This Flyer is in a "Holding Pattern" right now..

This Flyer is in a "holding pattern" right now..

Remember the NEWS I had a week or so back...that I had some huge announcement?!?  

  Well, I just received word, that the project is being shelved until a later date.  : (    I am a wounded bird.  
Maybe this is what the baby bird feels like when she leaves the comfort of the nest....she launches..she's in flight..she's beginning to soar...and then, ...what happened?1? She finds herself on the ground walking around...  But this baby bird is already thinking .."now, what am I going to do to get myself up there, once again,  into that big blue sky and soar amongst those white fluffy clouds...and umm...not to mention, the STARS!!!

Maybe I'm only on a "layover"... (I hate lay-overs, but the flight eventually gets to it's destination, right?)
Well, the project isn't a done deal. But, I was to be an artist featured in a wonderful published book.  The author has done other fabulous books, so that's why I was so excited to be included! If you know anything about publishers, you would understand that they may suggest changes, before the book is to be published.   Being shelved for now, might mean that those changes have to be thought out, written, maybe more ideas incorporated into the stories & etc.. So there is hope.

Why does s it always seem to happen to me, that when I get that big opportunity...something happens ..not by anything I've done but, the change of events means I missed that big chance.

Makes me think I need to be like that baby bird...Get up, dust myself off (mend my wounded self), and flap my wings...see if I lift off the ground a little.  If I continue to flap, maybe a gentle breeze will come by and lift me...or at least blow me into a different direction.  Well, what ever direction I blow to, or where ever the winds takes me, I know I will continue to keep my eye on that goal...to soar like the wind!
                                                                                                                                            Joan

Mixed Media Artist: Andrea Saccone Snyder

"Soaring to Success" Interview ...

                              Interviews of Artists, Writers & Photographers....

                                   their work, creative spaces & techniques!

                 Mixed Media Artist from North Carolina 

                                ...Andrea Saccone Snyder

1. Introduce yourself..   

Hi all, I am Andrea (Saccone) Snyder  I currently live in Pittsboro, NC (Chapel Hill, Raleigh Durham area) USA  .....I LOVE CREATING ANYTHING!!  But mostly I am a mixed Media Painter.  I have been a hairstylist for 21 yrs and and artist all of my life. 

2. When did you know you wanted to be an artist, writer or photographer?

 I have always known myself as an artist deep down.  As a child I was most content with paper and crayons or markers in front of me.  The feeling of the blank page and the endless possibilities was like a magical world waiting to be opened and I held the only key!  As  a young adult I decided to major in Fine Art in college as it was one of two interests I had...the other being psychology/social work.  I went  to school for a few years then met and fell in love with my now artist/musician husband and somewhere in there decided I could paint anytime, what I wanted was a real job.

 I come from a family of hairstylist's and my mother owned a salon at the time.  My plan was to leave school for a year, get my cosmetology license and return to school and work some for her salon. (It was a local college).  I never went back to college. I put all of my creativity and psychology skills into hairstyling and now 21 yrs later I am the owner of my own salon.   As an adult like so many of us, I put the idea of me being a full fledged artist on the backburner as I thought I needed to make a living doing something else.  (head hung in shame)  I fell for the lies..."that we cannot REALLY make a living doing art".  And honestly I, like many women subjugated my own creativity and myself and I lived through my husbands dreams for his own art.  I decided he was the real artist. Fortunately l  did chose a career that I could  be creative which SAVED me.  But as you might expect...mid life "opportunity"/ BURNOUT....set in recently...and after a much needed period of rest and reflection I made a soul saving decision to commit to myself and my future to my own art.  YAY!!!!

3. What are your fears?  How have you faced them? 

 I have spent the last 20 yrs being ruled by my fears.  I have been through an extensive process of recovering myself.  I have read every  how to get unblocked, self help/creativity book, talked to my friends and family till I was blue in the face.  I have sat in sweat lodges, by ritual fires, gone on solo pilgrimages.  Givin my husband hell (love u hon).   And finally.... I awoke and I realized.  I am the ONLY one who can change my life.  Projecting, transferring, whining and being scared has not done a thing for me. AND I'm 40 now!!!!   No time to waste. All of the trite but true sayings...I will fail for sure if I don't ever try.  I plan on realizing deeply what I KNOW to be true.  I am an artist and an artist need to create.  I will fall, but I am STRONG and I will get up and get over the inevitable hurdles. Nothing could be worse than what I had already put myself through. Even falling can be fun when your on the right path.   I HAVE to believe in myself if I think anyone else is going to.  My soul, my family and friends and the world will all be better off if I am a happy full filed creative woman with a purpose and a paintbrush!!

4. What makes you different…unique from others? 

 Everything I have ever been through or experienced in my life makes me different than others.  No two of us on this big blue ball have knelt at the same graves, kissed the same lips or been inspired by the same beauty.  AND at the same time we are so much all the same (dare I say the same being in different disguises) being human is our common thread. 

I am a bit of a philosopher/mystic type trapped in an Italian girl next door kind of body.

You can find more of my musings atwww.flowgrldesigns.blogspot.com FlowGirlDesigns.blogspot.com   or  WWW.AndreaSnyderFlowGirlDesignsfacebook.comFacebook  Andrea Snyder(FlowGirlDesigns) www.FlowGirlDesigns.blogspot.com www.FlowGirlDesigns.etsy.com  at  FlowGirlDesigns

5. Any secrets to reveal about the tools you use or your techniques?  Tips or tricks?   What makes your art special?  

 In my recent work.  I take a common theme. The vessel and infuse it with life thru my painting  process.  This process I think is unique.   I am back to playing with crayons!!  Most Encaustic (wax painting) is done with a resin/ beesewax /pigmant and the layers are fused with heat.  Thus the term Encaustic which means (to fuse)  I paint with waxes / oils/  graphite/ watercolor and collage.  Some of the  wax and some of the pigment I uses comes from melting crayons along with beeswax/ soy wax.  I started working this way one night when I was bored wit my materials.  I watched a few U tube videos about encaustic and decided to try it myself.  I heated things in an old pot on the stove and dove in head first...not into the wax on the stove...but into this new medium!!!!!  I was IN LOVE...I have been experimenting ever since!!!

6. What are your goals & inspirations?  Where will you hope to be in 2 years?  5 years?  10 years?

  I hope to be supplementing my income and eventually get out from behind the(salon)chair a few more days a week.  In 5-10 yrs I hope to have a happy balance of art and beauty in my life and be making an abundant living doing so.  One day I may just make my life about my art and allow the salon to be run by staff. 

7. Where is your creative space or studio?   

A few years back I was fortunate to be able to put a studio in the house we built.  I share it with my husband.  I still would like to get messier than I do...but I am SO grateful to finally have a beautiful space to call my own!!

I am inspired by so many books and quotes, a few of my fav's are...".Be the change you wish to see in the world"  ( a lesson hard learned in my life...still sinking in one day at a time)  "Everything you seek is within"…..Eckart Tolle's Power Of Now  for a reminder of what's real and important

8.How much time do you devote to your work?  (Is it at same time everyday? Are you disciplined to go into your studio at 9:00am every morning?  Or do you wait until you are in a creative mood?)

 I try to spend almost everyday off in the studio or doing something with my new blog or something like the e-class. I no longer run useless errands just to distract myself from my true callings...fear has made me buy way too many pairs of shoes and throw pillows.....I like morning best.  After I drop my son at school I come home and have a quiet house for a few hours( my husband keeps late hrs and sleeps late) .  6 good hrs during the day.  (unless I have a real errand or appt) Pick up my son...hang with him.. dinner...family  and maybe I can get a few hrs at night if I'm not too tired.  I am really trying hard to not be in the salon and wishing I was in the studio.  I want to be present for my clients.  And in the here and NOW.  This is why the balance is so important.  Got to fill the well.

9. What are your “whispers” or callings begging you to do?  (Paint, write a book, sell your items on-line)  What made you decide to take this e-course with Kelly Rae Roberts? What do you want to achieve? 

 There are so many possibilities opening up recently.  I just got introduced to a PR agent who is helping keep me on track. I am going to launch a Kickstarter campaign to help me raise funds for printing supplies to get my online business going (Etsy) I have always had a book idea about the beauty industry so now to think about the possibility of an art book is exciting but a bit overwhelming.  We will see. I decided to do the e-course because the timing was perfect.  I had just committed to my journey but need a road map!!  Now I have it!!  I am locked and loaded!

10. Do you keep a daily journal or sketchbook, or write in a diary? 

 I am on again off again with my journals...I log dreams, and musings...writing about book ideas and creative ideas.  doodles sketches etc...the idea of art journaling is pretty new to me. Mine have never been as elaborate as those I have seen recently.. Old school I guess.  I love to see peoples works.  I need more time to do that next!

11. How do you market yourself? How do you plan to get “the word” out there??  

 I just started my blog in July.  Etsy just before that and still want to get great photos and prints of my newest originals before I sell them.  I plan on selling on Etsy (Prints and originals eventually).  I am going to make my salon a bit more boutiquy  and feature my own and others art.  Galleries too.  I have not done any advertising besides FB and word of mouth.

12. What type of music (if any) do you listen to when you create? 

Sometimes I listen to music in the studio anything and everything....well no rap or hard rock beats...soothing or energetic in an inspiring way.  Not an oh god shoot me kind of way!   Sometimes I like the silence.  Sometimes a podcast or radio talk show.  LOVE Hay House radio

13. Who is your favorite artist, photographer, author? …  In other words, who do you admire, and look up to? 

Kelly Rae now that I found her.  My husband is a very inspiring man and my biggest champion.  I love Deepak Chopra, Eckart Tolle,  Carl Jung.  I have always loved Monet...mostly his winter scenes. Mary Cassatte, Degas just to name a few.

14. Are you encouraged to follow your creative path by your family or friends?

YES!! YES!!  YES!!

15. How do come up with titles for your work…?

Going within and letting the work speak.  Silence helps.

16. Do you work on one project at a time ..or have several going on at a time?

  I work on several projects at a time...

Thank you Andrea for agreeing to do this interview.  It is so inspiring to read about all the things you are up to and involved with. I wish you tons of success.. with the enthusiasum you have and the plans set in place, I'm sure you will soar to great heights!!

Thanks so much for participating! ...Joan

I owned an art school in Charlotte, NC for 16 years before moving to Jacksonville, FL., so it  thrills me when a classroom full of students, given one assignment, produces such a variety of ideas. …We are all unique, we are all special.  We all have a different path, a different way of approaching our art. That is exactly why I want to do these interviews, to celebrate what makes us, US!      Thank you for participating : )               

                                                     Joan Carver       (e) joanecarver@yahoo.com       904-230-6155

  

"Soaring to Success" Interview - Australian Artist Janine Whitling

Soaring to Success: 

              Interviews of Artists, Writers & Photographers

                      Their work, creative spaces & techniques

                                                             by Joan Gabauer Carver

     

   Here's another interesting interview with an Australian Artist: 

                  
                                    Janine Whitling

1. Introduce yourself..   

Hi ya, my name is Janine Whitling, and I live near Brisbane in Queensland Australia. I am a practicing full time artist with a penchance for acrylic painting, mixed media, resin and paper, especially for installations. I am an emerging artist having just received my masters in contemporary art in 2009 but I have been committed full time to growing my art biz to wonderful heights.

Janine Whitling

2. When did you know you wanted to be an artist, writer or photographer?

Although I’ve always loved art, and it really was my love as a kid, I don’t think I ever thought about it seriously as a profession until much later in life. Silly me bought into all that rubbish about it not being a real profession and that you couldn’t make a living from it. Well, I discarded those silly beliefs a few years ago and now am fully committed to doing what I love.

3. What are your fears?  How have you faced them?  Or your plans of how you plan to tackle your fears.

Actually I just blogged about my fears here http://www.janinewhitling.com.au/when-fear-paralyses-you  so this would be a good post to read about this.

 

4. What makes you different…unique from others? 

I’m not sure that I am that different from a lot of other artists to be honest. I don’t feel this great need to stand out from the crowd or be exciting or interesting. I feel that we each and all have a special story to tell and these stories sometimes resonate with others and they are able to connect to them. But what I do feel that makes me different would be my unique expression. I know I have a special ability with language and creativity, and I feel that this life I have a responsibility to share that gift, if for no other reason than to inspire others to express themselves too. We all have unique voices and they should never be held back. We are all beautiful souls on this earth who make up the ocean of humanity and each of us are equally important.

You can find my work at my website http://www.janinewhitling.com.au where I have a gallery and work for sale.

Also I have an etsy shop at http://www.etsy.com/shop/NinkyDesigns where i sell most of my resin jewellery and other smaller artworks.

 

5. Any secrets to reveal about the tools you use or your techniques?  Tips or tricks?   

The first and only thing that is a prerequisite for my creative process is to ensure that I am still and connected to my heart.  If I am not with myself then my process becomes very disjointed and difficult. At those times I will walk away and either take some time out to breathe or I will do housework; nothing like housework to get you back down to earth and in your body!

As far as materials go I do paint a lot, and my favorite way of painting is actually with palette knives. I’m only just starting to use brushes for something different recently. And I love, love, love papers, especially beautiful handmade papers, lace papers or sheer papers.

6. What are your goals & and inspirations?  Where will you hope to be in 2 years?  5 years?  10 years?

Probably the same as a lot of others artists; make lots of artwork, sell lots of artwork; build a wonderful artsy community; travel; spend quality time with friends and family. J

7. Where is your creative space or studio?  

My studio is at home, I have put a bit sheet of lino on the floor inside a spare room which actually opens out to a deck, and I’ve put lino on the deck too. That way I can work inside and outside depending on the weather and what I feel like. It’s pretty cool really. Sure, I’d love more space, but it’s enough for me right now.

      

8.How much time do you devote to your work?  (Is it at same time everyday? Are you disciplined to go into your studio at 9:00am every morning?  Or do you wait until you are in a creative mood?)

I’m usually in my studio by 7am until 6pm. I do take a few breaks during the day though. Also, I tend to work 6-7 days a week. Its hard not to when you love it so much LOL

9. What are your “whispers” or callings begging you to do?  (Paint, write a book, sell your items on-line)  What made you decide to take this e-course with Kelly Rae Roberts? What do you want to achieve?

Actually I haven’t analyzed why I’m doing the KRR course. I just know that one day I opened my computer and somehow it led me to her page (probably blog hopping). It really stood out and I thought ‘why not’? So glad I did.

10. Do you keep a daily journal or sketchbook, or write in a diary? 

Surprisingly I don’t keep a journal so not much help there really.

11. How do you market yourself? How do you plan to get “the word” out there??

I use a number of social networking platforms, all the usual’s really. Plus I do some art fairs every now and then.

12. What type of music (if any) do you listen to when you create?

None, I rarely listen to music to be honest. I love the sound of silence.

13. Who is your favorite artist, or who gives you your inspiration?

Mark Rothko, Kathryn Del Barton,  Anselm Keifer are all amazing artists. I’m a big fan of paper cut artists and altered book artists, their works are ridiculously good. I’m always checking out other peoples works but not getting too attached necessarily to any one artist.

14. Are you encouraged to follow your creative path by your family or friends?

Absolutely, so much support and love are sent my way. Not mum though, I think she secretly wished I studied law or finance.

15. How do come up with titles for your work…whether it be paintings, short stories, a novel, or other artwork?

It depends on what I feel when I’m creating. I like the titles to embody the energy of its creation.

16. Do you work on one project at a time ..or have several going on at a time?

Lots at a time. I find it really hard to focus just on one thing. I get bored very easy and I also like the momentum of the continued activity. If I have a few things going I can just move to whichever one I feel to and which is focused on the energy of my expression at that time. It becomes a great organic process then. Of course the down side to that is that I can find excuses not to work through a block if I have one, so some works can take ages to finish.  Positive and negatives on both sides really.

Thank you, Janine, for allowing us into your creative studio and sharing your tips and thoughts with us!  I wish you much success in your career with your artwork!  Thank you, Joan

I owned an art school in Charlotte, NC for 16 years before moving to Jacksonville, FL., so it  thrills me when a classroom full of students, given one assignment, produces such a variety of ideas. …We are all unique, we are all special.  We all have a different path, a different way of approaching our art. That is exactly why I want to do these interviews, to celebrate what makes us, US!      Thank you for participating : )               

                                                      Joan Carver       (e) joanecarver@yahoo.com       904-230-6155

  

Finding a Solution!!!

I'm back!!! ... to let you know how the painting I have in progress, is coming along....

Well, I originally mastered several steps before applying paint to this project.  I guess I call it a project, because it took more planning, and thinking about how I wanted to tackle this one! Trying something NEW is supposed to be good for us, right?

I have a nautical chart as the first layer, under the luscious brushstrokes...and fluid waves of color. Then, oh on!!!! ...the ripples from the applied chart, that I thought might give it character, seemed not so interesting, they seemed worse.  I'm not sure if the paint created more, or if the ripples just seemed exaggerated with the smooth calm waves.....

I did want some ripples so that the nautical chart would be seen, I didn't really want "perfect"...but somewhere along the way I didn't feel so good about them...the adrenalin started pumping.... the fear began to trickle in...well, I slapped that fear away! ZAP! I'm going to find a solution....that's what artists DO!

I will get creative! (well, let me sleep on it awhile... and think about what I will do)

Enter Day Two.....

Thinking about a solution did help, some..but nothing helps as good as doing...experiment, try something else. If those ideas don't work, keep trying...do more... change it and do even MORE!!!

Still on the easel..... 

I decided, that instead of very calm, slithering waves in the distance ... to turn it up a knotch!  I pulled out the trusty ol' palette knife!!!   I enjoyed mixing colors and scooping up all the sea glass colors, then laying the paint onto the canvas creating waves, reflections and making movement of the water come alive! I brush, then used the palette knife...then blended, and scraped until I felt it was the way I wanted it.  I think it actually gave the painting more depth, more to look at and enjoy.

The finished (I think...) painting!

I ended up adding more paint, more texture by using the palette knife...and more colors to give it more depth and "sunshiney-shimmer"...

I really do like the compass, the chart symbols and map-like qualities, showing through in parts, through-out the painting!

Well, I think it was worth it...I tried something new, tackled it, and created a way to have it turn out to my liking!!

 

Now, onto another painting... !!!!!        

 

Keep Creating,  Joan 

Sneak Peek... need to sleep on this one!

    
                                Sneak Peek .....  need to sleep on this one!


It's as if painting lifts any bad mood from me, ..usually, if I'm not feeling the best..you'd think the painting would take on a moody feel.  Not the case, just having that brush in my hand and creating with all the lucious gobs of colorful paint stirs inspiration within me! Well, the music helps too!...if I didn't become an artist I would've had to do something with music, for sure!

Well, I'm trying something new today with my painting.  It is fun to try new things, but not sure about it when the outcome is coming along great, but the layer underneath is reacting in a way I didn't expect.  That's okay,  I won't panic (yet, anyway...) I will study it tonight, from a distance, and see what it needs.  Also, it's a good idea to "sleep on it" and see if the painting changes as it dries...
If I need to "fix" anything, I can do it then.

Want a "sneak peek" ??  I guess I could give you a little peek.... of a small area of the painting. : )

I will post another as I go along - tomorrow...

Want to know something else?...I am going to admit, I have been wanting to do this painting for a while, now.. I kept putting it off, because of the fact that it is a little different from what I normally do!  Boy, am I glad I started it...that's the hardest part.

Well, tune in tomorrow (the pressure is on, because I said it..and now I published me saying)...that I will have a solution and hopefully a completed painting, tomorrow....yippeeee!

                   See ya tomorrow!!!   Joan

Just Breathe!

It is my pleasure to introduce all of you to a wonderful new published author, Bonnie James.  We became fast friends in the Flying Lessons class ..when I found out she had just published a book titled Just Breathe, I ordered my copy immediately! I am thrilled for her success...Please enjoy reading about this talented author..her tips, fears, networking ideas & how she squeezes in writing a novel, while raising a family!

                                                     Author - Bonnie James

My name is Bonnie J. James.  I am a writer and the author of the contemporary romance novel JUST BREATHE.  I live in Minneapolis, MN with my husband and two sons.

I've always loved writing,but only when I began staying home with my two little boys did I consider turning my passion for writing into a carreer.  Four years ago I decided to take a writing course and my drive to write a novel sparked from there.  I haven't looked back since!

Tell us about your fears and how you faced them..
My fears ebb and flow and come in a wide variety.  I often battle the fear of not succeeding, of being a terrible writer, of actually succeeding and then not being able to write another book!  Other fears include not being able to juggle a writing career with parenting, not giving my husband and boys enough attention because writing sometimes consumes me.  And sometimes I fear that my house will turn into a pigsty because I can't seem to find the time to clean!  All of these fears appear and disappear on a weekly basis, and I'm beginning to understand that I can smother them pretty well.  My biggest force against them is self-assurance in the form of affirmations.  I have a small journal of affirmations that I've collected over time and I write some of them down every day, depending on what I need to hear.  Today's affirmations are: "I love and accept myself exactly as I am; I am kind to myself; I release all doubt and self-criticism; I am at the right place, at the right time, doing the right thing."

What makes you different, unique or sets you apart from the others?
I think what sets my writing apart from others is my ability to describe characters and settings.  When I write I try to paint a vivid picture for my readers.  I think that this need for descriptive writing stems from my artistic side.  I have always loved to paint and draw, to take photograhs and to sew.  This love makes me want to create a beautiful setting for my readers to spend time in.  It also makes mme want to write all of my main female characters as artists and creative women (so far my heroines have been a designer, a photographer, a musician, and a painter!).

Any secrets you'd like to reveal about your techniques?  What do you do to make your stories unusual or special - and interesting to captivate the reader?
Because  I am a romance writer, I like to surround myself with romantic things.  I use journals that represent the story, look at pictures of flowers, and couples, and romantic settings for inspiration, listen to music that is full of love and hope and sometimes heartbreak.  All of these things help me get into the right frame of mind so that I can step into a story and really give it feeling.  If you pop over to my pinterest site you'll get an idea of how each story is influenced by photos.  http://pinterest.com/BonnieJJames 

What are your goals? ...It may be too soon to ask, because you just happily reached the goal of getting published!! ..But, I know there will be more new goals created by you, because you're "taking off",  Bonnie and you'll continue to fly.... and soar! Tell us your dreams!!!!
On one hand I find it a little difficult to think ahead to what I want next, because I'm so happy with where I'm at now.  I am writing from home while my boys are in school and I'm completely flexible and avaiable for my family when they need me to be.  I am getting paid to do what I love, and I'm having so much fun everyday! So it's hard to think of where else I would like my life to go. But, I do let myself dream BIG sometimes, and I find myself aspiring to be a best-selling author of many many books... having a huge reader base.. traveling for research and for book signings...having an assistant to handle all of the details that can take up so much writing time...a girl can dream, right?

Where is your creative space? ...that magical spot where you write these creative, romantic stories? 
My creative space is in the family office.  I have a huge desk that my father designed and built for me.  My computer is set up here and all of my writing books and favorite romance novels are shelved in it as well.  Inside of my desk I have a ton of scrapbooking, stamping, and card making materials, and beside all this is my sewing machine.  I haven't been able to do much creative playing lately because my writing schedule is so packed, but I do want to get back into my sewing and crafting!

How much time do you devote to your writing?  Do you have to get into a creative mood, before all the ideas flow for you, to be able to write?
For the last two years I've devoted every free minute that I could spare to my writing.  Last year this was during my youngest son's preschool class or when he was resting.  This year both my boys are in full time elementary school so I use those six hours of the day for my writing.  You'd think this would be plenty of time, but it never seems to be enough!  Between networking, marketing, blogging, and writing, every minute gets swallowed up.  I'm trying really hard to put away my computer when my boys walk in the door in the afternoons, but it's not always easy.  My boys have been home from school for an hour and her I sit, writing on my computer!  But it's just so much fun for me to write (or write about writing!) that I sometimes can't help myself.
 
What are your "whispers" or callings begging you to do?
Lately my whispers are turning into something more like shoutings... I think I need to pay attention!  I've had many, many whipersings that I need to let myself do other creative things than just write.  Last week I took a painting class and Wow, was it fun!  I felt so inspired and energized for days afterward.  (Here is the painting, it says "Hold on Girl!! You are in for an amzing ride!!")
Since then I've had an itch to paint, sew and even visit the craft store and just take pictures of fabric, yarn and thread.  I think that these whispers became so strong when I started our Flying Lessons e-course and saw all of the amazing artwork from our talented classmates.  The colors and textures, the vibrancy, the heart that goes into each piece of work...just makes my heart soar.  And it makes my fingers itch to do something creative!

Do you keep a daily journal or maybe write in a diary?
I write in a journal on a daily basis.  If I go a few days without journaling I start to get kind of crabby and feel all out of sorts!  Journaling helps me organize my days, my thoughts, my fears and my goals. And do you know what I just noticed? My latest journals all have little birds on them.  How appropriate, considering I'm taking this e-course to help me find my wings and soar!

How do you market yourself? Any tips on getting "the word" out there? Maybe using a blog, facebook or web-site?
I'm really glad I took a few marketing course in college because WOW am I putting them to good use now.  These days authors have to do alot of the self-marketing and I think that's what takes up so much of my writing time now.  Every day I'm on my blog, visiting others' blogs, on facebook, twitter, pinterest, my publisher's web-site, amazon, Barnes & Noble, newspapers, etc, etc. One thing I remember most from my marketing courses is that I need to get my book in front of as many people as I can, in as many different ways as possible.  So that's what I'm trying to do!  I think it's working, slowly but surely.  My audience is growing, my reader base is getting bigger. I celbrate each and every email, fan, and blog coment that I get!
Here's where to find me:
http://www.bonniejjames.com
http://amazon.com/author/bonniejjames
http://piterest.com/BonnieJJames
https://twitter.com/BonnieJJames
http://www.facebook.com/BonnieJJamesAuthor
http://www.goodreads.com/BonnieJJames

What type of music (if any) do you listen to when you create?
My favorite music comes from popular hits on the radio. I'm in the car alot for errands and when I'm carting the kids around, so I get attached to many of the songs on the radio. This is also where music for my writing comes from.  Many times I'll be driving along and a new song is played that sounds right for my hero and heroine.

Who is your favorite artist, or author, that possibly influenced you?
There are so many artists and authors I admire! My favorite authors are Nora Roberts, Kristan Higgins, and Becky Wade.  And I adore the artists Kelly Rae Roberts, Ali Edwards (AliEdwards.com), and Allison Harris (Cluckclucksew.com).  There are so many others.

Are you encouraged to follow your creative path by your family or friends?
My husband is my biggest cheerleader and my toughest coach.  He wasn't so sure about this writing gig in the begining, but when he saw how much I loved it and how much I wanted to succeed he stood behind me and has been incredibly supportive ever since. He's great at keeping me motivated and focused and is excited about my first published book.  My boys are my little cheerleaders too!  They're very proud of mommy and even tell me when they see some "romance" in movies or on television, because they know that I "like that stuff".

How do you come up with titles for your work, whether it be your stories or your artwork?
So far my titles have come from a phrase in the story.  It usually hits me as I'm writing - something will pop out as a catchy title and by the end of the story I have a little list to choose from.  My current title Just Breathe, came from a scene where the main character, (Lola) is practicing yoga for the first time and her instructor tells her to "just breathe!" That phrase takes on a whole new meaning for her as she wades through new adventures in the rest of the novel.

Do you work on one project at a time...or do you juggle several?
Right now I can only work on one project at a time.  There is so much going on in my life and with my busy little boys...I'm afraid I might explode if I try to focus on more than one book! 

I'd like to offer a HUGE thank you to Joan for setting up this interview!  It's been really fun to answer all of the questions, and actually quite an eye-opener for me.  I've learned a little about myself that I hadn't thought about lately, and I'm really thankful for the experience.  Thanks Joan!!

Thank you, Bonnie.  I am thrilled to do this interview with you.  We hit it off immediately and I was thrilled to get to know you with this interview!  I wish you much success with your book and all your future books to come!  This is just the beginning for you!!

  joanecarver@yahoo.com        web-site: www.JoanCarver.com        904-230-6155