Author Interview: 10 Questions With Jodi Desautels

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Our Interview today is with Jodi Desautels. Thank you Jodi for being here today and for agreeing to do this interview.

Jodi Desautels

Question: What do you think prepared you or qualifies you to write in your chosen genre?

Answer: I write children’s books, so I feel that my time raising a child and my time as a former elementary school teacher has really helped me pin-pinpoint what children want and need at a young age. After spending a great amount of time reading children’s books to children, now I get to do the actual creating!

Question: Tell us a little about your real (Non-writing) life, family, job, church life. Does it give you inspiration for your writing? Does it get in the way of your writing, or are there times when you get help, from people or circumstances?

Answer: Currently, I am a caregiver for my mother-in-law who has severe Alzheimer’s disease. So, I am pretty much at home all the time and this gives me time to write, illustrate, and promote my books and websites. It is difficult to be home so much and not socializing as much as I would like. However, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I admire my husband for wanting to care for his mom at home. I want to do what I can to help. And, my fb friends help so much with my socialization. I am very thankful!

Question: Tell us about things you enjoy and what you do for fun or personal satisfaction?

Answer: I am a good ole country gal! I enjoy being in the country and being among the wildlife. It often fills me with awe and joy. If I am not writing and creating, often you will find me doing chores around the yard on my tractor. Or, when my husband and I get some “alone time,” you might find us riding motorcycles or in kayaks. If you find us around the house, you could find us working on a project or playing some sort of game together. We enjoy cards and backgammon.

Question: Tell us about working with any people who help you create your books. Do you use Beta readers? Hire an editor or proofreader? How do you get your covers?

Answer: I have a growing group of lovely supporters. They do quite a bit for me. I don’t pay for proofreading or editing, etc. I do all of my own work now. I write, illustrate, and format as well as promote. However, before I publish, I have a few friends read and proof the book for me. I can never have too many eyes on a book.

Question: Since you have several books out, tell us what you think works for promotion. What are your thoughts on ebooks versus print books and different ways to let people know about you and your books?

Answer: I am relatively new to the author world. I am still feeling my way through what works and what doesn’t as far as promotion. And, since I am not a rich author yet, I guess I still have quite a bit more to learn. 😉

Books by Jodi Desautels

Question: Have you done anything writing-related, but besides your books, that seemed to get a lot of positive response? Something that encouraged you?

Answer: I have written devotionals/reflections in the past for my church bulletin based on the readings of the day. Those seemed to get positive feedback. I enjoyed doing them as well. It got me really thinking about God’s word.

Question: Tell us about your newest book. Make us want to read it.

Answer: Clarinda Cloud is my star character. The “newest” book I have is a children’s activity book practicing basic skills and focusing on feelings. The “Clarinda Cloud Activity Book” features Clarinda Cloud. Many pages ask children to draw and color what makes them feel a certain way and what their face looks like when they feel that way. Yet, there are other activities such as counting, mazes, finding differences, etc. It is a spin off from the story, “Clarinda Cloud.” However, both books can stand alone. Clarinda Cloud promotes the identifying and sharing of feelings. Both books are wonderful for young children, ages 2-5 or 6.

Clarinda Cloud Activity Book

Question: What is the message of your writing? (For example, is your purpose to encourage old-fashioned values, encourage romance, or do you have different purposes in different books?)

Answer: For both of the Clarinda Cloud books, the overall message is the importance of identifying and sharing feelings. This helps a great deal in preventing an array of violence and negative social issues. “Johnny’s Adventure Makes Reading Fun” provides a strategy for parents and grandparents to make reading fun. I am a big believer that learning can be fun. The book is also an adventure. (Who doesn’t like an adventure?)

Question: Tell us one place you visited or person you met, that made a big impression on you, and why.

Answer: This may sound corny, but…I am going to say, my husband. My life has changed so much from being with him. I have never felt the love, encouragement, support, and confidence as I do with him. It makes a world of difference. Also, his joyful and humorous way of looking at life helps me immensely. I enjoy being with him and the things I am finding out about myself as a result of being with him.  

Question: How many books do you have out?

Answer: I have three books out: “Clarinda Cloud,” “Clarinda Cloud Activity Book,” and “Johnny’s Adventure Makes Reading Fun.” They are all fun, relatable, and educational in some way.

 

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Reviews:

Wonderful Review of “Clarinda Cloud” by Paula McGrew:

5.0 out of 5 stars

Clarinda Cloud, January 7, 2014

By 

Paula McGrewSee all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)

This review is from: Clarinda Cloud (Kindle Edition)

Clarinda Cloud is an adorable little story with charming illustrations. Written and illustrated by Jodi DeSautels, this picture book is a good choice for small children, yet kids of any age will have a fun time reading it as well and relating to Clarinda. Her endearing smile is sure to make you and your young one smile too. If your child is feeling sad or bored or angry, this books assures them Clarinda feels those same emotions, and that’s all right. A great teaching tool on how to handle everything from shyness to anger, Jodi uses Clarinda and her changing cloud colors to point out that feelings and emotions are to be shared, no matter what they are, in order to bring healing and to feel better.

Written with love and care that is felt throughout the story, this exceptional book for youngsters contains a powerful message and is illustrated with colorful images. The words are simple and the pictures are easy to understand and interpret. Clarinda Cloud has a friendly face, even though sometimes she’s angry or sad, and she changes in both expression and color throughout the book as a reflection of what she’s feeling at the moment. Whether she is curious or confused, excited or sorry, she is the perfect example of how sharing our feelings is a positive thing to do. Use this book to show your child how to do that too. You won’t be disappointed.

5.0 out of 5 stars

Great idea for getting children to read!, December 18, 2013

By 

Cynthia J. SmithSee all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase(What’s this?)

This review is from: Johnny’s Adventure Makes Reading Fun (Kindle Edition)

I have loved reading forever and so did my child so the concept that some kids don’t like to read is hard to understand. I was impressed with Jodi’s unique idea for creating an interest in reading. She also addressed the fact that many kids get frustrated when it is hard and just give up. Her little “adventure” gave the initiative to work at it. I hope more parents try this!

My Links:

Websites:

www.AuthorJodiDesautels.com

www.ClarindaCloud.com

www.DUOEducation.com

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/jodi.desautels.author.illustrator.educator

www.facebook.com/Author.Illustrator.Educator.JodiDesautels

www.facebook.com/pages/DUO-Education/421960901218609

Twitter:

www.twitter.com/J_Desautels

Google+:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/108130827656213063141/posts

About.me:

http://about.me/jodidesautels

Pinterest:

http://www.pinterest.com/jodidesautels/

Author Page on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Jodi-Desautels/e/B00B4BXUS8

Sell Links:

Clarinda Cloud:

http://www.amazon.com/Clarinda-Cloud-Jodi-Desautels/dp/1482010607

Clarinda Cloud Activity Book:

http://www.amazon.com/Clarinda-Cloud-Activity-Book-Desautels/dp/1490399011

Johnny’s Adventure Makes Reading Fun:

http://www.amazon.com/Johnnys-Adventure-Makes-Reading-Fun/dp/148398835X

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3 Comments

  1. Debra Cornelius

     /  March 12, 2014

    It has been such fun watch Jodi grow as an author and educator. I can’t wait to see what her next book may be!!!

    Reply
  2. Congratulations on you latest release, Jodi! It’s truly a wonderful experience when you get to read to a child.

    Reply
  3. Great interview, Jodi! You truly are an inspiration…

    Reply

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