The Author Interviews - Round 2: #7: Dawn Chapman

Round two of my Author Interviews series continues withDawn Chapman, author ofBries Results. I spoke to Dawn to gain an insight into her writing processes.Where do you get your ideas from?My ideas come from many things, real life, in talking to the TSK team we have brainstorming sessions and they are really good. After all the TSK world is mine, but it is also a huge collaboration effort from the other writers and artists who are onboard.Why do you write?I write because if I didn’t, I’d start to implode. All those tiny details in my head about my characters would just keep building and building and I couldn’t cope. I’ve had times where I’ve really struggled to write. Broken bones suck when you want to do things with your hands. But, I used dictation instead. If you are born to do it, you just have to do it. No matter what.What do you find most appealing about your chosen genre?I love the Sci Fi genre, because there’s just so much room for using your imagination. To create whole worlds and civilizations.How do you deal with bad reviews, rejection and criticism?I look at all reviews as what they really are, one opinion on your creative piece. Not everyone will love what you’ve done, and not everyone will hate it. With every review there is always something to learn. Take the best from it, thank the reviewer (or not) and just keep on going.What do you find difficult about writing?The most difficult thing for me is remembering that not everything I have in my head makes it onto the page the first time I put it down. For me editing is paramount, and using the correct review system to make me work as hard as I can to get the details in that others really want.Do you ever outsource your work?In what sense, the writing? Yes, there are others on the TSK team who are writing in my world. And I hope that in the future there will be more people who will contribute to the vastness that is TSK.What is your opinion on indie vs traditional publishing?There are pros and cons for both. I chose to go indie because I wanted the best out of my world that I could get for the whole team. And that meant having stronger control over my options.Talk us through your creative process from start to finish.Oh wow.1. First Draft.2. Typo and Editing pass.3. Alfa crit stage, with my team in the Ubergroup on Scribophile.4. Re-write.5. Content editing with EJ Runyon.6. Beta Reading, again with the Ubergroup.7. Re-writing and tweaking.8. Final read through from ‘fresh eyes’9. Copy editing.10. Leave a while.11. Re-read for typos.12. Typo Party.13. Publish…..What advice would you give to aspiring writers?The same thing that was said to me. Practice, practice. Find the right people to work with and practice some more. Never give up on your dreams.I was also lucky enough to gain some insight into the author as a reader. Here's what she had to say.Would you agree a good book must withstand more than one read?Yes.What do you look for when shopping on Amazon for a Kindle book? Highlight those you would consider. Are any of the below more important to you than others?Cover / Title / Author / Price / Description / Publisher / Sample Chapter / Reviews. To be honest, everything. I’m part of a few author groups and I always say the whole package is very important. First we all look at covers and if it doesn’t grab us or looks amateur, then no one looks past that to the blurb or reviews.Who is your favourite author and why?I have a good few authors who I like, mostly because I’ve turned to audiobooks and I’ve come across some amazing writers through them. Nathan Lowell. Nick Webb. S.E Smith. M.R Forbes. Mostly I look for the narrators, and will listen to most books they narrate. Greg Tremblay, Ray Greenley, Joe Hemple. Jeff Hayes.Do you shop for indie books online? If not, why?Mostly audiobooks, but they’re also indiebooks.What would it take for you to leave a review on Amazon/ Goodreads?I write reviews for the audiobooks. I rarely have time to read ebooks at the weekends.After downloading book one for free/ 99p or 99c on Amazon, do you ever return and pay more for book two? If not, why?I do - depends on the author. I’ve recently been given copies of a few books that I can’t get in the UK from Nick Webb's universe as they’re by different authors with the kindle worlds program. Because I’ve been given these copies, I review them, but I also go back and buy some books from the author as well.Do you ever visit an author's website and if so, why?I do, because some I like to follow, and sign up to.What would it take for you to sign up to a mailing list?I like to follow authors who I enjoy. And learn from them or their narrators when new books are out.Do you ever enter giveaways and/ or order signed copies?Yes, and sometimes I’ll promote for them as well, on my blog or social media.What would it take for you to recommend a book to a friend?It takes a lot, my recommendations come on my blog with the reviews I write and sometimes in conversation.It was great to gain another author's insight as a writer and a reader. Please help to support this author by sharing the post with your friends or visiting their website/s to shop for books.Thanks for the interview, Dawn Chapman, and good luck with your work!