Tag: interview questions

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Writing Coach & Mentor Interviews

Interview With Writing Coach Allie Pleiter

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

While I never set out to be an author, I’ve always been a storyteller. I see the world in stories, I learn in stories, and I think we grow from the stories we hear and the ones we tell ourselves. There is no deliberate theme to all my fiction and nonfiction books, but I would say that all center on the idea that we are capable of more than we know. I want to show people “you can get there from here,” or perhaps “God can get you there from here”—no matter where “here” is and what you are facing.

How long have you been writing?

I began seriously pursing publication in 1997, published my first book in 2001, and now have over 50 published titles to my credit. In fact, I’ll publish my 60th book the week of my 60th birthday later this year!

Tell us about one of your greatest joy(s) in your writing career.

There’s no greater joy than having a reader tell you how you touched their heart or gave them a much-needed boost at a challenging time. I love teaching my productivity method, The Chunky Method and watching the light-bulbs of possibility go off over writer’s heads!

Tell us about one of your darkest moment(s) in your writing career.

I had a friend once say “publishing will hand you a reason to leave every single day.” Most days, the daunting odds, whopping workload, and the sheer flying into the midst required to write a book can drag you down. This is a business where your best weapon is resilience, which is why I published My Daily Momentum to show others the daily journaling practice I use to keep going in the face of writing’s uphill climb.

Rejection is a common experience for writers. How do you overcome rejection? How has rejection shaped you or your career?

Having started life as an actor, I learned very quickly that rejection is an unavoidable part of the process. Until you learn to hear “no” as “not now” or “not here,” it can be tough going. After a twenty-year career, I have enough personal stories of rejections being gifts wrapped in disappointment. But do I still reach for pie or chocolate? You betcha.

In what ways has God led you to coach other writers? Were you surprised when a certain skill or connection led to coaching opportunities?

The Chunky Method came to me from my professional days as a grant-writer, where deadlines and breaking things down into manageable pieces were essential skills. The “ah-ha!” moment for me happened when I realized we can absolutely apply these tactics to art. In fact, applying a personalized structure to art only empowers greater creativity. I take tremendous gratification from unlocking a writing practice for a writer and watching the great work that flows from it. Was I surprised? My writing career has been so packed full of God-surprises that while I was astonished and grateful, I wasn’t startled.

Tell us about a facet of coaching that particularly excites you.

So often people here “you must do this” when talking about writing. “Serious writers write this amount of words or write every day.” Nonsense. What every writer needs is a structure built on how their creative mind works—and that looks different for everyone. I love to watch writers light up when they realize “that’s why _____ is so hard for me” or “now I understand what works for me.” It’s like watching a rocket take off—which is why I call my initial coaching program “The Chunky Launch Package.”

What venues/methods have you found most effective for meeting and coaching writers?

I am a highly extroverted person—rare in the writing world, I know. My favorite is always teaching in person at events (all those lightbulbs going off over all those heads….), but I’ve adapted to our virtual reality and coach more often now over video and phone as well as webinars. Many writers meet me through The Chunky Method Handbook, too.

Have you organized or led groups to support writers? (Retreats, ACFW chapters, etc.) How has that experience helped you to coach writers?

I work extensively with business book coach Cathy Fyock on a weekly on-line writers forum and retreats. I often speak at conferences, ACFW chapters, RWA chapters, and other writers groups. It’s always a great way to introduce writers to the Chunky Method.

Have you organized or directed a writers’ conference? Tell us about that experience, and/or share an anecdote that illustrates how you saw writers being coached and encouraged through the event.

I’ve never organized one myself, but I’m often booked to speak at them.

If you speak at writers’ groups or conferences, what are some of your favorite topics to speak about?

I speak almost as much as I coach and write! Aside from The Chunky Method, I teach craft classes on characterization and dialogue, on fiction skills for non-fiction writers, and several other topics.

What advice do you have for writers as we interact with our peers? What can we do to be better supporters, mentors, and coaches of our fellow writers?

Ditch the comparisons! We’re so quick to line ourselves up—usually wrongly—against others, forgetting that our paths are unique to us. I’ve been speaking a lot this year on professional jealousy, and how that can be such a trap for any artist.

Do you have a favorite resource or two that you recommend to beginning writers?

Well now, I wouldn’t be doing much of a job if I didn’t say The Chunky Method Handbook is my favorite, would I? There are loads of great craft books out there, but I do think writers need to get a solid writing practice established in order to have a successful career.

Do you have a favorite resource or two that you recommend to writers who are struggling with discouragement?

Other than chocolate and pie? My usual advice is this: take 24 hours and allow yourself to yell OUCH. Hurt. Journal out what you’re feeling, pray, whine to friends. Then call it done and get back to the next right step.

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writers make?

Trying to be someone else. Be you. Be authentic, be well-crafted, strive for excellence, but be you. A distinct voice is one of the greatest assets you can have in this business.

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have heeded?

I got great advice from the beginning: “Allie, hush up and just WRITE.” Nothing begets writing like writing. Reading books on craft or tactics is great, conferences and classes are useful, but if you’re doing that and not writing, it won’t work. There are no substitutes and no shortcuts.

Book Cover:

Purchase link: https://alliepleiter.com/books/true-north-springs/a-place-to-heal/

An avid knitter, coffee junkie and firm believer that “pie makes everything better,” Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and non-fiction working on as many as four novels at a time. The bestselling author of over fifty books, Allie has enjoyed a twenty-year career with over 1.5 million books sold.  In addition to writing, Allie maintains an active writing productivity coaching practice and speaks regularly on the creative process, publishing, and her very favorite topic—The Chunky Method of time management for writers. Visit her website at www.alliepleiter.com to learn more.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alliepleiterauthor/

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/alliepleiter

Facebook group (books): https://www.facebook.com/groups/firesidewithallie/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allie-pleiter-6a021b139

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alliepleiter

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/453346.Allie_Pleiter

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/allie-pleiter

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Allie-Pleiter/e/B001H6IEUO/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

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Categories
Bestsellers

interview with bestselling author Kathleen Shoop

Can you share a little about your recent book?

The most recent books I’ve written are holiday books, but my most recent big novel is The Magician. It’s part of a collection of books that centers around the historic town of Donora, PA. The Magician is set in 1920-40 and is inspired by the childhood years of Stan Musial—baseball hall of famer. He grew up in Donora and the book is truly about dreams and love and finding your way in the world. It’s historical fiction, but the themes of love and survival (Depression years) and family resonate today as much as in the time I’m writing about.

Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?

I write because stories seem to rise up in front of me all the time. Even seeing someone in a coffee shop who has an interesting way of dressing or talking, or moving through space can cause a story to spring up in my mind and I make a note of it and use it later. I’ve tried to quit writing fiction a few times when I was frustrated with the business, but I think the longest I quit for was one day.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been purposely writing to get published since about 1998ish.

And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? Or are you published non-traditionally? How did that come about?

I’m an indie author. I found an agent and was going the traditional route in about 2005, but it didn’t work out with my agent and I just kept writing and writing with books piling up that weren’t sold and just when I was going to try to find a new agent, the world shifted and suddenly it was possible to find readers without going through New York to do it. I asked myself what I wanted more—the stamp of approval that the traditional route offers (I love being stamped with approval—I got a PhD and that stamp is powerful to me!) or to see my work get into the hands of readers—readers won out. So I hire people to do all aspects of the publishing process that require a unique skill set and I try to create a product and process that mirrors the traditional book experience. I’ve written about 18 books/novellas, edited some anthologies and, and written countless articles and am happily working on the next books right now! Neither path to publication is perfect, but I am so happy being an indie publisher/author.

Which of your books is your favorite?

Oh my goodness, I can’t really answer this. I was just going to say Love and Other Subjects, because it’s light and fun but heartwarming, and then The Last Letter popped to mind because it’s inspired by 160 year old family letters, but then no, it’s the Donora story collection but no, it’s my holiday books… on and on. Everyone says it and I agree—my books are like my children—I love both and can’t pick a favorite!!!!

Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?

One of my favorite scenes is in The Magician and grew out of Stan Musial’s autobiography. He mentions how his older sisters were supposed to keep him from drinking the sweetened condensed milk because it was expensive, but he would sneak it whenever he had the chance. So, I took this one little fact that he’d tossed into a large book about his baseball career and created a scene that brings to life his family, shows the impact of economics on them, the sibling dynamic, the parental dynamic and also how neighbors come into play—all in one scene. Love that one.

How long does it take you to write a book?

Depends on the book! I wrote Cinder Bella in two months, The Christmas Coat in a month, The Magician in 18 months, The Kitchen Mistress in 3 years…it really depends on how complex the story is and how long. Also, whether it’s historical or not. Writing historical fiction, at some point in every book, I literally stop every other sentence to double check if the words I chose existed at the time, if the objects in a scene existed, if the environment is “right,” etc… it’s tedious and way more time consuming than contemporary writing. For me any way! It may be different for others.

What’s your writing work schedule like?

I write every day when I’m not taking a break. Actually, even when taking a breather from a novel, I’m usually writing tiny stories and articles for social media. But I like to write first thing in the day or after going for a walk in the morning best.

Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?

I always purchase totems to go with the books I’m writing. If it’s historical fiction, I find artifacts that play into the story or into the characters’ lives. Even with contemporary, I purchase things to help me better understand the worlds I’m building. For example, in Puff of Silk, Ameila is a dressmaker and I’ve learned to stitch a few things, drape material, bought a few types of material so I better understand what it feels like to turn all these pieces into wearable art. Not that I can do any of that, but playing with the items gives me a sense of what it would be like.

What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?

Readers contacting me or running into me and introducing themselves, telling me that they love my work. There is nothing like that.

What has been your darkest moment(s)?

It took me a while to build up a body of work that could stand up to the constant rejection and criticism that comes with putting your work into the world. At first, when I got bad reviews or someone said they didn’t appreciate indie publishing it was jarring, it left me self-conscious and worried whether their opinions were “right.” But now, with a body of work that is shaped by mostly “good,” feedback, when something negative comes to me, I can depersonalize it better. Learning to figure out the motivation behind the negativity has helped as well—some people just like to be rude. Other times, criticism genuinely comes from a person just not connecting with my work. That’s how this works, but it’s hard to learn that and it takes a while to learn to shake off casual negativity if there’s nothing substantive in it.

How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?

Tons of rejection—first in the traditional world, friends who disagree with Indie publishing, and readers who dislike my work. Learning to live with all of that has been made easier by building up a catalog of books that most readers seem to appreciate. Keep going is my motto. The right thing will connect with the right reader.

Where do you get your ideas?

I get ideas everywhere—newspaper, historical magazines, coffee shop conversations, family letters and lore—ideas live everwhere and in every moment.

Who is your favorite author to read?

Kate Morton

What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have heeded?

My advice is to write a ton and read a ton. Don’t get hung up on perfecting everything at the expense of writing a lot when you’re in early stages. Not everything has to be queried or published. But you have to get into the groove of producing. Play with how you want to get your story across and that means you have to write and write and write. Get feedback—ask how what you want the reader to get from your story is coming across or not to trusted readers.

What are common mistakes you see aspiring writers make?

I don’t really see mistakes—just different paths taken, different artistic and business choices made.

Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?

If you really want to be traditionally published, embrace that path using all the resources available. And if you want to be indie published do the same. Some people like to publish shorter things on their own and save their bigger novels for traditional routes and that works great for them!

Bestselling author, Kathleen Shoop, holds a PhD in reading education and has more than 20 years of experience in the classroom. She writes historical fiction, women’s fiction and romance. Shoop’s novels have garnered various awards in the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY), Eric Hoffer Book Awards, Indie Excellence Awards, Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Readers’ Favorite and the San Francisco Book Festival. Kathleen has been featured in USA Today and the Writer’s Guide to 2013. Her work has appeared in The Tribune-Review, four Chicken Soup for the Soul books and Pittsburgh Parent magazine. Kathleen coordinates Mindful Writing Retreats and is a regular presenter at conferences for writers. She lives in Oakmont, Pennsylvania with her husband and two children. For more information, visit facebook.com/Kathleen-Shoop.

Categories
Magazine and Freelance

5 Tips for a Successful Interview

When I interviewed Dr. Gary Chapman, author of The 5 Love Languages and a bazillion other books, I prayed for a unique interview question to set the tone for our time together. As Linda Gilden shared in last month’s post, “Interviewing – An Article Writer’s Best Tool,” one of the greatest tools we have as writers is the interview. “Quotes from individuals strengthen your point,” Gilden wrote, “and let your readers know that even if you are not an expert on the subject, you know people who are well-versed, and you work hard to make the connection.”

Whether you’re writing an informational article that includes quotes from an expert or a profile piece using original quotes, you want to be sure to handle your interview well. Here are a few tips for a successful conversation:

1 Do your homework.

Research your subject well. Learn everything you can about your subject/ministry/product/service before the interview so you won’t waste your (or their) time by asking for information you can easily find on the internet. Take notes and use your notes to craft your questions.

Sometimes you’ll discover unusual or intriguing information your subject might be too modest to share. These facts can chart the course of your interview and help you deepen and flesh out your article.

Often you may have only ten or 15 minutes to talk with your subject. You’ll want to spend these valuable minutes asking questions to unearth unique quotes and information, not rehash stuff someone else has already covered.

2 Create interview questions that deliver a new twist to who, what, when, where, why and how.

Don’t be afraid to dig deeper, but respect your subject’s privacy. Ask questions your readers might be wondering about.

As I prepared for my in-person interview with Gary Chapman, I asked his assistant what his love language was. She said, “Acts of service.” I used this information in an unusual way when we finally met in person.

Finally, conclude by giving your subject the chance to talk about something they consider important that you may not have thought of. Ask, “Is there anything you’d like our readers to know that we haven’t covered yet?” or “Is there a question you’ve always wished someone would ask you, but they never have?”

3 Ask permission to use a digital recorder, especially on a phone interview.

After a little small talk, I usually say something like, “I want to be sure I quote you accurately. Would you mind if I recorded our interview?” I’ve never had a subject refuse.

Once you have their permission, put your phone on speaker, turn on your digital recorder, and place it near the phone. If I’m interviewing in person, I use an inexpensive app called JustPressRecord, which allows me to record, transcribe, and email the conversation to myself later.

Occasionally someone will want to say something “off the record.” When this happens, I pause the recorder until we’ve moved beyond the subject in question.

4 Honor your subject’s time by sticking to the agreed-upon time limit.

Set a timer, and when you’re a few minutes away from the end of the interview, acknowledge this by saying something like, “Our time is almost up, and I want to respect your time. May I ask one final question?” Sometimes your subject will be willing to talk longer, but if they don’t offer, don’t presume. Wrap up the interview as soon as they’ve finished their answer by thanking them for talking with you.

5 If you know the date, tell them when you expect the article to be published and offer to send them a few copies or a link.

Ask for their address, and follow up with a hand-written thank you note. If you worked with a publicist or personal assistant to set up the interview, send them a note as well. Always leave a trail of gratitude and professionalism behind you.

Interviews can be scary, but they don’t have to be. If you do your homework, write clever questions, use a voice recorder, honor your subject’s time, and follow up with a thank you note, you’ll maximize your interview and further establish yourself as a writing professional.

On the day I interviewed Dr. Chapman, I baked a batch of cookies, packaged them up, and brought them to the interview. After I introduced myself to Dr. Chapman and Debbie, his assistant, I handed them both a box of cookies.

“I heard your love language is Acts of Service, Dr. Chapman,” I said, “so I wanted to do something special for you. These are homemade oatmeal pecan cookies. I hope you enjoy them.” He laughed, thanked me, and we sat down to one of the best interviews of my career. Several weeks later I received an email from Debbie thanking me for the cookies and asking for the recipe. Now how’s that for a surprise twist?

Lori Hatcher is the editor of Reach Out, Columbia magazine and the author of several devotional books. Hungry for God … Starving for Time, Five-Minute Devotions for Busy Women won the 2016 Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year award. Her most recent book, Refresh Your Faith – Uncommon Devotions from Every Book of the Bible is due out in the spring of 2020. A blogger, writing instructor, and inspirational speaker, her goal is to help women connect with God in the craziness of life. You’ll find her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Hungry for God. . . Starving for Time . Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter (@LoriHatcher2), or Pinterest (Hungry for God).

Categories
Dear Young Scribes

Journaling Prompt Questions to Ask Your Protagonist

Sometimes, we writers can become so focused on writing an enticing, hard-to-put-down plot that we neglect one of the main building blocks of storytelling: Characterization. Without three-dimensional characters, our story falls apart, and our readers won’t have any motivation to follow the protagonist’s journey.

 

Another reason it’s important to craft well-developed characters is because the direction your plot takes is a direct result of characterization. Your protagonist’s personality, desires/goals, and backstory will influence his/her motivations; his motivations will influence the decisions he makes; and these decisions result in conflict. Thus, a plot is born.

 

To summarize: Without strong, believable, and authentic characterization, there is no story.

 

So how can we create well-rounded characters that dictate our plot? Is it possible to know our protagonist so well that, in a way, it’s almost as though we’ve become them?

 

Of course, filling out a character chart is a great way to figure out your characters’ basics. But sometimes, our characters don’t reveal their depth unless we ask specific questions that forces them to dig down deep. These questions reveal who they are truly are — not just the surface-level questions that character charts often present.

 

Interviewing your character — or asking them journaling prompt questions — will allow you to discover your protagonist at their very core. You’ll discover their unique voice, their heart, motivation, backstory, personality, etc.

 

Not sure of what to ask your protagonist? Here are some journaling prompt ideas to help you get started:

 

  1. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?
  2. Where do you hope to be in ten years? Why?
  3. What do you wish you could tell your sixteen-year-old self? (Or if the character is a teen: What do you wish you could tell your twelve-year-old self?) Why?
  4. If you could change anything about your life, what would it be? Why?
  5. If you could change anything about your personality and appearance, what would it be? Why?
  6. How would you describe your style? Be specific. Why do you prefer to wear these types of clothes?
  7. How do you cope with anger? Disappointment? Depression?
  8. Who is your best friend and why? What is your greatest memory with them?
  9. What’s your biggest regret? Why?
  10. In what ways do you like to express your creativity?
  11. What’s a secret that you hope never gets out? Why?
  12. What are you looking forward to the most? Why?
  13. Why did you choose the type of car that you drive? If you don’t have one yet, what is your dream vehicle and why?
  14. How have you changed within the past three years? How has your life changed within the past three years?
  15.  Are you right-brained or left-brained?
  16. What’s your happiest childhood memory? Why?
  17. What’s your worst childhood memory? Why?
  18. How have your parents influenced who you are, your worldview, and the decisions that you make today? How is your relationship with them? Do you resent the way they raised you?
  19. Who is the person you admire the most? Why?
  20. What’s your most prized possession? Why?

 

Questions for you …

How do you develop your characters? Do you prefer character charts or interview questions?

 

 

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