What are your thoughts on self-publishing?
I have mixed feelings about self-publishing. Of course, I love it since I’m sure I wouldn’t ever be published, if it weren’t for the opportunity to self-publish. When I wrote my first and second novels back in the early 90s, my fear of rejection kept me from attempting to find an agent or publisher. The same would most likely apply today.
I also love the fact that “indies” (self-published authors) retain all the rights to and control over their own works. They also earn larger royalties than traditionally published authors do. We have to do our own marketing, but unless one is a celebrity, traditionally published authors also have to market their own books.
On the down side, anyone can publish a book. That means that there are a lot of books out there that at best, need a lot of work, and at worst, should never see the light of a computer. The market is flooded with so many books that it’s difficult to get the attention of the readers who would enjoy your work.
Overall, though there are drawbacks, I think self-publishing is a wonderful thing. I love seeing my stories on a computer screen, or even better, in print. That’s something I never would’ve experienced, if it weren’t for self-publishing. I was born to write, and I know that those who like my genre(s) will like my books. The difficult part is getting the attention of the readers, and for your helping me do that, Lisa, I thank you.
How important do you believe having a good editor is for the success of your book?
Good editing is second only to a good story. The importance of good editing can’t be overstated. Few people have the ability to write, proofread, and edit anything well—not to mention, their own work. The evidence of this is in so many self-published books that are poorly written, and obviously not professionally edited. There are so many mistakes that it’s distracting, and difficult to read, even if it’s a good story. I’ve read some to see what was out there, but I won’t put myself through it again.
I edited Keeping Secrets myself because I knew I had the ability to do it well. I’ve always had a love affair with words and an eye for spotting errors. I’ve never read a traditionally published book in which I didn’t find errors.
Very few writers are able to make a living writing, and as of now, that includes me. For that reason, I am hoping to work as an editor for other writers, for a reasonable fee.
When did you first have a desire to write?
I’ve always loved writing. I remember starting to write my “life story” countless times in high school! (I had a pretty eventful life, even back then, including going to the prom with the most popular guy in school, running over and killing a child, and having a football coach at my school abuse me.) I wanted to be a lot of other things over the years, but writing was something that seemed to be a part of me. It was something I felt the need to do. It’s not just what I do—it’s who I am.
Do you plan the entire book before writing it? Or do you just sit down and write?
I usually get an idea in my mind for a story. From there, I develop the characters, also in my mind. Then, when I begin to write, I keep notes on the characteristics of each character, so they are consistent. I get to know them so well that they become real people to me. (That can be a hazard, as it’s sometimes difficult to remember that the reader doesn’t know the character the way I do, and needs to be shown who he/she is!) From there, it’s like the characters themselves write the story.
Keeping Secrets was the third novel I’ve written, and No More Skeletons was the fourth. I’ve never known while writing a story, how it would end. I’ve never outlined a story. That’s not to say it’s not a good idea—only that I don’t do it. I just start writing, and it flows…and flows…and flows.
Do you have a set time to write each day? Or do you wait to be inspired?
I write any time of the day or night, but my favorite time to write is late at night. There are fewer distractions (usually only my little mini dachshund, Peej, asking for treats), and it’s much easier to concentrate.
The interview concludes in Conclusion of Interview with Kitten K. Jackson.
