Interview With Author Ginny Dye
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was only 16 years old when my dying grandfather called me to his bedside, took my hand and said, “You have the gift of writing that I never used. Whatever you do, don’t let it go to waste like I did.”
Scared I wasn’t as talented as my beloved “Dandy”, I quit writing. 14 years later, bedridden in California from one of the first diagnosed cases of Epstein-Barr Virus, this athletic, active woman wrote her first book to keep from going crazy. I finished the book, got better, and stuffed the book in an envelope – never intending to do anything with it.
3 and a 1/2 years later the book was discovered by a friend who then proceeded to harangue me about publication. Worn down, I finally submitted it. It was my first book published. Almost 25 years later, there are now 50+ books published, but that is just the beginning. I have so many more inside me!
I believe in the power of the written word to change lives. I also believe that historical novels can implant the Bregdan Principle in people’s hearts and minds.
The Bregdan Principle…Every life that has been lived until today is a part of the woven braid of life. It takes every person’s story to create history. Your life will help determine the course of history. You may think you don’t have much of an impact. You do. Every action you take will reflect in someone else’s life. Someone else’s decisions. Someone else’s future. Both good and bad.
My passion is to write powerful and entertaining historical fiction through the sweeping saga called the Bregdan Chronicles. I published # 19 in my series in April of this year. #20 will come out this year, and then I’ll just keep rolling.
I am also passionate about the Bregdan Woman Journals, my BEST EVER DREAM Series, the Pepper Crest High Series, my World Changer Series, and everything else that can be communicated via writing! Basically – I’m just PASSIONATE!
When I decided to write Children’s books, I never imagined how much FUN I would have! The fact that children and parents love them so much makes it even MORE FUN! The BEST EVER DREAM Series has 20 titles right now, with more coming. I hope you’ll read them all!
I will admit writing is not my only passion, however. I am also the CEO and Founder of Millions For Positive Change. This amazing organization is committed to providing all the resources people need to make a difference with their life – and mobilizing them all over the world. Want to make a difference? What to know your life counts? Go to www.MillionsForPositiveChange.com.
And when I’m not writing or running my company? I love anything outdoors, but tops on my list are hiking in the mountains with my dog, rowing, biking, swimming, tennis, windsurfing, snowshoeing… I have a very big “tops on my list”!
Mostly, I am just very happy to have you in my world! You can come visit me anytime at www.BregdanPublishing.com!
And, you can read my BLOG at https://iamavoiceintheworld.wordpress.com/
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Courage To Stand is #19 in The Bregdan Chronicles. It takes place during the end of 1872 – a time in the history of the United States that demanded tremendous courage to stand for your beliefs and your principles. Reconstruction brought our country back together, but it also created chaos and havoc for so many. Women were fighting for the right to vote… medicine was in transition… Blacks were striving for equality in a badly divided country… women were making strides in areas they had never ventured into before.
This book was fascinating to research and write! I’m already deep into # 20 – learning just as much and receiving just as much inspiration as I have from every other book I’ve written! I love all my characters and am thrilled to discover how history will pull them forward into their lives.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really – other than the fact that I tend to ignore the rest of the world when I’m writing. My friends dread the words, “I’m in Book Mode”, because they know pretty much everything else will be put on the back burner until I hit Publish!
When I’m in Book Mode, I write, I play outside with my puppy, and I strive to make the most important people in my life a priority!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Oh, wow! How in the world do I answer that question. The list is endless. It started when I was a child growing up in an abusive situation. I couldn’t tell you a book title or an author, but I can tell you that books gave me hope that my life could be different from the reality I was living!
As I grew, non-fiction books helped me figure out my life, while fiction expanded my heart and soul, while also giving me endless hours of entertainment.
The MOST influential writer was probably Eugenia Price – a historical novelist who wrote about the South. I started reading her books when I was a teenager, and devoured every one of them. She gave me my love for historical fiction and gave me valuable advice – which I’ll talk about in a minute.
What are you working on now?
#20 in The Bregdan Chronicles – Walking Toward Freedom.
1873 was a wild, vibrant time in the United States. I’m not going to tell you what I find so fascinating, because then I would be giving away what I’ll be writing about! Let’s just say I’m having tremendous fun and I pray every day that my words will do justice to the year!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon Ads have been amazing for me. Granted, they are so successful because I have so many books in print. It makes the Return on Investment worth the expense. If I had only a few books in print, it wouldn’t be worth it.
Facebook has been a valuable addition to my marketing for the last ten years. The ROI has dropped some as the competition has increased, but it’s still a viable option. I usually have 3 or 4 ads running.
Pinterest is a fairly new addition to my marketing. I knew I couldn’t do it justice and still write, so I hired a Pinterest manager from Pakistan who is working miracles! We’re only 2 months into this adventure. I know the results will continue to grow exponentially.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Become a marketing expert. I know… I know… it’s not what you want to hear. Most authors simply want the joy of writing – without having to tackle the business aspect. That is great in theory, but doesn’t work in reality. You have to know how to market. You have to research, experiment, fail, try again, fail, try again, fail, try again… with lots to celebrate when all the wheels start to turn at the same time!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Eugenia Price gave me the best advice: No one writes for everyone.
5 words, yet they hold so much wisdom. No matter what you write, someone is going to hate it – even when most people love it. You can write the best historical fiction in the world, but if someone only reads Sci-Fi, they’re going to hate your books.
That’s okay. I find MY market. I write to MY readers. I communicate with the people who love what I write.
If someone writes a review about how much they hate my writing, Eugenia’s advice gives me the freedom to laugh and let it go with grace.
What are you reading now?
At this exact moment I’m reading The Singing Trees by Boo Walker. I’m enjoying it tremendously.
People think that because I write historical fiction, I must love to read it all the time. NOT. After research and writing all day, I choose to dive into suspense or contemporary fiction. It gives my brain a break!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’m going to WRITE! My goal is to write and publish 100+ books. I’m going to write until I’m 108 and then die. 🙂 If I can’t write, I’m ready to go.
I’m continuing on with The Bregdan Chronicles, and delving into new projects that fascinate me. I’ll never live long enough to write everything I want to write, but I’m certainly going to try!
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?
Seriously? Someone can actually answer this question?? Not me. Since the question reveals I know I’m going to be stranded on this island, I’m going to replace the space for my books with a Kindle (loaded with 1000’s of books) and a solar recharger so I never run out of juice!
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