Question: What do you think prepared you or qualifies you to write in your chosen genre?
Answer: I believe my life experiences prepare me to write the books I do. My first two books are non-fiction, inspirational. Because of a great transition in my life, God used that which I saw as painful and pushed purpose out of it for me.
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: I’m the mother of two adult daughters and two granddaughters. As a licensed and ordained minister, I find great joy in serving in my local church, speaking and ministering God’s word.
Question: Tell us about things you enjoy — what you do for fun or personal satisfaction?
Answer: Some of the things I enjoy is shopping, walking along the beach and traveling.
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’ve been writing since 2008 and I definitely need beta readers, editors and proofreaders. As a writer, we cannot write good stories without the aid of those who are qualified to make our work better.
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: What works for me in the area of promoting are several things. I do several virtual book tours throughout the year, radio interviews and plenty of advertising. I think ebooks are great for those readers who don’t like paperback books. As authors we must have our book available in every format to meet the needs of our readers.
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: Yes. I’m always looking to write for magazines and article writing has helped me get readers to take notice to my books.
Question: Tell us about your newest book. Make us want to read it.
Answer: Living Separate Lives, a Christian Novella, centers around four high school friends, who have not seen each other in years. Candace Walker, Kaylan Smith, Jordan Tate, and Tiffany Thomas have agreed to come together for a mini retreat in Napa County. A well-planned out weekend of fun, relaxation and a reunion turned into a nightmare.
What makes each one special? Each of the characters is dealing with their own personal issues. For Candace Walker, life has left her battered and bruised. Kaylan Smith has struggled with prejudice from her in-laws. After fifteen years of marriage, bitterness is trying to raise its ugly head for Jordan Tate, whose husband wants to call it quits. And for Tiffany Thomas, dealing with rejection has never been one of her greatest feats. Each one of the characters is compelling people living their own individual stories. A novella that displays the sad realities of the world we live in, but through the perspectives of four Christian women at different stages in their faith.
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: As an inspirational and fiction writer, I write to inspire and empower readers. I write because I feel I have message to share with readers, not only to entertain readers but to help them grow spiritually. I love to mix real life stories into my fiction. Although each story is unique, we experience some of the same feelings, situations, and challenges in life in which the reader can identity. With the ability to craft fiction books, it gives me the opportunity to live through each character.
Question: What’s your next project? Tell us so we can’t wait for it to come out!
Answer: I’m working on the sequel to Living Separate Lives, in which I’ll be sharing more about these four women. I left the readers wondering what happed to these ladies relationship in LSL, so I’ll clear that up in my next book.
Question: How many books do you have out?
Answer: I have 7 books out. Two non-fiction, two fiction, one author manual, and two anthologies.
Bio
Paulette Harper is an award-winning and best-selling author. She is the owner of Write Now Literary Virtual Book Tours and is passionate about helping authors succeed in publishing and marketing their books. Paulette has been writing and publishing books since 2008. Paulette is the author of That Was Then, This is Now, Completely Whole and The Sanctuary. Her articles have appeared on-line and in print.
Buy Links
Amazon e-book: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GLF5BW0
Amazon paperback: http://goo.gl/QqpKev
Social Links
Website: http://www.pauletteharper.com
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/PauletteHarperAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/pauletteharper
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/paulette-harper-johnson/7/a29/8a7