient but keep your dream alive! KEEP WRITING!

What would you say are some common traps that aspiring writers should avoid?
I need to take my own advice, probably. When you get stuck (writer’s block), force yourself to write a little every day. Even if it’s just a paragraph or a page, do it. It will force you to work through the block until your mind begins to bring the flow back. Stay with it! Ask others for ideas. It doesn’t mean you have to use them, but ideas and talking about it helps to open up your creative juices.

Start of small and celebrate every success. It will help keep your dreams alive and keep you motivated!

Have you had any adversity or challenges surrounding your writing career? If yes, what?
I am a very busy person. I’m not only an author, but I’m a teacher. I have a dog kennel which is another full-time job, and I have a family. I’ve raised four daughters pretty much by myself. The challenges I face are being tired or even unmotivated at times.

There are pressures to get stories in on time and edits returned. When a person is tired, it does tend to stifle creative flow. Writing takes time, and for many, places that are quiet and not full of distractions. For me, staying up late is when I write a lot, but the reverse affect is my brain doesn’t always work like I want it to.

A simple solution would be to go to bed sooner, but I just can’t seem to make myself! Good luck, and I hope I’ve helped in some way!

Anything else you’d like to say?
Thank you for this opportunity and for considering me in the final round.

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