Ask the Author: Alexis Kaye Wright
Answered Questions (7)
Alexis Kaye Wright
Who said nobody cares? Those who do not care about knowing Jesus, well it will be unfortunate for them later if they don't change their minds and hearts while there's still time for them to do so. I am a new author too so I have that challenge to overcome. I write for Jesus, not for people so that is where my motivation comes from. This book is for the people Jesus wants me to help reach to bring close to Him. They are the ones that WILL be reached.
Alexis Kaye Wright
This is an excellent question, and I wrote a whole piece on it in my book. So as not to completely spoil that section in my book I will give only a couple of suggestions here: Find somewhere peaceful and calming (for me it is the beach) to relax and not think about the book or article you're having a hard time writing and when you are relaxed, you may find the solution/words come flowing to you. Make sure you have pen and paper with you or an app on your phone like Docs to go or Polaris to write down when inspiration DOES hit, no matter where you go - even to the grocery store or movies! Snip-its of conversation you overhear, or parts of conversations you have with someone can be inspiration. So find ways to relax and take a break from your writing, and be prepared to be inspired in unlikely ways in unlikely places.
Alexis Kaye Wright
I communicate better through writing than verbally, so that is a major plus for me because I am more articulate in my writing. I also write down my feelings when they become overwhelming, so it is not just stuff for a book or short story, or article or blog I write, but I have a private journal too. I began blogging with WordPress in 2013, and what became rewarding for me was helping even 1 person with the advice and experiences of mine I shared. So the best things about being a writer are that you can write anything, whether for the public to see or just for you to release burdens on your heart or shoulders, and also helping others through my/your writing. If you can reach/inspire/help just 1 person through your writing (or give others relief from their problems by entering them into a fictional world with journeys and the character's life), then you have made a positive difference to that person and in this world. And it can start with 1 person and then suddenly, as you keep writing, you help more and more people and make an even bigger positive difference. It's awesome to be able to do that.
Alexis Kaye Wright
Never give up! In the last 5 years, since I began writing again in summer 2011 - beginning with articles for newspapers that never got published - I have been rejected time and time again. But I never gave up writing, and when I finished my book that I published last month, I got several rejections from Christian publishing companies I sent my inquiries too based on their instructions in the "submissions" area on their website. But once again, even on days I really want to and almost did give up, something told me to keep trying and not to give up and my book would be published. Whether writing a book, or writing articles or stories for a newspaper or magazine, thoroughly research the publishing companies, newspapers, or magazines that publish the genre and style of writing that you do and then send your work (to newspapers and magazines who have their own set of instructions for submitting your work) or if sending inquiries to a publishing company for your book then on their submissions page, make sure you follow the guidelines to a T so that they won't just delete your submission, or toss it out for the companies that still do take manuscripts via mail. If you hit writers block, I do address that in my book for ways to get inspiration. Some examples real quick are snip-its of conversation you hear OR bits of conversation you have with someone, lyrics, lines from a movie, going somewhere peaceful and calming (for me it's the beach to listen to and watch the ocean waves crashing). And I will say it one more time - NEVER give up on writing, or on being published if you have a passion for it and believe it's what you are meant to be doing. One final piece of advice: Get readers before your book is finished. When you have written at least 1 or 2 chapters of your book, look for a good website for creating an author page and make sure it shows your unique personality in a way that mixes well with what you will be posting from your book and about it. Once it is published, you will have a few readers since you began building interest in your book before it was published, but do not lose heart when sales do not pick up immediately. I have been told by other authors that it takes time to get readers for first-time authors. Engage with your visitors to your author pages. You will find out which ways work over time.
Alexis Kaye Wright
I am currently working on a collaborative book with 1 or more other authors on a book that I hope will educate people on invisible illnesses like anxiety, depression, and PTSD. I am not sure how much I am allowed to say right now since I am not writing this book alone, but I will update you (and all my readers) when I can. And to anyone reading this: It does NOT make you a bad or fake Christian if you suffer from any of these invisible illnesses. Jesus has the power to heal, but He may be using our invisible illnesses to educate first ourselves, and later others who need help with solutions and to provide help for family and friends of sufferers so they can better help us who do. I believe it is time that people who do not have any invisible illnesses such as the ones I listed be educated so they can be active in helping the people who suffer silently because their symptoms are not visible.
Alexis Kaye Wright
I get my inspiration from different places: Verses in the Bible, experiences I am going through, snip-its of conversation I overhear, parts of conversations I have with others sometimes... the list can go on. I actually address this in my book too, if you are a writer and need help finding ways to inspire your writing. Sometimes lyrics to a song or lines from a movie could help! Being at the ocean listening to and watching the ocean waves crash calms me and sometimes I get inspiration there.
Alexis Kaye Wright
I was baptized in April 2012, and about a year later in summer 2013, I started to write blogs on blogger.com and WordPress.com about my experiences and stuff I was learning - like how to respond during difficult times - and I used Scripture that related to what I was going through to help others who may be experiencing similar troubles hope. In 2015, I thought "why not turn it into a book?" So That is exactly what I did, and now 2 years later, it is available for people to read at the Kindle Store!
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