Interview with Sandra Bornstein

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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzEQOQxy58o..." imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qzEQOQxy58o..." width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b>Why did you decide to write your
memoir?
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">During my first trip to India, I
started a private travel blog. I wanted to share my unusual experiences with a
select group of friends and relatives. The positive feedback they provided made
me wonder whether I should take my writing a step further. I contemplated a
memoir, but knew that my story had to be more than a travelogue.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Shortly after returning to the US,
I abruptly stopped writing my blog. I was deeply moved by my husband’s horrific
accident and overwhelmed by the choices that I needed to make. I lost the
desire to write.  After returning to India, I was tempted to write again.  I
was confident that a blog about my international classroom would generate an
audience, but I was reluctant to invade my students’ privacy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">After I returned to the US, I could
not put the brakes on my writing anymore. The lessons that I had learned from
my adventure needed to be shared. A memoir that chronicled my choice to live
outside my comfort zone and my incredible teaching and traveling experiences
needed to be written. I wanted to provide useful information to fellow teachers
who are considering working abroad and teachers who work with diverse learners.
It is my sincere hope that my words will resonate with people facing unusual
challenges and others who need encouragement to take a special journey.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">What message are you sharing with
your readers?</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">There are multiple messages that I
am sharing with my readers. The most prevalent lesson pertains to individual
choices. People tend to be most comfortable living within their established
comfort zone and rarely make daring decisions. Stepping outside a self-imposed
boundary oftentimes creates unnecessary anxiety and irrational fear. When I
decided to plunge into the pool of uncertainty, I let my emotions take control
and felt unbalanced. Eventually, I overcame my fears and learned that stepping
outside of my comfort zone can be an invigorating experience that enhances
life.</span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">After teaching at a highly regarded
international school in Bangalore, India, what was your most memorable
experience?</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">I</span><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"> will always remember the fifth grade jungle trip to Kabini
River Lodge, a former hunting lodge for the maharaja of Mysore. In the U.S.,
5th or 6th grade students usually attend an outdoor education program at a
nearby rustic facility. My students took motor coaches without a restroom to
this well-regarded accommodation. Seeing the jungle through the eyes of 5th
graders was a unique experience. I also had the opportunity to interact with my
students in a social setting.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Throughout
your book you mention songs. What role did music play in your journey?</span><span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;"></span></div>
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<span style="color: #1b1b1b; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Verdana; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "ＭＳ 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Music was my constant companion. I
heard songs even when my Ipod and computer were not turned on. The lyrics from
my youth prevailed. They added a level of comfort that helped me cope with my
overwhelming feelings of loneliness. Being separated from my family for an
extended period of time was challenging. I could always rely on my music to
bring a smile to my face.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What
factors influenced your decision to self-publish to Amazon?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I decided to go the self-publishing route because I wanted
to maintain more control over my content, the book’s interior style, the book
cover, and the price of the book. I knew that this would require a budget of
upfront costs since I would need to hire experts to assist me. With the help of
professional editors, I created the content and the pervasive threads, located
my voice, and decided on my message. Additionally, I hired a design team and
formatters to assist me. By being responsible for all of the decisions, I took
complete ownership of my book.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I also wanted to publish my book in a timely manner so that
I could move on to the next project. Had I not put myself into the driver’s
seat, I might still be waiting for a literary agent to respond. I’d rather be
moving forward than stuck in a holding pattern.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Did you
hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I worked with several editors. The first editor was a
developmental editor. After reading the book, he suggested that I begin at a
more dramatic point of my journey and end with the lessons that I learned. With
his assistance, I enhanced my writing style by taking a closer look at my voice
and how I used dialogue to engage the reader.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I also hired a copyeditor to review my manuscript for word
usage, consistencies in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and fact checking. Prior
to publishing, a final professional edit was done.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Did you
hire a graphic artist for your book cover? Were you actively involved in the
creation of the cover?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Many people follow the adage “you can tell a book by its
cover.” I knew that a cover design was important and realized that I did not
have the required skills to design an appropriate cover. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Last spring when I launched my website, I hired a graphic
artist. I accepted the book cover design and started to use it on my website. I
started to have doubts about the design and also realized that the graphic
artist should have included a spine and back cover design. If I used that
design, I would either have to format the spine and back cover myself or hire
another person.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As part of my contract negotiations with <a href="https://www.createspace.com/">... style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">CreateSpace</span></a>, I opted for a new cover
design. <a href="https://www.createspace.com/">... style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">CreateSpace</span></a> provided two design options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>After making a few adjustments to the <a href="https://www.createspace.com/">... style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">CreateSpace</span></a> design that I liked more, I
had a new cover that illustrated the gist of my story better than the original
option.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What have
you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I learned to be patient. Everything took longer than I
anticipated. I rarely completed a task within the anticipated timeframe. I
realized that the quality of my book was more important than publishing the
book quickly.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What kinds
of marketing [twitter, Facebook, blog, forums] are you involved with for
promoting your book(s)?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Social media has become part of my daily routine. I have a
multiple page website that includes information about my book, my background, a
photo gallery, a press kit, events, and a blog. I post blogs on a regular
basis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>I also take advantage of
opportunities to be a guest blogger. I have accounts with Facebook, Twitter,
LinkedIn, Google+ and Goodreads. My video book trailer is posted on several
sites. Even though it is a time consuming endeavor, I try to maintain an active
presence on all levels of social media. I recently started my first virtual
book tour.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">What
advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing
arena?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Before starting the ball rolling for self-publishing I
suggest the following:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span>Do not procrastinate.
Accept the challenge and move forward. Create a proposed timeline and start
finding ways to accomplish your goals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I recommend thinking about the following things:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Has the manuscript been professionally edited? Are you
hiring a professional editor? Is the editing being done by the self-publishing
company?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Research your different publishing options. Connect with
self-published authors and get their feedback about different companies. Decide
which company meets your specific requirements. Read all of the fine print and
make sure you understand all sections of the contract. Don’t be afraid to ask
questions. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Make sure you check and recheck everything that needs to be
approved. When in doubt ask a friend or family member to look over your work.
Typos and extra spaces can mysteriously reappear without warning. A new set of
eyes will usually find these lurking pests.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">For years, I put my passion for writing on hold. As each
year passed, I became more disappointed and angry with myself. I had one excuse
after another. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Now, when holding my published book in my hand, I ask, “Why did
I wait so long?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Being able to publish, <a href="http://www.sandrabornstein.com/"... style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 14.0pt;">MAY THIS BE THE BEST YEAR OF YOUR LIFE</span></a>
was an amazing accomplishment.</span></div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TwoEnd..." height="1" width="1"/>