Click Here To Purchase Starsitter: Thank God For You!

Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, Andrea Dana MSEd, who is the author of StarSitter and StarSitter: Thank God For You!

Andrea is currently based out of Toronto and works as an on-set teacher for child actors. She is a positive influence in their lives as they make the transition from child star to adult celebrity. In addition to sharing her experiences through these fictional novels, Andrea strives to give child actors a voice to be properly heard, as opposed to the negative ways they are often portrayed in the media.

Good day Andrea and thanks for participating in our interview

Norm:

What is an on-set teacher for child actors, how did you become interested in becoming one and how do you attract your clients?

Andrea:

An on-set teacher is hired to teach child actors while they are filming on set because they have been taken out of the school environment and are legally required to have a certain number of hours of school per day.

Norm:

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

Andrea:

I've been writing since I was kid. I used to make my own books and stories and then bind them together myself. 

The great feeling I have when I complete a project and getting emails from people telling me how much my writing makes them laugh is what keeps me going.

Norm:

What was your creative process like with your two books and what happened before sitting down to write?

Andrea:

I'm the type of write that doesn't really plan my stuff out properly. I never have outlines. I just sort of sit down when I get an idea or an urge to write and go. Sometimes I'll be driving and an idea will pop into my head and I will grab for anything I can write with, like an eyeliner and write my idea down on an old receipt. 

It's not the most commendable process. I wish I was the type that could sit down for a few hours a day and just write. I've tried it so many times, but it never works. 

Norm:

What was the most difficult part of writing your books?

Andrea:

The most difficult part is making them fiction. There's so much I could say, but I will save it for my memoirs.

Norm:

Could you briefly tell our audience a little about your two books?

Andrea:  

My first book is about an Interior designer named Grace Daniels who by chance meets a young up and coming Hollywood "it" girl named Maddy Malone. She ends up being suckered into being Maddy's guardian and goes to LA with her. They have all these crazy adventures and it also becomes a personal journey for both of them. 

In my second book StarSitter Thank God For You!  Maddy is fresh out of rehab and returns to Chicago because she has secured a part in a small indie film. The two meet up again for more crazy filled adventures.  

Norm:

Is your writing a form of personal therapy? Are internal conflicts a creative force?

Andrea:

I have a blog that is called My Silver Lining, and this is what I use as a form of personal therapy. I've had some really tragic things happen to me over the past few years and so I created the blog to work through my issues and try to find that light at the end of the tunnel. It turns out, I've had a positive effect on people and have received a lot of emails thanking me for being so open about my life and how it's helped them. the blog address is:  http://andreadanasilverlining.blogspot.com/

Norm:

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

Andrea:

I want it to help people see how funny life is, even in the worst of times humor can help you through it

Norm:

How has your environment/upbringing colored your writing?

Andrea:

I grew up in a family of heavy readers. My dad was a book collector and had many first editions of great classics. I believe to be a good writer you have to love to read, and I am so grateful that my parents instilled that love of reading in me.

Norm:

Do you believe you have already found “your voice” or is that something one is always searching for?

Andrea:

It's funny because everyone who knows me that reads my books tell me that they can actually hear my voice telling the story to them. I think I have a pretty distinct voice in that way. I am definitely planning on writing different genres of books where I will have to find a different voice to use, so I think my voice will be constantly changing over the years in my writing.

Norm:

Do you hear from your readers? Does reader feed-back help you? What do they say about your stories and writing?

Andrea:

Reader feedback definitely helps. When I first wrote my books, I figured they would be directed more towards female readers and was so surprised over how many men wrote to me and told me how much my books made them laugh.

Usually people ask when my next one in the series is coming out. I've created two pretty strong characters and I feel like my readers are really getting to know them now. 

Norm:

What has been the best part about being published?

Andrea:

For me it was a huge accomplishment to be able to take on and finish these projects. It's not easy to do and people don't understand until they try it. It's really not about the money, but more about being proud of your own personal goal.

Norm:

In fiction as well as in non-fiction, writers very often take liberties with their material to tell a good story or make a point. But how much do you believe is too much?

Andrea:

I think you have to know when enough is enough. I think a lot of people think they need to write really long books in order for them to be considered great, but from the feedback I get, most people like the author to get to the point. Quality is more important than quantity. 

Norm:

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

Click Here To Purchase Starsitter: Thank God For You!