Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m 78-years old and a retired educator. I have been freelance writing since I retired and have had articles published in local newspapers and magazines, as well as national magazines and books, e.g. The Saturday Evening Post and Chicken Soup for the Soul. I have written three books, two of which I have self published: The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Teacher and my latest, Giving Back: Memories, Reflections and Lessons Learned.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Giving Back: Memories Reflections and Lessons Learned is my latest book. I was looking for a new project and it occurred to me to pick out 50 articles that I had written and publish them in a book. Forty-four of the articles in Giving Back have been previously published, mostly in newspapers for senior citizens.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure how unusual they are, but I write in six-week segments and then take a week off. I find writing for approximately 45 minutes five days a week, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday is the most effective schedule for me. I was a teacher for 24 years and it makes me smile to remember that most of my teaching periods were for approximately 45 minutes. I always write the time when I start, and once I have completed the writing segment I give myself a smiley face.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
John Steinbeck, all of his books, Loren Eiseley’s, All the Strange Hours: The Excavation of a Life, and William Zinsser’s, On Writing Well: An informal guide to writing nonfiction.
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m spending most of my time marketing Giving Back: Memories, Reflections and Lessons Learned.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m using a variety of sources, like Awesome Gang to steer as many readers to amazon as possible. I have also used websites, e.g., readersfavorite.com/ to generate reviews.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the best book you can, and remember you will need almost the same amount of energy and time to market your work. If you are focusing on nonfiction, I would strongly recommend reading—more than once—William Zinsser’s On Writing Well: An informal guide to writing nonfiction.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Writing should not be your life but should emerge out of your life.
What are you reading now?
Actually, rereading, Loren Eiseley’s All the Strange Hours: The Excavation of a life.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m not sure. My strength is short nonfiction articles, but I have written some short stories. I think when I’m finally finished marketing Giving Back; I will spend time “listening” as to what I should do next.
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?
The Grapes of Wrath, 100 Years of the Best American Short Stories, The Lost Notebooks of Loren Eiseley.
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