Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Deborah Roe is a first-time book author. Though in a former life, she was for a short time a dictionary editor. She is also a program manager for a clean energy non-profit, a podcaster, a veteran librarian, and former Camp Fire Girl. Her greatest joys in life are learning and exploring the outdoors. With a background in environmental science, she tries never to stray too far from these roots. Her website https://PlanetEandMe.com and Planet E and Me Podcast focus on how every day people can make a difference for the planet. When Deb is not reading, writing, or hiking, she can often be found in her local community garden.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The title of my book is Always Pass Uphill of a Yak: And Other Lessons from Nepal.
To be honest, finding a name was one of the most difficult parts of writing the book. The working title for a while was “Where Tigers Snore.” I thought people might get confused a bit because most people don’t associate tigers with Nepal even though the Bengal tiger can be found in the Terai region. So I switched to yaks as they are in many ways the iconic animal of the Himalayan region. The final title comes from a warning that I had read in a travel book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don’t have any unusual writing habits but I do keep a journal on trips. My husband and I usually turn our travels into a funny Christmas card for friends and relatives, called the “Not-So-Newlywed Chronicles.”
But after the trip to Nepal, I just kept writing. Eventually it became clear that I had the makings for a book and so I continued trying to write 2000 words a day until the story was complete.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I read mostly non-fiction and have always enjoyed a good travel story. “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson, “Under the Tuscan Sun” by Frances Mayes, “A Year in Provence” by Peter Mayel are a few that come to mind. I also enjoy the work of writers like Erik Larson, Nathaniel Philbrick, and John McPhee.
When I was working on my book, I studied “A Walk in the Woods” to see how Bryson transitioned from one topic to another and also wrote a list of the adjectives and verbs that he used. More than anything else it was to put myself in the frame of mind of an author.
What are you working on now?
I’m planning a trip to Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. Not sure what the journey will hold given the fires, flash floods, and Covid restrictions going on out there right now. To prepare for the possibility of a book, I’ve been researching various related topics … things like the brine shrimp of the Great Salt Lake. True confessions — most of my brine shrimp info was gathered during a podcast that I was trying to use to put myself to sleep during a bout of insomnia but it turns out they’re pretty interesting little critters and I never really did sleep that night.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Most of my book promotion knowledge has come from David Gaughran, Reedsy, and Kindlepreneur. I think as many indie authors will tell you, book promotion is every bit as difficult as writing the book. I’m still waiting for my big break.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
New indie authors will probably spend more time and more money to publish their book than they ever planned on. When I started out, I thought I would just have some friends take a look at the book and give suggestions but in the end I hired a developmental editor, a copy editor, a proofreader, and a formatter. I need to sell quite a few books before I make this money back. To make my husband feel better about this financial outlay, I’ve told him to think of it as a PhD in writing without the expense of tuition.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Not just for writing but for any type of goal setting, I think you can’t beat the advice of Jack Canfield. I listened to a series of his programs, back in the days of cassette tapes, and the lessons learned are always lurking in the corners of my memory. Envision the goal that you want to achieve, be very specific about that goal and how you are going to accomplish it. Every day imagine yourself as having achieved that goal and take steps to get there. When you put yourself in this mindset, you’ll see new opportunities present themselves. The times in my life when I’ve followed this advice, it’s worked out well.
What are you reading now?
Right now, I’m reading a book called “Turn Right at Machu Picchu: Rediscovering the Lost City One Step at a Time” by Mark Adams. I’m envisioning myself on this journey and wondering how I would hold up—probably not so well these days. I’d like a redo on my twenties please.
What’s next for you as a writer?
When I started writing my book, I was working two part-time jobs and then with the pandemic, just one job. But soon after publishing, I was offered a full-time job that I tried to refuse but in the end accepted. I’m finding it hard to have enough creative energy for writing. So I’ve concluded that I need some type of 5-year plan. Once I figure it out myself, I’ll let you know.
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?
Oh good Lord … what a question. It reminds me of a disastrous college interview that I had at Bowdoin College when they asked me, “If you could call anyone dead or living who would you call?” Honestly, that’s a lot of pressure.
I think I’d bring the “Oxford English Dictionary” for endless entertainment. Then, of course, I need some kind of “How To” book on getting yourself off a desert island and something on edible plants of the world.
Author Websites and Profiles
Deborah Roe Website
Deborah Roe Amazon Profile