Questions for you:
How old were you when you first started writing?
My writing generally came first from academic papers for postgraduate degree programs. Years later, I also wrote monthly columns for a local newspaper and a college newspaper. As I understand it, there are different kinds of writing to include novels, poetry, plays, screenplays, reports, and academic presentations. To be skilled at one does not imply skill at the others. However, ability at one can open the door to explore other forms of writing.
What was your inspiration for the book?
One of the “books” comes from a chapter from a dissertation and the other three from research papers. For a few years, I participated in an annual conference of social scientists and presented papers on various topics of my own choosing. Although I don’t consider these books, rather they are long papers of an academic nature, and future plans are to combine two into one with some addition and expand one by doubling it. My inspiration for these came from personal curiosity which drove the research.
What is the most challenging aspect of being a writer?
Having the discipline and time to research a topic. Also, I think the whole process of sending manuscripts to a publisher is both challenging and a foreign process for many people, myself included. Many publishers have specific requirements. Also, where do you send it? What format? How to you copyright it? These are questions that can discourage many aspiring writers. Additionally, as noted before, transitioning from one form of writing to another can be a challenge.
I have also learned that, in many cases, the end product that you see in the bookstore came about in part due to proofreaders, editors, and others who have assisted in the process. So, basically, what I am saying is if you have a good idea, take it in stages and incorporate others in the process, if it helps. There are also very good programs like Grammarly and Ginger that can help proof a document.
Do you have a message for other aspiring writers?
Well, I still consider myself an aspiring writer and have thought before about writing beyond researching a selected topic. In fact, I have two additional projects in progress (slowly). However, and more importantly, I want to share my experience with Amazon Kindle and how easy it is to do what I did. If you have something you wrote, it is very easy to use Amazon’s setup to upload your book, pick a cover, price the book and such. I really did this on a lark to see how hard it was and if it was possible. Now that I know how easy that end of the writing process is, I feel more comfortable possibly writing something longer and different in the future. Really, Amazon Kindle makes this a very simple process. Pretty much, if you do the writing, they do the rest.
What is the last book you read for pleasure?
I just finished Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
Where can your book be purchased or read?
I have two of the four listed: these “books” can be found on Amazon for 99 cents each. However, as noted before, they are really long research papers. However, if someone happens to have an interest in the subject, they are worth the 99 cents.
