Part Two - Author Spotlight - Winsome Campbell - The Interview

Interview with Winsome Campbell-Green

Sue: Where are you from?

Winsome: Beautiful Jamaica

Sue: What are the names of your current books?

Winsome: Ten Life Changing Lessons and The Perks Of A Positive Attitude: A Practical Guide To Happiness and Success


Sue: Tell us your latest news and what projects you are currently working on:

Winsome: Well, I have created an Online Official Inspirational Books 2013 Launch; just completed my 3rd non-fiction book which is a fantastic guide for women about fashion, weight loss, skincare, confidence, love, relationships and marriage. It will be published on Amazon soon so keep checking my Facebook Author page, Twitter for updates; and I am also publishing Ten Life Changing Lessons in paperback which will be available on CreateSpace; I am also in the process of writing a novel about growing up in Jamaica.

Sue: When and why did you begin writing?

Winsome: I began writing when my father passed away from cancer in 2001. At that time I was 15 years old living the life of an ordinary teenager. His death shook me hardest because I was very close to him. I knew I had him for my best childhood years and he had taught me some valuable lessons about life. I can now understand what happens to a family when a parent dies and the void that can’t be filled. The years that followed were not all-smooth sailing but I learned to embrace the process of life and define my goals and myself. I write because I must. I have had so many life changing experiences and learnt many life lessons. I simply wanted a means to share these lessons with people who wanted to make a change in their lives. Becoming an Author is definitely a dream come true.

Sue: What inspired you to write your first book?

Winsome: When I decided to write my first novel I was seriously contemplating whether working in the corporate world was for me. I started writing my novel one evening when I came home from work. I did not know what it was or where it was going but I was writing. The deeper I got into the plot the more I wanted to do the protagonist justice. It was a novel I have been meaning to write my whole life and I was finally doing it. It's quite easy to have someone write it for me but I wanted to write it myself. That was the start. I still haven't finished that book and when I do it will be my best masterpiece yet. It's been through three computer operating systems, one major computer crash that almost destroyed it entirely, and at least 10 major rewrites to count. I've cannibalized it for characters. Since then I've written, and published two books and a third to be published soon. I am also finalizing ideas for a fourth and a fifth. I still work on my novel and the more I do I keep thinking it could become a trilogy. I keep a notepad and pen close to me and when I get an idea for my novel I write them down. The moment I get the chance I open up that first book, read, edit, and write. It holds magic for me and I will keep polishing that manuscript to perfection. So while Ten Life Changing Lessons will be my first published book, it was not the first. When I finish it, I will have said what I have to say.

Sue: Do you have a specific writing style?

Winsome: I would say I try to write from a place of truth and honesty. I want to show my readers who I am and why I came to the conclusions I did. My writing is very candid and I write with compassion. If you want or need a self-help book that doesn't make you feel like you need more help than you originally thought, then my books are for you. Ten Life Changing Lessons and The Perks Of A Positive Attitude: A Practical Guide To Happiness and Success drips with compassion and a unique and true desire to help is the result. They are not condescending in any way. I include not only personal stories, but also quotes from others and several ideas to approach a problem. One of the best things about my books is that I try to engage the reader by asking some thought-provoking questions at the end of each chapter.

Sue: Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

Winsome: Yes. That no matter who you are or what you are going through you have power over the situation. There is no such thing as “failure”. Be confident in who you are, set your goals and pursue purpose. You have a greatness within you that is more powerful than you know. Trust your instincts, appreciate what you have , enjoy the moments and never ever give up.

Sue: Do you see writing as a career?

Winsome: Absolutely! I think if you ENJOY writing, reading, and enjoy being creative then you can have a career in the field of Writing and Editing. What others do not know about me is that I have been writing for years for others. I have written several articles, essays, and presentations for people and they have done spectacular. Now I am writing for myself and will still make myself available to help others develop as well. I think this is an important question because there are so many University students out there who have majored in Creative Writing, Literature and English who are uncertain of their future. I have a degree in English Literature and Cultural Studies and it's one of the most powerful degrees out there. We are living in an information age and people will always need information and books no matter what format or genre. So, yes, I do see writing as a career and I say that with confidence.

Sue: Can you share a little of your current books with us?

Winsome: Absolutely. This is an excerpt from the very beginning of Ten Life Changing Lessons:

Lesson One: Forgive Immediately
“Life is short. There is nothing to be gained by holding on to anger and bitterness. It can be a struggle to overcome feelings of bitterness. Sometimes it may take everything within to retaliate when you feel “wronged.” In succumbing to this destructive behavior, you waste valuable time “plotting revenge.” Instead, you could be doing something positive; something that serves you as opposed to hurting you. When you “forgive” you are making a choice to take back your own power. You decide that you are willing to leave the past behind.”

From The Perks Of A Positive Attitude: A Practical Guide To Happiness And Success:
"A positive attitude is an art that must be continuously re-shaped. You can save yourself the trouble of reacting negatively to a situation by immediately changing your attitude. Start today by changing your attitude and let the transformation begin. Just remember that when something bad happens, you can choose to either let it define you, let it destroy you, or let it strengthen you."

Sue: Who designed the covers?

Winsome: My loving husband did Ten Life Changing Lessons and I did The Perks Of A Positive Attitude and A Practical Guide To Happiness And Success. We really had fun sharing opinions and ideas. He is extremely supportive of my writing that way! However, I do love technology, enjoy graphic design and currently teaching myself how to use Adobe Photoshop CS6. Look out for my really cool book on “technology”. Details coming soon.

Sue: What was the hardest part of writing your books?

Winsome: Time and writers block. Time when I get so caught up with other deadlines and I have to break writing. Writers block can be frustrating but I find something else to do before returning to the manuscript. It's all about getting a new perspective.

Sue: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Winsome: My advice to "newbies" like myself is just to be patient. Take chances and never stop writing. Write a book that is effective that leaves no doubt in the readers mind about what you are trying to convey. You are investing in your success as a writer one word, one sentence, and one chapter at a time. Trust your instincts and know that good writing comes from within; that aching urge to share something important with your readers.

Sue: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?

Winsome: Thank you for your support of my journey as an Author. The reviews you left me on Amazon are beautiful and I appreciate every one of them. My books are a global movement. They were written to empower young women and anyone who wish to make a change in their life. I write for you.

This concludes this question and answer session with my friend and fellow author, Winsome Campbell. Check out her books packed with inspiration for all.

Amazon Author Page & All books
http://www.amazon.com/Winsome-Campbel...


Note:
If you'd like to be considered for an Author Spotlight, please visit my website and send me a message from my contact page. You will need to provide the info you want the world to know about you and your books.
Thanks.
Sue
http://sj2448.wix.com/suejulsen