SAMPLE INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

This is just a sample of some of the questions an interviewer might be interested in asking. It will also give a person an idea of what I am like.

Where are you from?
I was born in Victoria, BC Canada but grew up in different areas of British Columbia. I lived in Calgary, Alberta Canada for ten years and spent from the ages of one to three in Nicaragua. Now I live in Vancouver, Canada.

What inspired you to write?
I come from a family of writers - my grandmother had a book about settling in Northern Alberta after the war published as well as a children’s book. I have always used writing to escape from the real world.

How did you come up with the idea for your novel?
I believe that everyone needs to stand up for what they believe in and Let Us Play shows what can happen you can do. It is an adventure and love story all wrapped into one.

What do you want your readers to grasp from your novel?
I don't want to tell my readers what they should get from work. They get what they want. Everyone is different

Is this your genre?
For now.

What has most influenced your life?
On my last book, I answered this my family and I still have to say my family is a major influence but along with them I have to look at people like Terry Fox and Rick Hansen. I admire people like that. Ordinary people who have faced adversity and done something extraordinary.

What are your thoughts, your overall feeling on self-publishing or on-demand publishing?
Recently I had a discussion with a gentleman who formerly worked as an executive for a large New York publishing house. He pointed out that all self-publishing, on-demand publishing etc. is vanity publishing but it doesn't matter to the 'big boys'. What matters is how much money can they make off of me? So can I get my books selling?

This solidified my entire plan to me. I am in control of my destiny with self-publishing. It is up to me where my career goes.

But if a person is going to self-publish, be sure to have a thick skin because it isn't for the faint of heart. There are so many ill informed out there. Those who don't know what they are talking about and who turn their nose up at my books because they aren't published by a big house. And they all think they know what they are talking about.

Self-publishing isn't easy, but I think it can be rewarding.

What are the disadvantages of self-publishing in your opinion? The advantages?
The main disadvantage is the lack of acceptance by the mainstream. Self-published books are harder to get into brick and mortar stores, harder to get reviewed by standard reviewers etc. This can also be an advantage though because it causes the author to uses his/her creativity to find new ways to market his/her book. The challenge is there, the gauntlet is thrown and the author must rise to it.

Would you self publish again?
Last time I wasn't sure. But now it is a resounding yes.

What genre do you read?
I will read almost anything.

Who are your favorite authors?
Stephen King, Ann Rule, Mary Higgins Clark and John Grisham to name a few.

Please give the readers a brief bio on you the person and the writer.
I find writing to be my release. With all the disadvantages and negative influences in real life, it is so much fun to retreat into a world where I can control almost everything. That being said, I try to look at the positive side to everything. I don’t always succeed, but I try.

How do you get the ideas for your books?
From life. From playing the 'what if' game. Taking a little germ of an idea and start expanding on it. Also listen to your readers.

How did you develop the characters in your book?
My characters come from people I would love to be like then they come from blends of people I know and mix in with my imagination to create the characters in my book. It becomes one big hodgepodge.

What was the best writing advice you received?
Don’t quit.

Any advice for aspiring writers?
Write. Listen to the advice of those who have succeeded but try to tailor it for you. Learn all you can about promotion because no matter how you get your book published - whether you self publish or use a traditional publisher - you are going to need to know how to promote. Also never quit learning about the craft. It always seems to be changing.

What is the best compliment you have ever received?
A friend of mine who works with disadvantaged and disabled children and young adults, knew of a young woman who wasn't interested in reading. She gave her a copy of my first book, The Bond. The young woman loved it. That is a compliment to any writer.That one of my books got a non reader, reading.

How can readers contact you?
They can reach me by email at karenmagill@karenmagill.com .

Can you give us a peek at what we can expect from your next novel
I am planning the sequel to Let Us Play. This one will be called Truth, Justice and Rock 'n Roll.

What is your Web site address?
www.karenmagill.com . Check it out. I have reviews there, a page for self-published authors, links, a fun page and lots of other stuff.

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