Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Interview with Author Nick Jones


Hello everyone, it’s time to take an author interview and today we have Author Nick Jones with us. We are interviewing him for the book - "Sarah’s Shadow".

1. When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
 I can’t remember exactly, but I’ve loved the idea of writing children’s books for many
years, on and off. The desire intensified when my son was old enough to be read to.
I’d read him a picture book and find myself thinking ‘I could write something like this
if only I had an original idea for a story.’ Fortunately, I eventually thought of one!

2. How long does it take you to write a book?

 I’ve written three children’s books so far (only one has been published at this stage),
and each one took months to complete. In each instance I felt I had to get the story all
figured out in my head before I started writing it. This is the hardest part for me. Once
I’m happy with the plot, I start writing and it all tends to pour out of me pretty
quickly. The editing process takes time as well, of course. As a proofreader and editor
myself, I have a great network of editors so I run the stories past a few of them, too.

3. What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
 So far I’ve only written picture books, each one around 1,000 words. As a result, my
writing schedule is probably different to that of most authors. I try to get all the words
down in some form first, which takes a few hours, and then I spend weeks reading
over it and refining it.

4. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

 The only quirky thing about me is that I also write jokes. Before writing Sarah’s
Shadow I wrote a trilogy of joke books. Writing jokes is unlike other forms of writing
as the ideas just come to you out of the blue, so you have to jot them down quickly
before you forget them. I keep a spreadsheet of my jokes and use Evernote to keep a
record of any that come to me when I’m out and about.

5. Where do you get your information or ideas for this book?

 The idea for Sarah’s Shadow came to me when my son asked me to make up a
bedtime story for him one night. I think I subconsciously stole the idea of a shadow
operating independently from its owner from a Peter Pan book that I’d read to my son
a few weeks before.

6. What do you like to do when you're not writing?
 Watching football, playing football with my kids in the back garden, taking my son to
football training twice a week. Are you spotting a pattern here? ��

7. What does your family think of your writing?

 My son and daughter are very proud that their daddy is a children’s author! One of the
best things about publishing Sarah’s Shadow was getting to dedicate the book to
them. Nobody can ever take that away from them!

8. What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

 The most surprising thing to me was how much effort authors have to put into
marketing their book to make it a success. You have to be relentless as there is so
much competition out there now that self-publishing has been made so accessible.

9. How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?

 I’ve written three joke books and three kids’ picture books, but only one of the picture
books, Sarah’s Shadow, has been published so far. I’d say that Sarah’s Shadow is my
favourite, but that may change once the other books have been illustrated!

10. Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
 I’ve received tweets, photos and even a few videos from parents and their kids saying
that they love Sarah’s Shadow. It’s the best thing about being an author and I would
encourage anyone reading this to please be vocal in your support for your favourite
authors as it makes it all worthwhile!

11. What do you think makes a good story?
 Interesting characters and an original story are big factors for me. I think a lot of
children’s picture books are pretty generic, probably because publishers like to play
safe. I also love a big plot twist!

12. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

 I was pretty good at drawing when I was a kid, so for a long time I wanted to be an
artist. However, I lost interest in art at secondary school because I was no longer the
best at drawing! So, I then wanted to be a writer for a while. Now I wish I’d pursued a
degree in art, as I could save a small fortune in illustration costs for my books now! 


Nick Jones

Managing Director

 Email: nick@full-media.co.uk

Web: full-media.co.uk

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

Interview with Author Hilary Smith


Hello everyone, it’s time to take an author interview and today we have Author Hilary Smith with us. We are interviewing her for the book - "Saving Lucy".

Q What inspired you for this book?


A. That’s a great question. Growing up I suffered from depression. I didn’t have anyone to talk to about it in large part because my parents weren’t informed on what it was or how to help me cope with it. I grew up feeling ashamed of it. One day out of the blue a stranger said: I see you, you are important. You do have a purpose. Of course, it wasn’t immediate, but I realized I’m the best person to tell this story.



Q. What was the hardest part of creating this book?

A. The hardest part was being honest. I wanted Lucy to be loveable, and she is,but I wanted her to be clean. I didn’t want her to make so many mistake. I guess I wanted to save her pain.



Q. What do you hope people gain from reading it

A. I hope people who read this story will see that it’s okay to make mistakes. Their mistakes do not define them, and it’s an opportunity to grow.



Q. What are your ‘secret powers’ and some you wish you had?

A. I only have one, I can discern truth. I wish I had adaptability. Well… all people have at some degree. I wish I had more of it.



Q. How you become a published author? Any inspiration?

A. Yes. Promote before releasing the book. It’s makes the whole process smoother.



Q. Did you get any ideas for your books from your own dreams?

A. There are bits and pieces of me in this book and the rest of the series. As aauthor, I do my best not let my own desires guide the story.



Q.  Why should we buy your book?

A.You should buy my book because we all need support and encouragement. No matter what form it comes in. It’s comforting to know that we are not alone in our pain. There is someone who can not only relate,but he/she knows exactly how we feel.

Click HERE to visit the Amazon page



Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Interview with Author Kristin Anderson Cetone


Q What inspired you for this book?
A.Inspiration came from my deep buckeye roots in the Buckeye State of Ohio along with something my father used to ask.  He would often ask, “do you know what a buckeye is?”  To indulge, we would always answer, “No, Dad, what is a buckeye?”  His response was always, “It’s a worthless nut.”  Such is the premise for Buckaroo’s life journey of self-discovery to find his special place in the world, despite the bumps and bullies and setbacks along the way.  Many members of my buckeye family tree were inspirational, all of whom found their special place in the world.


Q. What was the hardest part of creating this book?
A. Believing in myself tosit down and put pen to paper and put words to the story in my head.


Q. What do you hope people gain from reading it
A. Success comes from a tiny ‘seed’ within each of us.  This tiny seed contains our hopes and dreams and interests and passions.  When we receive encouragement and nourishment from family, culture, education, and life experiences, the seed will sprout and grow mighty, to rise above the bumps and bullies and setbacks along the way.  Reading is a key vehicle for our life journeys of self-discovery.


Q. What are your ‘secret powers’ and some you wish you had?
A. I have always maintained the ‘kid’ in me.  Kids relate to me and I so enjoy spending time with them, especially struggling readers.  My desire is to guide kids and parents to their child’s reading success and to find the Buckaroo Buckeye in themselves. Happy Trails!


Q. How you become a published author? Any inspiration?
A.I am a self-published author.  This path is not for everyone.  It is not without its perils and expenses.  I needed to maintain control over MY story and the illustrations I envisioned.  I guess you can say I am a ‘control freak.’  Even as a self-published author, you must let others in and accept constructive criticism.  This helped me immeasurably while developing the characters and story. I was able also to corroborate with the illustrator as they brought visuals to my words.  Children love picture books with bold and exciting pictures that bring the words to life.


Q. Did you get any ideas for your books from your own dreams?
A. Dream…Believe…Achieve has always been my guiding star.


Q.  Why should we buy your book?
A.Buckaroo Buckeye offers kids and parents a cute and totally unique character, in a read aloud picture book story with an encouraging and inspirational message.  Join Buckaroo on his life journey of self-discovery.  Yippee! Your child’s journey to reading success begins with parents, grandparents, and other family members reading aloud to children, starting at birth!
 

Click HERE to visit the Amazon page  

 

Saturday, January 27, 2018

Interview with Author Sheri Poe-Pape


Hello everyone, it’s time to take an author interview and today we have Author Sheri Poe-Pape with us. We are interviewing her for the book - "Cassie Pup Takes the Cake??".

1.     When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?  
Ø  About 33 years ago, but I put it on hold to get married.  Started about ten years ago writing children’s stories.  Went to college and beyond in coursework from other children’s literature educational institutions to learn to be a better writer.
 
2.     How long does it take you to write a book?
Ø  About a month.
3.     What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
Ø  I run and teach from my own music school six days a week.  I write each day before I start teaching.
4.     What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Ø  I have to write from my recliner in the family room.  Most inspiring.
5.     Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
Ø  My first two books and the remaining sequels are inspired from my own white miniature schnauzer.  I have many other books that are inspired by children and my childhood.
6.     What do you like to do when you're not writing?
Ø  Collecting childhood fairy tale books I loved.
7.     What does your family think of your writing?
Ø  My sons support me totally.
8.     What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
Ø  How far one can be creative to come up with the finished products.  Also being your own publisher makes you feel like you earned a master’s in publishing!
9.     How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?
Ø  Two.  Both are my favorites so far.
10.  Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
Ø   Yes. Both parents and grandparents say that their children/grandchildren love to read the stories over and over.
11.  What do you think makes a good story?
Ø  Pulling the reader into the story and the action of the story.  It can hold its own without even illustrations.
12.   As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
Ø  A teacher, but looking back, I used to write and illustrate my own stories a lot so I should have paid attention to this as a child more.


Click HERE to visit the Amazon page