Eileen Boggess interview with David Alan Binder

Her partial bio from her website:  My love of writing continued and when I became a middle school language arts teacher, I often found myself writing side-by-side with my students. One day after listening to my students grumble when I assigned them the task of writing a realistic fiction book, I told them I would share in their pain and attempt to write one too. And that is when Mia Fullerton was born. Even after my students’ books were graded and returned to them, I couldn’t stop writing about Mia and her friends. I combined many of my own embarrassing moments--I actually set my lab table on fire during my freshman year at my Catholic high school--with my students’ anecdotes into the fictional world of St. Hilary’s and I haven’t stopped writing since.

 Website:          http://www.eileenboggess.com/

 Amazon:          http://www.amazon.com/Eileen-Boggess/e/B004FS039G

 Goodreads:     http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1186789.Eileen_Boggess

 

1.     How do you pronounce your name (only answer if appropriate)? 

I-lean Bog-guess

 

2.     Where are you currently living?

Urbandale, IA

 

3.     What is the most important thing that you have learned in your writing experience, so far?

Write for the joy of it. A writer is a person who spends their free time writing, even if no one will ever read it.

 

4.     What would you say is your most interesting writing, publishing, editing or illustrating quirk?

Sometimes I act out scenes to make sure it is humanly possible to do what I am asking the characters to do.

 

5.     Tell us your insights on self-publish or use a publisher?

I would only use a publisher because I am not very good at self-promotion

a.     Who is the name of your publisher and in what city are they?

Bancroft Press, Baltimore, MD

 

6.     Any insights eBooks vs. print books and alternative vs. conventional publishing?

I personally only read books, but if eBooks bring literature to more people, I am all for it!

 

7.     Do you have any secret tips for writers on getting a book published?      

Read, join a writer’s group, and belong to a writing organization. The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is an amazing organization for children’s authors and illustrators.

 

8.     How did you or would you suggest acquire an agent?  Any tips for new writers on getting one?

Do your research before signing on with an agency. An agent works for the writer, so you have to be comfortable with the agents’ decisions. Having an agent who doesn’t support your work is worse than not having an agent at all.

 

9.     Do you have any suggestions or helps for new writers (please be specific and informational as possible)?

Read the genre you write and study how the authors craft their stories. Also, remember being published isn’t the end goal in a writing career. Once a book gets published, people will immediately ask, “What are you publishing next?” Write for the joy of it. If you make a million dollars or ten dollars, be happy to do what you love—and don’t quit your day job!

 

10.                        What was one of the most surprising things you learned your creative process with your books, editing, publishing or illustrating?

Authors of novels seldom have any say on the covers of their books. Picture book authors also have limited/or no say on who illustrates their books.

 

11.                        How many books have you written? 

Three: Mia the Meek, Mia the Melodramatic, and Mia the Magnificent. I also wrote a play for Mia the Melodramatic, which was performed by Davenport’s Junior Theatre

 

 

12.                        Do you have any suggestions for providing twists in a good story?

Always think what is the worst thing that could happen to the main character at that moment and then write it. Make your main character suffer!

13.                        What makes your or any book stand out from the crowd?

Character. I will follow a great main character through anything.

 

14.                        What are some ways in which you promote your work?

I have a website and also a web presence. I also promote other writers’ published work, so they will hopefully do the same when I am published in the future.

 

15.                         What is the one thing you would do differently now (concerning writing or editing or publishing or illustrating) and why?

 

I would have an agent before signing a contract. So many new authors are so excited to be published, they will sign anything even if it is not beneficial to their long-term career.

 

16.                        What saying or mantra do you live by? [edited question]

This is on Peter Bailey’s office wall in It’s a Wonderful Life and I have it on my office wall: All you can take with you is that which you have given away.

 

Please contact me at dalanbinder at gmail dot com or ab3ring at juno dot com

If you a published author or in a band with or without a book or an up and coming celebrity and want to garner following or get your message out there then  I’d like to interview you and feature you and your book(s) or message on this web site in one of my blogs.

Of course, I’m always looking for authors to interview.  If you know of one, send them to me, please.

Write Coach service (Donations accepted) - Contact me at dalanbinder at gmail dot com or ab3ring at juno dot com