Meet Jennifer Cusumano

Today’s featured debut author (our first of the new year!) is Jennifer Cusumano, a freelancer, consultant and professor whose book Angels Around Her was published in September 2011. Welcome, Jennifer!

Name: Jennifer Cusumano
Name of book: Angels Around Her
Book genre: Romance/spiritual
Date published: September 2011
Publisher: Inkwater Press
What is your day job? I teach communications and media at several Long Island colleges as an adjunct, and I continue to consult with corporations and write freelance.
What is your book about? I think it is a book about our understanding of love as we age and the decisions we make. Of course, time and experience are great teachers. Sometimes, however, by the time we learn the lessons and come to understand ourselves better, we are either too comfortable or too afraid, or simply just not in a position to make a really big change. This book lets that happen for our heroine in a very magical, supernatural way.
Why did you want to write this book? My sister and I had this idea over 12 to 13 years ago. We wanted to write a book for people who could identify with the theme of creating a more authentic life for yourself, whether that be finding the right partner, or a new career, or children. After we wrote it, it sat in the closet for over ten years. Then, in the wake of all the upheaval of the last few years, the economic crisis, war, negative media… I just felt the time was right to get a happy, hopeful message out there.
What would you say is the most challenging part of writing a book? Working out the story and how the characters’ actions all affect the progression of the plot. We actually had several outlines and datelines we had to follow because the book keeps transitioning from the present to the past; it spans 25 years, so there was a lot of back story to tell.
Did you conduct any kind of research in order to write this book? We already had some knowledge about our Long Island, Manhattan and Paris settings, but we had to research so much more as landscapes and venues change so much over time. Actually, the research was some of the most fun we had with the book.
What motivates you to write? I’m a sporadic writer. I wish I could say I was one of those people who writes all the time, but I’m not. I really feel like I have to have something meaningful to say. Because I write for a living, by assignment, I’m often writing for other people or for academic pursuits. It’s rare that I get the time to just write for myself. I have to get better at making the time to do that. If it were not for my sister’s idea and nudging me to do this initially, I probably would not have written this book. Even then, it sat for 10 years after I finished it. Then, a couple of years ago, I decided to dust it off, reinvent it, re-edit it, and really aggressively started to market it. I’ve had so much positive feedback from people, I’m glad I did it.
Did you experience writer’s block? Well, it took three years to write, part-time, because I was working full-time. And then another two years recently to re-write and edit it. So I didn’t experience writer’s block so much as writer’s interference! Life just gets in the way sometimes, but it gave me the time to re-examine the story and the dialogue.
How did you go about finding a publisher? Why did you decide on Inkwater Press? After some initial rejections from traditional publishers, I went to BEA. I thought I’d find an agent or publisher, but instead what I found were all these indie authors who inspired me to either self-publish or look into author subsidized publications. I didn’t want a vanity press who would publish anything for money. Inkwater struck just the right chord with me. They publish beautiful books. They only take on a few projects a year so they really have to believe the book is of some quality and will sell. They offered me a fair contract and I chose to work with them.
What would you say is the biggest misconception about writing a book? Hmm… I think there are probably many, but I would have to say that it will be a profitable venture. Just because you write a book, doesn’t mean it will be well received or profitable. I didn’t go into this with that intention. In fact, I assumed it would not make money. If it does, that will be a pleasant surprise!
What was your favorite aspect of the writing process for this book? Writing for a variety of voices. Getting into the minds of each character and then trying to get the vernacular right for each character… that was a lot of fun. I hope I did a good job of that.
What tools/methods have you employed to promote your book? What advice would you give to writers regarding promotion? I do a lot of in-person appearances at book clubs and local shows, fairs. I also have some retail book sellers carrying the book. But I would have to say social media, by far, is the biggest and most important tool today. It’s very, very time consuming, and there’s a lot of strategizing I still have to learn. If you can afford it, hire a social media expert in PR and promotion.
How has life changed for you since the publication of your book? It hasn’t; it’s just busier because now I have to spend every free minute that I’m not teaching or freelancing promoting the book, or going to events, or researching new venues to sell the book. Phew! I’m exhausted!
Do you find yourself obsessively checking sales stats? Never.
Is there a second book in the works? There may be. I’m actually working on a movie script I’ve had on the backburner for a while and would like to give that some attention. But I did create a blog associated with the book where I have posed a question associated with the main theme of the book. I was hoping to collect people’s stories, if they wanted to share them, but so far, I think people have been reluctant to post a story. I thought the material might spur a second book, but we’ll see…
My favorite last question: Oprah once famously said that there is no such thing as luck, without preparation and a moment of opportunity. Would you agree or disagree with regard to your own success as a writer? Well, I agree with Oprah’s statement, but I can’t say I’ve experienced much success yet as a writer yet! The book’s only been out since September. When I hit the 5,000 sales mark, or a big agent wants me or I get a movie deal… then maybe I can speak to the notion of success as a writer. But, seriously, it depends how you define success. Am I successful if my work is published, but isn’t selling? What if it sells like blazes, but the work itself is trash? Are those writers “successful” or just savvy marketers? I think society mostly defines success in terms of financial success, but I would consider myself successful as a writer if my book touched some people, covered my initial investment, and maybe generated at least some income so I could embark on another project.

Meet Erica Stanciu

Today’s featured author, Erica Stanciu, holds a special place in my heart. She is the daughter of an old friend who had the gall to get married and move to a land far, far away (Philly, and then Las Vegas) when we were mere teenagers, leaving me to navigate college, adulthood and handball all on my own. It doesn’t surprise me that her little girl (one of three children) has grown into a talented, funny and smart young woman. The apple certainly doesn’t fall very far from the tree.

Name: Erica Stanciu
Name of book: Electrify Me
Book genre: Fantasy
Date published: December 12, 2011
Publisher: Amazon.com (self-published)
What is your day job? I hold down the fort we call home.
What is your book about? A young princess, by the name of Kaiya Fraust, is forced on a journey where she travels to different kingdoms who wield elemental powers. Along the way, she finds demons, dragons, relics, and mysterious figures who want her for themselves.
Why did you want to write this book? I was reading a book one day and hated the ending. A friend suggested I write my own book so I did. Four months later, Electrify Me was born.
What would you say is the most challenging part of writing a book? The editing. It’s necessary, but so tedious at the same time. I’m pretty sure I have my book memorized after reading it five times just to make sure it was mistake-free.
Did you conduct any kind of research in order to write Electrify Me? My research came from reading fantasy novels for thirteen years. That helped me create the setting, characters, their powers, and the different animals you see throughout the story.
What motivates you to write? To have my characters come alive in the pages of a book (or an e-reader). I have a feeling of constant restlessness until the next scene is down on paper. Even my dreams consist of the characters and what they should be doing.
Did you experience writer’s block? I experienced writer’s block towards the end. The best way for me to overcome it is start a short story. It takes my mind away from the other characters for a bit. When I eventually come back to my original story, my mind feels refreshed and ready to tackle the novel once again.
How long did it take you to write this book? Three months to write it, and two months to edit.
Why did you decide to self-publish? I received a handful of rejections and started to feel stuck. I poured my heart into a story only to wait six weeks for an agency to say, “We’re not taking on any new clients. Have a good day.” Instead of throwing a pity party and retiring my manuscript, I decided that self-publishing was the best route for me.
Was the self-publishing process easier or more difficult than you thought it would be? Amazon makes it very easy to self-publish. They walk you through the steps to convert your work into the proper form. The rest is just submitting and waiting. It’s actually not difficult at all.
How did you decide on your book cover concept? Well, my mother, the coolest person alive, helped me design it. She’s a genius when it comes to Photoshop. The concept of silver eyes and a bolt of lightning was created, because I think simplicity intrigues readers.
What is the biggest misconception about writing a book? Almost everyone has an idea for a great novel, but actually setting scenes, creating dialogue and writing amazing plot twists takes real time and effort. Not many people have the time and patience for something like that. It’s a very hard process, but rewarding once the novel is finished.
What was your favorite aspect of the writing process for this book? Writing the scenes where the readers will say, “No way! I can’t believe that happened.” I get so excited putting those thoughts into words that it sometimes feels like my fingers are tripping over each other.
What tools/methods have you employed to promote your book? I’ve been honing my writing skills on Wattpad.com, a website where authors can post their work and have it read by people for no cost. In eight months, I have gathered more than four thousand fans who have been my biggest supporters (besides my family). A lot of them bought my book and told their friends to buy it. Promoting takes time and energy that can leave you drained, but don’t give up. Create a website, promote on blogs, use social media, and eventually you’ll see the sales skyrocket.
How has life changed for you since the publication of your book? I’ve realized that becoming an author is my true goal in life. Writing is a passion of mine that I can’t go a day without doing. Self-publishing really helped me realize that.
Do you find yourself obsessively checking sales stats? I have to admit that I do. I set a goal for the first month of publication, and I won’t stop looking obsessively until I reach that goal.
Are there plans to write another book? Electrify Me is going to be a four-book series, and I’m currently writing the second one.
My favorite last question: Oprah once famously said that there is no such thing as luck, without preparation and a moment of opportunity. Would you agree or disagree with regard to your own success as a writer? I completely agree. There were many opportunities that presented themselves to me, but I wouldn’t have been ready to take the plunge without the proper preparation.

Meet Julia Suzuki

Today’s Debut Author Q&A (yes, a day late, I know, I know…) is full of mystique. Not sure if that was the author’s intention, but her succinct, short answers kind of set the stage for her children’s fantasy set in a land known as Dragor.

Name: Julia Suzuki
Name of book: Land of Dragor (Yoshiko and the Gift of Charms)
Book genre: Fantasy/Children’s fiction
Date published: May 2011
Publisher: SB Publishing
What is your day job? Running JuliaSuzuki.com
What is your book about? The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton. It’s a magical escape to a fantasy land with great characters.
Why did you want to write this book? I had a burning desire to write it that surpassed all other goals.
What would you say is the most challenging part of writing a book? Editing it and believing you have got it right.
Did you conduct any kind of research in order to write this book? Yes, I studied gemology and the world’s chakra energy points.
What motivates you to write? Turning a dream and vision of something into a reality on paper that others then share.
Did you experience writer’s block? No, I didn’t ever experience it. Only tiredness stopped me.
How long did it take you to write this book? 1.5 years
Why did you decide to self-publish? I just felt as a first time author it was the best way to prove myself, for it can be hard and slow to get a publisher, and I believe in the story so it was my chosen route.
Was the self-publishing process easier or more difficult than you thought it would be? I have achieved what I set out to so far.
What is the biggest misconception about writing a book? That everyone will like what you like. They won’t.
What was your favorite aspect of the writing process for this book? Creating the nitty-gritty parts of the characters. I love that.
What tools/methods have you employed to promote your book? A social media agency and a PR agent. I would advise both.
How has life changed for you since the publication of your book? It hasn’t really, as I am as busy as ever.
Do you plan on writing another book? Yes, and have done the first three chapters to Book 2.
My favorite last question: Oprah once famously said that there is no such thing as luck, without preparation and a moment of opportunity. Would you agree or disagree with regard to your own success as a writer? I agree totally with regard to success in anything in life.

Writing Tip #51

Stuck? Write something else. Longtime readers of this blog know that I started “Making Baby Grand” back in March 2010 because I was struggling with finishing my novel, and I thought working on a blog would get me writing about my struggles and help unblock me, which it did. Last week, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ethan Dreilinger, co-author of the ebook, Out of the Dust, for our little public access show, The Writer’s Dream. Ethan told me that the reason he started his novel was because he was struggling with writing his blog — the reverse of what I had done.

There are all kinds of ways to get yourself out of a bout of writer’s block — take a walk, take a shower — but turning your attention to another type of writing is a terrific way to take a break from whatever it is that’s giving you trouble and keep writing at the same time. You’d be surprised how many times I’d work on a blog post, utter a sudden gasp and then jot down a note for my book — what Oprah might call an “aha” moment. Why it works, I’m not entirely sure, but it’s a way to stick to a discipline while mixing things up and allowing your brain to change gears. It’s kind of like going for a long walk and then walking backwards for a half a block — you’re still walking, but you’re exercising different muscles. And when you turn back around to walk frontwards again, there’s a new appreciation, a new sensation and excitement, for the simple act of walking, the very thing that had gotten you tired or had become boring in the first place.

Meet Steve Umstead

A big welcome to today’s featured debut author Steve Umstead, an entrepreneur, a work-at-home dad and an esteemed member of my #1kaday crew. :)

Name: Steve Umstead

Name of book: Gabriel’s Redemption (Book 1 of the Evan Gabriel Trilogy)

Book genre: Science fiction/adventure

Date Published: February 2, 2011

Publisher: Self-published

What is your day job? I’ve been fortunate enough to have a very enjoyable day job. I am the owner of an online travel company specializing in Caribbean and Mexico all-inclusive resorts. I’ve also been fortunate enough to be able to do that day job from home, so for the past ten years I’ve been able to see my kids every day, put them on the bus, pick them up from the bus, and so on, while still being able to support them. Oh, and the travel perks aren’t too bad either…

What is your book about? Gabriel’s Redemption is a near-future science fiction/adventure story of a disgraced soldier who is offered a chance to get back the life he once had by embarking on a secret mission to a far-off world, but the mission isn’t exactly what it was presented to be. Multiple characters and several plot lines, political intrigue, realistic technology, and settings ranging from Argentina to a space station to Mars to a planet hundreds of light years away make for (what I think is) and enjoyable read for many different types of readers.

What was the most challenging part of the writing process? I’m sure this will be the same answer for just about any author: finding the time and motivation to write! Working from home means I never really leave the job, and having two kids and a wife mean my evenings are full of baseball, soccer, karate and family time, so my writing time is usually 9 p.m. and on. So with a tough day, being able to unwind and get into the story for a couple hours of writing can be a challenge.

What motivates you to write? I have been a voracious reader since early childhood and have dabbled with story writing all throughout school. I just love being able to create a story with fun characters and unique settings, almost like making my own movie in my head, and to be able to hand it to someone and say, “Here, read this.” It’s all about telling a story, showing someone else what I’m imagining.

Did you experience writer’s block? Block? Not truly a block… More like real life getting in the way. Again, it’s about finding the time to write. For my first novel, I plotted a specific, fairly detailed outline, so that each night when I sat down to write I knew what that scene was about. For my second, now about 2/3 complete, I’ve been pantsing, and while it’s fun to see where scenes go, it’s a nightmare for planning and motivation.

How long did it take you to write the first book? Well, I hope no one takes this the wrong way, but 26 days.

What?! Gabriel’s Redemption was a product of November 2010’s NaNoWriMo, and I wrote 64,000 words between November 1st (official start date) and November 26th (the day before I left on a business trip). It wasn’t with the mindset of getting published, more of finally telling a story from start to finish. I set it aside in December, went back to it in January, and edited the heck out of it.

Why did you decide to self-publish? This could be an interview in and of itself. After doing a lot of research in January, I decided the querying/begging/hoping process, one that can take 12 to 18 months or longer, followed by the 2 to 3 month average shelf life of a published novel today (before it ends up in the bargain bin or returned with the cover torn off), wasn’t for me. With the incredible explosion of e-readers, authors can now put their work in readers’ hands in a matter of weeks, not years, and ebooks can stay for sale forever. It really was a no-brainer for me.

What is the biggest misconception about writing a book? That it’s followed by untold riches, and authors just sit around with other authors on couches stuffed with spare hundred dollar bills, laughing about how easy it was. Oh, and the fact that a book sells itself once written. Two huge falsehoods…

What was your favorite aspect of the writing process for this book? Being friends with an amazing group of fellow authors online. When I peeked into the Twitter world in mid-January, I was amazed at what I found. Hundred, thousands of aspiring novelists just like myself, all looking to get in touch with people like them, and the support and camaraderie has been incredible. So much so that I find myself chatting more often than writing anymore…

Tell me about the second novel. Thank you for the plug! Yes, I’m currently in the middle of writing Book 2 of the trilogy, titled Gabriel’s Return, where the main character, Commander Evan Gabriel, has been given a rescue mission and is sent back to the planet of his past where he lost his entire team and was dishonorably discharged as a result. It’s a lot more detailed and deeper than the first book, with richer settings and more exploration of several characters introduced in Book 1, and as it turns out, much more in the way of political maneuvering (something I hadn’t expected, but find myself pulled into more often).

What tools/methods have you employed to promote your book? The only tool I’ve used is the one called “spreading the word.” Online social media has given the independent author just as much, if not more, power to reach readers than traditional, old-line authors. However, that being said, it’s not a magic wand. It takes a long platform building process, one I’ve barely scratched the surface of, to succeed. For aspiring authors who haven’t released a book yet, my advice would be NOT to wait to build your platform. Start right away, start building up anticipation for your novel. Create an author page in Facebook, Amazon, Goodreads, etc. Build up your Twitter following with other authors and prospective readers. Join in online dialogue. Make your name one that people will remember when the book hits.

Oprah has famously said that there is no such thing as luck, without preparation and a moment of opportunity. Would you agree or disagree with regard to your own success as a writer? Wow, did she really say that? I am not an Oprah fan by even the longest stretches of imagination, but I use that saying all the time with my kids. I don’t believe in luck, but more of a being prepared when an opportunity comes along. I guess I’m still waiting for that big opportunity to come along… but I know I’m prepared for it!

Meet Author Jane Roper

Yes, this week’s Debut Author Q&A is a day late, but is far from a dollar short (as my father-in-law likes to say). Big thanks to author Jane Roper whose interview today is thoughtful, enlightening and chock-full of truths about the writing life — I was nodding my heading in agreement the whole way through.

Name:  Jane Roper

Name of book: Eden Lake

Book genre: Literary/Mainstream Fiction

Date Published: May 12, 2011

Publisher: Last Light Studio

What is your day job? I’m a freelance advertising copywriter. I’ve also got four-year-old twins, so being a mom is part of my day (and night!) job, too.

What is your book about? Eden Lake is about the family that owns a (fictional) nontraditional, co-ed kids’ summer camp in Maine. At the outset of the book, the charismatic founder and director of the camp is killed in a plane crash, and his three adult children and stepdaughter are faced with the sudden, unexpected responsibility of running the camp. As they muddle through the summer, dealing with the antics of counselors, campers and demanding parents, they also have to confront their relationships with each other and with their past. And figure out what’s going to happen to the camp in the future. And get a little nookie along the way. It is camp, after all.

What would you say is the most challenging part of writing a book? For me, it’s the sheer scale and scope of it. You’ve got all these different elements—character, setting, chronology, conflict, details and themes—that you’re juggling at once. It’s a big, huge, messy undertaking. You’ve got to go at it with the mentality that you will figure out a way to sort it all out, and make it work. But it’s going to be a long haul. You just have to take it one step at a time. Or “bird by bird” as Ann Lamott would say.

What motivates you to write? For me, writing is the most satisfying way of understanding and articulating truth, emotion, the world, everything. When I’m writing, I feel at my most aware and thoughtful and free. And that’s a good feeling. Tiring and painful at times, but good. Like exercise. And I’m kind of addicted to the high.

Did you experience writer’s block? There were certainly times when I felt “stuck” but I didn’t really think of it as writer’s block; just a rough patch that I needed to work through, either by taking a break or coming at things from a different angle. I guess writer’s block is really when people just can’t write at all for days or weeks or months at a time. And, no, I’ve never really experienced that. (Although I’ve certainly experienced times when I don’t want to write.)

How long did it take you to write this book? Eden Lake took me a little over two and a half years. I wrote the first draft in just shy of a year, before my daughters were born. I revised it over the following year and a half, while they slept.

How long did it take you to find a publisher? Also two-and-a-half years. I had an agent who tried to sell it to all the big publishers, and although we got close, it never happened. Then I tried approaching small presses, and in early 2010, I signed with Last Light Studio, a new, cooperative micropress.

I have a different agent now, who sold my memoir of parenting twins/dealing with clinical depression, which will be published next year by St. Martin’s. I do think that it’s vital to have an agent if you want to try to get your book published with a large or mid-sized traditional press. But if you’re open to publishing with a smaller press or some of the new, co-op or eBook presses that are cropping up, then no; it’s not necessary.

What is the biggest misconception about writing a book? I think the biggest misconception is that anybody can do it if they just had time. If there’s one thing that drives me nuts, it’s hearing people say that: “Oh, I’d love to write a book someday, I just don’t have time.” The fact is, most people who write and publish books don’t have time either. They make the time through discipline and sacrifice. And they work very hard—by writing and reading with purpose—to become good enough writers to create something publishable, or at least readable. It’s not something you can just toss off.

What was your favorite aspect of the writing process for this book? Eden Lake was inspired by the summer camps that my parents worked at and owned, and where I spent the first fifteen summers of my life. So for me, it was a lot of fun to dig back into my memories and remember some of the details, both physical and emotional, associated with my childhood summers.

What tools/methods have you employed to promote your book? What advice would you give to writers regarding promotion? I’ve done a lot with social media: Twitter, Facebook, blog guest posts and giveaways on book blogs and on Goodreads. I also had bookmarks made up, which I’ve given away to anyone who will take one. I promote the book on my blog, Baby Squared, over at Babble.com. I think these are all good ways to go. Generally speaking, I would advise writers to focus on building relationships—really engaging with readers, writers and friends about your book and other books and authors you like—rather than just touting yourself all the time. It’s a tricky balance to strike.

Is there another novel on the horizon? Yes! I’m in the taking notes and “letting it bake” stage right now. I hope to start putting pen to paper in earnest later this summer.

My favorite last question: Oprah has famously said that there is no such thing as luck, without preparation and a moment of opportunity. Would you agree or disagree with regard to your own success as a writer? I agree 100 percent with Madame O. that there has to be preparation. God knows, I worked hard writing Eden Lake and on honing my craft in the years prior to writing it. And I worked hard to build a readership and voice through my blog over at Babble, which helped me get my memoir book deal. So my success, such as it is, is certainly due in part to years of preparation.

But I’m not quite sure what Oprah means by “a moment of opportunity.” Isn’t it often a matter of luck whether or not you get that moment of opportunity?

Let me put it this way: I can rattle off the names of at least a dozen friends and acquaintances who are superb writers, who have written wonderful books, represented by fantastic agents, that haven’t gotten picked up for publication because the market for fiction is so tough right now.

All it takes is one editor to fall in love with your book. But there are hundreds of editors, and an agent can only submit to one per publishing house. And even if an editor does fall in love with your book, the editorial and marketing team has to approve that “love” for a book to get the green light. Which isn’t to say that people whose books get published and who become successful (not that the two always go hand in hand…) don’t deserve it. They do. But luck also has something to do with it.

Meet Belinda Frisch

Are you a lover of the horror genre? Today’s featured debut author is Belinda Frisch who has woven a scary tale involving a Ouija board — that lone is enough to make me want to hide under the bed. :)

Name: Belinda Frisch

Name of book: Dead Spell

Book genre: Horror

Date published: March 2011

Publisher: Create Space

What is your day job? I am a Certified Professional Coder (medical)

What is your book about? Brea Miller is straddling the social lines of her small town high school. Her mother is a control freak, her father moved away under mysterious circumstances years ago, and her best friend, Harmony, is haunted by Tom, the evil spirit that came through her Ouija board. When Harmony dies, Brea becomes the target, and she must figure out who Tom is and what he wants before she is next.

Oooh, that sounds cool! What would you say was the most challenging part of writing this book? Completing the rough draft. I tend to be overly analytical and revise as I go which makes a lot of unnecessary re-work. It’s a bad habit that I think I’ve almost broken.

What motivates you to write? The desire to write is innate. I dream up stories all the time which provides its own motivation.

Did you ever experience writer’s block? I have never had writer’s block. My biggest problem is too many stories and not enough time.

How long did it take you to write this book? About a year, but I work full-time.

Why did you decide to self-publish this book? I did a blog post on this, actually. The short answer is, it was the right thing to do based on the book, the characters, and the content. The longer answer is here.

What is the biggest misconception about writing a book? That it will make you rich.

What was your favorite aspect of the writing process? My favorite aspect was creating the characters. Harmony was an amalgamation that took me back to some of the best and worst memories from childhood. Reliving those emotions was unintentionally therapeutic.

What tools/methods have you employed to promote your book? I have a blog that I update regularly. I use Facebook, Twitter, and Kindle Boards. I did several interviews, provided reviewers with copies of my book, and many of my wonderfully supportive, fellow “indies” have spread the word through reviews and their own social networking.

What advice would you give to writers regarding promotion? You get what you give. I’m not encouraging false, quid pro quo reviewing, but if you really love someone else’s work, you should promote it. Chances are that if you run in the same circles, your book will appeal to them, too. Word of mouth is the best advertisement. Be courteous, helpful, and genuine. The return on kindness is great.

Oprah has famously said that there is no such thing as luck, without preparation and a moment of opportunity. Would you agree or disagree with regard to your own success as a writer? I don’t think luck plays much into writing. You have to be diligent, hard working, and definitely prepared. It’s a popular misconception that being a writer is a gold rush. For an independent debut novelist, the road is long and hard. It takes dedication to successfully navigate it.

Meet Author Sonia Rumzi

Today, I chat with Debut Author Sonia Rumzi, whose first novel is titled, Simple Conversation. Her second novel, Caring for Eleanor, will be published this summer by Heart Press.

Name: Sonia Rumzi

Name of book: Simple Conversation

Book genre: Women’s Fiction

Date Published: February 14, 2011

Publisher: Heart Press

What is your day job? I used to be a cardiovascular technologist. Now I’m a full time writer.

What is your book about? An older woman finding love at last.

What was the most challenging part of the writing process for you? Keeping the tenses straight, the rare to none use of adverbs and having a timeline.

What motivates you to write? Love of words, but mostly a rainy day.

Did you experience writer’s block? I have not yet experienced writer’s block. Maybe because I am new to the experience, my ideas are still flowing without reservation. I do have days where I do not want to write though, and I have to discipline myself to write a few pages regardless.

How long did it take you to write this book? Two years.

What is the biggest misconception about writing a book? That you do not have to rewrite. Some people think that they do not need to write and rewrite for editing purposes. It does not happen overnight. The writing itself may come easily, but the editing and the re-writing process is the work.

What was your favorite aspect of the writing process for this book? The first flush of the idea was so exciting, so I put it down on paper as soon as I could. Even though the rewriting was hard, I loved it, giving me an opportunity to refine my work.

What tools/methods have you employed to promote your book? What advice would you give to writers regarding promotion? This may not be a popular notion, but I have done little promotion except for my website. My goal is to keep writing, keep publishing, lower my prices and get it into the hands of as many people as possible. This is good advice from other successful Indies.

Oprah has famously said that there is no such thing as luck, without preparation and a moment of opportunity. Would you agree or disagree with regard to your own success as a writer? No such thing as luck. If luck was all it took, then hard work would be out the window. Hard nosed, steady patience and work is what matters. Writing takes patience and time. I have both.