Today, Norm Goldman, Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is excited to have as our guest, Sandra E. Graham author of Amos Jakey, and  Nicolina.

Sandra tells me that as a new author, she is almost totally unknown to the reading public, but coming from a background of backwoods simplicity, she grew to love the people that she knew personally and people that she came to know through the tales passed down by her parents and grandparents.  She loves to share these stories with anyone who, like herself, just loves people.  Stories that can break your heart with their tragedy, but can also make you laugh out loud with the simple joy of living.

She never really cared about becoming an overnight sensation or millionaire author; she would just enjoy knowing that after she is gone, people will still be reading the stories she has left behind.  After her family, her greatest loves are reading and writing.

Norm:

How did you get started in writing? What keeps you going?

Sandra: 

Well, Norm, I guess you would have to go back many years, because I started writing very young.  I remember writing my first stories when I was in Elementary School, probably around ten years old.  The first story I remember that drew so much attention from my classmates and teachers was Freddie Fish and Champagne Bubbles. 

I think my writing is really the after-effects of my voracious appetite to read and what keeps me going is the insatiable desire to have people read what I write.  I want others to enjoy reading as much as I do, so I try very hard put everything into what I write.

American Book Publishing has published my first book and has my second book almost ready to print.

Norm:

What do you want your work to do? Amuse people? Provoke thinking?

Sandra:

I could never begin to categorize myself among great ‘thinkers’ so, I think I want my books to entertain or simply give pleasure just in the joy of reading.  I like to think my books—although some characters will face terrible tragedies in their lives—make people happy to read, so I guess I would be considered a writer to amuse.

Norm:

What's the most difficult thing for you about being a writer?

Sandra:

The writing in itself comes easy for me; it is dealing with publishers and promoters that give me heartburn.  Seriously, though, the hardest thing I find in writing is keeping my ‘point of view’ straight.  Sometimes it is very hard to remember from whose perspective the story is coming and not commit the crime of flip-flopping in mid-story.

Norm:

Could you tell our readers a little about Amos Jakey, and Nicolina?

Sandra:

I’d love to. 

Amos Jakey  is an historical, adventure fiction loosely based on some stories told to me by my father.  At eight years old, Amos loses his mother when she dies in childbirth.

His father, knowing he isn’t capable of raising a tiny baby girl and caring for a young son, leaves the children in the care of a neighbouring family.  Despondent over the death of his wife, the father commits suicide.  Young Amos’ life changes dramatically in one single day.  Losing his family he is taken to the border town of Eagle Pass, Texas by an old migrant farm worker where his life begins a new era of growth and change.

The story will take you through the fazes of Amos’ life as he travels from Texas to California and back to his original home in Arkansas as he grows to a young man in the process.

Nicolina picks up where Amos Jakey leaves off.  Most of this book comes from stories told to me by my mother about herself and her family.  Nicolina is a young girl growing up in the backwoods of Missouri and Arkansas.  Coming from a large family, she is forced to marry at the very young age of thirteen.  Married to a horrible tyrant, she is taken away from her home and family without even the privilege of visitation.  Nicolina is more a prisoner in her own home than a wife. 

She is dragged about the country by a husband who must continue to run from demons both inner and outer.  Throughout her trials, however, Nicolina is visited by the ghostly presence of a handsome young boy-man who returns again and again to save her from instances that very nearly destroy her.

The identity of the boy is kept secret to the end, except possibly to some very perceptive readers.

Norm:

What did you enjoy most about writing these books?

Sandra:

Writing about people and events that, even though they are fictitious, could very well be yourself or someone you know and could happen to you.  Put simply, I love to write about people.

Norm:

What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing? What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers?

Sandra:

Holding your audiences’ attention.  Giving them something to wonder about—what will happen next?  Research.  The computer is a marvellous tool for doing your research.  Get the facts—even when your writing is fiction, you can give it some reality by doing your research.

Norm:

How did you develop the plot and characters?

Sandra:

As I said before, my characters were based partially on some real-life people as were some of the plots.  I think the key to good writing is giving excitement and realism to your characters and your story; then your story seems to develop a mind of its own and continues to grow and grow.

Norm:

Do you have a local writing community or fellow writers that you look to for support and advice? Do you have a writing mentor? Do you mentor others here?

Sandra:

Well, I have talked with and advised a few young writers in my neighbourhood who were having problems finding publishers and just wanted someone to critique some of their writing.  As far as having a mentor myself, I don’t.  One writer did, however, have a lasting effect on my writing style and that was the world renowned Pearl S. Buck.  I will always remember her books—my favourite being, The Good Earth.

Norm:

How do you celebrate a novel's completion?

Sandra:

I hold my breath a lot!  Then I take myself and my husband out to dinner.  After that I let everyone know that will listen to me that I have a new book coming out.

Norm:

How have you used the Internet to boost your writing career?

Sandra:

Absolutely.  There is no better or less expensive way to get your writing out in the public eye than the Internet.  There are many good websites that help promote a writer’s work—Searchwarp.com, Bookpleasures.com, Megaphone Magazine just to name a few.  I have also created my own website: http://www.sandragraham-articles-books.com which has done wonders to get my book into the public view.  My books can be purchased through an on-line book- store, Publisher’s Direct Bookstore.

Norm:

Who are your favorite authors, and why do they inspire you?

Sandra:

My favourite author was Pearl Buck.  I loved her books because they were about people, real people, and real lives.

Norm

Are you working on any books/projects that you would like to share with us? (We would love to hear all about them!)

Sandra:

I am in the process of writing another fiction novel called Greene County.  I live in Greene County in Arkansas and my daughter works for the Greene County Sheriff’s department.  And, although, she hasn’t told me any stories that I will be using in my book, my imagination can usually run rampant without any help.

Norm:

Is there anything else you wish to share with us?

Sandra:

I would like to tell all aspiring writers to never give up.  The old saying that ‘there is a story in everyone’ is certainly true and someday someone will bring it out.

Keep writing and for goodness sake, READ, READ, READ!!!

Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.