Author Interview with Julie Gerber of Away We Go Media
This morning I am happy to present author Julie Gerber, who wears several hats as the founder of Away We Go Media. She took the time to answer a few questions about her outlook on writing.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
My office. Let me be more specific. My office currently lacks a door, so the kids are always running about and there are noises. It can be the roosters outside or the kids playing the radio. I am pretty sure I have some form of ADD because I am easily distracted unless I crank up the white noise.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/familiar/spirit animal?
This is something I've never been asked. I guess I would say that a shark is my spirit animal. I love the ocean and I often move along, minding my own business until hunger for something in life hits. And when it hits, it hits hard! I can be calm or ferocious and scary. Sometimes, there may even be a feeding frenzy involved.
What does literary success look like to you?
Literary success is having a brand that people recognize. I don't have to make a million bucks to be successful. My goal is to be known and make a name for myself in the indieworld.
How do you select the names of your characters?
I usually name characters after people that mean something to me. I may also use a name because I like it.
What is your favorite childhood book?
The Chronicles Of Narnia- the complete series. Hands down. I also loved Pippi Longstocking and The Littles.
Do you follow or subscribe to any writer/author journals or websites that you find helpful?
I am all over the internet. I don't subscribe but I am always on the lookout for information. Part of my job requires me to stay on top of the latest and I am always researching ways to market books.
Do you want each of your books to stand alone, or are you trying to build up connections within your work?
Stand alone. As a reader, nothing is more frustrating than having to wait on a new release, but I also like the idea of building connections within my work. For Navigating Indieworld, I would like to write more books dedicated to different parts of the writing and marketing process.
What is your favorite writing snack or drink?
Ice cream and coke. And chocolate. I seriously could go on, but that would be shameful.
How do you deal with negative reviews?
I pick them apart. I take the criticism and make notes. I use those notes to help me improve. If the review is just mean and they don't offer anything helpful, I simply ignore them and move on to the next review.
Is there an author you would consider your role model, and why?
Carole P. Roman. That woman is fierce and such an inspiration. I am in awe of how much she can accomplish. She is the hardest working indie author I know and even though we have been friends for years, I still fangirl over her when we talk.
How many unfinished/unpublished works do you have, and what are your plans for them, if any?
I have two published works and one work in progress unless you count the ideas stirring in my head. If so, maybe ten. One day they will all be out in print. I just have to find the time. Away We Go Media is growing and Navigating Indieworld is becoming a brand. Juggling all of that with two kids, a husband, and a needy lap dog can be a challenge!
Is there anything in your life that you would have done differently in order to prepare for your writing career better?
No. I didn't start out writing. I started as a book marketer and social media manager for indie authors, so I knew what I was getting into. I think I was well prepared for the process.
Do you find it difficult to write characters who are not of your gender/race/background?
Not really. I see them all the same in my head. And since my stories are based in the south, they all have the same southern twang so they sound the same as well.
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Both. Some days are great and some days I get burned out. I have all these ideas floating around in my head and I think that is part of the problem. I sometimes lack the focus I need. Once I get started, and I find my groove, I doing well. I think I need a road map to get back to that groove sometimes.
Which of your characters do you identify with the most, and why?
I would have to say that the character in my current work in progress is someone I identify with. She went through a lot and retained her true self (and became a better and stronger version) through it all. Some people lose parts of themselves when they go through something difficult. Some people just get better. My character never allowed anyone take away the person she was deep down, and I'd like to think that is what other people see when they look at me. If you want to know me, read Navigating Indieworld. That is the real me.
Visit Julie online:
Website:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ: /author/show...
Google Plus:
Amazon:
What is your writing Kryptonite?
My office. Let me be more specific. My office currently lacks a door, so the kids are always running about and there are noises. It can be the roosters outside or the kids playing the radio. I am pretty sure I have some form of ADD because I am easily distracted unless I crank up the white noise.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/familiar/spirit animal?
This is something I've never been asked. I guess I would say that a shark is my spirit animal. I love the ocean and I often move along, minding my own business until hunger for something in life hits. And when it hits, it hits hard! I can be calm or ferocious and scary. Sometimes, there may even be a feeding frenzy involved.
What does literary success look like to you?
Literary success is having a brand that people recognize. I don't have to make a million bucks to be successful. My goal is to be known and make a name for myself in the indieworld.
How do you select the names of your characters?
I usually name characters after people that mean something to me. I may also use a name because I like it.
What is your favorite childhood book?
The Chronicles Of Narnia- the complete series. Hands down. I also loved Pippi Longstocking and The Littles.
Do you follow or subscribe to any writer/author journals or websites that you find helpful?
I am all over the internet. I don't subscribe but I am always on the lookout for information. Part of my job requires me to stay on top of the latest and I am always researching ways to market books.
Do you want each of your books to stand alone, or are you trying to build up connections within your work?
Stand alone. As a reader, nothing is more frustrating than having to wait on a new release, but I also like the idea of building connections within my work. For Navigating Indieworld, I would like to write more books dedicated to different parts of the writing and marketing process.
What is your favorite writing snack or drink?
Ice cream and coke. And chocolate. I seriously could go on, but that would be shameful.
How do you deal with negative reviews?
I pick them apart. I take the criticism and make notes. I use those notes to help me improve. If the review is just mean and they don't offer anything helpful, I simply ignore them and move on to the next review.
Is there an author you would consider your role model, and why?
Carole P. Roman. That woman is fierce and such an inspiration. I am in awe of how much she can accomplish. She is the hardest working indie author I know and even though we have been friends for years, I still fangirl over her when we talk.
How many unfinished/unpublished works do you have, and what are your plans for them, if any?
I have two published works and one work in progress unless you count the ideas stirring in my head. If so, maybe ten. One day they will all be out in print. I just have to find the time. Away We Go Media is growing and Navigating Indieworld is becoming a brand. Juggling all of that with two kids, a husband, and a needy lap dog can be a challenge!
Is there anything in your life that you would have done differently in order to prepare for your writing career better?
No. I didn't start out writing. I started as a book marketer and social media manager for indie authors, so I knew what I was getting into. I think I was well prepared for the process.
Do you find it difficult to write characters who are not of your gender/race/background?
Not really. I see them all the same in my head. And since my stories are based in the south, they all have the same southern twang so they sound the same as well.
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Both. Some days are great and some days I get burned out. I have all these ideas floating around in my head and I think that is part of the problem. I sometimes lack the focus I need. Once I get started, and I find my groove, I doing well. I think I need a road map to get back to that groove sometimes.
Which of your characters do you identify with the most, and why?
I would have to say that the character in my current work in progress is someone I identify with. She went through a lot and retained her true self (and became a better and stronger version) through it all. Some people lose parts of themselves when they go through something difficult. Some people just get better. My character never allowed anyone take away the person she was deep down, and I'd like to think that is what other people see when they look at me. If you want to know me, read Navigating Indieworld. That is the real me.
Visit Julie online:
Website:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ: /author/show...
Google Plus:
Amazon:
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Kay
(new)
Feb 25, 2017 04:50AM
Great interview guys!
reply
|
flag
Aw, Jooooles, you're making me blush. This girl put my entire family on the social media map! If you don't believe me, look at the Forbes article.
Carole wrote: "Aw, Jooooles, you're making me blush. This girl put my entire family on the social media map! If you don't believe me, look at the Forbes article. ..."Lol. Your brilliant writing made my job easy!
