Today I'm turning the blog over to the wonderful Tara Tyler! It's possible you've heard that she recently released a book: Broken Branch Falls!
Take it away Tara!
I love my Dr. Faerie Godmother, Rena. She grants me the gifts of laughter, sciency knowledge, and
encouragement! That's my girl! (said more in a gangsta way, than a proud dad way).
And she gave me some great questions, made me dig deep!
Broken Branch Falls is your second book published through Curiosity Quills. Tell us how it was different writing and editing the second book.
Writing it was way easier. Using a good outline of my scenes, I wrote BBF's first draft in Camp Nano (and completed it in less than 50k words! too short!). But it came together quickly and much more easily than PT. It was easier to edit as well - this story really jumped out at me. The biggest difference was the two very different editors who worked on my books. It made sense, though with the two different genres and age levels. I'm very happy with CQ.
How many books did you write before you published Pop Travel?
Before PT, I wrote a chick lit adventure (Jacks and Jills and Jezebels) and started a sequel for it. When I realized it wasn't going to make it, I put it aside. It was my experimental phase, in more ways than one! Hmm, chick lit is now NA so I may revisit those crazy girls and their many man-problems.
How has publishing not one, but two books changed your life?
Well, it's much more fun for me! Busy! Especially with two boys in HS (ie - approaching college!) Now, the pressure is on for me to get a full-time job (I currently sub and that ain't hay) Too bad there aren't a whole lot of full-time teaching jobs, but I'm hunting. In the meantime, I'm eager to get my writing more widely known with conferences - maybe I'll be able to contribute that way... It just takes so long!
What are the biggest differences between the release of Pop Travel, and the release of Broken
Branch Falls?
The age difference, for one. Comparing the parties, I sold more BBF books and had more "strangers" buy than PT, but PT had more kindle sales and reviews, to give it a better looking start - though when I checked Amazon today, I found BBF on a top 100 list! Woot! It's all relative - audience, the amazon catagories, genre... I've had tons of support from family and friends (local and bloggy). Now, I just need to get the word out a little farther! and keep writing!
Any words of wisdom for the Pre-Published crowd? Any words of wisdom for people about to have a book come out?
I think it's about being ready - when you're really ready for the intimidating work and self-exposure (ha) of marketing and have that MS polished to a gleam - you will click with that one agent or publisher who has a true love and understanding of your work (and it only takes one) - or you will be brave enough and ready to work hard with the self-pub route. It's a ton of work and time and easy to get discouraged, but it's worth it. If it's your passion, you'll find a way to reach your goals!
Take it away Tara!
I love my Dr. Faerie Godmother, Rena. She grants me the gifts of laughter, sciency knowledge, and
encouragement! That's my girl! (said more in a gangsta way, than a proud dad way). And she gave me some great questions, made me dig deep!
Broken Branch Falls is your second book published through Curiosity Quills. Tell us how it was different writing and editing the second book.
Writing it was way easier. Using a good outline of my scenes, I wrote BBF's first draft in Camp Nano (and completed it in less than 50k words! too short!). But it came together quickly and much more easily than PT. It was easier to edit as well - this story really jumped out at me. The biggest difference was the two very different editors who worked on my books. It made sense, though with the two different genres and age levels. I'm very happy with CQ.
How many books did you write before you published Pop Travel?
Before PT, I wrote a chick lit adventure (Jacks and Jills and Jezebels) and started a sequel for it. When I realized it wasn't going to make it, I put it aside. It was my experimental phase, in more ways than one! Hmm, chick lit is now NA so I may revisit those crazy girls and their many man-problems.
How has publishing not one, but two books changed your life?
Well, it's much more fun for me! Busy! Especially with two boys in HS (ie - approaching college!) Now, the pressure is on for me to get a full-time job (I currently sub and that ain't hay) Too bad there aren't a whole lot of full-time teaching jobs, but I'm hunting. In the meantime, I'm eager to get my writing more widely known with conferences - maybe I'll be able to contribute that way... It just takes so long!
What are the biggest differences between the release of Pop Travel, and the release of Broken
Branch Falls?The age difference, for one. Comparing the parties, I sold more BBF books and had more "strangers" buy than PT, but PT had more kindle sales and reviews, to give it a better looking start - though when I checked Amazon today, I found BBF on a top 100 list! Woot! It's all relative - audience, the amazon catagories, genre... I've had tons of support from family and friends (local and bloggy). Now, I just need to get the word out a little farther! and keep writing!
Any words of wisdom for the Pre-Published crowd? Any words of wisdom for people about to have a book come out?
I think it's about being ready - when you're really ready for the intimidating work and self-exposure (ha) of marketing and have that MS polished to a gleam - you will click with that one agent or publisher who has a true love and understanding of your work (and it only takes one) - or you will be brave enough and ready to work hard with the self-pub route. It's a ton of work and time and easy to get discouraged, but it's worth it. If it's your passion, you'll find a way to reach your goals!
Thanks again, Rena! I can't wait for everyone to read your cosmic tales!
(And don't forget to enter the giveaway below!)
Release Date: June 24, 2014 (NOW!)
Publisher: Curiosity Quills
Gabe is an average fifteen-year-old goblin. He’s in the marching band, breezes through calculus, and gets picked on daily by the other kids at school, especially the ogres. But Gabe wants to break out of his nerdy stereotype and try other things. He has his eye on the new ogress at school. Though it’s against all beastly rules, there’s just something about her.
Gabe starts a fad of mingling with other species, forcing the High Council to step in and ruin things by threatening to destroy the school and split up Broken Branch Falls. With help from other outcast friends, Gabe sets out on a quest to save his town. They'll show 'em what different friends can do together!
Tara Tyler has had a hand at everything from waitressing to rocket
engineering. After living up and down the Eastern US, she now writes and teaches math in Ohio with
her three active boys and Coach Husband. Currently, she has two series, The Cooper Chronicles (techno-
thriller detective capers) and Beast World (MG fantasy) She's an adventure writer who believes every
good story should have action, a moral, and a few laughs!
Also by Tara Tyler, techno-thriller detective series,</
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a Rafflecopter giveaway
The Cooper Chronicles, Book One: POP TRAVEL
on sale this month for 99 cents!!
on sale this month for 99 cents!!
Congrats, Tara!
ReplyDeleteThis was a great interview with insighful answers. Congrats to Tara!!
ReplyDeletegreat interview and congrats to Tara!
ReplyDeleteIt makes sense to me that PT has more kindle sales, because i don't know that too many MG readers (kids i mean, not the adults who read MG) read digital books.
Fantastic interview with great questions. Congratulations to Tara and good luck! I'd love to make writing my full time job too, but I've got a few more years than you before my little guy is ready for college!
ReplyDeleteI can tell you- Tara is kicking booty because this lady is as talented as she is motivated. Oh, and organized. I have a goal- to be more like Tara when writer me grows up.
ReplyDeleteVery, very cool. I applaud Tara for putting aside a book she didn't feel was working to move on to the next project. Some of us get wrapped up in the same thing for years. *pointing to self*
ReplyDeleteRena, fabulous having Tara here today! Loved the interview. And I love all that Tara is doing. I've respected her for a long time and I'm so happy to see her having success and moving forward. Wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteMichelle - thank you!
ReplyDeleteAngela - thanks, sweetie! Glad you stopped by!
Sarah - yes, and the younger ones don't review much either!
Christine - someday....
Liz - you really pump me up! you inspired me to make some author/writer buttons!
Crystal - thanks. and you inspire me to do a newsletter!
Morgan - what a sweetheart! thanks, woman! nice to see you here!
and Rena - loved being here and talking with you! (and talking with you!) i definitely dont have all the answers, but we will make it through! exciting times!
Thanks Tara, It's always great to host my writer buddies and their books! (So great talking with you!)
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