Interview The Author : Rene D. Shultz
“Every secret of a writer’s soul, every experience of his life, every quality of his mind, is written large in his works.” —Virginia WoolfI have really gotten myself into something, something that now that I’ve started I don’t think I will ever be able to stop. I’ve been on this journey towards writing and publishing my novel for only a few months, but I’ve been preparing for it for years. I’ve written my thoughts every chance I had, and hidden them away. I have many poems, stories, quotes, and emotions written just so I could get the words out of my mind and find peace. I didn’t know where to begin I only knew I had work to do and if I really wanted to be an author I needed only to try. Along this journey I have learned so much about who I am as an author and a woman. So much about who I am as an individual. I have also had the privilege of meeting some wonderfully talented and unique people, but no one has inspired and helped me like this lady…
Her name is Rene D. Shultz. And I’m honored that she has taken the time to answer my nosey questions that I’m always curious about when I meet other authors. Her book “Bishop Street” is definitely one of the best I’ve read lately, but it was her sweet disposition that compelled me to feature her in today’s post.
Enjoy …
Interview The Author
Name: Rene D. Schultz
Location: Southern California
Question: what are you working on at the moment?
I’m currently marketing my book, “Bishop Street.” And finishing my edit on my new book, “Done Deal.”
Question: Did you publish with a traditional publishing house or did you go the indie route?
With my fiction books I’m going the Indie route. I did traditional publishing on my first book that was non-fiction “Searching4MrRight.com” back in 2008 and had a horrible experience. I had no control over the book cover, editing, or any help with publicizing. I was at the mercy of people who didn’t really let me have any say in anything. The most important reason to self-publish is because of technology. With the closure of traditional bookstores and the shift toward electronic reading devices, the wave of the future dictates the demise of paperbacks. With large online bookstores offering the Indie authors a place to showcase their books, it’s becoming a mecca of new authors who wouldn’t ordinarily have a chance to get their books into the marketplace.
Question: what advise do you have for other writer’s in your genre?
I think every author/writer needs to enter the genre they feel comfortable in. I write contemporary fiction that is sometimes considered mainstream fiction or women’s fiction. It’s a comfortable genre for me.
Question: most people don’t realize is that no matter which route you take whether you have an agent, publisher, or you are an independent author you still have to market your work to sell your books, what is the best marketing strategy that has paid off for you so far?
There are not a lot of places to market books. Libraries, book clubs, bloggers and independent small bookstores. The best place is Facebook or other social media venues where you can find reviewers, readers, book clubs, bloggers and other authors.
Question: how long have you been writing?
Twelve years
Question: who or what inspired you to start writing?
My son worked on major motion pictures. My adopted daughter (not really adopted-and not really my daughter, but someone who was raised around me!) is an executive in the television industry. After years of listening to my suggestions for a good plot, they literally put a pen and paper in my hand and suggested I create the stories. After reading for 25 years while I was raising my two sons, I decided to try writing my own.
Question: what other books or works have you published?
“Searching4MrRight.com” came out in 2008 and is a hilarious book on internet dating. It was written by accident. My girlfriends begged me to write it after all my experiences with online dating. My true is writing fiction.
Question: do you read the reviews of your work and how do they affect your writing?
As authors we do our best to entertain the readers. I can honestly say that great reviews give us the confidence to continue, and the bad ones make us pause in retrospect. Not one to back away from a challenge, I look at the criticism and learn from it. But I have learned on my own: We as authors all work very hard and struggle in our craft to bring forth the written word of our storytelling. Some of us educated in the field and others self-taught, but all of us have a passion for writing. Each genre is unique; each story is unique; each author is unique; but most importantly each one of us has our own voice. No two authors are the same!
“There are no laws for the novel. There never have been, nor can there ever be.” —Doris Lessing
Question: what do you find most rewarding about being an author?
Hearing from a reader that they love my book. Reading the great reviews. Hanging with others who share the same passion. Learning from other authors.
Question: what do you hope to accomplish with the book you are currently working on?
That it will entertain the readers.
Question: what is your favorite book?
The Wizard of Oz. I usually have one tiny ‘bloop’ in each of my books to reference it. That just a little artsy-fartsy thing I do. (Smiling.)
“I do not over-intellectualize the production process. I try to keep it simple: Tell the damned story.” —Tom Clancy
Question: what works best for you when writing? Meaning do you outline or write freely when you feel inspired to do so?
I never did an outline in my life! I sit in my writing room and as bazaar as it sounds, I let the characters chose their paths. I never know what twists and turns will befall each characters.
“I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent he would be wise to develop a thick hide.” —Harper Lee
Question: for other authors who may be struggling what advice can you on handling rejection?
I have a hard time with rejection, myself. I think when you can find a small group of passionate authors you ‘click’ with-- the support keeps you going. Also, on the other end, occasionally you will find a few authors with tremendous egos who look to tear you down. If you like your book, then have the confidence to keep working hard to make it better. I was lucky, I found two amazing ‘reviewers’ Sue and Philomena the first week I went online to market my book. They don’t know it, but they are the ones who filled me with confidence in myself. And I will forever be grateful!
Thank You Rene,
For answering my questions with such thoughtful and helpful responses! It is my belief that we all can learn from one another. Take little bits of kindness shown to us and pass it on to others, in turn helping many people along the way, greatly touching and rewarding people in this world we live in! I personally know you have much to offer and that you help people in your own special way daily. Thanks again for giving us great insight into who you are as an author and for being a great example for new an aspiring authors like myself, who might need reminding every now and again how to remain humble and kind throughout our writing endeavors!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Follow Rene @...
http://www.amazon.com/Bishop-Street-ebook/dp/B00DL3QBBK
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rene-D-Schultz-Author/422599027852832
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18271268-bishop-street
Her name is Rene D. Shultz. And I’m honored that she has taken the time to answer my nosey questions that I’m always curious about when I meet other authors. Her book “Bishop Street” is definitely one of the best I’ve read lately, but it was her sweet disposition that compelled me to feature her in today’s post.
Enjoy …
Interview The Author
Name: Rene D. SchultzLocation: Southern California
Question: what are you working on at the moment?
I’m currently marketing my book, “Bishop Street.” And finishing my edit on my new book, “Done Deal.”
Question: Did you publish with a traditional publishing house or did you go the indie route?
With my fiction books I’m going the Indie route. I did traditional publishing on my first book that was non-fiction “Searching4MrRight.com” back in 2008 and had a horrible experience. I had no control over the book cover, editing, or any help with publicizing. I was at the mercy of people who didn’t really let me have any say in anything. The most important reason to self-publish is because of technology. With the closure of traditional bookstores and the shift toward electronic reading devices, the wave of the future dictates the demise of paperbacks. With large online bookstores offering the Indie authors a place to showcase their books, it’s becoming a mecca of new authors who wouldn’t ordinarily have a chance to get their books into the marketplace.
Question: what advise do you have for other writer’s in your genre?
I think every author/writer needs to enter the genre they feel comfortable in. I write contemporary fiction that is sometimes considered mainstream fiction or women’s fiction. It’s a comfortable genre for me.
Question: most people don’t realize is that no matter which route you take whether you have an agent, publisher, or you are an independent author you still have to market your work to sell your books, what is the best marketing strategy that has paid off for you so far?
There are not a lot of places to market books. Libraries, book clubs, bloggers and independent small bookstores. The best place is Facebook or other social media venues where you can find reviewers, readers, book clubs, bloggers and other authors.
Question: how long have you been writing?
Twelve years
Question: who or what inspired you to start writing?
My son worked on major motion pictures. My adopted daughter (not really adopted-and not really my daughter, but someone who was raised around me!) is an executive in the television industry. After years of listening to my suggestions for a good plot, they literally put a pen and paper in my hand and suggested I create the stories. After reading for 25 years while I was raising my two sons, I decided to try writing my own.
Question: what other books or works have you published?
“Searching4MrRight.com” came out in 2008 and is a hilarious book on internet dating. It was written by accident. My girlfriends begged me to write it after all my experiences with online dating. My true is writing fiction.
Question: do you read the reviews of your work and how do they affect your writing?
As authors we do our best to entertain the readers. I can honestly say that great reviews give us the confidence to continue, and the bad ones make us pause in retrospect. Not one to back away from a challenge, I look at the criticism and learn from it. But I have learned on my own: We as authors all work very hard and struggle in our craft to bring forth the written word of our storytelling. Some of us educated in the field and others self-taught, but all of us have a passion for writing. Each genre is unique; each story is unique; each author is unique; but most importantly each one of us has our own voice. No two authors are the same!
“There are no laws for the novel. There never have been, nor can there ever be.” —Doris Lessing
Question: what do you find most rewarding about being an author?
Hearing from a reader that they love my book. Reading the great reviews. Hanging with others who share the same passion. Learning from other authors.
Question: what do you hope to accomplish with the book you are currently working on?
That it will entertain the readers.
Question: what is your favorite book?
The Wizard of Oz. I usually have one tiny ‘bloop’ in each of my books to reference it. That just a little artsy-fartsy thing I do. (Smiling.)
“I do not over-intellectualize the production process. I try to keep it simple: Tell the damned story.” —Tom Clancy
Question: what works best for you when writing? Meaning do you outline or write freely when you feel inspired to do so?
I never did an outline in my life! I sit in my writing room and as bazaar as it sounds, I let the characters chose their paths. I never know what twists and turns will befall each characters.
“I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career that before developing his talent he would be wise to develop a thick hide.” —Harper Lee
Question: for other authors who may be struggling what advice can you on handling rejection?
I have a hard time with rejection, myself. I think when you can find a small group of passionate authors you ‘click’ with-- the support keeps you going. Also, on the other end, occasionally you will find a few authors with tremendous egos who look to tear you down. If you like your book, then have the confidence to keep working hard to make it better. I was lucky, I found two amazing ‘reviewers’ Sue and Philomena the first week I went online to market my book. They don’t know it, but they are the ones who filled me with confidence in myself. And I will forever be grateful!
Thank You Rene,
For answering my questions with such thoughtful and helpful responses! It is my belief that we all can learn from one another. Take little bits of kindness shown to us and pass it on to others, in turn helping many people along the way, greatly touching and rewarding people in this world we live in! I personally know you have much to offer and that you help people in your own special way daily. Thanks again for giving us great insight into who you are as an author and for being a great example for new an aspiring authors like myself, who might need reminding every now and again how to remain humble and kind throughout our writing endeavors!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Follow Rene @...
http://www.amazon.com/Bishop-Street-ebook/dp/B00DL3QBBK
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rene-D-Schultz-Author/422599027852832
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18271268-bishop-street
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