S.K. Whiteside's Blog, page 3
July 21, 2011
From the Writer's Desk: Interview with Author Debra Glass
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It is with GREAT pleasure that I introduce to you all Mrs. Debra Glass AUTHOR EXTROIDANAIRE!!! This woman does it all, she is a writer, historian, mother, wife, and historical activist. I have had the pleasure of knowing Debra for a few months and she is as sweet as the most Southern Sweet Tea. She is like a breath of fresh air with her honesty but dont take that as weakness, get on her bad side (like, defamating a southern historical lanmark) and fangs that would put Bill Compton to shame come out.
I chose Debra because she a true vet in the novel writing game. She has written dozens upon dozens of books in multiple geners and knows what it takes to write a best seller. I dont like to use our friendship so I try not to ask her for help but that doesnt stop her from telling me what she thinks ;) I appreciate EVERY minute of it even if you think Draco is hotter than Harry :)
For the past few weeks I have done my ranting about how writing not being easy but I thought it best you hear from the people who have done it the longest. They know what the struggle is like and can give you some insight. Hopefully this will help some of you and for the rest of you, maybe you will decide to keep your day job. ::Shrug::
Ladies and Gentleman, My interview with Debra Glass...
1. If you could look back on your first piece of work and speak to the writer that you were, what would you say? Don't be so hard headed! I was one of those who thought I could write without reading what editors were looking for. I wanted to do things my own way and write "outside the box" rather than follow the guidelines. It set me back several years in getting published.
2. What do you think is the HARDEST thing about being an author?The hardest thing is never knowing how well a book will sell or how readers will receive it. Equally difficult is promo. It never gets any easier to toot your own horn.
3. What do you think is the hardest thing about getting published?Finding the right fit. Author, editor, and publisher must all gel and that's a magical quality that is indefinable.
4. Is there a difference between a writer and an author? If so what is that difference?A writer is someone who works their craft as a job. An author drinks before noon and waits for the muse to strike. That's a joke. I think the words are interchangeable.
5. How do you feel about the trends in publishing these days (i.e. self publishing, book trailers, blogs). Do you think they are helpful or hurtful?I did a poll on my blog about trailers and asked if they ever encouraged readers to buy a book. The answer was no. They're fun to make and it is extra, free promo, however, if you get bogged down in trailer making, it could prevent you from writing something new. Blogs are great if writers can attract readers to their site with it. A few of my favorite blogs belong to Lyla Sinclair, Naima Simone, Delilah Devlin, and Adele Dubois.
6. Agent or No Agent?I do not have an agent but if I had something I wanted to sell to a NY house, I would definitely court agents.
7. What is your favorite work that you have done and why?My favorite is Badcock. I enjoyed the premise of the highwayman and the romance between the characters. That one just poured out. It was fun to write and I hope readers find it fun to read.
8. Tell us about your latest workI'm working on my first mfm ménage! It's a Civil War setting about two brothers who are in love with the same woman. I adore all the characters. They're so different and how they fit together is fun to write.
9. Where do you think you get your inspiration?I got my inspiration for Slave to Fashion from TLC's What Not to Wear! The ménage I'm writing was inspired by the Vampire Diaires. Badcock's inspiration was Adam Ant. Member him? Others have been inspired by snatches of news stories, history, or even dreams.
10. What is your personal writing process? (i.e. do you go deep into your basement away from all civilization with nothing but water and sandwiches until VIOLA! MS done!)I write with the chaos going on all around. My one nit-pick is that I want my computer screen to look a certain way. I don't like anything to change. I write in the same template and then alter it for the publisher afterward.
11. What the single most key piece of advice you can give to aspiring authors?My hubby told me that if I wanted to write for a living then I needed to treat writing like a job. That's when I got "the call." And that was the best writing advice I'd ever received.
Debra Glass
Growing up in the south where the air is thick with stories steeped in legend and truth, Debra came by her love of romance novels honestly. Well…sort of. At an early age, she pilfered from her grandmother's extensive library and has been a fan of the genre since.
A full time freelance writer, Debra especially enjoys combining history, mystery and a touch of taboo to weave stories with unforgettable, haunted heroes.
She lives in Alabama with her sexy real life hero, a couple of smart-aleck ghosts and a diabolical black cat.
Email: DebraLGlass@gmail.com Website: http://debraglass.com
[image error]
It is with GREAT pleasure that I introduce to you all Mrs. Debra Glass AUTHOR EXTROIDANAIRE!!! This woman does it all, she is a writer, historian, mother, wife, and historical activist. I have had the pleasure of knowing Debra for a few months and she is as sweet as the most Southern Sweet Tea. She is like a breath of fresh air with her honesty but dont take that as weakness, get on her bad side (like, defamating a southern historical lanmark) and fangs that would put Bill Compton to shame come out.
I chose Debra because she a true vet in the novel writing game. She has written dozens upon dozens of books in multiple geners and knows what it takes to write a best seller. I dont like to use our friendship so I try not to ask her for help but that doesnt stop her from telling me what she thinks ;) I appreciate EVERY minute of it even if you think Draco is hotter than Harry :)
For the past few weeks I have done my ranting about how writing not being easy but I thought it best you hear from the people who have done it the longest. They know what the struggle is like and can give you some insight. Hopefully this will help some of you and for the rest of you, maybe you will decide to keep your day job. ::Shrug::Ladies and Gentleman, My interview with Debra Glass...
1. If you could look back on your first piece of work and speak to the writer that you were, what would you say? Don't be so hard headed! I was one of those who thought I could write without reading what editors were looking for. I wanted to do things my own way and write "outside the box" rather than follow the guidelines. It set me back several years in getting published.
2. What do you think is the HARDEST thing about being an author?The hardest thing is never knowing how well a book will sell or how readers will receive it. Equally difficult is promo. It never gets any easier to toot your own horn.
3. What do you think is the hardest thing about getting published?Finding the right fit. Author, editor, and publisher must all gel and that's a magical quality that is indefinable.
4. Is there a difference between a writer and an author? If so what is that difference?A writer is someone who works their craft as a job. An author drinks before noon and waits for the muse to strike. That's a joke. I think the words are interchangeable.
5. How do you feel about the trends in publishing these days (i.e. self publishing, book trailers, blogs). Do you think they are helpful or hurtful?I did a poll on my blog about trailers and asked if they ever encouraged readers to buy a book. The answer was no. They're fun to make and it is extra, free promo, however, if you get bogged down in trailer making, it could prevent you from writing something new. Blogs are great if writers can attract readers to their site with it. A few of my favorite blogs belong to Lyla Sinclair, Naima Simone, Delilah Devlin, and Adele Dubois.
6. Agent or No Agent?I do not have an agent but if I had something I wanted to sell to a NY house, I would definitely court agents.
7. What is your favorite work that you have done and why?My favorite is Badcock. I enjoyed the premise of the highwayman and the romance between the characters. That one just poured out. It was fun to write and I hope readers find it fun to read.
8. Tell us about your latest workI'm working on my first mfm ménage! It's a Civil War setting about two brothers who are in love with the same woman. I adore all the characters. They're so different and how they fit together is fun to write.9. Where do you think you get your inspiration?I got my inspiration for Slave to Fashion from TLC's What Not to Wear! The ménage I'm writing was inspired by the Vampire Diaires. Badcock's inspiration was Adam Ant. Member him? Others have been inspired by snatches of news stories, history, or even dreams.
10. What is your personal writing process? (i.e. do you go deep into your basement away from all civilization with nothing but water and sandwiches until VIOLA! MS done!)I write with the chaos going on all around. My one nit-pick is that I want my computer screen to look a certain way. I don't like anything to change. I write in the same template and then alter it for the publisher afterward.
11. What the single most key piece of advice you can give to aspiring authors?My hubby told me that if I wanted to write for a living then I needed to treat writing like a job. That's when I got "the call." And that was the best writing advice I'd ever received.
Debra Glass
Growing up in the south where the air is thick with stories steeped in legend and truth, Debra came by her love of romance novels honestly. Well…sort of. At an early age, she pilfered from her grandmother's extensive library and has been a fan of the genre since.
A full time freelance writer, Debra especially enjoys combining history, mystery and a touch of taboo to weave stories with unforgettable, haunted heroes.
She lives in Alabama with her sexy real life hero, a couple of smart-aleck ghosts and a diabolical black cat.
Email: DebraLGlass@gmail.com Website: http://debraglass.com
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