There Are Dozens of Reasons You Shouldn't Feed Wild Animals

In spite of those many reasons, April O'Brien perseveres. No, she's not crazy, she's just refusing to live life by anyone's standards except her own. I'd even argue that there's a little bit of wild animal in her. Read below to learn more about this energetic and unstoppable force of nature who calls herself an author. I'd ask you to trust me when I say you won't regret it, but maybe you should try reading this short interview I did with her yourself and make up your own mind.

Tell us about your book or books – share some of your misery with other would-be writers to give them hope.

They say a writer should write about what they know. "Well, been there done that." Give me a topic and I will write about it. It is just something I must do. I believe anyone can learn the logistics of writing, but you either have it, or you don't. A well written book can be edited, but it can not be taught. If you want it, make it happen. You can't take rejection so hard. That is a requirement. Hemmingway was turned down 99 times before someone picked him up. If you want, it is hard work but so rewarding. I have now written six books, published 3 and am working on more. "April was here" is my autobiography and is better than any novel. I have also written in other genres. "It doesn't get dark until midnight" is action adventure; a story of survival in the Alaskan wilderness with a young woman is the heroin. (You can't put this book down.)

"Enter at your own risk" is a psychological thriller that leads you into the mind of a serial killer. It takes you from the beginnings of his rampage to an unforgettable ending.

Why self-publishing?

I didn't know anything about writing, publishing, marketing or anything else.

I was born to do this, had something interesting to say and wanted the world to know. One day, after writing my story, my husband kindly told me that no one would be interested in me because I was not known. So I sat down and wrote two more books within a year and they were so good I just kept going. So the weird thing is I published them first even after wanting my book out there so badly. The only regret I have is not learning more first and not paying the money and having them professionally edited before I published! LOL

What's your greatest fear?

I was born to write. I lived my life so I could write. My fear is that there is no one out there to tell all of this to, but I won't stop until the world knows! My fear is rejection, just like any artist. I taught myself to paint and painted the covers of my books. I write, I make money trees and paint landscapes with people's ashes in the paint. I live in the mountains of Colorado and feed every animal that comes to my door; I guess that is who I am.

What about your target market – your readers. How do you find them and how do you interact / relate with them?

I write in more than one genre and for more than one age group. "Midnight" is loved by both genders from 12 to 90 while "Enter" is definitely an adult novel and "April was here" is such an emotional ride it could be read by teens but is probably more for the 20 and older age group. Women and men both love my books and can find something in each one that leaves them wanting to read another. I have done a few book signings; I loved doing that because I got to interact with my readers. The first time a stranger came to me at a signing and said "I have been waiting for your next book anxiously" I was thrilled and it felt so good. I have joined Independent author's network and I love it. It truly is helping me market my books.

I use social media each day to let people know about my books such as twitter (aprilsworld1) and facebook (April Ma-Lynn O'Brien. I have a web site so people can get to know me and my books Aprilsworld.com and I am still learning how to link all of this together. Marketing takes time and dedication. If you don't believe in your books, no one else will. It isn't easy, I won't lead you to think it is but it is hopefully all worth it in the end. I also got my books to kindle on Amazon. (A MUST.) There is also querying to agents and publishers but be ready for rejection and much waiting. A Query must be PERFECT and I am not perfect so I am still learning and probably will be until I am gone.

What's next for April – anything in process or any ideas nibbling away in the back of your mind?

Always writing, even in my head, my mind won't stop. I have so many ideas and books going, it is hard to keep up with them all, but I am driven by my overactive mind. I am almost finished with a book of short stories that is just fabulous. I am now starting a Y.A. novel that is so full of imagination it will satisfy all who read it. I also have a sequel working to "Enter (at your own risk)" and have a sequel done to my book "April was here." Can't give you all of my ideas yet as they are not copy written.

What advice can you give to other writers trying to be published?

I believe the future is Independent publishing, Kindle, and next, audio books. So start with a hard cover book, something you can hold in your hand and do book signings with, but that is NOT where you will make any money. It is all the other things I already mentioned that will get you where you want to be. I used Author house because they offer a return policy just like a traditional publisher. You can expect to pay anywhere from $500.00 to a few thousand depending on what all you need. From start to finish you can hold your book in your hand as soon as two or three months. You can bypass this process and publish directly to Kindle, but there is nothing like holding a hard copy of your own book!

Finally – share a little dirt. Something that makes you less of a superhero who can balance writing with a busy life. What's your kryptonite?

This is a book in itself, the murder of my only child, my daughter Katrina Michelle. She was 25 when she was shot in the head. My autobiography "April was here" tells many secrets. It ends when I am twenty. It is not about my daughter that is another book. It is so full of unimaginable events it is sometimes hard to believe. I am true to my book and hold nothing back. It is so interesting you can't put it down. Not a dull page in it and very revealing. I don't regret how honest my book is in fact, I believe I lived my life to tell the world! I also believe I wouldn't be who I am today without all of the yesterdays. I try to learn something from these lessons, even the hard ones, how would I know happiness if I hadn't known sadness.

Where can anxious readers find you on the web?

 I am everywhere!

Website: http://aprilsworld.com

Blog: http://aprilsworld.com/blog/

Independent Author Network:  http://bit.ly/pLjWGK,

Twitter: @aprilsworld1,

Facebook: April Ma-Lynn O'Brien,

Email: aprilsworld@msn.com

I am also a member of The women's nest, writers digest and many more.

April O'Brien

A treasure waiting to be found

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