Children's book author, Dorothy Thompson, shares her insights on being published and her future plans. This interview was given to Dorothy by Ask the Author.

Q.1. Would you tell us a little about yourself?

Hi everyone. My goodness, are you ready for this? I am a freelance author, editor and founder of a writing ezine, children’s e-book author, published poet, webmistress, and overall jill-of-all-trades from the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

After traveling all over the United States, first as a young army brat and later as an Air Force wife, I have settled down in the quiet countryside of my birthplace, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, with my fiancée, daughter, son, and my ever-so-lovable cocker spaniel, Cassie.

When I am not writing and can cram a few moments in for leisure, I take my dog, Cassie, to the park and rejuvenate.

Q.2. How long have you been professionally writing?

Writing professionally? You mean getting paid for my work? If you don’t count the homemade book I made with paper, a hole puncher, and string when I was eight years old, which earned nothing but a pat on the head from my teacher, I guess you would have to say I have only been writing professionally for a couple of years now. Now if you ask me how long I have been writing unprofessionally (not getting paid), about forty years. As a child, I would write plays and skits for the neighborhood children to perform in front of their parents, charging five cents a head. Hey, I was no dummy.

As I got older, I started writing poems, children’s stories, whatever caught my fancy. The writing bug was within me, with no way to escape. Last year, at 46 years old, I taught myself how to use the computer, which has opened doors for me never dreamed possible. I started writing for the now defunct Themestream before they split and took all of their contributors’ money with them. Undaunted, I started my own writing ezine, The Writer’s Life, which enables published as well as unpublished authors a chance to publish their articles, short stories, and poetry on my site. I wanted to provide a place where writers could experience that feeling of seeing their talents displayed to millions of people and feel good about themselves. That is my goal for The Writer’s Life.

Q.3. Would you tell us about "No More Gooseberry Pie"?
“Gooseberry” has been written for thirteen years, sitting in my “writing box” waiting for the right moment. I had written an article for Writers-Exchange about writing tips and went to find it and couldn’t. I knew they accepted it because they paid for it, but darn if I could find it. While at the site, I noticed they had an e-publishing company. I thought, is “Gooseberry” ready now? I sent it to Sandy Cummings, the editor, and a week or two later, I received that coveted acceptance letter.

“No More Gooseberry Pie!” is the story of a young peasant boy who loves gooseberry pies so much that he concocts these incredible tales to tell his mother after she discovers them missing. At night, because he has had so much gooseberry pie, he dreams he is in the Land Of Tall Tales, where he meets King Diplodocus, the meanest, ugliest dinosaur in all the kingdom. While there, he learns the ramifications of his misdeed. I try to utilize elements of fantasy and a descriptive youth-oriented language, which aid in teaching a child the importance of telling the truth.

Q.4. What inspired you to write this story?

My son, Ryan, inspired me to write this. As a young child barely out of diapers, he would concoct some whoppers. I wrote this story for him, hoping it would show him that it perhaps wasn’t such a good thing to tell “tall tales”.
The rest is history.

Q.5. How long did it take for you to write this story?

“Gooseberry” took one day to write the rough draft. I let it sit like I do all my writings and went back to it with a fresh perspective, fixing typos and such.

Q.6. What is your favorite part of "No More Gooseberry Pie"?

Oh, it most definitely is the dream sequence when the peasant boy is taken to the Land Of Tall Tales. As a child, I devoured old-time fairy tales, especially Snow White and Cinderella, anything with castles and witches. I found as an adult that no one was writing fairy tales anymore and it is such a shame for that particular type of writing to become extinct.

Q.7. What (if anything) are you currently working on?

So glad you asked! I am working on a collection of soul mate stories from various authors called, Romancing the Soul--True Stories and Verse of the Existence of Soul Mates From Around the World and Beyond. I got the inspiration for this in a dream after my soul mate died. I suppose I was still grieving when I had this dream to do this book, but it has helped me tremendously. The stories coming in are so heart-warming. There is no other book like this. It reminds me of the Chicken Soup series, which has got to be one of the best anthologies around. Unfortunately, I've closed submissions. However, you can still submit your true soul mate story for Romancing the Soul 2, which will debut next year. For more information, go to http://www.thewriterslife.net/romancingthesoul.html. If you have a story that you would like to send, email me at romancingthesoul2.yahoo.com.

I also write how to articles for various publications. Inscriptions just bought an anthology piece last week, so it should be up anytime. I am also working on a spiritual/paranormal and a couple more children's books. Between all this and keeping my website, The Writer’s Life, updated, there is never a dull moment.

Q.8. What would you like to say to your readers?

I just would like to say a word or two to new writers out there. Never give up on your dream. I spoke with a woman recently who was becoming so frustrated with writing that she was ready to throw in the towel. I could not let that happen, as her talents were there but her ego was deflating because of her apprehension of what was involved after you become a published author. She was literally scared because of all the book signings, school talks, promotion, and otherwise that she would have to commit to in order to sell her books. She didn’t think it was worth all that. I told her that when you have that drive, nothing will get in your way. It takes a lot of hard work to become successful in this business and if she wanted her dream realized and her drive was strong enough, everything will fall in place. I told her to sleep on it and her answer would come in the morning. She did just that and wrote back to tell me she was going for it. This is what makes it all worthwhile.


Q.9. Do you have a website for your readers to view more of your work?

Yes, indeed I do. I have my writing ezine, The Writer’s Life, http://www.thewriterslife.net, which I have a few of my articles on. The Writer’s Life evolved from an idea of mine to have a place where my displaced Themestream friends and I could have a place where we could submit our writings without fear of the site folding on us like Themestream did. I couldn’t pay, but I would include their links and bios to help them develop a byline. The zine took off better than I expected. I wanted to pay my contributors, but with the lack of funding, this was impossible. I vowed that one day, I would be able to pay them. That day is nearing; for, from the sales of my book, “No More Gooseberry Pie!”, I am setting up a fund to pay my contributors. If anyone is interested in contributing to the fund, buy my book at Writers-Exchange E-Publishing at http://www.writers-exchange.com/epublishing/dorothy-book1.htm!


Q.10. What is your writing schedule like?

As soon as my eyes pop open in the morning, I am at the computer. I have so many commitments, yet not enough time to do all that I want to accomplish. I am usually at it off and on all day and into the night. Except for an occasional breather, I end up at the computer until 2 a.m. I get up the next morning and do it all over again.

Q.11. Who is your favorite author?

I would love to sound intellectual and say, Shakespeare, but instead I am fascinated by women who have made things happen without being dependant on anyone to do it for them. I grew up in the 60’s with women’s liberation and all and just love the great strides we women have made in the past. I truly admired V.C. Andrews. As a teen-ager, “Flowers In The Attic”, was the first book I read by her and couldn’t put it down. I also admire J.K. Rowlings who went from rags to riches, a true inspiration to women down on their luck.

Q.12. What are you currently reading?

I am currently reading Lynne Schlumpf’s self-published book, “The Little Website That Could”. I am truly amazed at this woman’s accomplishments. Another good one that I am halfway through is “Consider The Sparrow” by Bessie Mathias.

Q.13. What is your favorite genre?

My favorite genre is juvenile literature. What with all the violence in our schools occurring in the past year at least, we need more quality literature for our young readers. They are our future and the key to our existence.

Q.14. What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

I use to love going to see the ocean. I live fifteen minutes from it and can’t find the time to do so. When my son gets his few minutes on the computer, I take this time to catch up on my reading. I have so many books and magazines waiting for me to read. I use this time to learn my craft and become informed.

Q.15. What would you like to say at this time?

I just would like to say thank you for giving me this opportunity to give you this interview. I also would like to thank the many friends and associates who have given me the encouragement and praise about the release of “Gooseberry”. It has meant a lot to me and I wish them success in their endeavors.

Thank you for your time. Good luck on your book.