Ask the Author: April Voytko Kempler
Answered Questions (7)
April Voytko Kempler
This is not as as simple an answer as one might expect. I began interviewing Joseph Kempler in the summer of 2007. I recorded his words in two hour segments. I have approximately eighteen hours of recorded interviews, but I believe it was much more than that. After a while I stopped recording and jotted down his words in a notebook. I asked him repeatedly how to spell a Polish word, or name. It took a lot of time, and a lot of persistence. There were days Joseph didn't feel up to the interview, and sometimes neither did I. I received so much support from my husband in this endeavor, and if it weren't for him reminding me that I really needed to complete the interview I'm not sure if I would have finished. But, once I got the the whole story I set about transcribing Joseph's words. After that, I put the sequence of events in chronological order, and began to weave together a cohesive story. This took about two years. It might have taken less time had I worked on it every day from the beginning, but as I mentioned before, months would go by before I would turn my attention to it. However, if I wanted to see Joseph's story as a published book I had to hop to it! Somewhere along the line I realized I had to work on it every single day, sometimes for eight hours, but no less than four.
I had no idea how to find a publisher once the task was done, I also (blushing) didn't realize the amount of editing involved before submitting to a publisher. I made so many time-consuming mistakes along the way. I found a local publisher in the third year, and then I found an editor. This is backwards, so please don't follow my example. I do blog about some of my mistakes on the road to published book at www.renogalsays.wordpress.com if anyone is interested in checking that out. Needless to say, within four years I had a publishing contract in hand.
All that was left was the marketing, and this was another education.
I posted a blog about the amount of time my journey took, here is a link for anyone interested:
http://renogalsays.wordpress.com/2013...
I read that for a first time author the average time it takes to get published is five years. This can take less time, but often longer. I'm pleased that I was within that five year time frame.
I don't regret the amount of time it took, because I believe the finished product shows the care and attention to details. New writer's tend to rush to publication, and with all the amazing options out there to self-publish the task is too easy. But, I say, take your time because it makes a more enjoyable reading experience. Nothing is lost by taking the necessary time to make sure the text is flawless. In fact, a lot can be damaged by rushing to publication.
I had no idea how to find a publisher once the task was done, I also (blushing) didn't realize the amount of editing involved before submitting to a publisher. I made so many time-consuming mistakes along the way. I found a local publisher in the third year, and then I found an editor. This is backwards, so please don't follow my example. I do blog about some of my mistakes on the road to published book at www.renogalsays.wordpress.com if anyone is interested in checking that out. Needless to say, within four years I had a publishing contract in hand.
All that was left was the marketing, and this was another education.
I posted a blog about the amount of time my journey took, here is a link for anyone interested:
http://renogalsays.wordpress.com/2013...
I read that for a first time author the average time it takes to get published is five years. This can take less time, but often longer. I'm pleased that I was within that five year time frame.
I don't regret the amount of time it took, because I believe the finished product shows the care and attention to details. New writer's tend to rush to publication, and with all the amazing options out there to self-publish the task is too easy. But, I say, take your time because it makes a more enjoyable reading experience. Nothing is lost by taking the necessary time to make sure the text is flawless. In fact, a lot can be damaged by rushing to publication.
April Voytko Kempler
There is this long stretch of road between Reno, NV and Los Angeles, CA, the 395 Highway. Along this dry, vacant land is an interesting historic site, called Manzanar. I had been working on my father-in-law's Holocaust memoir during the time I was driving back and forth along this route to visit my family, so I was naturally drawn to these wooden barracks and what looked like a guard tower. Intrigued, I wanted to know what this place was! Manzanar, I learned, was used as a Japanese-American relocation center during World War Two. This subject book-ended nicely with the Holocaust memoir and it was such a natural fit to focus on for my next project that I couldn't resist doing some research. What I discovered was enough to fuel my imagination for a story. I'm still in the process of researching this idea, but it's one I really can't wait to see develop.
April Voytko Kempler
I asked this question of a writer recently. She's an amazing woman, very educated, very funny and wise. She's in her eighties and has been writing and being published for years, and not only published but acknowledged by her peers, she was awarded the Pulitzer. She's really endured, but has remained relevant as well. She said the same thing all writer's say: Keep writing. That's what I'm going to do, as an aspiring writer myself, and that is what I recommend to all aspiring writer's.
April Voytko Kempler
I am usually inspired by real life stories and history, so I have plenty of source material! But, it could be anything really. A dream, a random thought, something I overheard. So, I guess if you are talking around me you might watch out! I'm listening. It really does take me a while to put it together though. I like to dwell on the idea for a long time. Sometimes after some percolating I will decide I can't go anywhere with it, but more often than not, the idea will take hold and I will go with it.
April Voytko Kempler
I always say I am currently working on getting organized. This may never happen, so I need to get over myself and get to work on some of those historical fiction ideas. Since I love the 1940s and World War Two history, I've been simmering on an idea about internment camps in the U.S. I have a list of about five book ideas, which I actually should look at from time to time so I don't forget any of them.
April Voytko Kempler
I get to work in my P.J.'s! My favorite get-up is a Phantom of the Opera sweatshirt, complete with glow-in-the-dark mask, and yoga pants. It's the best! I work from home, no distractions, but this could work against me too. Since I'm alone all the time with only myself for entertainment I forget those sweet social skills my mother taught me: say hello, how are you, what are you doing today? No, I sort of grumble my way through the day. Writer's need to get out among the public often, and brush up those nice pleasantries of life. If anything it gives us an excuse to get out of the yoga pants and dress up a little.
April Voytko Kempler
Getting some fresh air always works for me. I get up, tie on my walking shoes and go for a walk. This gives me time to distract my mind, but also gives my subconscious time to work for me! Invariably an idea or a solution to the problem will come out of the blue...or as Gru from Despicable Me says, "Light bulb."
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