Interview with Author, Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

 "Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Author, Kathryn Elizabeth Jones. Welcome, Kathryn, it's an honor to be spending time with you today. Thank you so much for arranging to be interviewed to talk about your experiences as an author, and about your books.

    "I'm pleased to be here, Deanie."

1.  Have you always wanted to become an author? Actually, no. When I was much younger I wanted to be an airline stewardess. Now they call them flight attendants. Then I wanted to be a model. Neither of these two dreams came to fruition, but I think now I wanted to do them because A. I've always wanted to travel and B. I love beautiful clothes. After I married, I realized what I really wanted to do: write.

2.     What genre do you prefer?  

    That's a tough one. I write in both and I enjoy both. Fiction gives me free reign to be creative and I like that. Non-fiction gives me the opportunity to really say what I think. Ask my husband, I always like to be right.

3.     How do you get ideas for stories? 

     My ideas come from everywhere. One morning I might be sitting at my computer working on something else when the idea comes. Other times, I get an idea from someone else. The idea for Conquering Your Goliaths: A parable of the Five Stones, came from my husband. So did Marketing Your Book on a Budget.

4.     If you have writer’s block, how do you overcome it? 

     I really don't believe in writer's block. What I do believe in is shifting gears if you need to, and working on another project until ideas for the first start flowing again. I believe in teasing your imagination with pictures that you must write about (I have a binder full of pictures that I can go to for writing ideas whenever I want) or going out for a walk to clear your mind. You are blocked as a writer only if you allow yourself to be block.

5.     Tell me about your latest book. 

     My latest book is called, Marketing Your Book on a Budget. This is the second round, meaning last year I brought out a 2012 edition. In 2014 you will see an updated version and so on. What I know about marketing is that it continually changes. What worked last year, or a website that was "hot" may no longer be a great find this year, so I go through the book and delete and add new material. Plus, once you've purchased the book, a PDF version comes to you free every year from then on.

6.     Are you working on any other projects?  

    The project I'm currently working on is my sequel to Conquering Your Goliaths, called The Feast: A Parable of the Ring. The book, like the first, is Christian fiction, and deals with a woman named Ms. Virginia Bean and her continuing struggles to become closer to God. I think readers will like book 2, inasmuch as they will already know the main character and will be anxious to find out what happens to her next. Virginia gains some new tools in helping her to overcome her new goliath.

7.     What advice would you offer other authors? 

    Keep writing. There will be times when you receive a poor review. There will be many, many rejections of your work. But there will also be the good times. And you know when these times are because suddenly you realize that being a writer is great!

8.     Do you have a favorite subject to write about? 

    I think it's important that whatever I write I am conscious that the main character is learning and growing and becoming better. I like characters who aren't perfect but who strive to live a Christian life. And so the subject could be anything. Divorce. Remarriage. Infertility. Separation. Even writers who need to publish. The bottom line is that I want readers to answer the "so what?" question. If they can't do that, then I haven't delivered.

9.     Please share your website links with me.

Sure.

My website: http://www.ariverofstones.com

My business website: http//www.ideacreationspress.com

10.   Is there anything else you’d like to discuss?

   

Yes. Many writers don't like to market their books, but I think it's important to know how to do that. How many authors do you know who can hire that out? Marketing doesn't have to be overwhelming or even too scary. The most important thing is that you have some great ideas, and that you have the courage to actually do it. No one is going to buy your book unless you market it. And no, marketing doesn't have to cost much money, if any.

11.   Where can people purchase your books?

My books can be purchased at my website: http://www.ariverofstones.com. At my business site: http://www.ideacreationspress.com or at Amazon. 

"I hope you've enjoyed our time together as much as I have, Kathryn. Many people will benefit from your views, as well as your knowledge of marketing books."

"Yes, we've had fun chatting today and I look forward to our next visit."