10 Big Questions With Jen Naumann

1. What does a day in the life of such a prolific author look like?

Ha, I wouldn't know as I have never met one. If you were asking about my life, I would say it's pretty boring. I have a little writing nook in the corner of our master bedroom where I spend a few hours every morning blogging and connecting on social networks. It's really difficult to put a stop to time on the Internet because I end up finding so many interesting things and meeting so many interesting people. I try to write from around 11 until my kids get off the bus at 3:30, but sometimes my writer's block has other ideas. I treat writing like a full time job and don't mess around, other than getting up every few hours to do something active so I don't become a giant sloth.

2. You write about the paranormal, so you seem to be comfortable with that topic. Does your writing ever keep you up at night?

I never really had a problem with this until my fourth book, 'Cheating Death'. I was seeing shadows moving in the dark and had just an eerie feeling sneak up on me in the middle of the night. Normally it's my dreams in general that keep me up at night!

3. Where do you find inspiration for your stories?

For the most part, my crazy dreams. I have this theory that my mind is so creative it never shuts down and it feels the need to entertain me in my sleep. I seriously will dream up an entire "movie" in a night. And everyone thinks I'm weird because I remember almost all of them. But all it takes is one scene to create an entire story. My book Shymers was created by a friend simply asking if I thought it would be nice to know how many days we had to live.

4. What did it feel like when you received your first review on Amazon? Do you feel differently now with each review?

I was honestly blown away by the fact that someone actually liked a story I created. It was so surreal. But in reality I've gotten both good and bad reviews, so I try not to read them. I sometimes will cheat and read the higher stared reviews, then my eyes are drawn to the one and two stars and it becomes an emotional mess. You'd be surprised how much a bad review can completely bring a writer down and make them want to quit.

5. Why have you chosen to be an independent writer?

For me, it's all about control. And money. I don't do well with other people telling me what to do (with the exception of my editors). This is part of the reason why I made a horrible secretary. I am in total and complete control from the way the story is told to the cover and book trailer. And why should I pay others to do the things that I can do myself? The only service I hire out for is editing. Without professional editing, self-published books do not become successful.

6. You not only write but you design beautiful covers and provide formatting services for other authors. Can you tell us about those services?

Thank you! Designing covers is my second favorite thing to do (after writing of course). I take semi-professional pictures on a freelance-type basis and took the images for three of my four covers so far. While most of the covers I've designed for others was using a stock image chosen by the author, I also can take specific pictures (if not too complicated). As for the other services, I have helped authors prepare their novels for selling on Amazon and Smashwords. I'm pretty good with the computer and understand how confusing some of the requirements for those websites can be.

7. What has been your most effective marketing tool for your books?

I would say entering the giveaways on Goodreads. Each time I've had over 1,500 people sign up to win my books. And I encourage anyone who purchases one of my books to post a review on there because, let's face it, the reviews really speak for themselves.

8. Any advice for new writers?

Make sure you can finish a book! I know this sounds obvious, but it can get complicated. Ever since elementary school I knew I wanted to be an author and I wrote many books in high school, but as an adult I couldn't seem to finish an entire novel. I realized I was self-editing to the point that I was forever going back and making changes because I never thought it was "perfect". I finally participated in NaNoWriMo one year and finished my first book in decades. The first draft was total crap, but with each edit it improved and the plot grew stronger. Also, you have to write nearly every day to improve your craft!

9. Can you tell us about your new book Cheating Death?

I'm excited about this one as it has a little bit of a scary feel to it, which is something I'm really into (I adore Stephen King and horror movies). In the prologue, Lysandra (the main character) explains a near drowning incident in a Northern Minnesota lake with her grandmother. This actually happened to me when I was little, but it was my mother's lap I was sitting on and fortunately she didn't drown like the grandmother in the story does. But Lysandra grows up seeing things that "aren't really there" and develops this crippling fear of water. The story starts on her last day of high school and leads into a big party that just happens to be lakeside. After the big party, her life spirals out of control and she ends up "cheating death" a second time.

10. What goals do you have for your writing career?

I know that I have a lot of growing to do as an author and would like to eventually see my writing develop into best-seller material. I could easily continue to write books for the next fifty years if people will keep buying them. It's my dream to have book signings all over the world and have a movie made from one of my stories. As an author and a major cinephile, I can't imagine anything more rewarding than seeing something you created being played out on the big screen.

Learn more about Jen Naumann and all of her exciting books by clicking on the links below.

website | goodreads | amazon | twitter | facebook

Let Go And Let Your Story Grow

As a parent the thought of my child growing up is both terrifying and exhilarating.  The idea of who she might become captivates my imagination, while the dangers that lurk in an unscripted world keep me up at night.  The truth is I must let her go in order for her to become the woman she is destined to be.  If I hold her back, instructing her each day how to act and think, she will not make the choices and mistakes that will shape her.

The same is true for your story. 

When my editor encouraged me to whittle away my words and reshape my dialogue I was startled.  My heels dug deep. My knuckles were white with resistance. He clearly didn’t understand my vision!  Then, I read the new words he requested. I scanned them a second time. All were better. Some were the best I’d ever written. 

A bright light sparked above my head. If I wanted my book to grow I must let it go.

As writers and artists we feel a connection with our work that goes beyond pen strokes and key strikes. Our hearts are exposed with every word we print. Our insecurities revealed to whoever is peaking. We crave control.

However, to write something great you must be willing to loosen your grip on the project.  Find someone you trust and ask them how the book can be better. Don’t ask if they like it or what parts were their favorite. Ask only how it can be improved.  Then study, write, rewrite, and write again until you are fully satisfied. You and your grown up story will be better for it.

To discover my book's potential I had to trust that it would find its way back to me once I let it go.  And it has.  

10 Big Questions With Brian Rathbone

1.  What is it about the Fantasy genre that is so compelling for you?

Growing up on a working horse farm was like living in a different world. It was an old world in a new world. Reading fantasy seemed natural to me. It fit. I never dreamed of writing anything but fantasy, and I feel honored to get the chance to do it.

2.  Why choose independent publishing for your books?  Do you like the control of being in charge of your destiny?

After a few rejections from agents, I came to understand that I made a bad business case. I had no one waiting to buy my next book. I had no platform, no sales, no clips. I decided to build a platform with independent publishing in order to attract a traditional publisher. Though we haven't actually worked out a deal yet, I have been able to draw the attention of NY agents. I plan to develop some specifically for traditional publication in the future, while continuing to self-publish.

3.  How has your writing method changed from when you wrote your first book until now?

I agonized more over the first book than any since. I remember not being able to tell when I was done editing. I hired an editor from academia, and it didn't go well. I started over with an editor who specializes in fantasy, and my process soon gelled.

4.  The cover artwork for your books is gorgeous and so are the included maps.  Do you create the art yourself or use another method? 

Thank you. The cover art for the Godsland series is done by Mike Brooker (@mikebrooker on Twitter), except the original cover art, which was done by me and my Aunt Doreen. I created the maps using Campaign Cartographer 2 using fractal shorelines, and then I used Photoshop to dress them up.

5.  What does a day of writing look like for you?  Or do you prefer to write at night?

I usually start around 1pm and write a thousand words at a time, which takes me about a half an hour. I take a half hour break, and then I am fresh to write another a thousand words. I repeat this five times, and I usually feel like a well wrung mop when I'm done, but it's fulfilling to reach my daily goals. I tend to edit in a similar pattern with my smartphone reading the document to me and setting the pace.

6.  Do you have a formal background in creative writing or are you self-taught? Which method has helped you grow the most as a storyteller?  

I've never taken any creative writing courses; I learned to write by reading lots and lots of fantasy. For years I read fantasy to unwind from my stressful career, and I would think about story lines before sleep every night. It was only when I gave myself permission to write with wild abandon that I found my voice and my rhythm. Writing is still a challenge, but it is less so now than it was.

7. Some have said that to be a writer you have to be a little crazy.  Do you agree with that statement?

I was crazy long before I was a writer, but it seems to have come in handy. I'm certain there are sane people who take up writing, but I have my doubts as to how long they will remain so. The keyboard is a fickle mistress.

8. Can you talk about any new projects you are currently working on?

I recently selected Chris Snelgrove at Darkfire Productions to record the premium audio versions of the Godsland fantasy series. We are expecting to have the first six books in the series completed by this fall. In the meantime, I will be working on the next book in the Godsland series. Exciting times!

9.  Do you feel social media is key to an independent author’s success?  Do you have any additional tips for writers wanting to go the self-published route?

Social media is a powerful tool that writers use to varying degrees of success. As a technology oriented person, I keep a close eye on my metrics, and Twitter alone accounts for 20% of my web traffic. It should be noted that Google organic search drives 70% of my traffic. It should also be said that social media, SEO, blogging and other activities are all secondary to discoverability on the retailer sites like Amazon, B&N, iTunes, Kobo, Sony, etc. And I would be remiss if I didn't mention that I originally grew my audience on Podioboosks.com by giving away serialized audio versions of my books. I rely on social media to drive a steady stream of potential readers to my books, but it is one of only many tools I employ.

My advice to authors who wish to self-publish is this: Write a great book, have it professionally edited, get great cover art, price it reasonably, and publish it everywhere. Repeat.

10. If you could have dinner with one author from any generation who would it be and why?

I'm going to pick two: Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. Together they created the most memorable character of all those I've read: Tasslehoff Burrfoot. I would enjoy that conversation a great deal. What excites me is that such meetings are not outside the realm of possibility.

Find out more about Brain Rathbone!

Website: http://brianrathbone.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/BrianRathbone

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WorldOfGodsland

Renovate Your Novel

There are plenty of shows on cable that encourage people to take an old house and breathe new life into through renovation.  What was rotten and outdated becomes fresh and modern within the span of a thirty minute television program. It looks easy. “Anyone can do it,” the hosts of these programs claim.

The truth is renovation is difficult.  It takes time, effort, and planning.  Most people can swing a sledgehammer but few have the patience to put it back together again.  As a writer that is exactly your job.

You need to reexamine the old manuscript that is shoved in your desk drawer or filed away on your computer.  Tear away the tired language and unnecessary characters, stripping it down to its bare bones. The flaws that were holding you back from moving forward are gone and you can now discover the true structure of your book.

Don’t just let it sit around collecting dust. 

Renovate it!