Angel M.B. Chadwick's Blog, page 4
May 27, 2018
Letter to the Unknown Soldier by Angel M.B. Chadwick
On the cusp of Memorial Day and in honor of my two uncles who are both military veterans, I thought I dig up an old letter I wrote:
I originally wrote this letter for a contest on Wattpad four years ago as an entry for "Letter To An Unknown Soldier" which is a war memorial inspired by a statue that stands on Platform 1 of Paddington Station in London, representing all the millions of soldiers who died – a statue of an ordinary soldier in battle dress, reading a letter. This letter I wrote is now published and archived at the local library in the UK with 10,000 other letters. It is also published in my book "Corridors of My Mind." At the time, contestants were presented with the photo of the statue of the soldier as the only inspiration and from that I wrote the letter.
But this letter is also universal. So here it goes:
Title: Letter to the Unknown Soldier by Angel M.B. Chadwick
Dear Young Man,
That face of yours expresses volumes, of strength, pain, of sorrow of tomorrows being brighter than the next because your blood and sweat was shed on the battlefield, opening doors to the future for all humankind to be able to taste the gifts of life again. Those eyes speak of fiery depths, power and longing. Your mouth speaks of things we on the home front seemed to take for granted. To be able to just sigh, the very act of sighing in relief, instead of bombs bursting in invading what solace you wished you had, the mere ambience of it you’d had before, before you had to fight in a war you’d probably feel indifferent about if you’d been given half a chance to entertain such a notion, any notion.
I hope this letter if you find it in your hands, is a much more peaceful exchange than the gun that you hold, while amongst all the chaos. I wish you softer thoughts while you struggle to nurse the physical wounds and emotional ones often setting your heart and head on a harder mentality. I can’t imagine what you must be feeling right now in this world war, seeing through your once ignorant eyes the bodies of your fellow man falling as harsh as the constant disturbing sounds of explosions and gunfire. This making history, it’s affects, effects and defects are taking its toll on you, the likes of which you didn’t ask for but, somehow maybe inadvertently accepted somewhere down the line.
Witnessing that much death, including the unsettling possibility of your own, is an unnaturalness which has suddenly without hindrance become all too natural to you, an ideal furthest from your mind when you were just a schoolboy worried about awkwardness, clumsiness, crushes, social suicides, first dates and first kisses which seemed trivial in comparison but, would be all the sweeter if this was all you had to contribute to the world, this insignificant trinket, this ordinary staple of teenage life. I imagine fear itself doesn’t terrorize you anymore. I’m sure you’d rather be breaking bread with family than tripping over bodies in your wake.
Those comforts of home however are so distant. Possibly you’ve become so distant from them that they no longer have power over you. Or you’ve forgotten them. Or you must set them aside; push them back so far in the recesses of your mind, so you can focus on the matter set before you. Being called brave or a hero may be too much for your modesty to take. I smile because your sacrifice has made a difference no matter how minute you may think your contribution is. I am also saddened, because a great part of your humanity is lost in the process along with part of your sanity. I suppose, this war has taken much from you. Hopefully, this letter will give you a glimpse of something back.
Blessings to you, sincerely
Angel M.B. Chadwick
I originally wrote this letter for a contest on Wattpad four years ago as an entry for "Letter To An Unknown Soldier" which is a war memorial inspired by a statue that stands on Platform 1 of Paddington Station in London, representing all the millions of soldiers who died – a statue of an ordinary soldier in battle dress, reading a letter. This letter I wrote is now published and archived at the local library in the UK with 10,000 other letters. It is also published in my book "Corridors of My Mind." At the time, contestants were presented with the photo of the statue of the soldier as the only inspiration and from that I wrote the letter.
But this letter is also universal. So here it goes:
Title: Letter to the Unknown Soldier by Angel M.B. Chadwick
Dear Young Man,
That face of yours expresses volumes, of strength, pain, of sorrow of tomorrows being brighter than the next because your blood and sweat was shed on the battlefield, opening doors to the future for all humankind to be able to taste the gifts of life again. Those eyes speak of fiery depths, power and longing. Your mouth speaks of things we on the home front seemed to take for granted. To be able to just sigh, the very act of sighing in relief, instead of bombs bursting in invading what solace you wished you had, the mere ambience of it you’d had before, before you had to fight in a war you’d probably feel indifferent about if you’d been given half a chance to entertain such a notion, any notion.
I hope this letter if you find it in your hands, is a much more peaceful exchange than the gun that you hold, while amongst all the chaos. I wish you softer thoughts while you struggle to nurse the physical wounds and emotional ones often setting your heart and head on a harder mentality. I can’t imagine what you must be feeling right now in this world war, seeing through your once ignorant eyes the bodies of your fellow man falling as harsh as the constant disturbing sounds of explosions and gunfire. This making history, it’s affects, effects and defects are taking its toll on you, the likes of which you didn’t ask for but, somehow maybe inadvertently accepted somewhere down the line.
Witnessing that much death, including the unsettling possibility of your own, is an unnaturalness which has suddenly without hindrance become all too natural to you, an ideal furthest from your mind when you were just a schoolboy worried about awkwardness, clumsiness, crushes, social suicides, first dates and first kisses which seemed trivial in comparison but, would be all the sweeter if this was all you had to contribute to the world, this insignificant trinket, this ordinary staple of teenage life. I imagine fear itself doesn’t terrorize you anymore. I’m sure you’d rather be breaking bread with family than tripping over bodies in your wake.
Those comforts of home however are so distant. Possibly you’ve become so distant from them that they no longer have power over you. Or you’ve forgotten them. Or you must set them aside; push them back so far in the recesses of your mind, so you can focus on the matter set before you. Being called brave or a hero may be too much for your modesty to take. I smile because your sacrifice has made a difference no matter how minute you may think your contribution is. I am also saddened, because a great part of your humanity is lost in the process along with part of your sanity. I suppose, this war has taken much from you. Hopefully, this letter will give you a glimpse of something back.
Blessings to you, sincerely
Angel M.B. Chadwick
May 25, 2018
Devalued Career to A Closeted Hobby
I always intended on my writing to lead to a career. I spent decades trying to get my writing noticed in magazines, writing contests, Wattpad, writing websites. It seems I've been tossed backward. Going back to square one again is not my idea of success. I've started writing for magazines again. I've entered a writing contest. I won't see the results of that until later this Autumn. I guess I'll be entering a few more of those writing contests. All of these have monetary prizes, including magazines which will pay for certain articles, short fiction, even novel length story submissions.
Of course, they have a specific word count, etc. I feel like I'm revisiting a flashback that I was hoping I wouldn't have to keep revisiting. Just goes to show you, you can be extremely talented and end up nowhere. I've been told by many strangers, readers, publishers I'm extremely talented. But it seems the reality is that's not always enough in this world. I don't know if I'll ever be able to get any of my other books out into the world.
Or if anyone will ever get a chance to see or experience the business ideas I have in store that are written down on my flash drive along with my books waiting to be read and devoured by a reader intrigued enough by them. It's like I'm dead and have left this world accomplishing nothing. Why have an innate talent that is worthless and leads you to the bottom of the pit?
I won't stop writing or writing my business ideas down. But I have finally decided to stop treading water and just let myself drown. I can't keep afloat any longer in this writing/publishing world. So I guess what I'm saying it's time for me to go into very early retirement.
Of course, they have a specific word count, etc. I feel like I'm revisiting a flashback that I was hoping I wouldn't have to keep revisiting. Just goes to show you, you can be extremely talented and end up nowhere. I've been told by many strangers, readers, publishers I'm extremely talented. But it seems the reality is that's not always enough in this world. I don't know if I'll ever be able to get any of my other books out into the world.
Or if anyone will ever get a chance to see or experience the business ideas I have in store that are written down on my flash drive along with my books waiting to be read and devoured by a reader intrigued enough by them. It's like I'm dead and have left this world accomplishing nothing. Why have an innate talent that is worthless and leads you to the bottom of the pit?
I won't stop writing or writing my business ideas down. But I have finally decided to stop treading water and just let myself drown. I can't keep afloat any longer in this writing/publishing world. So I guess what I'm saying it's time for me to go into very early retirement.
May 16, 2018
Since I was A Kid.......
I'm obsessed with classic/vintage cars. My latest obsession is the 1929 Bugatti. Maybe I inherited this obsession from my father. He always drove a classic or vintage model car usually from the 1960s or 1970s.
I remember he drove a Lincoln, Cadillac and often an El Camino all from the 1960s/1970s. He would always work on them. Keep them in tip top shape. My obsession goes further back than his since I never saw him drive anything from the 1920s era. I also have an obsession with silent movies, black and white movies, the 1920s era and 1920s, 1930s and 1940s (the eras) and occasionally 1950s movies, including the fashion and of course the cars, even the dialogue. I always want to go to the car show so badly, but I never have the funds. Or the time, being a single mom and all. It's agony for me when the car show is in town. I have a few neighbors who drive their 1920s and 1940s cars around on occasion.
When I see them drive those kind of cars around I get totally moonstruck. I can't move or speak. I just watch, absorb, take it all in, let it take me to that era. The era I longed to be in. I know for a fact I was born in the wrong time. If I was rich I'd buy so many classic/vintage cars I'd have to build a whole new universe for them all. Oh, one day. One day.
In my book Weeping Well, the character
Othor Kane drives a 1935 Rolls Royce Phantom II. You will read about my characters (both male and female characters) driving, restoring or having some involvement with classic/vintage cars in certain books that I write and publish both set in modern time and in historical times in a mixture of genres. I mentioned before I love historical fiction, comic books, graphic novels, sci-fi.
Either way you'll see it enough times in my books (particular ones) enough to see clearly I have an obsession, including the other things I mentioned above. I also have a thing for the late 1980s and the early to mid-nineties. For which, I don't want a cure for. Anyway that's just a few more of my obsessions that will show up in my writing.
I remember he drove a Lincoln, Cadillac and often an El Camino all from the 1960s/1970s. He would always work on them. Keep them in tip top shape. My obsession goes further back than his since I never saw him drive anything from the 1920s era. I also have an obsession with silent movies, black and white movies, the 1920s era and 1920s, 1930s and 1940s (the eras) and occasionally 1950s movies, including the fashion and of course the cars, even the dialogue. I always want to go to the car show so badly, but I never have the funds. Or the time, being a single mom and all. It's agony for me when the car show is in town. I have a few neighbors who drive their 1920s and 1940s cars around on occasion.
When I see them drive those kind of cars around I get totally moonstruck. I can't move or speak. I just watch, absorb, take it all in, let it take me to that era. The era I longed to be in. I know for a fact I was born in the wrong time. If I was rich I'd buy so many classic/vintage cars I'd have to build a whole new universe for them all. Oh, one day. One day.
In my book Weeping Well, the character
Othor Kane drives a 1935 Rolls Royce Phantom II. You will read about my characters (both male and female characters) driving, restoring or having some involvement with classic/vintage cars in certain books that I write and publish both set in modern time and in historical times in a mixture of genres. I mentioned before I love historical fiction, comic books, graphic novels, sci-fi.
Either way you'll see it enough times in my books (particular ones) enough to see clearly I have an obsession, including the other things I mentioned above. I also have a thing for the late 1980s and the early to mid-nineties. For which, I don't want a cure for. Anyway that's just a few more of my obsessions that will show up in my writing.
April 17, 2018
Why I Have Not Joined Medium
I have not joined as so many of my fellow authors have. Not because I can't keep up with being active writing for the Medium platform. That's no problem. But I can't afford Medium. I can't afford five dollars or five cents. Even if I could I know I would never make it on Medium.
I am so happy for the authors who have been quite successful with it and continue on with it. I know I won't be successful at all on Medium. To build another following. No way. I am successfully building on the following I already have. 7,019 friends/followers I have currently.
That's a great following to continue to build on. Using this blog as an option to increase said following is a success already. I'm not cut out to be on Medium.
I've always gone my own way. My heart beats at the tune of a different drummer. I'm a single mom who is struggling financially.
I have done Medium features to support my fellow indies in their journeys on Medium.
But I have a different path, several in fact that will get me to success. I have to do what works for me and what will work for my kid's future.
I have mentioned in earlier posts on this blog about some of the things I have been working on. I have been asked to go into publishing other authors. (I have the background and years of experience). So I will be publishing other authors under my own publishing imprints (for which I have five of my own). Publishing meaning I will be: formatting, ghostwriting, doing editing services and promotional and marketing services. This will be a paid service(s). I will still be writing and getting my own books out and published.
I am so happy for the authors who have been quite successful with it and continue on with it. I know I won't be successful at all on Medium. To build another following. No way. I am successfully building on the following I already have. 7,019 friends/followers I have currently.
That's a great following to continue to build on. Using this blog as an option to increase said following is a success already. I'm not cut out to be on Medium.
I've always gone my own way. My heart beats at the tune of a different drummer. I'm a single mom who is struggling financially.
I have done Medium features to support my fellow indies in their journeys on Medium.
But I have a different path, several in fact that will get me to success. I have to do what works for me and what will work for my kid's future.
I have mentioned in earlier posts on this blog about some of the things I have been working on. I have been asked to go into publishing other authors. (I have the background and years of experience). So I will be publishing other authors under my own publishing imprints (for which I have five of my own). Publishing meaning I will be: formatting, ghostwriting, doing editing services and promotional and marketing services. This will be a paid service(s). I will still be writing and getting my own books out and published.
April 6, 2018
Author Interview: Self-Published Author Deb Rhodes
Deb Rhodes is a good soul with the spirit of a lion. She is the kindest, most receptive person you ever want to meet. A great friend, mom and grandmother. And against all odds she is a survivor.
Deb is an author, an excellent, reliable, very honest and professional beta reader. She has a great eye and is knowledgeable about what works and what doesn't work for the reader when developing characters, pace, story, conflict, etc. because she approaches it as a reader.
Hi, Deb!
Tell us a little about yourself and your latest book.
I began working on my poetry book, Brightwood Street Chronicles, nearly ten years ago. This might qualify me as the world’s slowest writer, but I realize now that I was slowly becoming the person I needed to be in order to write what I needed to write, in the way that it needed to be expressed.
I’ve known for decades that one day I’d write my story. This little book is the story of my traumatic childhood in poetry form.
What inspired you to be a writer and get into Indie publishing? How long have you been writing? How long have you been published as an Indie author?
My writing life began at the age of seven. My parents’ recent divorce opened a door to my creativity that I hadn’t known existed and which led me to write a story about loss.
I’ve gone the Indie publishing route because this collection of poetry is so personal I knew I would need to have control over every aspect of its debut into the world.
Who are your writing mentors/authors? What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read? Are you an avid/reviewer of other authors?
There are so many writers I’ve loved and learned from over the years. I’ve been a bookworm from the moment I began reading. Beverly Cleary was one of my first favorites, and I’ve found that her books held up well. I still read some of them a few times a year. Laura Ignalls Wilder was another early favorite and then I discovered Dickens and Vonnegut, and Barbra Pym. I went through a phase of being hooked on Agatha Christie’s novels.
I enjoy writing mainstream fiction, and am halfway through my first novel. Mysteries in the fashion of Ruth Rendell and Peter Robinson have long been favorites of mine. Biographies and memoirs intrigue me too. Lately I’m getting back into the novels of Elizabeth Taylor, my all-time favorite British author. There isn’t much I don’t read!
I do a lot of beta reading so, yes, I review other authors. It’s always thrilling to come across one whose writing style and story resonates with me.
Have you ever co-wrote or considered collaborating or co-writing with anyone on a writing project?
I haven’t no, and I don’t think it would appeal to me.
What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing and publication journey?
I’ve told the story of my childhood abuse in poetic form, now I am planning the memoir which will expand on that and cover more ground. I’ve longed dreamed of using my writing voice to bring light into the darkness which depends and thrives on the shame and secrecy of its victims.
Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum? What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
I do prefer to handle the marketing and promotion of my work, though whether or not I’m any good at it remains to be seen.
I’ve promoted my book on Goodreads and with this interview, as well as on my own writing site. Facebook will most likely be my next attempt at spreading the word.
What is your greatest accomplishment as an author?
I want to say that the publication of my book is my greatest accomplishment but something tells me that the story I wrote at the age of seven was really of greater merit, for it set something into motion (the habit and passion for writing) that has seen me through every decade of life. That moment in time when I finished my first story and read it back to myself stands out as something wondrous, for it told me without a doubt that I was a writer.
What’s the next writing project(s) you’re working on?
I’m in the planning stages of my memoir. I’ve got about half of the first draft of one novel finished, and 2/3 of another.
How would you balance creativity with the business side of writing such as coming up with particular concepts and solutions to stand out amongst the crowd in the writing/publishing industry where ‘popularity’ is key, if your idea wasn’t exactly popular/or was unknown to the readers/publishing?
That’s a good question and, quite honestly, I haven’t a clue. I’ve a writer’s mindset, not a businesswoman’s. I think all any writer can do is put their best work out there and trust that it will go as far or high as it’s meant to. If I thought too much about popularity I would never be able to write another sentence.
Have you ever been traditionally published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned Indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part Indie, part traditionally published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened?
I’ve had some poetry published in magazines and was fine with that. I’m not sure how I’d feel about publishing a novel traditionally. I don’t think I have black and white ideas about the mechanics of my published work. Writers want to be read, that’s why we write—or mostly why. I don’t think it would be selling out to go with a traditional publisher if one were to come my way, but at the same time I don’t know if I’d go out of my way to look for one.
What other creative talents do you have? Do you draw, sketch, paint, etc?
I do a lot of knitting, I find it relaxing. Sometimes I create collages or altered art, it just depends on my mood. I can’t draw or paint worth beans which has always been a disappointment to me because my father was such a talented artist.
What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
Enjoy your writing. I wish I’d always been able to do so. My inner critic makes Scrooge look benevolent. I wish I’d spent less time critiquing myself and more time allowing my creativity free reign.
Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
“She’s always writing….”
Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/and other communities to help others?
I find a little encouragement goes a long way and is something I can do whether or not I can afford to do anything more substantial. With my beta reading business I will give a discount to someone who otherwise would not be able to receive a detailed critique of their work.
Deb Rhodes book:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...Buy Links to Deb Rhodes' book:
https://www.amazon.com/Brightwood-Str...
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/brig...
http://www.blurb.com/b?ebook=660739
Deb Rhodes Beta Reading Website:
http://debdobalina.wixsite.com/better...
Deb Rhodes Author Website:
https://www.debrhodes.com/
Deb Rhodes Website:
https://debdobalina.wixsite.com/mysite
Deb Rhodes Author Bio:
From the moment I wrote the last word of my first short story, I was hooked. I was seven years old when I wrote that first story, and though I've forgotten many of its details, I've never lost the delicious sense of being a writer that washed over me as I sat hunched on my bunk bed that hot summer's day, oblivious to the world around me, absorbed in reading what I'd just written.
I was that one kid in the family who always read the back of the cereal box. On tedious car trips my eyes desperately sought something to read: billboards, gas station signs, and the words on hand lettered signs taped to grocery store windows, just like the ones my father, an artist, got paid to create. It hardly mattered if the signs were as mundane as "Oranges, 89 cents per 2 dozen." That was fine with me, they were still words written down and that was how I best processed life. (For those of you familiar with the sitcom The Middle, I was a female version of Brick, the family bookworm.)
It seems I've always been a writer, though I hadn't much time to pursue my literary dreams during the years of being single mom to five boys. My writing may have become intermittent during those years, but I still scribbled down what few words I could during the odd moment here and there. Whether anyone else ever read them, I felt compelled to write them.
I now have 7 beautiful grand kids. My life has always centered on my growing family, but now that the grand kids are older and I'm not as active in their daily lives, I have what I've most coveted: uninterrupted time to write. And I do write, most days. But I've discovered that I also derive a different sort of satisfaction from beta reading the work of others. The creative writing process has always fascinated me, even (and maybe especially) when it's not my own.
Encouraging fellow writers as they mold their stories to fit their unique vision is what I love to do best when not writing my own stories. As a fellow writer, I can empathize with the need to hear honest--but kind--criticism from a beta reader. And as a lifetime voracious reader, I have the fictional experience it takes to see into the heart of a novel and assess its story arc, and characterization--and all the various components that go into the making of a compelling tale.
I've been doing this unaware for decades every time I've delved into a new book, and took that first step of a brand new journey into the magical world of fiction.
March 31, 2018
Journey of Building a Following
I built my following first with Wattpad about five years ago. I stayed with Wattpad actively for the first year. I wrote my stories and posted them on Wattpad just like most Wattpadders.
I eventually got a lot of likes, reads and comments because I posted regularly, sometimes every day, or weekly with my serialized fiction. I started with poetry and then with sci-fi fantasy and then with mystery/thriller, since my poetry was getting very little attention.
My fiction works were always in high demand. I kept updating the fiction more every day, weekly then it became bi-monthly because it got to be too much. My readers were messaging constantly to update. They like the characters, the action, the romance, my way with words. I would read other writers works, comment, like and give any feedback appreciated that I could. I was trying to remain active and because I also liked to read. At one point when I got up to 1,000 followers on Wattpad (which took over a year to gain that many followers). I filled out an application to be a Wattpad Ambassador.
Didn't pan out though because they get so many applications for that position on a regular basis. The second year I grew so tired of people reading my stories for free that I decided I would do better self-publishing them myself. I never got discovered there like some of the lucky ones on Wattpad have. I had been discovered when I was fifteen passed on that and I guess that was my only shot. So no way Wattpad was going to be my second chance, I guess.
I took all my works off Wattpad and started to publish them one by one on Amazon. During this period, I was in active on Wattpad for three years. I lost 173 followers. When I returned to Wattpad. I was down to 827 followers. I posted new fiction stories on Wattpad. One of which I entered in the Watty Awards 2017.
Didn't win. But I mainly did it to speed up my writing process.
The challenge of a contest as prominent as the Wattys sparked a fire in me to keep writing more and get the story more developed, flesh out the characters, more and gain more chapters. It worked I was able to write and post every few days or every 1-2 weeks. ( I have a very competitive nature and a very active and creative mind.) I took the book down I was serializing on Wattpad. I hope to publish it in a few months.
I eventually got a lot of likes, reads and comments because I posted regularly, sometimes every day, or weekly with my serialized fiction. I started with poetry and then with sci-fi fantasy and then with mystery/thriller, since my poetry was getting very little attention.
My fiction works were always in high demand. I kept updating the fiction more every day, weekly then it became bi-monthly because it got to be too much. My readers were messaging constantly to update. They like the characters, the action, the romance, my way with words. I would read other writers works, comment, like and give any feedback appreciated that I could. I was trying to remain active and because I also liked to read. At one point when I got up to 1,000 followers on Wattpad (which took over a year to gain that many followers). I filled out an application to be a Wattpad Ambassador.
Didn't pan out though because they get so many applications for that position on a regular basis. The second year I grew so tired of people reading my stories for free that I decided I would do better self-publishing them myself. I never got discovered there like some of the lucky ones on Wattpad have. I had been discovered when I was fifteen passed on that and I guess that was my only shot. So no way Wattpad was going to be my second chance, I guess.
I took all my works off Wattpad and started to publish them one by one on Amazon. During this period, I was in active on Wattpad for three years. I lost 173 followers. When I returned to Wattpad. I was down to 827 followers. I posted new fiction stories on Wattpad. One of which I entered in the Watty Awards 2017.
Didn't win. But I mainly did it to speed up my writing process.
The challenge of a contest as prominent as the Wattys sparked a fire in me to keep writing more and get the story more developed, flesh out the characters, more and gain more chapters. It worked I was able to write and post every few days or every 1-2 weeks. ( I have a very competitive nature and a very active and creative mind.) I took the book down I was serializing on Wattpad. I hope to publish it in a few months.
March 23, 2018
Author Feature/Article-Interview Medium.com Indie Author Carmel Hanes
The Bridge to Growth by Angel M.B. Chadwick
Carmel Hanes is pure of heart. She is a kindred soul with a powerful voice and touching message worthy of being heard. Her kindness is a testament to the true depth of humanity. Her honesty is heartfelt and a breath of fresh air. She is the calm in the storm.
Angel Chadwick: Tell us a little about yourself and your latest novel.
Carmel Hanes: Crooked Grow the Trees is a story about several youth locked in a detention center, and the woman who works with them, trying to help them change the things that got them locked up so they can gain freedom and live more functionally in the world. It is a story showing how reactions and choices can be driven by early life experiences and trauma.
I’m a retired school psychologist who worked in both detention centers and public schools and saw the same things over and over again, in both adults and students. I’ve talked with thousands of people over the years, hearing the same themes repeatedly.
The characters in this book represent those themes, challenges, and traits, giving voice to some of the universal struggles we tend to have as humans, including our disagreement in how to address the challenges.
Angel Chadwick: What inspired you to be a writer and to get into indie publishing? How long have you been writing? How long have you been published as an indie author?
Carmel Hanes: I still feel humbled to be referred to as “an author.” Unlike many others, I have not spent years writing fiction, but was busy writing education reports about special needs children. Years ago I took creative writing classes in college and wrote poetry as a personal outlet, but even that disappeared in the years of work. I have only been published since September 2017 with this debut novel.
The inspiration to write this book was, unfortunately, the school shootings that began occurring, the first of which was in a town near me. In my horror, I wanted to understand, which led to me working within youth detention centers.
My ongoing contact with kids who struggle, along with learning about how trauma affects us and my observation that adults were divided in how to respond to struggling kids led to this book. I realized there was something I wanted to say, in case it helped others, but wanted to say it in a story format that might be more interesting and touch others on an emotional level.
Angel Chadwick: Who are your writing mentors/authors? What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read? Are you an avid reader/reviewer of other authors?
Carmel Hanes: I have always loved to read, although until the last couple of years I have had little time for it. I like to read books that have complicated but likeable characters and tend to reflect real life and real issues.
I like books that make me think or that are written in such a way as to make me appreciate the artistry of the author. Some of my favorites are To Kill a Mockingbird, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Secret Life of Bees.
I have read multiple genres, but most tend to reflect our real world (which is the only genre I’ve written). Occasionally something else will capture my interest, such as Harry Potter and the Hunger Games series (mostly so I could talk coherently to a beloved granddaughter). I’ve also liked the writing style of Kingsolver and Sue Monk Kidd.
Angel Chadwick: Have you ever co-wrote or consider collaborating or co-writing with anyone on a writing project?
Carmel Hanes: It is an interesting thought, but I have never had reason to consider it up to this point. Because authors tend to have unique visions, writing styles and voices. I can imagine it might be a difficult process.
Angel Chadwick: What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing and publication journey?
I knew when I published my book that it was unlikely to sell very many copies, for a variety of reasons.
But if I were to allow myself to dream, it would be that it would be received in such a way that it helped people, to increase their understanding of each other or themselves, to improve how they related to others, to be more tolerant of differences.
If I saw any ROI come from it, my dream would be to put that towards the people who inspired me to write it, such as kids who have been in foster care and are exiting with nowhere to go once they are eighteen. That might even spur me to write the sequel my readers have been asking for.
Angel Chadwick: Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum? What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
Carmel Hanes: Oh, my, I can’t tell you how much I dislike the marketing end of this business. I naively thought I could just tell Facebook that the book was for sale and the rest would take care of itself. I know, pretty silly. I have learned that this is what must be done, even if one was not published as an Indie.
I have been really grateful for the Goodreads community for all the great information and suggestions regarding how to promote and market, as well as knowing others struggle with similar issues.
So far, my own attempts have included selling at a local holiday bazaar (which was pretty successful, as it was in the community I worked and am well known), running Facebook promos, doing giveaways on Goodreads and Amazon, and I’m currently running my first Amazon ad.
I’ve taken advantage of advertising my free promos with a few different sites offering that service. Additionally, I have a few books in local establishments on consignment and I’ve left my business cards or a free book in the paperback exchange section of RV places we stay when traveling.
Angel Chadwick: What is your greatest accomplishment as an author?
Carmel Hanes: Since I’m so new to this, I feel teaching myself how to publish a book as a do-it-yourself project has been quite an accomplishment. Taking an abstract idea and slogging through page after page of getting it down, revising it, and formatting it to acceptable standards so a publishing site would take it gave me an incredible sense of accomplishment. The only thing that beats that is hearing from some of those who have read it that it “hit home” with them in a variety of ways and accomplished what I was after. That is hugely rewarding to hear.
Angel Chadwick: What's the next writing project(s) you're working on?
Carmel Hanes: Well, if I were going to keep my readers happy, it would be a sequel to this one. At this point I have not decided if or when there will be another large writing project, as I’m still spending a great deal of time keeping up with the writing communities I’ve joined and learning to market. I am still trying to determine if what I have to say is of any interest to others, as I do not fit neatly into the genres out there.
Angel Chadwick: How would you balance creativity with the business side of writing such as coming up with particular concepts and solutions to stand out amongst the crowd in this writing/publishing industry where 'popularity' is key, if your idea wasn't exactly popular/or was unknown to the readers/publishers?
Carmel Hanes: This is such an interesting question, and one that I’m still trying to sort through. I would describe my book as being outside what appears to be popular right now, which affects how well it will be noticed and responded to, which will affect sales. Despite that, I think I would settle for fewer sales rather than change my content into something that did not offer what I needed it to say. I guess the author has to decide if they are more interested in generating sales, or more interested in sticking with their own stories. For me, it was more important to speak “my truth” and hope a few folks out there valued it than it was to maximize sales but diminish my story. I think every writer gets to decide that based on what is important to him or her, and that there is no “right” answer to this.
Angel Chadwick: Have you ever been traditionally published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part indie, part traditionally published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened?
Carmel Hanes: I have only self-published, and chose that after learning about the options. I won’t say I would never consider a traditional publisher, but I would be very cautious about doing so because of the control you have to give up. I guess that makes me sound controlling. I may have to wear those shoes. I do value having choices about what I do in putting this book out there, and any other books that may follow it. I’d have to be talked into such an opportunity if one arose, and they’d have to have some pretty good talking points. I don’t think I’d feel like a sell-out if I decided to go that route, as it is simply another means to an end, which is to get a book out there for the public to enjoy.
Angel Chadwick: What other creative talents do you have? Do you draw, sketch, paint, etc.?
Carmel Hanes: Alas, I’ve never considered myself very creative with anything other than words, truth be told. I do knit some, but have to have instructions to follow, and make mistakes on a regular basis. I do paint, but only my walls, when they are in need of it, as I’m not very good with that either. Probably the most creative thing I do other than write is take pictures, which I like making into photo books for others, or use to make personalized greeting cards.
Angel Chadwick: What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
Carmel Hanes: To keep putting one foot in front of the other (or one finger in front of another on that keyboard), to know that it is going to be scary, discouraging, frustrating, but also exhilarating and rewarding. Reach out to others at any point you need to, because there are lots of people to give advice and support when you feel you are failing or don’t know what to try next. And because I’m such a believer in individual uniqueness, don’t be afraid to be exactly who you are, because in this big old world, you will find some kindred spirits.
Angel Chadwick: Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
Carmel Hanes: She was the curious result of combining the DNA of Mr. Spock, Boo Radley, Mr. Rogers and Atticus Finch, in a female body.
Angel Chadwick: Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/ and other communities to help others?
Carmel Hanes: Paying back to the writing communities, I’ve purchased, read, and reviewed books others have written, with a particular focus on those independently published; I’ve followed others on a variety of social media sites where I can offer supportive comments or share what they are trying to publicize; I’ve read, clapped and commented on Medium posts or flash fiction stories written by fellow authors; I’ve offered articles to the Indie Author Monthly magazine, and read what others have written, and I participate in the Goodreads threads. I wish I had more time to devote to some of these things, as it is almost a job in itself to keep up with it all! It has been rewarding to meet people in the cyber world who are kind and supportive and helpful, and who are trying to put good things into this world.
Paying back to my larger community, I regularly support our local mission, have supported a halfway house for women transitioning out of prison, have volunteered at a school I used to work in to help put on positive incentive activities, and support a local "kindness club" in stocking a food pantry that high school students can access once a week in order to have food for the weekend. This pantry also sends backpacks of food to younger students once a week for the same reason. The schools have many low income families who may not have sufficient food during weekends and school breaks, so this effort tries to fill that need. In addition to these regular supports, there are often one time needs that arise that I try to respond to when I can.
https://www.facebook.com/Carmel-Hanes...
https://medium.com/@chmayella
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.amazon.com/Carmel-Hanes/e...
Thank you, Angel, for this opportunity, and for all you add to that community!
Carmel Hanes is pure of heart. She is a kindred soul with a powerful voice and touching message worthy of being heard. Her kindness is a testament to the true depth of humanity. Her honesty is heartfelt and a breath of fresh air. She is the calm in the storm.
Angel Chadwick: Tell us a little about yourself and your latest novel.
Carmel Hanes: Crooked Grow the Trees is a story about several youth locked in a detention center, and the woman who works with them, trying to help them change the things that got them locked up so they can gain freedom and live more functionally in the world. It is a story showing how reactions and choices can be driven by early life experiences and trauma.
I’m a retired school psychologist who worked in both detention centers and public schools and saw the same things over and over again, in both adults and students. I’ve talked with thousands of people over the years, hearing the same themes repeatedly.
The characters in this book represent those themes, challenges, and traits, giving voice to some of the universal struggles we tend to have as humans, including our disagreement in how to address the challenges.
Angel Chadwick: What inspired you to be a writer and to get into indie publishing? How long have you been writing? How long have you been published as an indie author?
Carmel Hanes: I still feel humbled to be referred to as “an author.” Unlike many others, I have not spent years writing fiction, but was busy writing education reports about special needs children. Years ago I took creative writing classes in college and wrote poetry as a personal outlet, but even that disappeared in the years of work. I have only been published since September 2017 with this debut novel.
The inspiration to write this book was, unfortunately, the school shootings that began occurring, the first of which was in a town near me. In my horror, I wanted to understand, which led to me working within youth detention centers.
My ongoing contact with kids who struggle, along with learning about how trauma affects us and my observation that adults were divided in how to respond to struggling kids led to this book. I realized there was something I wanted to say, in case it helped others, but wanted to say it in a story format that might be more interesting and touch others on an emotional level.
Angel Chadwick: Who are your writing mentors/authors? What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read? Are you an avid reader/reviewer of other authors?
Carmel Hanes: I have always loved to read, although until the last couple of years I have had little time for it. I like to read books that have complicated but likeable characters and tend to reflect real life and real issues.
I like books that make me think or that are written in such a way as to make me appreciate the artistry of the author. Some of my favorites are To Kill a Mockingbird, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Secret Life of Bees.
I have read multiple genres, but most tend to reflect our real world (which is the only genre I’ve written). Occasionally something else will capture my interest, such as Harry Potter and the Hunger Games series (mostly so I could talk coherently to a beloved granddaughter). I’ve also liked the writing style of Kingsolver and Sue Monk Kidd.
Angel Chadwick: Have you ever co-wrote or consider collaborating or co-writing with anyone on a writing project?
Carmel Hanes: It is an interesting thought, but I have never had reason to consider it up to this point. Because authors tend to have unique visions, writing styles and voices. I can imagine it might be a difficult process.
Angel Chadwick: What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing and publication journey?
I knew when I published my book that it was unlikely to sell very many copies, for a variety of reasons.
But if I were to allow myself to dream, it would be that it would be received in such a way that it helped people, to increase their understanding of each other or themselves, to improve how they related to others, to be more tolerant of differences.
If I saw any ROI come from it, my dream would be to put that towards the people who inspired me to write it, such as kids who have been in foster care and are exiting with nowhere to go once they are eighteen. That might even spur me to write the sequel my readers have been asking for.
Angel Chadwick: Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum? What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
Carmel Hanes: Oh, my, I can’t tell you how much I dislike the marketing end of this business. I naively thought I could just tell Facebook that the book was for sale and the rest would take care of itself. I know, pretty silly. I have learned that this is what must be done, even if one was not published as an Indie.
I have been really grateful for the Goodreads community for all the great information and suggestions regarding how to promote and market, as well as knowing others struggle with similar issues.
So far, my own attempts have included selling at a local holiday bazaar (which was pretty successful, as it was in the community I worked and am well known), running Facebook promos, doing giveaways on Goodreads and Amazon, and I’m currently running my first Amazon ad.
I’ve taken advantage of advertising my free promos with a few different sites offering that service. Additionally, I have a few books in local establishments on consignment and I’ve left my business cards or a free book in the paperback exchange section of RV places we stay when traveling.
Angel Chadwick: What is your greatest accomplishment as an author?
Carmel Hanes: Since I’m so new to this, I feel teaching myself how to publish a book as a do-it-yourself project has been quite an accomplishment. Taking an abstract idea and slogging through page after page of getting it down, revising it, and formatting it to acceptable standards so a publishing site would take it gave me an incredible sense of accomplishment. The only thing that beats that is hearing from some of those who have read it that it “hit home” with them in a variety of ways and accomplished what I was after. That is hugely rewarding to hear.
Angel Chadwick: What's the next writing project(s) you're working on?
Carmel Hanes: Well, if I were going to keep my readers happy, it would be a sequel to this one. At this point I have not decided if or when there will be another large writing project, as I’m still spending a great deal of time keeping up with the writing communities I’ve joined and learning to market. I am still trying to determine if what I have to say is of any interest to others, as I do not fit neatly into the genres out there.
Angel Chadwick: How would you balance creativity with the business side of writing such as coming up with particular concepts and solutions to stand out amongst the crowd in this writing/publishing industry where 'popularity' is key, if your idea wasn't exactly popular/or was unknown to the readers/publishers?
Carmel Hanes: This is such an interesting question, and one that I’m still trying to sort through. I would describe my book as being outside what appears to be popular right now, which affects how well it will be noticed and responded to, which will affect sales. Despite that, I think I would settle for fewer sales rather than change my content into something that did not offer what I needed it to say. I guess the author has to decide if they are more interested in generating sales, or more interested in sticking with their own stories. For me, it was more important to speak “my truth” and hope a few folks out there valued it than it was to maximize sales but diminish my story. I think every writer gets to decide that based on what is important to him or her, and that there is no “right” answer to this.
Angel Chadwick: Have you ever been traditionally published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part indie, part traditionally published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened?
Carmel Hanes: I have only self-published, and chose that after learning about the options. I won’t say I would never consider a traditional publisher, but I would be very cautious about doing so because of the control you have to give up. I guess that makes me sound controlling. I may have to wear those shoes. I do value having choices about what I do in putting this book out there, and any other books that may follow it. I’d have to be talked into such an opportunity if one arose, and they’d have to have some pretty good talking points. I don’t think I’d feel like a sell-out if I decided to go that route, as it is simply another means to an end, which is to get a book out there for the public to enjoy.
Angel Chadwick: What other creative talents do you have? Do you draw, sketch, paint, etc.?
Carmel Hanes: Alas, I’ve never considered myself very creative with anything other than words, truth be told. I do knit some, but have to have instructions to follow, and make mistakes on a regular basis. I do paint, but only my walls, when they are in need of it, as I’m not very good with that either. Probably the most creative thing I do other than write is take pictures, which I like making into photo books for others, or use to make personalized greeting cards.
Angel Chadwick: What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
Carmel Hanes: To keep putting one foot in front of the other (or one finger in front of another on that keyboard), to know that it is going to be scary, discouraging, frustrating, but also exhilarating and rewarding. Reach out to others at any point you need to, because there are lots of people to give advice and support when you feel you are failing or don’t know what to try next. And because I’m such a believer in individual uniqueness, don’t be afraid to be exactly who you are, because in this big old world, you will find some kindred spirits.
Angel Chadwick: Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
Carmel Hanes: She was the curious result of combining the DNA of Mr. Spock, Boo Radley, Mr. Rogers and Atticus Finch, in a female body.
Angel Chadwick: Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/ and other communities to help others?
Carmel Hanes: Paying back to the writing communities, I’ve purchased, read, and reviewed books others have written, with a particular focus on those independently published; I’ve followed others on a variety of social media sites where I can offer supportive comments or share what they are trying to publicize; I’ve read, clapped and commented on Medium posts or flash fiction stories written by fellow authors; I’ve offered articles to the Indie Author Monthly magazine, and read what others have written, and I participate in the Goodreads threads. I wish I had more time to devote to some of these things, as it is almost a job in itself to keep up with it all! It has been rewarding to meet people in the cyber world who are kind and supportive and helpful, and who are trying to put good things into this world.
Paying back to my larger community, I regularly support our local mission, have supported a halfway house for women transitioning out of prison, have volunteered at a school I used to work in to help put on positive incentive activities, and support a local "kindness club" in stocking a food pantry that high school students can access once a week in order to have food for the weekend. This pantry also sends backpacks of food to younger students once a week for the same reason. The schools have many low income families who may not have sufficient food during weekends and school breaks, so this effort tries to fill that need. In addition to these regular supports, there are often one time needs that arise that I try to respond to when I can.
https://www.facebook.com/Carmel-Hanes...
https://medium.com/@chmayella
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://www.amazon.com/Carmel-Hanes/e...
Thank you, Angel, for this opportunity, and for all you add to that community!
March 18, 2018
Author Feature/Article-Interview Medium.com Indie Author M.J. Woods
The Smart Side of Romance by Angel M.B. Chadwick
M.J. Woods is America’s sweetheart with a savvy mind for writing and publishing. She’s a woman who’s eager to learn as much as she can and more. M.J. is a driven contemporary romance author with a zest for life who remains steadfast with her goals.
Angel Chadwick: Tell us a little about yourself and your latest novel.
M.J. Woods: I am a contemporary romance author based in Central New York. To keep up with my husband, kids and our crazy lives (running our respective businesses, converting myself to a full-time author, making sure our kids don’t eat lollipops for breakfast), I run on coffee, music and sarcasm. I’ve written a series of three full-length novels entitled “The Amped Series”. My last release in November, 2017 is entitled “Fall”, and it’s the conclusion of a suspenseful, sexy trilogy that tells the story of Alexis Greene (a smart & sarcastic NY lawyer), and the wealthy and enigmatic Aidan Pierce.
Angel Chadwick: What inspired you to be a writer and to get into indie publishing? How long have you been writing?
M.J. Woods: I have always written stories, from the time I was a child. My writing inspirations come in many forms. Ideas come at me from everywhere. As an active writer, it now comes down to which ones I run with. Indie publishing is something I had to learn as I went, and I’m still learning. But I did not have the patience to try the traditional route. I never queried a single publisher or agent. I wrote my story, then had exactly in my mind how I wanted my book to look on the shelves. Seeing that dream come true has been surreal.
Angel Chadwick: How long have you been published as an indie author?
M.J. Woods: Since November, 2016.
Angel Chadwick: Who are your writing mentors/authors?
M.J. Woods: This list grows daily. I have loved so many books and so many authors throughout my life. I have many mentors, some who are (bestselling) writers, some who aren’t writers at all. Lauren Rowe is a romance author whose personal advice has inspired me many times over. Without having read Liz Gilbert’s Big Magic, I likely would never have finished my first novel. I also love Janet Evanovich for her writing style and humor, and Nora Roberts for her prolific talent to crank out books so many people love. I’ve enjoyed quite a few of her titles.
Angel Chadwick: What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read?
M.J. Woods: I write in the romance genre, and have made that my primary focus. I read all kinds of things! Autobiographies, business or positive-thinking books, and I’m a fan of many romance authors, especially if there is a realism to their works. (I also read a ton of articles in print and online.)
Angel Chadwick: Are you an avid reader/reviewer of other authors?
M.J. Woods: I am nowhere near as well-read as I’d like to be. With a young family, a career in the legal field for 20 plus years and now writing, I just don’t have the time. I do review or at least rate the books I have time to read, especially if it’s an Indie author. We need all the help we can get to tell people our stuff just might be a reader’s new favorite, if they’ll just give us a try. Prior to becoming a writer, I never realized how important this was, because I was not immersed in the writing or publishing world. In fact, I didn’t know anything about it.
Angel Chadwick: Have you ever co-wrote or consider collaborating or co-writing with anyone on a writing project?
M.J. Woods: I have considered it, but I’ve never been asked or attempted it. I’m not sure how it would logistically work, as writing is a very personal, solo gig for me. Music blaring, just me and the screen is how I’ve always done it. To try it, I’d have to have a great connection with my co-author, that gut-feeling that this was something we both felt inspired by, with an impulsive need to make it happen.
Angel Chadwick: What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing and publication journey?
M.J. Woods: My aspirations right now are to simply find my audience and keep writing. Finding people who love reading my stories as much as I love writing them is exhilarating. After hearing such encouraging feedback and knowing I’ve moved people through a crazy journey with my characters, I’d love to grow this and get more people boarding the roller coaster. At my core, I write for me, because there is something in there to get out. But in the end, it’s connecting with readers that is the reward.
Angel Chadwick: Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum?
M.J. Woods: I love creating images for sharing and social media can be fun. Marketing myself is not something I’m a fan of. But, at the same time, I like keeping control of what goes out to my readers, because I always want it to be 100% me, and not promoting for the sake of promoting.
Angel Chadwick: What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
M.J. Woods: A huge help to me was the support of my local ‘big-box’ bookstore. One of the managers read my work, and insisted I come in for a signing. And then they had me back again for Book 3 (Fall). My whole trilogy is now on their shelves. I hired a marketing consultant on an as-needed basis, and we work together to decide how my little budget can get the best bang for its buck. Marketing is a huge aspect of indie authorship that I’m still very new to. But I learn a little every day. I’ve also attended local author events, accepted invites to blog for other authors or be interviewed for local newspapers or indie web shows.
Angel Chadwick: What is your greatest accomplishment as an author?
M.J. Woods: Finishing and publishing three novels within one year, and then completing a fourth novel on the heels of that.
Angel Chadwick: What's the next writing project(s) you're working on?
M.J. Woods: I am working on a spin-off from my first series, which was meant to be a standalone novel. Indeed, it will require no prior reading, but as I’ve just finished the book this week (my fourth ever book baby), I’ve realized their story isn’t over. So, they’ll be having two books, which I expect to release this spring, 2018. I am trying like hell to write a standalone novel, but alas, it hasn’t happened yet.
Angel Chadwick: How would you balance creativity with the business side of writing such as coming up with particular concepts and solutions to stand out amongst the crowd in this writing/publishing industry where 'popularity' is key, if your idea wasn't exactly popular/or was unknown to the readers/publishers?
M.J. Woods: Such a great question! Part of this is an area I struggle with, the creative vs. business balance. I’ve never before felt so strongly there are not enough hours in a day. Make it work in whatever way is best for you. Realize there are times you’re not going to feel creative, and use those times to work on the business side. If I’m stuck creatively, sometimes creating a fun graphic to share with people to tease them about my upcoming book will get me inspired to dive back into writing.
To stand out in the crowd? Persistence and making your work look as best as you possibly can. Work on craft, talk to other writers, convey your ideas with concise writing and become your own critic (who is courageous enough to throw some words in the trash).
I’d say solutions depend on your goals. If making money or high ranks on lists is your goal, then yes, you may benefit from following popular trends. I cannot create this way. I put a lot of effort into one story, and ignore what’s currently ‘trending’. No doubt I’ll use a trope, but I’m not going to bend the story to fit it, which means by the time it’s over, the trope’s turned upside down, and it’s not going to fit into any one mold. I like my books to reflect scenarios that, while they may stretch the imagination, could still happen in real life. (Yes, fiction authors do research, too!)
Popularity isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Sometimes popular just means a bigger budget for getting the word out. Move people with your words, then let their word of mouth do the rest. And realize that even popularity, no matter how anyone romanticizes it, does not happen overnight.
Angel Chadwick: Have you ever been traditionally published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part indie, part traditionally published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened?
M.J. Woods: I’ve never been traditionally published, nor have I ever tried to be. I would consider it, but feel I’d probably be too critical of any offer. The one thing I love about being indie is being in control of my schedule, my creativity and my business. That’s not to say I don’t have a ton of help in many other forms, outside writing. But I don’t want my creativity punching a clock for someone else. Being a hybrid is an exciting concept to me, and it’s a shift I think we’ll be seeing more of for talented indies. I’d entertain that in a hot minute.
Angel Chadwick: What other creative talents do you have? Do you draw, sketch, paint, etc.?
M.J. Woods: My creative talents are typically exhausted by writing, but I do love singing. I also love decorating projects. Creating a dramatic ‘before and after’ is something I love to accomplish. A similar thing as going from blank page to 400 page book, I suppose!
Angel Chadwick: What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
M.J. Woods:
a. Write to provoke your own emotions, or ‘write for yourself first’. If you want to evoke an emotion, it has to come from within the author.
b. If you’re immersed in your story, you’re on the right track. If you walk away from it for days and come back to read, realizing it’s still hitting that emotion for you, you’re definitely onto something.
c. Define what success is for you.
d. Hire an editor.
e. Stay true to your own style, but be open to criticism, especially if you’ve heard it from more than one source.
f. Get a thick skin. Better yet, if you want to make money in this field, figure out how to make them and become a ‘thick skin’ salesman for other authors. We could all use an extra layer.
Angel Chadwick: Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
M.J. Woods: Okay, I’m cheating here. I could not come up with anything, so I asked my editor what she would say. Her answer? She follows her dreams and the signs from the universe without thinking twice. I think I’ll give her a raise!
Angel Chadwick: Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/ and other communities to help others?
M.J. Woods: So far, my reach in this aspect has been small because I am working to grow my own audience, and haven’t felt I have much to offer. But I read works of indie author friends, share their posts on social media, etc. If I’m asked to help with something and I’m capable of it, I just do it. I love the grass-roots vibe of the indie community. The camaraderie – including among the readers of indie authors - leaves me in awe daily, and I’m honored to be a part of it.
M.J. Woods' Books:
BUY LINKS:
http://bit.ly/MJWOODSONAMAZON
http://bit.ly/BALANCEforNook
http://bit.ly/BALANCEforGooglePlay
http://bit.ly/BALANCEforiBook
http://bit.ly/BALANCEonKOBO
Follow M.J. Woods here:
Medium: https://medium.com/@mjwoods
Facebook: http://bit.ly/MJWoodsBooksonFB
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/MJONGOODREADS
Instagram: http://bit.ly/MJONINSTIE
Twitter: http://bit.ly/MJONTWITTER
Web Home: www.mjwoodsbooks.com
M.J. Woods is America’s sweetheart with a savvy mind for writing and publishing. She’s a woman who’s eager to learn as much as she can and more. M.J. is a driven contemporary romance author with a zest for life who remains steadfast with her goals.
Angel Chadwick: Tell us a little about yourself and your latest novel.
M.J. Woods: I am a contemporary romance author based in Central New York. To keep up with my husband, kids and our crazy lives (running our respective businesses, converting myself to a full-time author, making sure our kids don’t eat lollipops for breakfast), I run on coffee, music and sarcasm. I’ve written a series of three full-length novels entitled “The Amped Series”. My last release in November, 2017 is entitled “Fall”, and it’s the conclusion of a suspenseful, sexy trilogy that tells the story of Alexis Greene (a smart & sarcastic NY lawyer), and the wealthy and enigmatic Aidan Pierce.
Angel Chadwick: What inspired you to be a writer and to get into indie publishing? How long have you been writing?
M.J. Woods: I have always written stories, from the time I was a child. My writing inspirations come in many forms. Ideas come at me from everywhere. As an active writer, it now comes down to which ones I run with. Indie publishing is something I had to learn as I went, and I’m still learning. But I did not have the patience to try the traditional route. I never queried a single publisher or agent. I wrote my story, then had exactly in my mind how I wanted my book to look on the shelves. Seeing that dream come true has been surreal.
Angel Chadwick: How long have you been published as an indie author?
M.J. Woods: Since November, 2016.
Angel Chadwick: Who are your writing mentors/authors?
M.J. Woods: This list grows daily. I have loved so many books and so many authors throughout my life. I have many mentors, some who are (bestselling) writers, some who aren’t writers at all. Lauren Rowe is a romance author whose personal advice has inspired me many times over. Without having read Liz Gilbert’s Big Magic, I likely would never have finished my first novel. I also love Janet Evanovich for her writing style and humor, and Nora Roberts for her prolific talent to crank out books so many people love. I’ve enjoyed quite a few of her titles.
Angel Chadwick: What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read?
M.J. Woods: I write in the romance genre, and have made that my primary focus. I read all kinds of things! Autobiographies, business or positive-thinking books, and I’m a fan of many romance authors, especially if there is a realism to their works. (I also read a ton of articles in print and online.)
Angel Chadwick: Are you an avid reader/reviewer of other authors?
M.J. Woods: I am nowhere near as well-read as I’d like to be. With a young family, a career in the legal field for 20 plus years and now writing, I just don’t have the time. I do review or at least rate the books I have time to read, especially if it’s an Indie author. We need all the help we can get to tell people our stuff just might be a reader’s new favorite, if they’ll just give us a try. Prior to becoming a writer, I never realized how important this was, because I was not immersed in the writing or publishing world. In fact, I didn’t know anything about it.
Angel Chadwick: Have you ever co-wrote or consider collaborating or co-writing with anyone on a writing project?
M.J. Woods: I have considered it, but I’ve never been asked or attempted it. I’m not sure how it would logistically work, as writing is a very personal, solo gig for me. Music blaring, just me and the screen is how I’ve always done it. To try it, I’d have to have a great connection with my co-author, that gut-feeling that this was something we both felt inspired by, with an impulsive need to make it happen.
Angel Chadwick: What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing and publication journey?
M.J. Woods: My aspirations right now are to simply find my audience and keep writing. Finding people who love reading my stories as much as I love writing them is exhilarating. After hearing such encouraging feedback and knowing I’ve moved people through a crazy journey with my characters, I’d love to grow this and get more people boarding the roller coaster. At my core, I write for me, because there is something in there to get out. But in the end, it’s connecting with readers that is the reward.
Angel Chadwick: Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum?
M.J. Woods: I love creating images for sharing and social media can be fun. Marketing myself is not something I’m a fan of. But, at the same time, I like keeping control of what goes out to my readers, because I always want it to be 100% me, and not promoting for the sake of promoting.
Angel Chadwick: What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
M.J. Woods: A huge help to me was the support of my local ‘big-box’ bookstore. One of the managers read my work, and insisted I come in for a signing. And then they had me back again for Book 3 (Fall). My whole trilogy is now on their shelves. I hired a marketing consultant on an as-needed basis, and we work together to decide how my little budget can get the best bang for its buck. Marketing is a huge aspect of indie authorship that I’m still very new to. But I learn a little every day. I’ve also attended local author events, accepted invites to blog for other authors or be interviewed for local newspapers or indie web shows.
Angel Chadwick: What is your greatest accomplishment as an author?
M.J. Woods: Finishing and publishing three novels within one year, and then completing a fourth novel on the heels of that.
Angel Chadwick: What's the next writing project(s) you're working on?
M.J. Woods: I am working on a spin-off from my first series, which was meant to be a standalone novel. Indeed, it will require no prior reading, but as I’ve just finished the book this week (my fourth ever book baby), I’ve realized their story isn’t over. So, they’ll be having two books, which I expect to release this spring, 2018. I am trying like hell to write a standalone novel, but alas, it hasn’t happened yet.
Angel Chadwick: How would you balance creativity with the business side of writing such as coming up with particular concepts and solutions to stand out amongst the crowd in this writing/publishing industry where 'popularity' is key, if your idea wasn't exactly popular/or was unknown to the readers/publishers?
M.J. Woods: Such a great question! Part of this is an area I struggle with, the creative vs. business balance. I’ve never before felt so strongly there are not enough hours in a day. Make it work in whatever way is best for you. Realize there are times you’re not going to feel creative, and use those times to work on the business side. If I’m stuck creatively, sometimes creating a fun graphic to share with people to tease them about my upcoming book will get me inspired to dive back into writing.
To stand out in the crowd? Persistence and making your work look as best as you possibly can. Work on craft, talk to other writers, convey your ideas with concise writing and become your own critic (who is courageous enough to throw some words in the trash).
I’d say solutions depend on your goals. If making money or high ranks on lists is your goal, then yes, you may benefit from following popular trends. I cannot create this way. I put a lot of effort into one story, and ignore what’s currently ‘trending’. No doubt I’ll use a trope, but I’m not going to bend the story to fit it, which means by the time it’s over, the trope’s turned upside down, and it’s not going to fit into any one mold. I like my books to reflect scenarios that, while they may stretch the imagination, could still happen in real life. (Yes, fiction authors do research, too!)
Popularity isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Sometimes popular just means a bigger budget for getting the word out. Move people with your words, then let their word of mouth do the rest. And realize that even popularity, no matter how anyone romanticizes it, does not happen overnight.
Angel Chadwick: Have you ever been traditionally published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part indie, part traditionally published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened?
M.J. Woods: I’ve never been traditionally published, nor have I ever tried to be. I would consider it, but feel I’d probably be too critical of any offer. The one thing I love about being indie is being in control of my schedule, my creativity and my business. That’s not to say I don’t have a ton of help in many other forms, outside writing. But I don’t want my creativity punching a clock for someone else. Being a hybrid is an exciting concept to me, and it’s a shift I think we’ll be seeing more of for talented indies. I’d entertain that in a hot minute.
Angel Chadwick: What other creative talents do you have? Do you draw, sketch, paint, etc.?
M.J. Woods: My creative talents are typically exhausted by writing, but I do love singing. I also love decorating projects. Creating a dramatic ‘before and after’ is something I love to accomplish. A similar thing as going from blank page to 400 page book, I suppose!
Angel Chadwick: What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
M.J. Woods:
a. Write to provoke your own emotions, or ‘write for yourself first’. If you want to evoke an emotion, it has to come from within the author.
b. If you’re immersed in your story, you’re on the right track. If you walk away from it for days and come back to read, realizing it’s still hitting that emotion for you, you’re definitely onto something.
c. Define what success is for you.
d. Hire an editor.
e. Stay true to your own style, but be open to criticism, especially if you’ve heard it from more than one source.
f. Get a thick skin. Better yet, if you want to make money in this field, figure out how to make them and become a ‘thick skin’ salesman for other authors. We could all use an extra layer.
Angel Chadwick: Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
M.J. Woods: Okay, I’m cheating here. I could not come up with anything, so I asked my editor what she would say. Her answer? She follows her dreams and the signs from the universe without thinking twice. I think I’ll give her a raise!
Angel Chadwick: Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/ and other communities to help others?
M.J. Woods: So far, my reach in this aspect has been small because I am working to grow my own audience, and haven’t felt I have much to offer. But I read works of indie author friends, share their posts on social media, etc. If I’m asked to help with something and I’m capable of it, I just do it. I love the grass-roots vibe of the indie community. The camaraderie – including among the readers of indie authors - leaves me in awe daily, and I’m honored to be a part of it.
M.J. Woods' Books:
BUY LINKS:
http://bit.ly/MJWOODSONAMAZON
http://bit.ly/BALANCEforNook
http://bit.ly/BALANCEforGooglePlay
http://bit.ly/BALANCEforiBook
http://bit.ly/BALANCEonKOBO
Follow M.J. Woods here:
Medium: https://medium.com/@mjwoods
Facebook: http://bit.ly/MJWoodsBooksonFB
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/MJONGOODREADS
Instagram: http://bit.ly/MJONINSTIE
Twitter: http://bit.ly/MJONTWITTER
Web Home: www.mjwoodsbooks.com
March 10, 2018
Author Feature/Article-Interview Medium.com Indie Author Erica Graham
Phonetically Speaking with Children’s Author Erica Graham by Angel M.B. Chadwick
From the moment, I read Erica Graham’s books (I’ve read two and have added the other three to my bookshelf) I was hooked on the way she incorporated speech patterns with fun lessons and story in a short amount of pages and at the same time making it educational and worth the read. The kind of children’s books that stay with parent and child leaving the reader eager to revisit the speech sounds, story and lessons learned in the process. I urge you to read this fantastic and brilliant author who can entertain you, your children and educate you in an artistic and phonetic way of sounding out and learning words and sounds with beautiful illustrations, appropriate for all ages, backgrounds, educational levels, parents and children alike.
Angel Chadwick: Tell us a little about yourself and your latest novel.
Erica Graham: I am a speech-language pathologist and children’s author. I have combined my knowledge as a speech-language pathologist and love of writing to create the Talking Tales series. Each book in the series focuses on a core sound or group of sounds to help with speech development. My most recent book was “Catch that Chinchilla,” which focuses on the “ch” sound. Each book has an engaging storyline so that even children who are not working on speech can enjoy them.
Angel Chadwick: What inspired you to be a writer and to get into indie publishing? How long have you been writing? How long have you been published as an indie author?
Erica Graham: My desire to help parents find ways to promote their children’s speech at home initiated my search for children’s books that helped with articulation. After spending hours in bookstores and online, I was unable to find what I was looking for—thus birthing the idea to write something myself. I have been writing most my life, and have been published for a year and a half.
Angel Chadwick: Who are your writing mentors/authors? What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read? Are you an avid reader/reviewer of other authors?
Erica Graham: One of the first indie authors that reached out to and inspired me was Carole P. Roman. Her willingness to share her experience and advice has inspired me to do the same for other authors. I enjoy writing children’s books, but am considering branching out to other genres in the future. I personally like to read mystery and fantasy novels, though my current life leaves very little room for reading. I do leave reviews on books I have read because, as an author, I understand how important they are.
Angel Chadwick: Have you ever co-wrote or consider collaborating or co-writing with anyone on a writing project?
Erica Graham: I have never co-written a project.
Angel Chadwick: What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing and publication journey?
Erica Graham: My hope with my Talking Tales children’s stories is to help give parents and children a fun way to target speech while promoting literacy. My hope as a Medium author is to provide people with stories that inspire their personal and professional lives.
Angel Chadwick: Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum? What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
Erica Graham: I personally enjoy marketing, but would not be opposed to outside help. There is a lot of work and luck that is associated with marketing. I enjoy doing group author events and writing guest articles for blogs and publications. The best marketing I have found is live events at libraries, book readings at schools, and setting up a booth at vendor fairs.
Angel Chadwick: What is your greatest accomplishment as an author?
Erica Graham: I have come a long way since becoming a published author and have overcome many hurdles. However, the accomplishment that is most important to me is having written books that my children enjoy. I will never forget the first time I asked my daughter to pick a book from her shelf for a bedtime story and out of the hundreds of books that were before her, she choose one of mine.
Angel Chadwick: What's the next writing project(s) you're working on?
Erica Graham: I have a couple more books in the works for the Talking Tales series. Recently, I have started writing a variety of articles for Medium.
Angel Chadwick: How would you balance creativity with the business side of writing such as coming up with particular concepts and solutions to stand out amongst the crowd in this writing/publishing industry where 'popularity' is key, if your idea wasn't exactly popular/or was unknown to the readers/publishers?
Erica Graham: I believe an author has to decide where his or her priorities are in that situation. If your main concern is sales, then you may want to stick with “cookie-cutter” storylines that are close to the big sellers. However, one of the things that authors and readers find most attractive about indie authors is their freedom to provide a story that is unique and refreshing. While this may make it harder to create a buzz, it fills a void that a lot of readers have when it comes to traditionally published works.
Angel Chadwick: Have you ever been traditionally published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part indie, part traditionally published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened?
Erica Graham: I have never been traditionally published. I have never even submitted any work to a traditional publisher. I enjoy the freedom that comes with being an indie author. I like the fact that it gives me a direct relationship with my readers and allows me to get my work to them quickly. Traditionally publishing a book can take years, and I have readers with kids who could benefit from my books now. I wouldn’t turn down the idea of being part traditionally and part indie published in the future, but for now, I will remain an indie author.
Angel Chadwick: What other creative talents do you have? Do you draw, sketch, paint, etc.?
Erica Graham: I do all my own illustrations for my children’s books. I also enjoy crafting, many forms of art, including photography, painting, and pottery. Music and learning various types of instruments is also a passion of mine—however, singing is not my strength. Though I feel I am pretty fabulous when singing with my radio in the car. Yes, I am that crazy person singing and dancing in the car next to you at the stoplight.
Angel Chadwick: What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
Erica Graham: Don’t let your fears stop you from pursuing your dreams of publishing. It can be scary when you don’t know how others will respond to your work, or worse, not respond at all. However, if you don’t put your work out there, you will never know whose life you will touch.
Angel Chadwick: Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
Erica Graham: She is that tea-guzzling multi-tasking author who can’t sit still and loves her family.
Angel Chadwick: Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/ and other communities to help others?
Erica Graham: I am very involved with the youth in my community--especially 7th-12th grade. This is one of the most challenging times in a person’s life as they try to sort out who they are and where they want to be. I feel that it is important to help them understand that they are not alone during this time and there are people who care for them.
Links to Erica Graham’s Social Media Sites:
https://www.talkingtalesbooks.com/
https://www.facebook.com/EricaGrahamA...
https://twitter.com/egrahamauthor
Medium: https://medium.com/@egraham040
Medium article: https://medium.com/@egraham040/a-glim...
Medium article:
https://medium.com/@egraham040/what-i...
Erica Graham’s Author Bio:
Erica Graham is an award winning children's author. Graham graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with her Master of Science Degree in Speech Language Pathology. She also holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence with the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. As a mother, Graham understands the difficulty parents have finding time to work on speech with their children. In her pursuit to create a fun easy way for therapists, children, and their parents to enhance speech development while promoting literacy, she has written a series of exciting children’s books. Each book focuses on a core sound used in the English language. Outside of writing and working as a Speech Language Pathologist, Graham enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and daughters, volunteering with the youth group at church, and a good cup of tea.
From the moment, I read Erica Graham’s books (I’ve read two and have added the other three to my bookshelf) I was hooked on the way she incorporated speech patterns with fun lessons and story in a short amount of pages and at the same time making it educational and worth the read. The kind of children’s books that stay with parent and child leaving the reader eager to revisit the speech sounds, story and lessons learned in the process. I urge you to read this fantastic and brilliant author who can entertain you, your children and educate you in an artistic and phonetic way of sounding out and learning words and sounds with beautiful illustrations, appropriate for all ages, backgrounds, educational levels, parents and children alike.
Angel Chadwick: Tell us a little about yourself and your latest novel.
Erica Graham: I am a speech-language pathologist and children’s author. I have combined my knowledge as a speech-language pathologist and love of writing to create the Talking Tales series. Each book in the series focuses on a core sound or group of sounds to help with speech development. My most recent book was “Catch that Chinchilla,” which focuses on the “ch” sound. Each book has an engaging storyline so that even children who are not working on speech can enjoy them.
Angel Chadwick: What inspired you to be a writer and to get into indie publishing? How long have you been writing? How long have you been published as an indie author?
Erica Graham: My desire to help parents find ways to promote their children’s speech at home initiated my search for children’s books that helped with articulation. After spending hours in bookstores and online, I was unable to find what I was looking for—thus birthing the idea to write something myself. I have been writing most my life, and have been published for a year and a half.
Angel Chadwick: Who are your writing mentors/authors? What genres do you enjoy writing and what genres do you like to read? Are you an avid reader/reviewer of other authors?
Erica Graham: One of the first indie authors that reached out to and inspired me was Carole P. Roman. Her willingness to share her experience and advice has inspired me to do the same for other authors. I enjoy writing children’s books, but am considering branching out to other genres in the future. I personally like to read mystery and fantasy novels, though my current life leaves very little room for reading. I do leave reviews on books I have read because, as an author, I understand how important they are.
Angel Chadwick: Have you ever co-wrote or consider collaborating or co-writing with anyone on a writing project?
Erica Graham: I have never co-written a project.
Angel Chadwick: What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this writing and publication journey?
Erica Graham: My hope with my Talking Tales children’s stories is to help give parents and children a fun way to target speech while promoting literacy. My hope as a Medium author is to provide people with stories that inspire their personal and professional lives.
Angel Chadwick: Do you prefer to do marketing and promotion yourself for your works or would you rather have someone else control that spectrum? What are some of the things you have done to promote and market yourself?
Erica Graham: I personally enjoy marketing, but would not be opposed to outside help. There is a lot of work and luck that is associated with marketing. I enjoy doing group author events and writing guest articles for blogs and publications. The best marketing I have found is live events at libraries, book readings at schools, and setting up a booth at vendor fairs.
Angel Chadwick: What is your greatest accomplishment as an author?
Erica Graham: I have come a long way since becoming a published author and have overcome many hurdles. However, the accomplishment that is most important to me is having written books that my children enjoy. I will never forget the first time I asked my daughter to pick a book from her shelf for a bedtime story and out of the hundreds of books that were before her, she choose one of mine.
Angel Chadwick: What's the next writing project(s) you're working on?
Erica Graham: I have a couple more books in the works for the Talking Tales series. Recently, I have started writing a variety of articles for Medium.
Angel Chadwick: How would you balance creativity with the business side of writing such as coming up with particular concepts and solutions to stand out amongst the crowd in this writing/publishing industry where 'popularity' is key, if your idea wasn't exactly popular/or was unknown to the readers/publishers?
Erica Graham: I believe an author has to decide where his or her priorities are in that situation. If your main concern is sales, then you may want to stick with “cookie-cutter” storylines that are close to the big sellers. However, one of the things that authors and readers find most attractive about indie authors is their freedom to provide a story that is unique and refreshing. While this may make it harder to create a buzz, it fills a void that a lot of readers have when it comes to traditionally published works.
Angel Chadwick: Have you ever been traditionally published? Would you consider it? Or feel like a sell out if you took a traditional deal and abandoned indie publishing? Have you ever thought about being a hybrid, part indie, part traditionally published? How would you feel about such an opportunity, if both or either of these things happened?
Erica Graham: I have never been traditionally published. I have never even submitted any work to a traditional publisher. I enjoy the freedom that comes with being an indie author. I like the fact that it gives me a direct relationship with my readers and allows me to get my work to them quickly. Traditionally publishing a book can take years, and I have readers with kids who could benefit from my books now. I wouldn’t turn down the idea of being part traditionally and part indie published in the future, but for now, I will remain an indie author.
Angel Chadwick: What other creative talents do you have? Do you draw, sketch, paint, etc.?
Erica Graham: I do all my own illustrations for my children’s books. I also enjoy crafting, many forms of art, including photography, painting, and pottery. Music and learning various types of instruments is also a passion of mine—however, singing is not my strength. Though I feel I am pretty fabulous when singing with my radio in the car. Yes, I am that crazy person singing and dancing in the car next to you at the stoplight.
Angel Chadwick: What advice would you give other aspiring authors?
Erica Graham: Don’t let your fears stop you from pursuing your dreams of publishing. It can be scary when you don’t know how others will respond to your work, or worse, not respond at all. However, if you don’t put your work out there, you will never know whose life you will touch.
Angel Chadwick: Describe yourself in a one-sentence epithet.
Erica Graham: She is that tea-guzzling multi-tasking author who can’t sit still and loves her family.
Angel Chadwick: Paying it forward. What things do you do in your community/ and other communities to help others?
Erica Graham: I am very involved with the youth in my community--especially 7th-12th grade. This is one of the most challenging times in a person’s life as they try to sort out who they are and where they want to be. I feel that it is important to help them understand that they are not alone during this time and there are people who care for them.
Links to Erica Graham’s Social Media Sites:
https://www.talkingtalesbooks.com/
https://www.facebook.com/EricaGrahamA...
https://twitter.com/egrahamauthor
Medium: https://medium.com/@egraham040
Medium article: https://medium.com/@egraham040/a-glim...
Medium article:
https://medium.com/@egraham040/what-i...
Erica Graham’s Author Bio:
Erica Graham is an award winning children's author. Graham graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville with her Master of Science Degree in Speech Language Pathology. She also holds her Certificate of Clinical Competence with the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. As a mother, Graham understands the difficulty parents have finding time to work on speech with their children. In her pursuit to create a fun easy way for therapists, children, and their parents to enhance speech development while promoting literacy, she has written a series of exciting children’s books. Each book focuses on a core sound used in the English language. Outside of writing and working as a Speech Language Pathologist, Graham enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and daughters, volunteering with the youth group at church, and a good cup of tea.
March 8, 2018
Updates
Spring break is coming up next week. And my son's birthday is in a week and a half. My computer is on the fritz. I wish I had a better update. Hope you guys have a great spring break!
