On Writing Author Interview: Coral Moore

To avoid pre-conceived notions which can sometimes be connected with certain genres, the number of books published and/or an author's appearance, none of that information will be revealed until the bottom of the interview.   So pour a cup of coffee, have a seat, and check out this interview - see how much, or how little, you have in common with this published author.

ON WRITING:
What is your favorite part of being a writer?
My favorite part of being a writer is inventing characters. It’s also my favorite part of being a reader, connecting with characters and following them on their journeys.

What is your least favorite part?
I’m not very comfortable with promotion, so I’d have to say that’s my least favorite part.

Name one obstacle you’ve had to overcome.
I think my biggest obstacle is my own mind. It’s easy to read that first draft and see it as unsalvageable, so that’s my big struggle.

Is there a specific part of your writing you’re working on to improve?
I have a pretty spare writing style, so I’m always working on more evocative descriptions.

What part of your writing makes you particularly proud?
When someone tells me they enjoyed a story I wrote, I feel tremendously proud. Since I’m very recently published, looking at my book page still gives me a little thrill, too.

What does your favorite main character have in common with you?
Wow, that’s a great question. Candor is a trait I share with most of my main characters. My main characters don’t tend to lie or evade their responsibilities.

Do you do a lot of research for your projects or do you only write about what you already know?
I do many hours of research, but most of it doesn’t make its way into the story directly. I like to use it as a spice to make my characters and world richer.

How do you use the internet for your writing?
The most honest answer is probably too much! However, since that’s probably not the answer you want, I use it primarily for research, and also as a dictionary and thesaurus. I also keep backups of all my writing ‘in the cloud’ because I’m terrified of losing my work.

If you’ve won any awards for your writing, what impact do you think that has had? 
I haven’t won any awards… yet!

What one marketing tool have you had good success with?
It’s a bit early to answer this for me, but I think the act of connecting with (and not so much selling to) potential readers is a powerful tool that we can all use successfully.

What good writing habits have you developed that you think would be helpful to someone starting out?
One habit I’ve developed is not to delete anything. When I decide to remove a scene or line, I put it into a spare parts file and sometimes if I’m stuck I go back there looking for inspiration.

Do you have any bad writing habits that you’d advise writers to avoid?
I do a lot of rewriting while working through my first draft. I wish I could stop because it makes my first drafts take much longer than they probably should.

Do you have any strange writing habits?
I chew a lot of gum while I’m writing, always minty flavors. No idea where I picked up that habit.  (FYI – they say that chewing gum stimulates the brain – so this is actually a very good habit!)

When you’re not writing, do you read, and if so, what?
I read a lot and my tastes are varied. I like Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Thrillers, Mysteries—I think that about covers it. *grin*

What are you trying to accomplish with/through your writing?
I just like to tell stories. I find it fun and rewarding in its own right.

ADVICE TO OTHER WRITERS
What words of wisdom do you have for young writers?
Keep working at it. I know it sounds trite, but that’s really the best piece of advice I’ve got. Write lots of words and keep writing.

What advice do you have for someone looking to get published?
I would say that you should take stock of why you’re writing before you decide between self-publishing or traditionally publishing. Do some research on the benefits of self-publishing and really consider if you can go it alone.

Any thoughts on what this author writes?  How many books published?  Here's a little more information about the author...
 
How many published books are to your credit?  1

Do you have an agent?  I do not have an agent.

Are you self-published?  I am! (Yes, I am quite enthusiastic about that.)

How many different companies have you published with?   1 – my own

How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing off and on for twenty years, but I just seriously started working at it in August of 2010.

Do you write full-time? If not, what is your other job? And how do you balance work/writing?
I have a full-time, non-writing job as a marketing analyst, basically a spreadsheet monkey. It’s really difficult to balance them, but what I try to do is set a time every night that I do nothing but write or writing related work.

So, any thoughts?  Here's the full scoop:

Coral Moore has always been the kind of girl who makes up stories. Fortunately, she never quite grew out of that. She writes because she loves to invent characters and the desire to find out what happens to her creations drives the tales she tells.

Prompted by a general interest in how life works, her undergraduate schooling was in biology. She follows science news and enjoys conversations about genetics and microbiology as much as those about vampires and werewolves. Coral writes speculative fiction and is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Writing at Albertus Magnus College.

Currently she lives in Connecticut with the love of her life, who offers both encouragement and kicks in the tail when necessary. Also in residence are two mammals of the families Canidae and Felidae.

Author Coral Moore’s new Urban Fantasy titled Broods of Fenrir – is available for purchase on Amazon.com

THE FUTURE
What are you working on now?
I have another novel completed that should be out in the spring of 2012 called Elements of Rebellion which is a traditional fantasy.

PARTING WORDS
Anything else about being a writer that you’d like to share?
I love being a writer and I encourage anyone that thinks they have stories to tell to try it out.

Where can people learn more about you?

My website: http://www.chaosandinsanity.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/coralm

Is there anything else you'd like to know about this author, or any questions you'd like added to future interviews?  Let us know...drop us a comment below.

On Writing Author Interview: Laurie Boris

To avoid pre-conceived notions which can sometimes be connected with certain genres, the number of books published and/or an author's appearance, none of that information will be revealed until the bottom of the interview.   So pour a cup of coffee, have a seat, and check out this interview - see how much, or how little, you have in common with this published author.

ON WRITING:
What is your favorite part of being a writer?
I love disappearing into a universe of characters and following them around. Everything else—pain, injuries, rejection—falls away and I’m in bliss.

What is your least favorite part?
Walking away from it to take care of the other things in my life. When I worked full-time out of the house, I would get so sad when my writing time was over, and I had to put on my pantyhose and heels and get in the car. I felt like I was being wrenched away. Also, I’m not too wild about writing the synopsis. It’s like trying to make a stone lactate.

Name one obstacle you’ve had to overcome.
I have occasional hand pain…occupational hazard. So I now dictate much of my writing. The program doesn’t always understand me, which has led to some amusing misinterpretations.

Is there a specific part of your writing you’re working on to improve?
I’m working to bring place in more as a character. I love novels that are so lush with setting you can practically smell the bougainvillea. Pat Conroy and Joyce Carol Oates do this so well.

What part of your writing makes you particularly proud?
I’ve been told my dialogue is spot-on and snappy. I think that comes from listening to the way people talk. Why not - I’ve been eavesdropping for years!

What does your favorite main character have in common with you?
We are both snarky, with crazy hair and little tolerance for authority.

Do you do a lot of research for your projects or do you only write about what you already know?
A little of both. I let my subconscious and the characters tell the story, and I research after the first draft to fill in and expand. Oddly, I’ve found that I’m about 80% spot-on the first time. Guess I’ve absorbed more than I know!

How do you use the internet for your writing?
I go to “Mama Google” to research facts. I’m involved with several online writing groups, and I ask for suggestions when I’m stuck. I also go to Grammar Girl when I have a brain freeze and can’t remember when to use “lay” or “lie.”

If you’ve won any awards for your writing, what impact do you think that has had? 
They’ve spurred me on to write more and better. Nothing like positive reinforcement!

What one marketing tool have you had good success with?
Social media (especially Facebook and Twitter) have been kind. They’re great places to build a community, get the word out when I have an event or new release, or to tease interest with a quote or link to a sample.

What good writing habits have you developed that you think would be helpful to someone starting out?
Daily practice, even if it’s just a few minutes. Do something consistently. Be fierce about protecting your writing time and “train” the people in your life to respect it.

Do you have any bad writing habits that you’d advise writers to avoid?
The flip side of my great marketing tools…spending too much time on social media! I adore my online friends, but Facebook and Twitter can be addictive. Really eats up the writing time if I’m not disciplined.

Do you have any strange writing habits?
I simply cannot start writing until I’ve made an animal sacrifice to my muse and my blood caffeine/sugar level is at an optimal balance. Just kidding. I have a few quirks. I need total silence to write. My husband works at home, with the TV on, and if he’s making too much noise, I’ll use earplugs. Also, I don’t like too much clutter behind my computer. My whole room is a ridiculous mess, but the area just behind the computer is nearly bare. Pink walls. And a plush penguin. I collect them.

When you’re not writing, do you read, and if so, what?
I am addicted to reading, so I’m always reading something. My favorites are historical fiction, literary fiction, and comic romances.

What are you trying to accomplish with/through your writing?
It’s the only activity that I seriously, truly, completely love doing. Even the sucky parts. I can’t imagine not having this outlet in my life. I think I was put here to tell other people’s stories. Story is the glue that binds us and helps us understand each other. I also love to entertain and make people laugh.

ADVICE TO OTHER WRITERS
What words of wisdom do you have for young writers?
Try not to be too hard on yourself. We all have to start somewhere, and you might have to write a lot of crap before you find your own voice. If you are serious about writing, find a writing group. Not only will this help you improve your writing, it will help you learn how to take criticism gracefully and productively. You’ll also learn how to help other writers with their work. It’s really great to have support, and to learn how to reciprocate when another writer helps you.

What advice do you have for someone looking to get published?
Don’t give up. The rejections will get easier to take. But don’t start the publication process until your manuscript is as good and as polished as you can make it. If you can’t afford a professional editor or proofreader, find a writer with good grammar and/or editing chops (remember, you’ve been supporting those other writers in your critique groups?) and offer to trade. It can really hurt your credibility send your baby out into the world with poor grammar, misspellings, and factual errors.

Any thoughts on what this author writes?  How many books published?  Here's a little more information about the author...
 
How many published books are to your credit?  Two.

Do you have an agent?   No.

Are you self-published?  One of my books is.

How many different companies have you published with?  One.

How long have you been writing?   About 25 years.

Do you write full-time? If not, what is your other job? And how do you balance work/writing?
I work part-time as a freelance writer, and part-time on my own writing. Finding a balance has been difficult. Since I write best first thing in the morning, that’s when I do the fiction, whether it’s mine or for a client. I divide up my other tasks by day parts that suit my energy. I have fibromyalgia, which is very well controlled, but I still need to pace myself. I don’t have kids or pets, and for the most part, my husband is self-perpetuating (and very supportive) so I can pretty easily make time to write and ignore the housework.

So, any thoughts?  Here's the full scoop:

In Author Laurie Boris’ own words:  I've always been fascinated with words. As a toddler, I scrawled them on my sheets with crayon. As a young child, I nabbed encyclopedia volumes off the shelves and taught myself how to read. I wrote for my high school literary magazine and newspaper, and while I embarked on a career as a graphic designer after college, I still kept a journal and grabbed any opportunity to write on the job. On a break between assignments, I renewed my love for fiction, and wrote a bunch of horribly bad short stories. Eventually, I got better, got published, won a couple of awards, and started to write a novel on a dare from my husband. I showed him–I completed that one and wrote eight more. When I'm not writing, I like to cook, read, and watch baseball—not necessarily in that order, and in varying combinations.

Laurie’s titles include:  The Joke’s on Me: contemporary novel with romantic subplot; and Drawing Breath: literary novel in serial installments 

You can find Author Laurie Boris’ books available for order from your favorite flesh-and-blood bookstore or at Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, or the 4RV Publishing web site.

THE FUTURE What are you working on now?
The continuing story of Drawing Breath, and The C Word, a novel that began as a NaNoWriMo project. That’s all I can say for now. According to my lawyers.

PARTING WORDS
Anything else about being a writer that you’d like to share?
Writing can be maddening. You’ll get characters who won’t behave, plot threads that won’t tie, sudden brain freezes, and loads of rejection and criticism. It’s all part of the process, though, and I LOVE it. A thick hide and a sense of humor help.

You can learn more about Author Laurie Boris on her website: http://laurieboris.com

Is there anything else you'd like to know about this author, or any questions you'd like added to future interviews?  Let us know...drop us a comment below.

On Writing Author Interview: Kender MacGowan

To avoid pre-conceived notions which can sometimes be connected with certain genres, the number of books published and/or an author's appearance, none of that information will be revealed until the bottom of the interview.   So pour a cup of coffee, have a seat, and check out this interview - see how much, or how little, you have in common with this published author.

ON WRITING:

What is your favorite part of being a writer?  My favorite part? Touching someone with something I have written is my “favorite” part, although I do like just being able to SAY “I’m a writer” when asked what I do.  Words are harmless collections of letters in a dictionary, but in the hands of someone who knows how to wield them they become potent weapons and can bring emotions welling, build hope, tear down anger and bridge or widen the gulf between us all.  That’s what I like most about writing, having that power at my command.

What is your least favorite part?  My least favorite part of writing is the paperwork.  Seriously my least favorite thing is rereading and rewriting what I have read and written.  Someone once said (I believe it was Michener) “I’m not a very good writer, but I’m a great rewriter” and going back over something and having to tweak it is something I hate while I am doing it.  I love when it’s done though, except all the second guessing I end up going through.

Name one obstacle you’ve had to overcome.  Taking myself seriously as a writer.  My family didn’t look on a self published, free lance writer as a “job” at first.  That changed after I got a royalty check.

Is there a specific part of your writing you’re working on to improve?  I tend to over use comma’s, but in my defense it’s only because they’re cheap and I bought a truckload on eBay, so, as you can imagine, I am learning to use them less but, between you and I, I don’t think it’s working.

What part of your writing makes you particularly proud?  I’ve had people tear up with what I have written. I am very proud of my words when they touch someone on a level that causes such an emotional response.

What does your favorite main character have in common with you? I don’t really have a favorite main character.  Who I most identify with depends on my mood, really.

Do you do a lot of research for your projects or do you only write about what you already know?  When I write what I know it just flows.  Most everything I read would be considered research for me since I usually use that knowledge in my writing.  When I don’t know the subject I am writing about I do research as I am writing.  Finding out things like Texas cattle driving routes in the late 1860’s is not something I would have researched before hand, because I had no idea I was writing about it until I started.

How do you use the internet for your writing?  I use the net for research and for music.  I sometimes write to music and having the worlds musical library pretty much at my fingertips makes finding music for the mood easy, fast and cheap, three words which have been used to describe me too.

If you’ve won any awards for your writing, what impact do you think that has had?  I’ve won no awards for my writing, and I’m not sure that will ever happen.

What one marketing tool have you had good success with? Word of mouth is the best tool so far for me, followed by internet radio.  I’ve never taken out an ad and I am horrid at self promoting, so perhaps if I tried one of those avenues I would have more success.

What good writing habits have you developed that you think would be helpful to someone starting out? I have no good writing habits.  I write when the muse strikes me (usually at 4 A.M.), I am loathe to have my work edited, I start projects and let them sit for months sometimes.  The only good habit I have when writing is I save, a lot....losing an hours worth of work because something crashes hurts, so save your work, a lot.  Better yet write in as an email draft in gmail....it saves automatically every so often....I’ve written a lot of my stuff as email drafts.

Do you have any bad writing habits that you’d advise writers to avoid?  The aforementioned comma. That’s my worst writing habit.  I sometimes write as I speak, with tangents, so the comma becomes an enemy to clear writing as opposed to a very helpful tool. Although I have noticed some writers I admire very much who also use comma’s to create paragraphs composed of one sentence, so perhaps I needlessly beat myself up for it, either way that’s what editors are for so find a great one and use them.

Do you have any strange writing habits? I don’t have any real habits when it comes to writing, a habit being defined as a regular tendency or practice, but I have been known to pull over to the side of the road and pull out a notebook and write when inspiration strikes me.

When you’re not writing, do you read, and if so, what?  I read a lot of news and opinion sites. I occasionally will read for pleasure these days but it’s rare. Most of what I read would be considered research.

What are you trying to accomplish with/through your writing?  It depends on what I am writing about. If I am writing for fun I want to entertain.  If I am writing to make a point I am trying to sway people to see, and agree with, my view of things.

ADVICE TO OTHER WRITERS

What words of wisdom do you have for young writers?  Punctuation, grammar and spelling are your friends.  Learn them. Specifically idioms of language, such as phrases you may hear a lot, should be spelled out in your head and question what that saying means.  An example is “seize the day” as opposed to “cease the day”, the first one is correct, the second is not, and the difference in the words and their meaning is light years apart.  When you hear words spell them in your head. As people speak to you visualize the words. When you do this long enough it becomes second nature.  As a secondary note on this subject, synonyms and antonyms are exceedingly important.  In the end I would say get a dictionary and a thesaurus and read them both, several times all the way through.  A good writer loves words.

What advice do you have for someone looking to get published?  You have to decide what’s more important to you. The alleged credibility that comes with being traditionally published or the freewheeling world of self publishing.  I have found many traditionally published authors to be elitist, smug and condescending to the self published crowd, and sometimes with good reason.  There are many books that suffer from bad (or no) editing, horrid grammar, mangled punctuation and sometimes just a missing storyline.  Those books reflect badly on those of us who work hard to put out a quality product that people want to read.  If you can suffer the slings and arrows of the traditional publishing industry (whose funeral we will be attending in a few short years) go with self publishing. If you can’t submit your manuscript to everyone you can find, just be prepared to wall paper your house with rejection letters.

Any thoughts on what this author writes?  How many books published?  Here's a little more information about the author...

 

How many published books are to your credit?  3

Do you have an agent? Nope

Are you self-published? Proudly

How many different companies have you published with?  3?

How long have you been writing? Professionally? About 5 years.

Do you write full-time? If not, what is your other job? And how do you balance work/writing? I have several “jobs”, almost all of them depend on me to find the work, negotiate the contract and then make it happen.  I do storytelling at renaissance faires, mostly, and balancing work/writing is easy for me.

So, any thoughts?  Here's the full scoop:

In “The Wordsmith, Kender MacGowan’s” own words:  Born in SoCal, spent a couple of decades training race horses after dropping out of school, became a street actor and storyteller then a writer.  I spend most of my days working on curmudgeonly skills by being anti-social and yelling at people to stay off my lawn.

Kender’s poetry titles include:  Shattered Ashen Heart;  The Hunter and the Elf Queen; Watering the Tree, Thoughts on Liberty and Tyranny-poetry

All of Kender’s books (and where to buy them) can be found here: http://kendersmusings.blogspot.com/2011/11/where-to-buy-my-books.html

THE FUTURE

What are you working on now?  I have several stories in the process of being written, 3 books sitting in the editing folder and there’s always articles to write and sell. I’ve been spending time putting together next years stage show for my acting troupe, The Bawdy so that kind of takes away from a couple of minutes worth of sitting online and trolling facebook.

PARTING WORDS

Anything else about being a writer that you’d like to share?  I started writing when I saw a quote about being a writer because it’s easier than honest labor.  It’s not. If you’re going to write for public consumption you need an exceedingly thick skin, you need to be certain that what you’re writing is technically correct and, if you’re writing about factual things, such as current events and issues, that your facts are correct and you need to be prepared for the fact that you’re not going to reach everyone, you most likely won’t get rich and there’s always going to be someone who speaks badly of you and what you write.  Take their criticism with a grain of salt and an eye toward improving your writing.  And for the sake of all that may be holy learn your punctuation, spelling and grammar.  This cannot be stressed enough.

Where can people learn more about you?  I’m not sure I want people learning more about me beyond “This guy writes amazing poetry, you should buy his book.”

Is there anything else you'd like to know about this author, or any questions you'd like added to future interviews?  Let us know...drop us a comment below.

On Writing Author Interview: Jerilyn Marler

To avoid pre-conceived notions which can sometimes be connected with certain genres, the number of books published and/or an author's appearance, none of that information will be revealed until the bottom of the interview.   So pour a cup of coffee, have a seat, and check out this interview - see how much, or how little, you have in common with this published author.

ON WRITING:
What is your favorite part of being a writer?
The coffee breaks! I’m joking, of course, but I do think that the breaks (for coffee, or to do laundry, or to take a walk) help me find clarity because I stop throwing words at the screen and let them bounce around in my brain to make unexpected connections. I’m always looking for clarity. Finding clarity is what I love most about the process of writing. Whether I’m writing a blog, a book, or a speech, I start out convinced that I have nothing of value to share. During the writing process vague ideas and fleeting feelings take shape, gain substance. There’s usually a point at which I think, “Oh! That’s it!” And then I go get some coffee.

What is your least favorite part?
I intensely dislike the sense of dread that sometimes accompanies a looming deadline. What if the bouncing ideas never connect? What if I really don’t have anything of value to say? What if I run out of coffee?

Name one obstacle you’ve had to overcome.
When I started writing and editing professionally in 1979, I learned from stellar mentors and was given extraordinary opportunities to stretch and grow. With every employment transition I was swamped by insecurity because I don’t have a college degree. As my experience grew, the need for a degree became less of an issue. Now 30+ years later, it’s a non-issue. Especially in the early years, it took a lot of courage to apply for a job that listed a degree as a requirement and argue that my experience should be accepted in lieu of a degree. I see more willingness among employers now to substitute experience for a degree. They should.

Is there a specific part of your writing you’re working on to improve?
I tend to be highly analytical. I’m trying to loosen up and tap into creativity more often and more easily. I recently discovered that walking a labyrinth helps me let go of the analytical (after I count all the steps to the middle one time!) and open up to the creative. It soothes me physically and stimulates my thoughts.

What part of your writing makes you particularly proud?
I glow with happiness when I hear that my writing has provided comfort and inspiration. That is precisely my motivation, so to know that I’ve achieved it is the greatest reward.

What does your favorite main character have in common with you?
We’ve experienced deep, prolonged grief and come through it with resilience and joy intact.

Do you do a lot of research for your projects or do you only write about what you already know?
A blend.

How do you use the internet for your writing?
I stay in touch with the subject matter by participating in related forums and social networks. I research resources to share with my readers. I share my work through my website and blog. I do Google searches for the nearest Starbucks.

If you’ve won any awards for your writing, what impact do you think that has had? 
I’ve recently begun applying for book awards and am awaiting results. There’s a flurry of hope and excitement while I get a submission package ready, then I let it go. An award would be lovely, no question. I’m not holding my breath. I see the amazing work by other authors in my genre.

What one marketing tool have you had good success with?
Targeted Facebook ads have been effective for me.

What good writing habits have you developed that you think would be helpful to someone starting out?
I’ve been asked this question multiple times over the years. My response is: experiment to find what works for you and then stick with it! I can’t devote X hours every morning to writing, as some (many?) authors do. My brain doesn’t work that way. I can’t set up my laptop at a Starbucks and write for a couple hours as some people can, there are too many distractions. (I can sit and drink coffee for a couple hours, but that doesn’t get words on the page.) I really do believe that how we write is highly individual. I’m haphazard about when I write, but once I start, I’m laser focused and absorbed. It might be for half an hour. It might be for six hours.

Do you have any bad writing habits that you’d advise writers to avoid?
All those coffee breaks…. And my husband worries that when I’m in the writing zone and haven’t moved for six hours that I’m risking my health. Personally I think he’s just ready for us to go get some dinner.

Do you have any strange writing habits?
Wish I could say that I always chew on a pencil or insist on listening to Ricky Nelson music or write only when wearing my lucky sweatshirt. But alas, I haven’t any interesting quirks.

When you’re not writing, do you read, and if so, what?
I read voraciously. I’ve been on a non-fiction kick lately delving into human psychology. (I recommend: Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior; A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future; Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard; The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom.) I also love mysteries, the more romantic the better. I reread authors I think of as classic (Mary Stewart, Ngaio Marsh, Dorothy L. Sayers) and enjoy discovering new ones (Nancy Martin).

What are you trying to accomplish with/through your writing?
My passion is to provide comfort and inspiration to my readers who, bless them, often need it desperately.

ADVICE TO OTHER WRITERS
What words of wisdom do you have for young writers?
There is no substitute for doing. Read books that inspire you. Listen to experts. Don’t let anything get in the way of actually writing. You will not know your author voice until you explore and discover what rings true. You will not write well until you practice. A lot. A WHOLE lot. There’s no shortcut. No magic formula. Open your heart and mind and let it flow. I love this quote from Sharon O’Brien: “Writing became such a process of discovery that I couldn’t wait to get to work in the morning. I wanted to know what I was going to say.”

What advice do you have for someone looking to get published?
Once the book is published, you have a new, consuming role: marketing. Even if you are successful in securing a traditional publisher, you will have to be heavily engaged in marketing your work. The odds are against us. US publishers churn out almost 300,000 books a year. Want readers to find your work? You must go find your readers and then get their attention. Accept that fact. Take seminars about how to market today using social media. I highly recommend this book: Publishing and Marketing Realities for the Emerging Author. Read it and then get busy.

Any thoughts on what this author writes?  How many books published?  Here's a little more information about the author...
 
How many published books are to your credit?  5

Do you have an agent?  Nope.

Are you self-published?  Yes.

How many different companies have you published with?  2

How long have you been writing?   Since 1979.

Do you write full-time? If not, what is your other job? And how do you balance work/writing?
I am a full time writer/editor but I spend at least half of my time marketing because that’s what authors have to do in today’s market. My writing/editing includes authoring my own material and writing/editing contracts with clients.

So, any thoughts?  Here's the full scoop:

In author, editor and publisher Jerilyn Marler’s words:  After 30 years as a technical writer and editor, I switched gears completely in 2010 and am now focused on supporting young military children and their parents. I published my first children’s storybook, Lily Hates Goodbyes, in early 2011 and recently published Helping Your Young Child Cope with a Parent’s Deployment as a Kindle ebook. My 4-year-old granddaughter’s distress over her daddy’s deployment inspired the storybook. My childhood experience of boarding school in India with long separations from my parents heightened my empathy for Lily’s pain. The book helped her so much that I published it for all children who have to say goodbye for about a billion days. I launched my own publishing company, Quincy Companion Books, in August. QCB is an imprint of Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing.

Jerilyn’s titles include:  Lily Hates Goodbyes, children’s storybook for ages 2-7. 2011;  Helping Your Young Child Cope with a Parent’s Deployment, handbook (in ebook format) for military parents. 2011;  Power Shortcuts: WordPerfect 5.1; Power Shortcuts: WordPerfect for Windows. Technical books with learning disk. 1992; and Unlocking WordPerfect 6.0: Mastering Styles, Merges, Macros and Tables. Technical book with learning disk. 1993.

All of Jerilyn’s books are available through Amazon.com.

THE FUTURE
What are you working on now?
I’m just finishing the text of Lily Hates Moving and am preparing to turn it over to my illustrator. I’m also working on another ebook, this one for military couples with suggestions for keeping their relationship healthy during deployment separations.

PARTING WORDS
Anything else about being a writer that you’d like to share?
I’ve been fortunate to make a living as a writer and editor. I thoroughly enjoyed the technical world, but it wasn’t my passion. I’d always wanted, in a vague sort of way, to do something for children. It was life-changing to have that vague desire meld with my writing to result in a book that comforted my granddaughter and that other children love. One mom wrote recently that her daughter carries the book with her everywhere because she never knows when she’s going to be sad about her daddy being gone. That is supreme joy for me—the greatest satisfaction. Go after your passion; it’s worth fighting for. And when you find it, give it everything you’ve got.

Where can people learn more about you?

My professional website: http://jerilynmarler.com
Lily Hates Goodbyes website: http://lilyhatesgoodbyes.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jerilynmarler

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