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Sell Writing Online-More Author Interviews 7/8/2003 5:50:36 AM
Today I'm sharing an interview with author, Bridget Haggerty. Bridget and her husband also own the Website
http:///www.irishcultureandcustoms.com
1. Writers are encouraged to write daily and find their voice. Do you feel you have more than one voice in your writing?
BH: Mood is the key to the voice. So, since I'm also blessed/cursed with being a Gemini, I have many facets to my personality and this shows up in my writing.
2. When did your passion for writing begin?
BH:My passion for writing began as soon as I could write my ABCs!
3. What inspired you to keep writing while collecting rejection letters or struggling with writers block?
BH:As a professional freelance copywriter, the fear of not making any income has always been an inspiration:) For other types of writings, e.g. poetry, stories and so on, when the muse graces me with her presence, I don't need anything else to inspire me.
4. How do you come up with ideas for your writings and why do you feel you choose some over others?
BH:By nature, I am a very curious person and interested in just about everything. If I have to make a choice between one kind of writing and another, I always feel obligated to go for what might generate a financial reward.
5. Are you a daily disciplined writer? Do you find it difficult to stick to your schedule? Do you have certain tricks you use so that you don't stray from your writing?
BH: I do write every day - and I have certain things on my to-do list for each day of the week; even it's only updating the daily headlines on my web site, I consider it a mandatory task. The same goes for a feature I call This Day in Irish History. I spend the time researching the news and the historic data and then create smaller fillers for the benefit of my readers. The advantage for me is that I learn other things that I file away for future reference. I do set myself a time goal - all headline updates to the site, e.g. should be completed by 8:00 am.
6. How much time do you devote to marketing your book/s and what kind of marketing do you recommend?
BH:I must confess to doing a lousy job of self-promotion. I promote my book on my web site; once in a while, I add something to my Author's Den page; and, when I have the opportunity, I give talks. If I'm permitted, I usually bring several books to sell and sign. I really can't offer any proven marketing strategies - much depends on the nature of the book.
7. How do you prepare for a writing idea for fiction? Do you outline the characters, setting, plot, etc. before you begin to write?
BH:I have just a couple of fiction pieces in the works; for the novel, I'm still gathering material. The other piece is a short story which is just about finished and kind of wrote itself. There was no plan.
8. How many rewrites do you usually write before submitting to a publisher?
BH:I do many, many re-writes before submitting my work. I'm not the most confident of writers, so I really go overboard when it comes to trying to make a piece as perfect as possible.
9. Have you had any bad experiences in working with a publisher/agent or failed publication/payment of writings done? If so, how did you handle it?
BH:Publishing, in general, is a cut-throat business. Always keep in mind that publishers are in the business to make money for themselves. If you don't have an agent, pay a competent attorney go over your contract. This will help ensure that you get the best deal. Even at that, what looked like a great contract for my first book turned out to be a real dud because it was with an international publisher and my attorney overlooked a critical percentage on royalties in the United States. We live, we learn.
10. Who are your favorite authors, and why do they inspire you?
BH:I never get tired of the classics by the Brontes, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain. Favorite contemporary authors include Maeve Binchey, James Ludlum, Stephan King and John Le Carre. I'm inspired by excellent writing, whatever the genre.
About The Author:
Bridget Haggerty is the author of The Traditional Irish Wedding, published by Wolfhound Press in 1999. Currently, she is working on several other books as well as managing her web site, Irish Culture and Customs.
