I spent a good portion of the morning responding to interview questions. Jennifer Minar over at Writer’s Break sent me a bunch of questions about my new book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book” and about my writing life and philosophy. It was enjoyable. I especially had fun reliving my experience last year when reorganized my office while on crutches with a broken foot.
I was going crazy after two months on crutches. I was especially feeling an uncomfortable lack of control–as though I was no longer in control of anything because I couldn’t do anything. About that time, a massive, HUGE five-drawer side-filing cabinet came into my life. I had a willing painter and willing movers, so I hobbled to Ace and picked out the brightest, warmest burnt orange color I could find. This is the sort of thing you do when your life seems a bit dull. Well, I certainly took control and gave my life some color.
Once the big “guy” was painted and in my office, I went to work. I emptied the five smaller filing cabinets I’d been using, went through all of the file folders, tossed a LOT of stuff (in the recycle bin, of course) and reorganized mountains of material ito the new filing cabinet. How did I do this with a broken foot? I scooted around the office in my office chair–sometimes sitting and sometimes on one knee like we used to do when riding a scooter or a wagon. I also rearranged all of the cabinets, shelves, desks, I could reach. Boy did I feel in control, then. I was a happy camper.
I find interviews–even when I’m the interviewee–enlightening. I interview writers from time to time and they almost always say to me, “I’m so glad you asked these questions because they made me think about things I haven’t thought about before.” Sometimes our answers surprise us and often they help us to reevaluate our goals.
Jennifer asked me , “Why do you write?” or “What motivates you to write.” I ask this question in my book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.” It’s a question for the reader to think about. Not only is it important to know what motivates, drives, inspires you to write, it is essential that you understand your underlying reasons for wanting to write/publish a book, for example, or seek writing work.
Why? Because if it is for the wrong reasons, you will fail. What are potentially wrong reasons? Fame and fortune may not be realistic reasons for writing/publishing. An author who writes just to change minds might also fail.
Do you know why you write? I write in order to earn a living and I chose writing as that method because it is my passion. It’s just a good thing that my tastes are modest and my lifestyle expectations resonable or I would not have succeeded in this profession for so many years.
If you have a book to promote, I would recommend that you seek opportunities to be interviewed. It’s fun, it’s thought-provoking and it affords you a measure of publicity/exposure. How do you discover such opportunities? Of course, I seek them at writing/publishing-related Web sites. If you have a book on parenting, visit parenting, family, children’s and general book-related Web sites. Some of them will conduct and post interviews. Maybe you have a novel. Check out general writing and fiction Web sites. Also visit those related to reading.
Of course, you can get gigs on radio and TV. And some magazine editors interview authors. I give resources for finding appropriate magazines as well as radio and TV interview opportunities my new book, “The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.”
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
Visit Writers Break at http://www.writersbreak.com