They say authors have immensely fragile egos. How would you handle negative criticism or a negative review?I have to say, putting your writing out there is scary, having strangers reading something you personally created and then judging it, especially with a memoir which is so intimate. I cringe if I think too hard about it. That said, I am pretty tough... you can’t please everyone, and so I depend on the many great comments I’ve received to keep me happy. I do take criticism seriously, though, and look to see if there is merit in it. Criticism helps us learn.
How do you divide your time between taking care of a home and children, and writing? Do you plan your writing sessions in advance?I lead a very busy and disjointed life. I must learn to say “no!” I am very bad about finding time to write and am hoping with one child going off to college and the youngest to middle school I might find more time. Unfortunately I will need to be caring more and more for my mother, though, so who knows when the next book will come out.
How was your experience in looking for a publisher? What words of advice would you offer those novice authors who are in search of one? I admit to being one of those “independent” publishers, at least with this first book. In the end this memoir had to come out fast, as I discovered my mother’s memory was deteriorating and I wanted her to enjoy her own book. I became a publisher and Lightning Source prints the book and acts as a sort of wholesaler for me. I do recommend to new authors to try for the smaller publishing houses as I think they are more receptive to newcomers and many do not require using an agent. Most of all, do your homework! Read all you can about writing and publishing so you know what you are doing and what you are getting into. And get a good editor.
What type of book promotion seems to work the best for you?The best way to sell a book is to do presentations followed by booksigning. As for promotion, I sit at my dining table with my laptop and use the internet, the great leveling field for new authors.
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