Our first author-of-the-week is Renee N. Meland! You've seen Renee before on my blog, but now she's got all the control! Today, she's on the hook to answer my
Your main character is stuck on an island. What 3 things do they bring? How long do they survive?
Cain is a pretty darn resourceful guy. He'd bring his knives (items one and two) and a book, and he'd have his own little compound running like a well-oiled machine within a week.
What's the worst part about being an indie author?
The worst part about being an indie author is not having the advertising dollars that can sometimes come with a traditional publishing contract.
What's the best part about being an indie author?
The best part is making your own decisions about your work. I get to put my work out in my order, my way, and when I want. I can put a bunch of work out at once, or space it out. The author knows what's best for his/her own story, and the best way for it to be told.
What is the hardest part about publishing (to include writing, editing, marketing, branding, etc)
Editing is the hardest for me, knowing I'm not done with a project even when mentally, I am TOTALLY done. I really have to push myself past that point and remember that the work gets better with each editing round.
What's your opinion on bad reviews?
I think there are bad reviewers out there as well as bad (well, bad is subjective... unprofessional is a better word choice) writers. There are some reviewers out there who enjoy the power they get from the internet and get their jollies by flexing their keyboard muscles. I've heard some horror stories from fellow writers where there's no doubt the reviewer is just trying to be cruel. As a writer, I have tried to prepare myself as best I can because I know one of those types of reviewers will find my book eventually.But there are also bad writers, writers who do not edit their product properly and just slap it up online with a cover that looks like it was the "before" picture in a photo editing ad. If you are asking people to pay money for your product, I believe that you are making the agreement to get it thoroughly edited and have a professional cover design. That said, most writers and reviewers have the best intentions. I am both a writer and a reviewer, and I tend to focus on the positive in all my reviews because I don't necessarily believe that if I don't like something, that makes it a bad book. There's always something I enjoy about a book if I am able to finish it. If the author did the work (professionally edited and designed) then I will be positive in my review.
How do you handle receiving reviews?
Of course, I love it when someone enjoys my work. But like anything, there are different tastes for every art form, and not everyone is going to like it. I try to just learn from it what I can, grumble a bit, and move on.
What is your favorite book?
Oh gosh, just one? Um...I'm rather obsessed with anything by Chuck Palahniuk, so I will say my favorite book is anything with his name on it. Other than that, I have the utmost respect for Unwind by Neal Shusterman and recommend it to anyone and everyone who will listen to me gush about a book.
How do you relax?
I relax by playing in our greenhouse at home, cooking (I'm getting pretty good at Thai food), and hanging out with my husband.
What advice would you give your younger self?
For the love of God don't WORRY so much! It all turns out fine!
What advice would you give to other writers?
Advertising is expensive. If you get free advertising opportunities, TAKE THEM. Most of them don't take long at all, and isn't it worth it? You spend hours and hours and weeks and years on your book, but you can't take the time to join a blog hop? It blows my mind when people in our situation (independent authors) don't take every single opportunity to get the exposure we need to make it out of the pile of books out there. Last I heard there were 9 million books on Amazon. We need to do everything we can to stand out if we want our books to succeed. Doesn't your book deserve the best chance it can get? That means advertising.
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