Author Interview with Pandora Poikilos

Who is Pandora Poikilos?
I have received some "get to know you"questions. So, here's a peek at the questions that have been asked, and therandom ones that no one asked but I felt like answering anyways, in noparticular order. 
Most popular question, is Pandora Poikilos areal name? 
Now, if it's real or not, after having itbroadcast all over the internet am I really going to tell one individual whoasks me in a blog comment? Some pseudonyms I have used include, MarjorieAbraham and Andrea Nelson.  
What do you think was the most difficult partof growing up and why?
Not too sure if I'm all grown up (loads more togrow mentally) but I'd have to say the most difficult part is learning thatpeople you trust can betray you for the smallest of returns. 
How old are you?
Old enough, 17 April 1976
What's the ideal dream job for you?
What I have right now. To write. 
HelloPandora, please tell us about you, as a writer.
For aslong as I can remember, I have always wanted to write. My first article waspublished in a local paper when I was 13. Not only did it feel like it was the bestthing in the world, the only time when I feel right with myself is when I amwriting.
Your book'Excuse Me, My Brains Have Stepped Out'has been described as Women's Fiction; perhaps you'd you give us some insightinto it in a few sentences.
The bookdeals with Anya's story which is woven into layers of misunderstandings, a rareneurological disorder and an issue that we all deal with, acceptance. Moreimportantly the book deals with moving on. Life has a habit of handing us apause button and sometimes we can't seem to move past it, this book doesn'tshow you how in a step by step way, it is proof that you can move pasttragedy or loss.
How didyou come to write this particular book?
I wasdiagnosed with IIH (Intracranial Hypertension) some years ago. Life has beendifficult to say the least. I had a VP shunt surgery done last year. Writing abook was always a goal I had for myself and there's nothing like brain surgeryto get you going and so the book was finished between pre-surgery jitters andpost-surgery boredom.
Do youhave a favourite character from the book? If so, who and why this particularone?
It wouldbe the chapter and character known as "Calm Amidst the Storm" whichtalks about a friend who holds you up and takes you across the finish line whenall you want to do is drop out of the race.
Where canpeople buy your books?
Amazon,Barnes & Noble and Smashwords for now. More sale venues will be comingsoon. Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Excuse-Brains-Have-Stepped-Out/dp/0983197873/Smashwords- http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/53084
What qualities does a writer need to be successful?
Resilience,Humility, Diligence.

What's your workingmethod?
I must have pen and paper.Traditional and old fashioned I know but my words will not come otherwise. Onceit is written out, it is typed out, edited and so on. Also, I do set asidewriting time which is uninterrupted time solely for working on my current book,short stories or my non-fiction pieces (also known as Dora's Essentials).
What's the single biggestmistake made by beginner writers?
They give up too easily. Theywrite to a few B-I-G publishing companies, get turned down and then they tellthemselves it's not worth the effort. Imagine if Dickens believed everythingpeople said about him.
To what extent are grammarand spelling important in writing?
I think it makes the differencebetween an easy read for the reader and a good writer who conveys his story.Neither can happen without good grammar and spelling. Understood, that allbooks cannot be perfect and errors can be found but when you find a spellingerror in every sentence, what does that tell you of the writer and will thereader keep reading?
How much do you reviseyour MS before sending it off?
To the point that looking at itmakes me want to throw up. I only send it off when I am sick of it. As long asI am turning the pages making changes, I'm not done with it and I'm not happywith it. And if I'm not happy about it how will my readers enjoy the book?
As a writer, to whatextent do you think genre is useful in the publishing world?
I think it is very useful. Itprovides a sense of direction. You can't just write a book and say I wroteabout 'everything'.
Many authors see marketingas a bind. What's your opinion on this, and how do you deal with it?
This a frequent and ongoingdiscussion isn't it? I think to a large extent the publishing industry hasbecome a much wider circle than it used to be. But with this comes a largesupply that may or may not have a demand for it. Hence, the process of coercingthe supply towards the demand. I've had my moments when marketing has reallygot to me but utilising social media has been a wonderful tool in aiding mymarketing efforts. But as with anything in life, social media marketing has tobe consistent before successful results are seen.
What sort of displacementactivities keep you from writing?
Noise. I get distracted easilywith phones ringing, dogs barking. While this is not an activity it definitelyflushes out ideas from my head.
What support, if any, doyou receive from family and friends, or a writing group?
I have a few close friends I cango to and there is my partner (Peas as he is known to my readers) who becomesmy virtual 'punching bag', critic and idea bag. I think it is important for anywriter to have people like these around. It's one thing to have someone closeto you read it and say, "that's a great piece" but it's completelyanother for them to say, "you can do better". Sometimes we becomecomplacent and we need people close to us to nudge us along.
Is presentation of the MSas important as agents and publishers suggest?
I think it is. A well presentedMS usually means effort. If the writer doesn't make an effort on his own MS,again, how will the reader be affected?
How long does it take youto write a novel?
About 3 months, it's the editingthat takes me longer.
Who or what inspires yourwriting?
My partner, Peas. Call him a museif you must but our conversations have sparked more than just one or twochapters of my work.
If there's a single aspectof writing you find frustrating, what is it?
None that I can think of.
Is there a particularfeature of writing that you really enjoy?
Reaching out to people. Nothingin the world tops the feeling of communicating with a reader who has somethingto say about your book.
Do you believe creativewriting is a natural gift or an acquired skill?
I think it's a little of both, apleasant mix if you must. It comes naturally then you tame it with sometraining and chances are, a masterpiece is born.
What are you writing now?
My second novel, Frequent Traveler, which will bereleased on November 6.
Do you have a website orblog where readers can visit?
Sure. My blog is - http://peacefrompieces.blogspot.com/ andmy website is http://pandorapoikilos.com/Contactinfo is as follows
twitter - pandorapoikilos
facebook -pandorapoikilos
google talk - pandorapoikilos

Given unlimited resources,where would you do your writing?
On a beautiful island with veryfew people, a comfortable house and Internet.
Where do you actuallywrite?
Curled up on my sofa with my MP3player in my ears.