...Just a short post today to share my excitement!
My publisher mailed me a box of books today. I am SOOOOO EXCITED. Can't wait to see the real thing. I have been doing a lot of marketing along with my publisher for the big release date. It was to be October, but was pushed to November.
Meanwhile we are setting up book tours with indie stores, chains, and libraries, and I have been designing a bookmark and other promotional materials.
Now back to designing a poster and then working on the sequel.
Speaking of which, I have had a problem with voice for a couple of five-year-olds in the sequel and my good friend and fellow writer, Patricia Puddle in Australia, who writes children's books is helping me catch the voice. So glad to have her help.
Meanwhile, to all of you waiting for the book release, won't be long. And for all you writer's out there -
Keep on keeping on writing.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
...THE IMPOSTER SYNDROME
Did you know that 70% of all people have suffered at least once from the Imposter Syndrome?
Today, I'm choosing to write about the imposter syndrome because the majority of us suffer with what I call this "condition", with mild to extreme reactions that can affect our daily living. It is a very common phenomenon. We are not alone and yes, I have suffered with this syndrome too.
The following is one description of the Imposter Syndrome.
The following is one description of the Imposter Syndrome.
Despite external evidence of their competence, those with the syndrome remain convinced that they are frauds and do not deserve the success they have achieved. Proof of success is dismissed as luck, timing, or as a result of deceiving others into thinking they are more intelligent and competent than they believe themselves to be.
I once read an article on a local news anchor who suffered for years believing she was an imposter. Here was an educated, competent young woman fully qualified for the position; yet, she feared she would be "found out" and people would see she wasn't as intelligent as they believed her to be. Jody Foster admitted in an interview that when she won an Oscar, she felt like an imposter who had "lucked out". She felt "they" would find out and knock on her door and tell her they made a mistake. A very talented actor, and one of my favorites, I was confused by this admission at the time.
But I was soon to recognize this condition in myself when writing a blog post about my book, "Winter's Captive". It was difficult for me to write about the abuse of my first marriage because I felt like a fraud. My abuse had been mainly mental, with only a little amount of physical abuse. So many women suffered so much more physically than I had. How crazy is that? Abuse is abuse, regardless of its form, or how much more or little one form is over the other.
Then, a publisher knocked on my door and handed me a publishing contract. That old syndrome really knocked me aback. I mean, who was I to think I could fool people into thinking I was a writer? After all, I didn't have any formal education or writing degrees. Nor had I lived the life of the long-suffering, struggling writer. After much soul-searching I accepted the words of one editor who said I was a natural writer and that my education came from life and those who have passed through it.
Georgia Charles is the main character in "Winter's Captive". As her character developed, I recognized that she too suffered from the imposter syndrome as a wife and as a woman. She overcame her insecurities and became empowered. With the editing and re-editing of this heroine, she became my healer and my hope is that my readers will relate to Georgia and draw from her confidence and strength.
Here is the final paragraph of the description above for the Imposter Syndrome:
The impostor syndrome, in which competent people find it impossible to believe in their own competence, can be viewed as complementary to the Dunning–Kruger effect, in which incompetent people find it impossible to believe in their own incompetence.
Hmm...I think I would rather have to deal with the Imposter Syndrome than the Dunning-Kruger effect. I would rather be humble than believe I'm something I'm not.
There's nothing stranger than people! Aren't we though?
Thursday, July 7, 2011
"BLENDED", THE SEQUEL - To Prologue or Not To Prologue Revisited
The great prologue debate....
I have revisited this post and revamped it after more research and added my final decision towards the bottom of this post. Enjoy!
So finally, the muse is back and I'm working on the sequel to Winter's Captive, tentatively called Blended.
The first dilema I came across was, do I write a prologue or not. There are so many sites on line discussing this subject and none of them agree. I did a lot of on line research on this subject and this is what I found.
Here is the "DON'T use a prologue" reasons list:
1. Can be boring to the reader and lead them away from the actual story if not done right.
2. Decide if it is really necessary, can you fit it into Chapter 1?
3. Newbies use them because they don't know how to backstory in Chapter 1 with set-up information.
4. More than five pages is too long, write a chapter.
5. Under five pages is too short, not necessary.
6. Agents hate them.
Here's the "YES, use a prologue" reasons list.
1. Too much backstory in Chapter 1 is boring and takes the reader away from the actual story, use a prologue.
2. If the timeline is earlier than Chapter 1, use a prologue.
3. If you need to move into the sequel, referencing some details from the first book, use a prologue because
the sequel should stand alone without repeating too much information from the first book.
This was all very confusing to me and in the end I decided to use a prologue because the timeline is later than the original story but earlier than the beginning of the sequel. After much debate with myself, I decided a prologue was necessary to set up the start of the sequel without conflicting timelines and too much backstory in Chapter 1, which could bog down the story and bore the reader.
Once I decided on using a prologue, I engaged in more on line research on how to write a prologue and became even more confused.
Here is some of what I found:
1. A prologue should not be more than one and half pages.
2. A prologue should be at least five pages or it is too short and redundant.
3. A prologue can be as long as you need it to be to do its job.
4. Just call it "Prologue".
5. Don't call it anything.
6. You can give it a name if you wish.
7. Length and to name or not to name is up to the author (and ultimately, the agent or publisher).
What did I do?
I opted to use a prologue but didn't call it anything. I don't really like the sound of the word "prologue" and I think it was more dramatic to start the piece right at the first sentence and italicize the whole thing.
My prologue is eight and half pages long, what I felt it took to set up my storyline for the sequel.
Then I decided to go straight to the readers and see what they think of prologues. Okay, so most hate them, most skip over them. Sometimes if the book grabs hold of them, they will go back and read it. Most like them short. I thought eight pages was short, but some think that is long. My husband just started a new book with a prologue that is one and half pages. He loved it. Short, sweet, and to the point. I can't see my prologue edited down to two pages. There is too much going on there. So...
Alright, so I have rethought my position and decided to scrap the prologue and start the sequel at Chapter 1 at a later date than the original book. Perhaps the prologue will be rewritten into another chapter further on in a different light. Perhaps it will be scrapped altogether and will become an exercise in writing.
I'm happy with the outcome but I must say, this writing business is exhausting. But now that I have solved my dilema of to prologue or not to prologue I can get on with the sequel.
What did I learn most from all of this? It keeps coming back to the same old thing - you are the author, do what feels right for the story and what you are happy with. If that means breaking "the rules", go ahead and break them. Feels good.
Now its your turn. Do you like prologues or not? Would you use one? What about backstory in a chapter? What do you think the ideal length of a prologue should be?
Have a great writing week and keep on keeping on writing.
I have revisited this post and revamped it after more research and added my final decision towards the bottom of this post. Enjoy!
So finally, the muse is back and I'm working on the sequel to Winter's Captive, tentatively called Blended.
The first dilema I came across was, do I write a prologue or not. There are so many sites on line discussing this subject and none of them agree. I did a lot of on line research on this subject and this is what I found.
Here is the "DON'T use a prologue" reasons list:
1. Can be boring to the reader and lead them away from the actual story if not done right.
2. Decide if it is really necessary, can you fit it into Chapter 1?
3. Newbies use them because they don't know how to backstory in Chapter 1 with set-up information.
4. More than five pages is too long, write a chapter.
5. Under five pages is too short, not necessary.
6. Agents hate them.
Here's the "YES, use a prologue" reasons list.
1. Too much backstory in Chapter 1 is boring and takes the reader away from the actual story, use a prologue.
2. If the timeline is earlier than Chapter 1, use a prologue.
3. If you need to move into the sequel, referencing some details from the first book, use a prologue because
the sequel should stand alone without repeating too much information from the first book.
This was all very confusing to me and in the end I decided to use a prologue because the timeline is later than the original story but earlier than the beginning of the sequel. After much debate with myself, I decided a prologue was necessary to set up the start of the sequel without conflicting timelines and too much backstory in Chapter 1, which could bog down the story and bore the reader.
Once I decided on using a prologue, I engaged in more on line research on how to write a prologue and became even more confused.
Here is some of what I found:
1. A prologue should not be more than one and half pages.
2. A prologue should be at least five pages or it is too short and redundant.
3. A prologue can be as long as you need it to be to do its job.
4. Just call it "Prologue".
5. Don't call it anything.
6. You can give it a name if you wish.
7. Length and to name or not to name is up to the author (and ultimately, the agent or publisher).
What did I do?
I opted to use a prologue but didn't call it anything. I don't really like the sound of the word "prologue" and I think it was more dramatic to start the piece right at the first sentence and italicize the whole thing.
My prologue is eight and half pages long, what I felt it took to set up my storyline for the sequel.
Then I decided to go straight to the readers and see what they think of prologues. Okay, so most hate them, most skip over them. Sometimes if the book grabs hold of them, they will go back and read it. Most like them short. I thought eight pages was short, but some think that is long. My husband just started a new book with a prologue that is one and half pages. He loved it. Short, sweet, and to the point. I can't see my prologue edited down to two pages. There is too much going on there. So...
Alright, so I have rethought my position and decided to scrap the prologue and start the sequel at Chapter 1 at a later date than the original book. Perhaps the prologue will be rewritten into another chapter further on in a different light. Perhaps it will be scrapped altogether and will become an exercise in writing.
I'm happy with the outcome but I must say, this writing business is exhausting. But now that I have solved my dilema of to prologue or not to prologue I can get on with the sequel.
What did I learn most from all of this? It keeps coming back to the same old thing - you are the author, do what feels right for the story and what you are happy with. If that means breaking "the rules", go ahead and break them. Feels good.
Now its your turn. Do you like prologues or not? Would you use one? What about backstory in a chapter? What do you think the ideal length of a prologue should be?
Have a great writing week and keep on keeping on writing.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
WINTER'S CAPTIVE - FINAL PROOF EDITS
Finally...my final proof arrived and it took me a week to proof it and get it back to my editor. I can't believe it is all done. Any mistakes I missed are there forever now LOL. I, also, received my media release and fact sheet for proofing, and my final cover. So exciting. That part is all behind me.
Now, the marketing begins. And, I have been listed on Barnes and Nobel, for pre-orders with an October 15, 2011 release date. So cool!
So much to share this post. I had my first web-based interview. I will copy/paste below so you can read it and get to know me a little better.
I have been getting lots of hits on my blogsite lately so I know you are out there. Please leave a comment or if you have a blogsite leave me a link so I can join you out there.
Here's the interview...
Interview with June Bourgo, June 27, 2011
Here is the wonderful June Bourgo and her wonderful book Winter's Captive that is due out in October this year.
Hi June, welcome to the Adventures of Molly Mavis Gumnut Blog.
Thanks so much for having me, Trish.
First of all, tell us a little about yourself.
First, I was born and raised in Montreal. I moved west in my late teens. I love BC. Victoria and Vancouver are beautiful cities. I can enjoy the sophistication of the big city and live in the raw beauty of nature not too far away.
That sounds wonderful, and perfect for an author. Where do you write, June? Do you have an office? Or do you sit in your garden?
I have an office to write in, but I like to sit by our trout stream and write. I usually carry paper and pen with me wherever I go, because sometimes I see interactions with people that inspire me to write and I don't want to forget what I saw.
That's like me, I always carry a pen and notebook wherever I go. You never know what might inspire you and it's so easy to forget things. Now, tell us how long you’ve been writing, June.
I always enjoyed writing as a child. I was an average student because I was a lazy student. I did what I needed to, to get through the course. But I always exceled in English and got top marks.
That's great. Have you always wanted to be a writer?
As a teenager, I was very shy and definitely a dreamer. Secretly I wanted to write, be a rock star, and be a stewardess so I could travel the world. I grew up in a loving and protective family but the support to have a career really wasn't there. As a female, I was encouraged to take typing so I could work as a secretary until I met a man and became a wife and mother. The fifties dream LOL.
Yes. I can relate to that. Not all parents see the artistic side of their child. I look for it in my grandchildren and can already see that one is a potential author. He has a great imagination and is great at drawing.
Do you remember your first writing attempts, June?
I do. I remember writing about being a snowman when I was nine and walking down the street and melting away in the hot spring sun LOL. I got an A for that. Then, as a teenager, I tried to write the great Canadian novel about a girl in Quebec in the days of the French Voyageurs (fur trappers). Like I knew all about that! That was my first lesson in writing about what you know. Haha.
That's funny, June. I remember my first story. It was about a miniature person that lived in my pocket. I named her Inchy and she was a right trouble causer. LOL.
What genre do you write the most?
Fiction - women's stories, all about empowerment.
What other genres have you written in, or would like to pursue?
Well, at the moment, my passion lies with women's stories. I love getting into the psyche and I'm very character driven as opposed to plot driven. I enjoy creating plots, but they are there to serve my characters only.
What is the main theme of your latest book? And what inspired it?
Again...empowerment. That shy protected teenager, along with being a dreamer, was extremely niave. I married the wrong person for all the wrong reasons. He was an abusive alcoholic. It took me nine years to finally get the courage to get myself and my son out of that destructive relationship. My first novel, Winter's Captive, is based on the lessons I learned and the growth I gained from that time of my life. It is a fictitious story about a pregnant women who is abandoned by her cheating husband and she escapes kidnappers in the Canadian north. She spends the winter lost and alone in a remote cabin, experiences childbirth solo, and reflects on her life while trying to survive a harsh winter. The book was a healing process for me and my therapy.
That was very brave of you to do. Many women never have the courage to do that as they fear the reprisals, and quite right in some cases. You're also very brave to talk publicly about it too. Good for you, June.
What goals do you set out to achieve when you start writing a new story?
Wow, that's a tough question! I don't write outlines. I loosely write down the main characters name and list all the things I see happening to that character before my preconceived ending. I, also, don't write in any particular order. I know a beginning and an end. I write where the muse takes me knowing only that that piece will be near the end, or in the middle somewhere, etc. I just follow the muse of the moment and sooner or later all the pieces fit together. It is the only way I can do it. To start at chapter 1, go to 2, then 3, etc. sounds so restrictive to me and boring LOL. So after all this rambling, my only goal is to write, no rhyme or reason to it.
Are you a fast or a slow writer?
By some peoples achievements, slow. My first novel took nine years. Well, actually two and a half years. The rest of those years, life got in the way. But the past year I completely rewrote it and found a publisher after three tries.
How long does it take you to write a book
I guess I answered that above partly. I expect my current novel to take me a year. If I could retire full-time, probably six months.
How do you cope with the friends and family that don’t support your writing or believe in your writing?
Generally, if we don't support something a family member is doing, we keep our mouths shut, unless it is somethng destructive. But the rest of us will talk to each other about it. A typical family LOL. I can be a private person and some of my friends didn't even know I write.
That's sensible. I make the mistake of telling everyone I'm an author, leaving myself wide opene for critisism, sometimes, but not always.
What is your next project, June?
A sequel to "Winter's Captive". My main character has more to say and more to share about herself with the world.
Great. Do you ever base physical appearance of your characters on people you know, portraits or actors?
Good question. Portraits or actors - no. Physical appearance somewhat, but I do draw more from personality traits and character of people I know. I use names of my grandchildren for secondary characters that may only appear in the story on one or two pages where we don't need to know anythng about that character. I don't use names of people I know for main characters because first, I can't disassociate their name from their personalities and that gets in the way of the character's development. And secondly, I don't want anyone I know to think a character is based on them, especially if the character's role in the story is a bad one LOL.
I know what you mean. For my characters, I merge a few people I know together, then they can't recognise themselves. LOL.
Introduce the main character from your latest book. Who are they? Let them speak for themselves. What would they like to say?
My name is Georgia Charles. The most important thing I can tell you is to get to know yourself. Don't define yourself by what you do or who you are with. Be your own person. And if life hands you lemons, make lemonade. It's up to you to decide how much sweetness to add to the lemons, no one else. Live for today.
Fantastic, June. Thank you so much for answering all the questions. That was very entertaining.
I enjoyed it too, Trish, and thanks for inviting me to your blog.
June's book, Winter's Captive will be published in October 2011 by Asteroid Publishing Inc, Toronto.
You can follow June at:
http://losingcinderella.blogspot.com/
http://www.junebourgoauthor.com/
Have a great writing week all and keep on keeping on writing!
Now, the marketing begins. And, I have been listed on Barnes and Nobel, for pre-orders with an October 15, 2011 release date. So cool!
So much to share this post. I had my first web-based interview. I will copy/paste below so you can read it and get to know me a little better.
I have been getting lots of hits on my blogsite lately so I know you are out there. Please leave a comment or if you have a blogsite leave me a link so I can join you out there.
Here's the interview...
Interview with June Bourgo, June 27, 2011
Here is the wonderful June Bourgo and her wonderful book Winter's Captive that is due out in October this year.
Hi June, welcome to the Adventures of Molly Mavis Gumnut Blog.
Thanks so much for having me, Trish.
First of all, tell us a little about yourself.
First, I was born and raised in Montreal. I moved west in my late teens. I love BC. Victoria and Vancouver are beautiful cities. I can enjoy the sophistication of the big city and live in the raw beauty of nature not too far away.
That sounds wonderful, and perfect for an author. Where do you write, June? Do you have an office? Or do you sit in your garden?
I have an office to write in, but I like to sit by our trout stream and write. I usually carry paper and pen with me wherever I go, because sometimes I see interactions with people that inspire me to write and I don't want to forget what I saw.
That's like me, I always carry a pen and notebook wherever I go. You never know what might inspire you and it's so easy to forget things. Now, tell us how long you’ve been writing, June.
I always enjoyed writing as a child. I was an average student because I was a lazy student. I did what I needed to, to get through the course. But I always exceled in English and got top marks.
That's great. Have you always wanted to be a writer?
As a teenager, I was very shy and definitely a dreamer. Secretly I wanted to write, be a rock star, and be a stewardess so I could travel the world. I grew up in a loving and protective family but the support to have a career really wasn't there. As a female, I was encouraged to take typing so I could work as a secretary until I met a man and became a wife and mother. The fifties dream LOL.
Yes. I can relate to that. Not all parents see the artistic side of their child. I look for it in my grandchildren and can already see that one is a potential author. He has a great imagination and is great at drawing.
Do you remember your first writing attempts, June?
I do. I remember writing about being a snowman when I was nine and walking down the street and melting away in the hot spring sun LOL. I got an A for that. Then, as a teenager, I tried to write the great Canadian novel about a girl in Quebec in the days of the French Voyageurs (fur trappers). Like I knew all about that! That was my first lesson in writing about what you know. Haha.
That's funny, June. I remember my first story. It was about a miniature person that lived in my pocket. I named her Inchy and she was a right trouble causer. LOL.
What genre do you write the most?
Fiction - women's stories, all about empowerment.
What other genres have you written in, or would like to pursue?
Well, at the moment, my passion lies with women's stories. I love getting into the psyche and I'm very character driven as opposed to plot driven. I enjoy creating plots, but they are there to serve my characters only.
What is the main theme of your latest book? And what inspired it?
Again...empowerment. That shy protected teenager, along with being a dreamer, was extremely niave. I married the wrong person for all the wrong reasons. He was an abusive alcoholic. It took me nine years to finally get the courage to get myself and my son out of that destructive relationship. My first novel, Winter's Captive, is based on the lessons I learned and the growth I gained from that time of my life. It is a fictitious story about a pregnant women who is abandoned by her cheating husband and she escapes kidnappers in the Canadian north. She spends the winter lost and alone in a remote cabin, experiences childbirth solo, and reflects on her life while trying to survive a harsh winter. The book was a healing process for me and my therapy.
That was very brave of you to do. Many women never have the courage to do that as they fear the reprisals, and quite right in some cases. You're also very brave to talk publicly about it too. Good for you, June.
What goals do you set out to achieve when you start writing a new story?
Wow, that's a tough question! I don't write outlines. I loosely write down the main characters name and list all the things I see happening to that character before my preconceived ending. I, also, don't write in any particular order. I know a beginning and an end. I write where the muse takes me knowing only that that piece will be near the end, or in the middle somewhere, etc. I just follow the muse of the moment and sooner or later all the pieces fit together. It is the only way I can do it. To start at chapter 1, go to 2, then 3, etc. sounds so restrictive to me and boring LOL. So after all this rambling, my only goal is to write, no rhyme or reason to it.
Are you a fast or a slow writer?
By some peoples achievements, slow. My first novel took nine years. Well, actually two and a half years. The rest of those years, life got in the way. But the past year I completely rewrote it and found a publisher after three tries.
How long does it take you to write a book
I guess I answered that above partly. I expect my current novel to take me a year. If I could retire full-time, probably six months.
How do you cope with the friends and family that don’t support your writing or believe in your writing?
Generally, if we don't support something a family member is doing, we keep our mouths shut, unless it is somethng destructive. But the rest of us will talk to each other about it. A typical family LOL. I can be a private person and some of my friends didn't even know I write.
That's sensible. I make the mistake of telling everyone I'm an author, leaving myself wide opene for critisism, sometimes, but not always.
What is your next project, June?
A sequel to "Winter's Captive". My main character has more to say and more to share about herself with the world.
Great. Do you ever base physical appearance of your characters on people you know, portraits or actors?
Good question. Portraits or actors - no. Physical appearance somewhat, but I do draw more from personality traits and character of people I know. I use names of my grandchildren for secondary characters that may only appear in the story on one or two pages where we don't need to know anythng about that character. I don't use names of people I know for main characters because first, I can't disassociate their name from their personalities and that gets in the way of the character's development. And secondly, I don't want anyone I know to think a character is based on them, especially if the character's role in the story is a bad one LOL.
I know what you mean. For my characters, I merge a few people I know together, then they can't recognise themselves. LOL.
Introduce the main character from your latest book. Who are they? Let them speak for themselves. What would they like to say?
My name is Georgia Charles. The most important thing I can tell you is to get to know yourself. Don't define yourself by what you do or who you are with. Be your own person. And if life hands you lemons, make lemonade. It's up to you to decide how much sweetness to add to the lemons, no one else. Live for today.
Fantastic, June. Thank you so much for answering all the questions. That was very entertaining.
I enjoyed it too, Trish, and thanks for inviting me to your blog.
June's book, Winter's Captive will be published in October 2011 by Asteroid Publishing Inc, Toronto.
You can follow June at:
http://losingcinderella.blogspot.com/
http://www.junebourgoauthor.com/
Have a great writing week all and keep on keeping on writing!
Friday, June 24, 2011
...AN INTERVIEW WITH FELLOW AUTHOR, PATRICIA PUDDLE
Finally..the interview I promised you all with a fellow author. I met Patricia Puddle through our on line Critique Circle group. We are fellow critters. I love this lady. She not only is an accomplished writer but a very funny lady. Her life hasn't always been easy, but humour has carried her through.
The characters in her books hit a chord with children who enjoy these naughty, mischievous kids who just as they're about to cross that invisible behaviour line that would make parents uncomfortable, something dramatic and so hilarious happens that it pulls them back to their senses and leaves the reader in stitches. Children relate to their antics and gut laugh at their disasters. I bought my granddaughter "Star Crossed Rascals" and she loves it. I took her on Patricia's website and she chose "Molly Gumnut Rescues A Bandicoot" as her birthday present. She is reading it as I write this.
Here is the interview with Children’s Book Author Patricia Puddle. Sit back and enjoy!
Hi Patricia, welcome to my blog.
Hi, June, thank you so much for inviting me to your blog.
Before we get into your writing, tell us a little about yourself, education, etc. and how you came to be a writer.
I always wanted to write children’s stories, but I didn’t have a very good education. I was a slow learner due to missing school at the ages of six and seven. I contracted measles and spent a month in hospital, then a year later I had trouble eating and began spitting my food onto my plate, much to the horror of my parents. They didn’t realise at first that I had swollen tonsils and thought I was just a fussy eater. Of course, eventually I kept getting tonsillitis and had to have my tonsils out. I was off school for quite a while, and when I did go back to school, my tonsils began to grow back again and I had to have another operation. I ended up missing an important part of my schooling and the teacher I had at the time didn’t help me to catch up. So I became the class clown and ended up spending most of my school days sitting outside the principal’s office.
Haha (me laughing). You sound a lot like your characters, Molly and Polly.
You’re right. I’ve added all my memories to my children's stories and hopefully make them funny enough for reluctant readers. I left school at the age of fourteen and had no experience with anything except being a clown and making other children laugh, but I did manage to get a job in Sydney Australia with a typewriter company. My boss sent a typewriter to my home for me to learn how to type and that’s when I began writing my stories.
Cool boss!
Definitely. Of course I couldn’t spell and I had no idea where commas went so I filed them away. I worked until I married at the age of seventeen, had two children by the age of eighteen, then went back to work as soon as they were in school.
It wasn’t until I was fifty-three that I learned how to write properly. I joined online critique groups and websites for writers and studied hundreds of children’s books. Five years later, here I am with three published children’s books, all are series, all in paperbacks and also eBooks.
That’s a pretty amazing story and impressive. A self-taught author. Now tell us, self publishing or traditional?
Self publishing. I tried the Publisher/Agent way, but got nowhere. Although I sent the first book to agents and publishers, after three years of rejections, I decided to self publish.There aren't many Australian publishers that were taking on new authors in these hard times, also overseas publishers probably didn’t want to take on authors that couldn’t go to book signings in their country. Not sure really, but I never sent my best work to many publishers, only to three, and when they rejected me, I decided to self publish.
So tell us about your experience in the self publishing world.
I’m so glad I did because my books are just starting to take off and I’m already getting five-star reviews. I’ve also sold many books to pensioners at my mother’s retirement village as her pals love my stories and are waiting for my next book. I’m selling on Amazon and CreateSpace. As well as selling directly to people in Australia in coffee lounges, community centres, art shops, gift shops and even to people I chat to. I’ve sold many this way as I always carry copies of my books with me.
Wow, not only a writer, but a saleswoman. Some writer’s are scared to death of the marketing side. How many books have you written?
I’ve published three books, but I’ve written many more stories. Trouble is, they all need editing before I publish. Most are sequels to my three published books.
What is the first thing you can remember writing?
That’s easy. It was Star-Crossed Rascals, which is my childhood diary turned into a fictitious chapter book for reluctant readers. I’m writing the sequel at the moment called Return of The Grotty Rascals. (Though I might change the title.)
Great name. I like it. When did you decide to become a writer?
I was born in England and the first time I told a funny story, I made other kids laugh. I became addicted as I was considered to be scatty and one teacher named me Wishy-Washy and mostly used that name when talking to me. I was about seven at that time and I loved to read, so I decided I would write funny books, but first I had to learn how to write properly.
I think I know the answer to this but why children’s books?
I don’t really know, but I think back to how I was at school, not knowing how to write, but knowing how to read. I guess maybe I’m still stuck there - in my childhood memories, plus there’s nothing better than hearing the laughter of children.
Do you write an outline? Do you start at Chapter 1 go to 2, then 3 etc in order or follow wherever your muse takes you?
No, I never write outlines or anything. I just sit down and write and the story unfolds. I amuse myself along the way as I never know what I’m going to type next. I let the characters take me wherever they want. I try to imagine what that character would do in that situation, and then take the route that I think a child that age would take. To do that, I have to put myself inside the head of that character, which is easy for me as they are all part of me. Hahaha. My ideas come from my experiences as a child, and as an adult all merged together. Tee hee. I’m a child that never grew up.
Hmm…that probably applies to all us writers . Do you like researching?
Yes, I love that, but don’t have to do too much as my stories are from experience. Though I do check that factual things are correct. For example, if I’m writing about native animals, I have to get that right as children are reading and learning. I use my experience with animals I’ve cared for, but if I’m unsure about something, I research or contact my supervisor at the wildlife rescue I volunteer with, also with other experienced members.
What’s next for you?
Oh, well, I’m so overwhelmed with it all as I have a dozen stories started. Now, I have to work out which one to work on first.
Marketing – what is the most important thing to know about marketing your books.
Marketing is so important and you have to do it every day. I use my blog, my website, Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, writing forums, and most importantly, use the community on Amazon and Smashwords, as well as emails. I’m thinking of having a newsletter too, so I can send out updates to all addresses on my emails.
I’ve been lucky enough to have an old childhood classmate see me on a website, contact me and offer to host a new website. I’m so happy with it too. He’s done a wonderful job. Then another lucky thing happened to me.
Tell us about it.
A local DJ offered to advertise my work on a local radio station and send listeners to my websites as well as the coffee shop where my books are for sale. How lucky can an author be?
It sounds like through your friends and social media you have a lot of support. What about family support? How do handle the naysayers?
Hahahahaha. I have been walking around for the past seven years, telling all my family and friends that I’m an author. Many laughed as they knew I couldn’t spell or write, but I kept it up. I would probably have annoyed some of them as I kept saying , “I’m a skinny, best-selling author.” Well, I’m not skinny yet, but I’m an author of children’s books because my website name is Patricia Puddle Children’s Books Author. I’ve got five-star reviews, but have only been published for a short while, so I’m on my way to the best-sellers list.
I’ve always believed that if we say something every day that we can make it happen. So to make it happen, I now I say this every day, “I’m a best-selling author of children’s books!” (And if there are any publishers out there that are interested, I’m open for a reasonable retainer. LOL )
Trish, you’re truly an inspiration and I’ve enjoyed interviewing you. You’re as funny as your characters. I wish you every success with your book writing and your sales. Thank you for coming.
Thank you and thanks for having me.
*********************************************************************************
Patricia Puddle's comedic timing is right on. Just as she uses humour in her own life, her characters follow suit. Her books are well represented by this very talented writer who not only entertains children, but adults alike.
To buy Patricia’s books visit her website or blog.
Here is her website and blog address:
website: http://childrens-books-author-p-puddle.com/
Blog: http://trish-mollygumnut.blogspot.com/
Have a great writing week and keep on keeping on writing!
The characters in her books hit a chord with children who enjoy these naughty, mischievous kids who just as they're about to cross that invisible behaviour line that would make parents uncomfortable, something dramatic and so hilarious happens that it pulls them back to their senses and leaves the reader in stitches. Children relate to their antics and gut laugh at their disasters. I bought my granddaughter "Star Crossed Rascals" and she loves it. I took her on Patricia's website and she chose "Molly Gumnut Rescues A Bandicoot" as her birthday present. She is reading it as I write this.
Here is the interview with Children’s Book Author Patricia Puddle. Sit back and enjoy!
Hi Patricia, welcome to my blog.
Hi, June, thank you so much for inviting me to your blog.
Before we get into your writing, tell us a little about yourself, education, etc. and how you came to be a writer.
I always wanted to write children’s stories, but I didn’t have a very good education. I was a slow learner due to missing school at the ages of six and seven. I contracted measles and spent a month in hospital, then a year later I had trouble eating and began spitting my food onto my plate, much to the horror of my parents. They didn’t realise at first that I had swollen tonsils and thought I was just a fussy eater. Of course, eventually I kept getting tonsillitis and had to have my tonsils out. I was off school for quite a while, and when I did go back to school, my tonsils began to grow back again and I had to have another operation. I ended up missing an important part of my schooling and the teacher I had at the time didn’t help me to catch up. So I became the class clown and ended up spending most of my school days sitting outside the principal’s office.
Haha (me laughing). You sound a lot like your characters, Molly and Polly.
You’re right. I’ve added all my memories to my children's stories and hopefully make them funny enough for reluctant readers. I left school at the age of fourteen and had no experience with anything except being a clown and making other children laugh, but I did manage to get a job in Sydney Australia with a typewriter company. My boss sent a typewriter to my home for me to learn how to type and that’s when I began writing my stories.
Cool boss!
Definitely. Of course I couldn’t spell and I had no idea where commas went so I filed them away. I worked until I married at the age of seventeen, had two children by the age of eighteen, then went back to work as soon as they were in school.
It wasn’t until I was fifty-three that I learned how to write properly. I joined online critique groups and websites for writers and studied hundreds of children’s books. Five years later, here I am with three published children’s books, all are series, all in paperbacks and also eBooks.
That’s a pretty amazing story and impressive. A self-taught author. Now tell us, self publishing or traditional?
Self publishing. I tried the Publisher/Agent way, but got nowhere. Although I sent the first book to agents and publishers, after three years of rejections, I decided to self publish.There aren't many Australian publishers that were taking on new authors in these hard times, also overseas publishers probably didn’t want to take on authors that couldn’t go to book signings in their country. Not sure really, but I never sent my best work to many publishers, only to three, and when they rejected me, I decided to self publish.
So tell us about your experience in the self publishing world.
I’m so glad I did because my books are just starting to take off and I’m already getting five-star reviews. I’ve also sold many books to pensioners at my mother’s retirement village as her pals love my stories and are waiting for my next book. I’m selling on Amazon and CreateSpace. As well as selling directly to people in Australia in coffee lounges, community centres, art shops, gift shops and even to people I chat to. I’ve sold many this way as I always carry copies of my books with me.
Wow, not only a writer, but a saleswoman. Some writer’s are scared to death of the marketing side. How many books have you written?
I’ve published three books, but I’ve written many more stories. Trouble is, they all need editing before I publish. Most are sequels to my three published books.
What is the first thing you can remember writing?
That’s easy. It was Star-Crossed Rascals, which is my childhood diary turned into a fictitious chapter book for reluctant readers. I’m writing the sequel at the moment called Return of The Grotty Rascals. (Though I might change the title.)
Great name. I like it. When did you decide to become a writer?
I was born in England and the first time I told a funny story, I made other kids laugh. I became addicted as I was considered to be scatty and one teacher named me Wishy-Washy and mostly used that name when talking to me. I was about seven at that time and I loved to read, so I decided I would write funny books, but first I had to learn how to write properly.
I think I know the answer to this but why children’s books?
I don’t really know, but I think back to how I was at school, not knowing how to write, but knowing how to read. I guess maybe I’m still stuck there - in my childhood memories, plus there’s nothing better than hearing the laughter of children.
Do you write an outline? Do you start at Chapter 1 go to 2, then 3 etc in order or follow wherever your muse takes you?
No, I never write outlines or anything. I just sit down and write and the story unfolds. I amuse myself along the way as I never know what I’m going to type next. I let the characters take me wherever they want. I try to imagine what that character would do in that situation, and then take the route that I think a child that age would take. To do that, I have to put myself inside the head of that character, which is easy for me as they are all part of me. Hahaha. My ideas come from my experiences as a child, and as an adult all merged together. Tee hee. I’m a child that never grew up.
Hmm…that probably applies to all us writers . Do you like researching?
Yes, I love that, but don’t have to do too much as my stories are from experience. Though I do check that factual things are correct. For example, if I’m writing about native animals, I have to get that right as children are reading and learning. I use my experience with animals I’ve cared for, but if I’m unsure about something, I research or contact my supervisor at the wildlife rescue I volunteer with, also with other experienced members.
What’s next for you?
Oh, well, I’m so overwhelmed with it all as I have a dozen stories started. Now, I have to work out which one to work on first.
Marketing – what is the most important thing to know about marketing your books.
Marketing is so important and you have to do it every day. I use my blog, my website, Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook, writing forums, and most importantly, use the community on Amazon and Smashwords, as well as emails. I’m thinking of having a newsletter too, so I can send out updates to all addresses on my emails.
I’ve been lucky enough to have an old childhood classmate see me on a website, contact me and offer to host a new website. I’m so happy with it too. He’s done a wonderful job. Then another lucky thing happened to me.
Tell us about it.
A local DJ offered to advertise my work on a local radio station and send listeners to my websites as well as the coffee shop where my books are for sale. How lucky can an author be?
It sounds like through your friends and social media you have a lot of support. What about family support? How do handle the naysayers?
Hahahahaha. I have been walking around for the past seven years, telling all my family and friends that I’m an author. Many laughed as they knew I couldn’t spell or write, but I kept it up. I would probably have annoyed some of them as I kept saying , “I’m a skinny, best-selling author.” Well, I’m not skinny yet, but I’m an author of children’s books because my website name is Patricia Puddle Children’s Books Author. I’ve got five-star reviews, but have only been published for a short while, so I’m on my way to the best-sellers list.
I’ve always believed that if we say something every day that we can make it happen. So to make it happen, I now I say this every day, “I’m a best-selling author of children’s books!” (And if there are any publishers out there that are interested, I’m open for a reasonable retainer. LOL )
Trish, you’re truly an inspiration and I’ve enjoyed interviewing you. You’re as funny as your characters. I wish you every success with your book writing and your sales. Thank you for coming.
Thank you and thanks for having me.
*********************************************************************************
Patricia Puddle's comedic timing is right on. Just as she uses humour in her own life, her characters follow suit. Her books are well represented by this very talented writer who not only entertains children, but adults alike.
To buy Patricia’s books visit her website or blog.
Here is her website and blog address:
website: http://childrens-books-author-p-puddle.com/
Blog: http://trish-mollygumnut.blogspot.com/
Have a great writing week and keep on keeping on writing!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
...I'M STILL HERE
It's been awhile since my last post. Excuses?? So much going on...and no muse.
It has been a strange spring on so many counts. First, my new job, which I enjoy immensely, has been full-time pretty much instead of part-time. But that is about to change. I started at a time when the busy season was coming and already there was a back-log of work to do. Learning a new job is stressful at the best of times and this one was especially so since no one at the office had done all of my job and it was learn by my mistakes for some of it. But I think I have made it to the other side and can relax. With a another new girl working two days a week, I can cut back to three days a week now.
Spring did not bring mild temperatures and sunshine, but rather frosty nights, rainy days, and more snow in the mountains. The result being our trout stream flooded big time and we had to prepare for flooding. Our shed at its peak probably had six inches in it and our stream tripled in size. But it is flowing across our property and down the back end, so the house is safe.
And what about my writing?
I haven't done much at all. My muse dried up and it has been hard to find time. But I have edited my existing chapters of my second novel and thought out character developments in my head. So all is not lost.
As for my first novel, my editor is starting to send me proofs for marketing fact sheets, back cover, etc. The excitement is building that my book will actually be in print this fall.
This post was to be an author interview of Patricia Puddle, an Australian writer of children's books. My grandaughter loved the first book Patricia wrote and I recently purchased a second book from her for my grandaughter's birthday this month. Time restraints got in the way. You can look forward to that interview next post.
Hope all you writer's have your muse. Keep on keeping on writing.
It has been a strange spring on so many counts. First, my new job, which I enjoy immensely, has been full-time pretty much instead of part-time. But that is about to change. I started at a time when the busy season was coming and already there was a back-log of work to do. Learning a new job is stressful at the best of times and this one was especially so since no one at the office had done all of my job and it was learn by my mistakes for some of it. But I think I have made it to the other side and can relax. With a another new girl working two days a week, I can cut back to three days a week now.
Spring did not bring mild temperatures and sunshine, but rather frosty nights, rainy days, and more snow in the mountains. The result being our trout stream flooded big time and we had to prepare for flooding. Our shed at its peak probably had six inches in it and our stream tripled in size. But it is flowing across our property and down the back end, so the house is safe.
And what about my writing?
I haven't done much at all. My muse dried up and it has been hard to find time. But I have edited my existing chapters of my second novel and thought out character developments in my head. So all is not lost.
As for my first novel, my editor is starting to send me proofs for marketing fact sheets, back cover, etc. The excitement is building that my book will actually be in print this fall.
This post was to be an author interview of Patricia Puddle, an Australian writer of children's books. My grandaughter loved the first book Patricia wrote and I recently purchased a second book from her for my grandaughter's birthday this month. Time restraints got in the way. You can look forward to that interview next post.
Hope all you writer's have your muse. Keep on keeping on writing.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
THE EDITING JOURNEY , CONGRATS, & MANUSCRIPT FORMATTING
This time around, my post will touch on a varied subject list that are all related more or less.
Firstly, my current sojourn in the publishing world, editing. I received the first edited installment of my novel, "Winter's Captive" from my publisher. Having waited four months for the editing process to begin, my mind has worked overtime, leaving me with a fearful dread as to what to expect. Silly me!
Of course, I can't say what it was like in the old days with hand-written copies, or blue-pencilled typewritten pages. But the magic world of computers has made the whole process so much easier and less time-consuming for the author to correct. If you use a word program, a simple box in the "Review" menu called "Track Changes" makes the editing life a whole lot easier. There are other boxes that add to this process as well. The "Reviewing Pane" shows you how many corrections the editor is suggesting and how many comments she has written in the margins. The "Accept" or "Reject" boxes are all part of your tools. If you accept the change, just click the appropriate box. The computer automatically makes the change and the correction count automatically lowers in the "Reviewing Pane". It works the same way if you reject the change. You can also delete comments in the margins once you have dealt with that option. By the time you are finished the counts should be at zero.
I LOVE THIS FEATURE.
So how many corrections did I have? Not telling, but enough that I'm so grateful that all I had to do was "click" my way to perfection LOL.
Secondly, congratulations to Tiffany Cannon. Tiffany is a fellow critter from my writing group who entered the Amazon Breaththrough Novel Contest. She progressed in a contest of 5000 manuscripts to top 250. Okay, so her journey stopped there. She lost out in the top 50. But she is still a winner, as she has two agents wishing to represent her. As I type this, she probably has chosen which agent she will go with. Sometime in the not too long future, I'm sure we will see her book, "Keeper" on bookshelves.
Thirdly, manuscript formatting. While avigating my way around Tiffany's blog site, http://tiffanyc7.blogspot.com/2011/04/end-of-road-for-abna-contest.html I came across a blog where she discussed manuscript formatting. Since my natterings today are about editing formats, I thought I would add a link Tiffany used on her site. I learned some things I didn't know about manuscript formatting in regards to ebooks and Kindle formats. Vickie Motter is an agent for Andrea Hurst Literary Management. Here is the link to her blog site, "Navigating the Slush Pile". If you go to her April archives, you will find her post on manucript formatting. http://navigatingtheslushpile.blogspot.com/
Have a great writing week and keep on keeping on writing.
Firstly, my current sojourn in the publishing world, editing. I received the first edited installment of my novel, "Winter's Captive" from my publisher. Having waited four months for the editing process to begin, my mind has worked overtime, leaving me with a fearful dread as to what to expect. Silly me!
Of course, I can't say what it was like in the old days with hand-written copies, or blue-pencilled typewritten pages. But the magic world of computers has made the whole process so much easier and less time-consuming for the author to correct. If you use a word program, a simple box in the "Review" menu called "Track Changes" makes the editing life a whole lot easier. There are other boxes that add to this process as well. The "Reviewing Pane" shows you how many corrections the editor is suggesting and how many comments she has written in the margins. The "Accept" or "Reject" boxes are all part of your tools. If you accept the change, just click the appropriate box. The computer automatically makes the change and the correction count automatically lowers in the "Reviewing Pane". It works the same way if you reject the change. You can also delete comments in the margins once you have dealt with that option. By the time you are finished the counts should be at zero.
I LOVE THIS FEATURE.
So how many corrections did I have? Not telling, but enough that I'm so grateful that all I had to do was "click" my way to perfection LOL.
Secondly, congratulations to Tiffany Cannon. Tiffany is a fellow critter from my writing group who entered the Amazon Breaththrough Novel Contest. She progressed in a contest of 5000 manuscripts to top 250. Okay, so her journey stopped there. She lost out in the top 50. But she is still a winner, as she has two agents wishing to represent her. As I type this, she probably has chosen which agent she will go with. Sometime in the not too long future, I'm sure we will see her book, "Keeper" on bookshelves.
Thirdly, manuscript formatting. While avigating my way around Tiffany's blog site, http://tiffanyc7.blogspot.com/2011/04/end-of-road-for-abna-contest.html I came across a blog where she discussed manuscript formatting. Since my natterings today are about editing formats, I thought I would add a link Tiffany used on her site. I learned some things I didn't know about manuscript formatting in regards to ebooks and Kindle formats. Vickie Motter is an agent for Andrea Hurst Literary Management. Here is the link to her blog site, "Navigating the Slush Pile". If you go to her April archives, you will find her post on manucript formatting. http://navigatingtheslushpile.blogspot.com/
Have a great writing week and keep on keeping on writing.
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