When did you know you wanted to be
a writer?
I have always written. When I came
to the USA, I was four years old and I did not speak any English. I began
writing things the way they sounded to try to learn English. Later I wrote to
express myself. My serious writing began approx. 20 years ago when I became a
mother. I began sharing my journey on yahoo groups and my writing attracted many
followers. This evolved to blogs and books.
What genre do you write and why?
I write primarily non-fiction,
though I have written some fiction in pen names. I am passionate about helping
people and sharing what I know comes through best in non-fiction works.
Tell us about your latest book.
Book Power: A Platform for
Writing, Branding, Positioning & Publishing evolved out of workshops I
would have teaching people how I have gamifed the writing process to make
writing more about creating your book. Many business owners and non-fiction
writers get stuck and overwhelmed because they do not think of themselves as
writers. The methods I teach take the pressure off and make it more about
writing what they already know. If they just share their knowledge and capture
it, it can easily become a book.
What marketing methods are you
using to promote your book?
I do live events all over the
world teaching how to use a book to leverage your personal brand and build your
business. I am active on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn and Pinterest. I
write articles and grant interviews to blog owners and other media.
What formats is the book available
in?
Paperback and e-book.
What do you like to do when you're
not writing?
I travel with my children. They
are a large part of my events and what I teach and share. They are homeschooled
and want to be entrepreneurs just like their mom, so they are all involved in
internet marketing and are authors as well.
Who are your favourite authors?
I like authors who have opened the
doors on subjects not traditionally discussed, the thought leaders. Some
favorites are Derrick Jensen, Ashley Montague, Joseph Chilton Pearce, Thom
Harman, Michael Talbot.
What advice do you have for other
writers?
If you are passionate about
anything, and I believe all people are - then you need to share it with the
world, especially if your passion happens to be your business as well. There is
so much noise in the world today it is very hard to stand out and be seen or
heard above the competition. A book is an amazing tool which will allow your
prospective clients know, trust and understand you. This builds relationships
that are critical for the survival of any business. A book also opens doors to
so many other opportunities. It's the new marketing tool and with self
publishing being so easy and even free - there is no excuse not to write!
What's your favourite quote about
writing/for writers?
“You have to write the book that wants
to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you
write it for children.” - Madeleine L'Engle
What's the best thing about being
a writer?
The ability to inspire people. The
ability to connect. I love to receive letters from people who tell me that
something I wrote caused them to look deeper, think more, experience something
new. And I love the freedom, both in expressing my thoughts and feelings in a
free way, but also of the lifestyle of being able to write when I like, how I
like and for whomever I like.
Where can people find out more
about you and your writing?
Website: http://www.BeMoreThanYouAre.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bmorethanyouare
Book Power on Amazon: http://amzn.to/15cNYY5
Anything else you'd like to add?
I would like to encourage everyone
to write something. Each one of us carries a unique voice and information or a
way of seeing that should be shared. No matter where we are on our path, there
is someone following behind whose journey would be much easier if we shared
some shortcuts and stories along the way.
I also wanted to thank you for having me here today and for the
opportunity to share on Writers and Authors.
