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Interview with PaulaZone 5/9/2010 10:22:43 PM
This is my first online interview done with PaulaZone from Authors Supporting Authors Interview Questions:
1.What inspired you to write your book?
Initially, my emotions and/or frustrations and heartaches. It is what I would do. Instead of talking to people about what was going on with me, I would just write about it; but ultimately God, as He is my utmost inspiration for a lot of what I do.
2.What was it that made you choose to write poetry?
I'm actually a lover of Christian fiction. Poetry is not something that I grew up in love with or something that I read on a regular basis; but, when I would sit down and write, that was what just flowed out of me. I initially never called it poetry or called myself a poet, I've always referred to it as my rhythmic style of writing.
3.Is there anything of you in your characters?
At least 95% of my book is me.
4.Were you inspired by friends/ family to publish your poems?
Yes...My husband, who is my biggest supporter, has been encouraging me for the three years that we have been married. I also have a cousin who has always encouraged me to publish my writings.
5.How did your book deal come about?
My husband knows a published author, Johnny Bodley, and was speaking with him one day. He gave my husband some information on the publishing company that he used - about how they are known for giving first time authors a chance whereas a lot of publishers reject you if you're not known. Me, not knowing a lot about the literary world other than I liked to write, took that information in and went with it. Thus, I ended up at Publish America.
6.What are you working on now?
Right now, I would love to be working on my second book, but my life has been so full and hectic of late, I just haven't found the time. But God willing, I will soon.
7.How have you enjoyed doing publicity?
I haven't done much lately because I have no books on hand to do book signings or such, but I have found myself approaching people talking about myself and my book, handing out flyers and business cards - that usually is out of the norm for me, as I am usually quite the introvert, quiet and most times withdrawn, but I've surprisingly enjoyed it so far.
8. Had you previously written anything?
Not published, but yes. I started a novel a year ago and was maybe three to four chapters from finishing it, but I just stopped and have not resumed it yet.
9.How long does it take you to write your book?
The 200 plus pages of the novel that I never finished took me about two months to get that far. Lord, My Lord is a collection of poems from over the years. A couple of the poems I think goes as far back as 8 to 10 years; a collection that God prompted to me to put together. The latter poems where written in about two months time.
10.How long have you been a Christian and can you share an experience God has placed on your life with us?
I've been a "true" Christian for the last four to five years. An experience placed on my life by God...that's a tough one as there has been many. There was once a traumatic experience I went through about four years ago, one that left me devastatingly lost and confused, and I am a true believer that everything happens for a reason, and those bad situations in the midst of prayer will work out for the better (Romans 8:28), and in this instant it did. I watched how God used this situation to break me from a terrible situation that I held on to for dear life and am in a better place for it.
11.How did you get into writing? Did you always want to become a writer/poet?
OMG, for years. I started writing when I was 7 years old. I would write "Who Done It?"/mystery 7 to 8 page stories. I started there, and for all the years that followed, I continued to write, but drifted from short stories to poetry, which initially was just an outpour of my emotions that later turned into Lord, My Lord.
12.If you had to have dinner with any 3 famous people dead/alive, who would you choose?
Tyler Perry, Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama.
13.What’s your favorite vacation spot in the world?
I don't get to vacation much, but one place I would love to go with my husband is Jamaica.
14.What are your goals for 2010?
For 2010, my #1 goal is to be continuously obedient and submissive to God. The goals that follow would be to write, write and write, try hard not to put back on any of the 50 lbs that I lost, and to use my ministry to encourage other people.
15.What advice would you give aspiring authors/Poets?
I would tell them no matter how difficult it seems, how frustrated they may become or how many disappointments and voices of negativity they face, to remain prayerful and don't give up. I've dreamt of becoming an author since I was 7, but it didn't happen until I was 32. In essence, push forward and don't give up on the dreams they have and the desire that God has instilled in them.
16.To finish off, Do you have a favorite poem from your book;what is it and why?
Yes, "When I"m Going Through". This poem so incredibly ministered to me - God calling me out so to speak. One thing about me and probably why I write poetry is because it is most definitely what I am inspired to write. There were times when I would be in the middle of working (medical transcriptionist), I would sometimes talk to God, and there would be this inner urging for me to write - just write. I didn't know what it was I was to write, but in obedience, I would grab a pen and paper, and the words would just flow. I'm not trying to write in rhyme, but the words would just flow. Nevertheless, that poem came from God, and I know that was one of many that He was dealing with me on, but that one just spoke to me so profoundly.
