Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Cherise Arthur and I live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. As a child, I spent many hours in the woods near our farm on my ponies. I have always had a great love for ponies and horses. After many years of not riding, I took up riding again about 8 years ago. In that time I have renewed a bond that I loved in childhood with horses. I also love to write and last year I wrote Sierra and Star. Beautifully illustrated by Marian Gorin. I am very happy with my first book and am planning on writing a series of 5 other books about Sierra and Star.
Besides writing, I have worked in education for 15 years and have enjoyed working with many students over the years. I love reading, knitting, traveling, and spending time at the Oregon coast with my husband.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My first book is titled “Sierra and Star”. Part of this book was inspired by my time as a child riding and my renewal in getting back into riding as an adult. The first barn that I rode at as adult had many young teens and girls riding and competing in OHSET on their horses. I had the opportunity to meet some really neat kids and this inspired me to create a story about Sierra and her pony Star. I am going to write a series of books about Sierra and her friends that also have ponies and their adventures together. I have been inspired by many young riders to create a series of books for young readers.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I try to keep notes and when I get a book in my head, I get on my computer start riding down ideas about characters, scenes and what I think my readers might like. I also enjoy just doing free writing where I write down things I am observing and keeping a book of ideas for stories.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I can remember as a kid The Black Stallion being a book I loved written by Walt Farley. Also Marguerite Henry who wrote Misty of Chincoteague, Stormy and Misty’s foal are books that I loved reading A fun story is that I know the great niece of Marguerite Henry and she is in the horse business. One of my favorites barns that I have road at, she told me some really neat stories about the real Misty horse. I was so surprised to learn she was related to her. Walt Morey was the author of Gentle Ben which became a TV show in the late 1960s. He came to our elementary school when I was in third grade and that made a big impression on me.
What are you working on now?
I am working on marketing Sierra and Star and have just written by second book I am also working on character development for the third book and learning a lot about self publishing and creating a brand for my series.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far I have been on Facebook, Twitter and a site called (don’t laugh) Booger Picks Children Books. This was a site I had never heard of but worked with a company to make a promotion video and this was part of their marketing. I am also reaching out to sites that promote new authors and sending time on Facebook looking for sites that would fit my market for my book such as horse magazines, horse events, etc.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. Facebook has some great sites for writers and illustrators. I actually found my illustrator Marian Gorin on a Facebook site and she lives in Leon, Spain. Fiverr has been a great source for me in finding new ways to market my book and to build my audience. Do your homework and don’t over promote on too many sites. Find more than one venue and if your on Kindle or Amazon try to get reviews. That really helps with your sales.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Be patient and don’t give up. I tried the traditional route when I first started and learned from a friend who had an agent to never ever pay a publishing company to get published. He said run the other way. If you want to the the traditional route, you really need an agent to get your foot in the door. If you are self publishing join groups on line that support the kind of writing you are doing.
What are you reading now?
I just started “My Own Words” by Ruth Bader Ginsberg. I was a huge fan of hers and I am really interested in learning about her life experiences. I also read a book recently about Mother Teresa.
What’s next for you as a writer?
My next book in the series is “Sierra and Star Go To The Beach” another great read for children 6-9 years old. I am excited to have it edited and am ready to story board for my illustrations for the project. That part is just as fun as the writing in seeing our story come to life from words into image on paper.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would have to have some books from my childhood like Black Beauty or My Friend Flicka. I would also want something uplifting to read like Poems by Maya Angelou – she is one of my favorite writers. And then I would want a really thick book in case I needed to make a fire because there is not much on this island and I may need to cook so would use this book to help survive. LOL
Author Websites and Profiles
Cherise Arthur Website
Cherise Arthur Amazon Profile
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