Authors Supporting Authors: Sheila S. Hudson

What is your name? 
Sheila S. Hudson

Where are you from? 
United States (Georgia)

What genre are you in? 
Non-fiction

Please list your books and the year of publication.
13 Decisions That Will Change Your Life - 2014



Why are you an Author?  
I have always loved words and dabbled a bit in every kind of writing. I have free lanced for years and have two Kindle books (My Forever Valentines and Holiday Reservations). 13 Decisions is the first of a series in memoir/self-help series from my years in marriage and ministry.

What inspires you?   
A good story, nature, funny things that happen to me, things my grandsons say

Where and what times during the day do you work best?  
I work best mid-morning with chores done, coffee inhaled, and my dog TJ under the desk. He is my muse. While walking him I get a lot of inspirational ideas.

Who is your target audience? 
Women (middle age and later) because I feel that they can relate. Anyone can read 13 Decisions and find help and inspiration but this group is one who can “feel”the words and perhaps have a better understanding of my examples.

How do you want your readers to feel as they read your book? 
Inspired. Challenged. Hopeful. Forgiven. Determined.

What is one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors? 
Never give up. A lot of talent goes undiscovered because of discouragement. Authors should give aspiring ones a hand up. Because of Southeastern Writers Association I have friends, support, and encouragement.  I owe them for not allowing me to give up on my dream of authoring a book.

Share one thing about yourself that you would like readers to know.  
I am really an introvert. That said, if you want to talk about writing I could go on all day. When I am sure you are friendly, I open up and share quite candidly. I love getting to know other writers and what they write. Even if it is a genre I don’t normally enjoy, if it is written by someone I know I will dig in and devour it. I love mysteries and hope to successfully pen one some day. But in the meantime, I plan a series of 13 Decisions books.  The next one is 13 Decisions That Will Transform Your Marriage due out in 2015. The third planned book is 13 Decisions That Will Empower Your Spirit. 

Author Bio:
I've always had a romance with words.  As a child I loved the smell of newly sharpened pencils and enjoyed flipping open a brand new blank notebook.  The possibilitie were endless.  I could fill those pages with whatever I wanted.  As a teen I wrote poetry and even managed to sell one. I think that was when I got bitten by the writing bug.

College was filled with papers to write as assignments.  It was only later when working as an aide to my professor husband, that I realized how much I missed writing and editing.  English was always my favorite subject including of course the semester on literature.  

​Life intervened.  Family moved to top priority with two growing daughters who needed my full time attention.  I worked at three universities to help with the family income and it wasn't until my children were in college that I picked up my writer's pen and began again.

The first article that I published was in a Christian magazine.  You'd have thought I won the lottery.  I didn't get paid for that one but I did for another that quickly followed.  I began pouring over writers'  magazines and seeking out writers in my community.  Through an ad in the newspaper, I found a group of people who were addicted to writing -- like me.

It was though this group, A Shot in the Dark, that I met Amy Munnell.  She has been a true friend, sounding board, writing buddy, editor, and my co-writer for many years.  I value her friendship and her professional skills.  Amy introduced me to the community of writer at Southeastern Writers Association (SWA) and it was there I found my forever writing friends.  That was 1993.

My byline has appeared in the Athens Banner Herald, Points North. Athena Magazine, Athens Parent, Christian Standard, The Lookout, Southern Writers Magazine, to name a few.  My association with SWA has introduced me to Pulitzer Prize winners, agents, and best-selling authors like Rick  Bragg and Steve Berry.  This network of professionals I am proud to call friends. 

Links:


Blog:      sheilahudson.blogspot.com
Twitter:   SheilaHudson7
Website:  www.13Decisions.com

sheila@13decisions.net