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Lisa Marie Arnold |
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Lisa’s 18Q |
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The Eighteen Questions |
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18Q |
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1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you? Maybe a little of both, I've always been intrigued by visual and literary arts. I believe it was bound to happen, my personality is extremely creative and my mother is also a author. Which is great to have someone so close to bounce around ideas.
2. What is your background? (education, work, etc.) I've mostly been working in the beauty industry,for the past twelve years. Most of that time as a stylist but also a educator and makeup artist and skin care specialist. I even worked briefly as a correctional officer for the state of Nevada. The writing has total been trail and error, research and some writing workshops.
3. When did you 'know' you were a writer? I quess when I starting reading some of my stories to people and sharing my ideas and people were amazed how I had so many ideas all the time and just made commitment to myself to pursue it and if I don't see myself as a writer how will others.
4. How would you describe your style of writing? I tend to write, leaning more on events and emotions rather than a huge character build up, this wasn't done on purpose really, I never really examined it I just believe it allows children to put themselves in the story easily and also demonstrates most feelings are universal and to give more details on the events taking place while adding fun elements. You must stay true to your own personal style, don't compare yourself your craft is exactly that YOUR CRAFT.
5. What is your writing process? Each book has been a little different, with the children's books the first book of short stories I basically just wrote each story not revising two many times( at times this can be your worst enemy), allowing myself to really imagine the visuals and how they would support the story and just playing with order and titles and picking activities that would make the book special. In the second I just got the idea and was so excited by the topic of a carnival, carnivals alone have so much fantasy and visual interest. And during this time I was on vacation in a small town and I just built it from there. The third which is a book for teens of real life monologues, I started with a imagine in my mine of a cover and thinking of all the concerns that teens have I wanted to write something but in a different format. So I created a outline and I use a lot of storyboards to layout ideas and organize context even at times cut and paste methods to rearrange stories and to control flow. Every book is different for me.
6. What was your path to publication? SELF PUBLISH ONLY, I really wanted it once published to still be my vision.
7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea? Branding yourself as a author, and creating other items are projects that will support that. So far even before my book was released I did a event and had passed out a lot of materials and line up a lot of leads and upcoming events. My website and car magnets have created a lot of interest so far for me. MARKETING POSTCARDS, AND BUSINESS CARDS A MUST. (include title, ISBN ,price if you have it by now and contact info)
8. What are the biggest surprises you've encountered as a writer? How many people expect free books, because they know you.
9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of creativity? Making sure I take time for myself and to feel energized. Road trips and small vacations I get a lot done just being away from common routines and duties. My source for creativity is movies, artwork (I paint and draw), magazines, people watching and just being aware. I get ideas at times just by talking to people and something just sticks with me, always keep paper around.
10. What is your proudest writer moment? Seeing the actual proof before printing, seeing it was a little overwhelming. I had arranged everything but seeing the finial project is just outstanding, and there were a few things I was not sure about and the designer helped and her expertise paid off.
11. What's the best advice you were given about writing? Don't take criticism personal, some is constructive and others well no book is loved by everyone its just not possible. JUST DO YOUR BEST.
12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment? Not to jinks myself but I haven't had one so far, but I'm pretty good at laughing at myself so that will help me at the time it occurs.
13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer? Finding literary markets that are looking to support local authors that lack agents and huge advertising budgets. But I still have hope but it has been hard to find resources.
14. What is your writer life philosophy? Continue to write as long as you see the value in what your writing, and as long as you have passion and confidence in your work eventually that right door will open.
15. When you're not writing what do you do for fun? I spend alot of time with my family and my husband's family each of our family love to have fun and laugh and be silly.I also love to travel, sightsee local favorite spots and outdoor events (concerts, plays, sports, etc) and movies and art.
16. Who do you like to read? Mostly fiction, self help and inspirational books. And I love of course children's books.
17. What’s your advice for new writers? Focus on a niche market and participate in writers workshops and conferences you will always walk away with something helpful.
18. What are you currently working on? Marketing the first book, and I have a few outlines and drafts for other projects. But mainly focused on booking events and selling books and preparing for the other two books I will have released this year. |
