An Interview with Robin E. Mason

We are so excited to welcome author Robin E. Mason to The Writer's Alley to celebrate her latest release, The Long Shadows of Summer! She was gracious enough to allow us to turn the tables since she has been so kind to interview some of us on her blog. Let's get started...

Hi, Robin! Welcome to the other side of the author interview table. We’ll try to be as nice as you’ve been to us ;) Tell us what’s going on with you!

What’s going on with me? I’m trying to find my brain! (I didn’t leave it with ya’ll over in the Alley, did I?) The Long Shadows of Summer, Book 1 in my new series, Seasons, releases in ONE WEEK!

And the million-dollar question: What’s your story about?

Identity. My main character, Mercedes, discovers some things that totally change her life—and her perspective of who she is.

What do you want readers to take away most from your book?

We are who God made us to be, no matter our life or circumstance.

Can you tell us a little about your journey to publication?

I jumped in without a clue. Did everything totally backward! LOL! I published my debut novel, Tessa, for Kindle in March 2014. Then started blogging. Then started following other blogs and sharing—and learning. And then published in print and had book signing events.

I was asked about a sequel, and lo and behold, two places in Tessa pointed right to the second book. And then there was book 3! Thought I’d take a break after that, but NOOOOO, Mercedes started chattering in my head and Seasons was underway without missing a beat!

What was the hardest thing about writing this book?

There are a lot of difficult scenes, but the one that really gets me is when the truth of who she is--who God says she is--really begins to penetrate her psyche.

Can you point to one thing that helped you get it finished and to this point?

Determination? My tight release schedule for one, but mostly because I want to honor God in what I’m doing. When I ask Him what He wants me to do Kingdom-wise, He says write. Serious. I don’t “feel” like I’m doing His work, but if my stories touch one heart, then that’s what it’s about.

What would you tell yourself five years ago (or when you started)?

I’d like to say slow down, think ahead, and have a plan. But my brain doesn’t work that way. For all my (OCD) planning, I still tend to barrel on through…

I would advocate for networking earlier on, I suppose. Attend conferences and writer’s groups—and follow writer blogs. ;-)

Now for some lighter questions! What are you currently reading?

Just did start A Time to Laugh by Marion Ueckermann (Love at First Laugh). And I gotta say, closing in on 60 myself, I CANNOT EVEN imagine!!!

What’s your favorite writing fuel?
Chocolate of course! Also keep cashews or almonds on hand. And I drink tea, iced and unsweet (sorry, Pepper) 24/7. Coffee in the mornings, cinnamon hazelnut, also not sweet.

Do you listen to music when you write?
Nope. Can’t. I start singing and/or bopping along and can’t concentrate on the voices—I mean the characters and story. :)

How do you reward yourself when you reach a writing goal?

Apparently, I just start a new story. That’s been the way of it thus far!

What’s the weirdest thing in your bag?

Oh dear… I have a weird obsession for paper products. I always take more napkins than necessary (when eating out) and stash ridiculous gobs of them in my purse. I don’t understand this need.

Thanks so much for joining us, Robin! We are looking forward to reading The Long Shadows of Summer!

About Robin: Robin E. Mason has been writing since 1995 and began working in earnest on her debut novel, Tessa, in 2013. Meanwhile, she cranked out a few dozen poems, made countless notes for story ideas, and earned her BFA in Interior Design. Ms. Mason lived with depression for many years, and the inherent feelings of worthlessness and invisibility; she didn’t want to be who she was and struggled with her own identity for many years. Her characters face many of these same demons. 

She also writes stories of identity conflict. Her characters encounter situations that force the question, “Who am I really?” Readers who have ever wondered who they are or why they're here will be touched in a very real and deep way. “I know," Mason says. "I write from experience.”

In addition to her August release, The Long Shadows of Summer, her three novels, Tessa, Clara Bess, and Cissy, are available on Amazon, both for Kindle and in print. Mason also has several poems featured in Where Dreams and Visions Live (Anthologies of the Heart Book 1) and a short story titled "Sarafina’s Light" in the Blood Moon anthology. Book Two in her Seasons series, The Tilting Leaves of Autumn, is slated for release in November. 

You can connect with Robin here:

Website | Blog | Facebook | Amazon | Twitter | Pinterest | Google+ | Goodreads

Freedom for Writers

This week we celebrated the Fourth of July, and over on the Facebook group we talked about how it's a great time to be a writer because independence is achievable. I wanted to expand on those tips and see what you would add.

1) Know your goals. Why do you want to write indie? What is motivating that decision? The same questions should be asked if you're pursuing traditional publishing. For me, I'm pursing indie for my books where I have received the rights back from the publisher. It's been a huge learning curve, but I know these are good books and there are readers who haven't discovered them. Indie publishing is a way to get them back out there, update them and more. I love traditional publishing, because I love the partnership aspects. I know they have a platform I don't have on my own. They have the team to help me with all the elements that are overwhelming to consider on my own. That's why I love being with the big houses.

2) The most important relationship is between reader and author. Regardless of how you publish, you have to think about how you will build that relationship. Part of it will be writing more, great books. Then there will be websites, social media, booksignings, etc. you will have to think deliberately about how you will build this relationship. It also requires you to know and listen to your reader. Involve them in the process. Help them acquire ownership of your books. How can you help them become your biggest advocates?

3) Hire an editor. This step is so often overlooked. If you are traditionally published, then you should have three rounds of editing: macro/story edit, line edit, and proofing. If you are indie, you need the same. Even though the book I have put up were edited at least three times, I still hired someone to proof each one. It's amazing what is caught each time. The quickest way to lose a reader is to have a poorly edited book. Don't skip this step. It is worth the expense to make the book is done well. As James Scott Bell says you're best marketing is the book the reader is currently reading.

4) Don't rush. Let's face it. We all get important. But let's not rush into print before we're ready. I have friends churning out 4-6 books a year. I can't do that with everything else going on in my world. Three is about my max; four if I'm writing two with Tricia Goyer. I know that's my pace, and I know this after writing 27 books. What's your pace? How fast can you write and still do a good job? Seriously stop and think about. How much time do you need to make sure you're going through the rounds of edits and putting out a great book? Is your first book really ready for the world to read?

What would you add?

Cara Putman

An award-winning author of more than twenty books, Cara is a lecturer on business and employment law to graduate students at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. Putman also practices law and is a second-generation homeschooling mom. She lives with her husband and four children in Indiana.

The Indie Road: No Man is an Island

I know, I know, I know.

"No man is an island" is horribly cliche.

But it is true.

I think there can be a tendency to go into indie publishing with a mindset of "OHMYGOODNESS I have to do this all by myself!!!"

And yeah... you kinda do. Kinda sorta anyway.

You are now your own publisher.

You make the decisions.


But just like any small-business, it is important not to rely on your strengths alone.

No, you don't have a corporation behind you. No, you don't have already built-in infrastructure and a bank account balance to support you.

But that doesn't mean you can, or should, do this by yourself.

What does a HEALTHY and SUCCESSFUL small business owner (which you are now...) do to overcome the island challenges?

1.) Network. They join groups with other small business owners so they can learn from each other and support each other. Networking in the writing business is SO IMPORTANT. I literally could not have indie published without the amazing support and help of fellow Indie authors. When I thought I was going to lose my mind, I could post on a Facebook group and instantly have responses of people who have been there, who have already traveled that road, who will give HONEST feedback, not "pat you on the back" fake encouragement. People who will tell you when your cover stinks. People who will talk you off a ledge when your KDP rejects your formatting. People who won't roll their eyes when you sheepishly ask what the heck KDP is anyway. There are a TON of these groups out there, you just have to network with other indies to find them. If you are serious about indie publishing, joining one or more of these groups, in my personal opinion, is the first step.

2.) Outsource. Instead of hiring staff that is costly, they do some of it themselves, and the rest they outsource. A big publisher has an accounting department, an editing department, a marketing department, a sales department. You have---well---you. You can't do it all, I hate to tell you. You can do a LOT of it though. Some of outsourcing will depend on your bank account, but remember that time is money too, as is quality. You may think covers should be super easy to do, I mean, YOU know what a good cover is, right? And some authors do a GREAT job of this. But if it takes you a month of work to design and format a cover--- and it is so-so and doesn't entice readers to buy it--- it might be worth a few hundred dollars to hire it out. In fact, it probably is. So you have to decide where YOUR strengths are and what you need help with.

3.) Listen. To those people who are criticizing you. Our culture today shouts that we need to ignore the haters and embrace our individuality. And maybe in some cases that is true... and that's fine if you want to. But just don't be surprised if you don't sell anything. The truth is, we are too close to our work. We NEED the input of others. We are not perfect, and whether you use beta readers or editors for the actual book, or hire an cover designer or do it yourself, listening for feedback is so important. YOU are the publisher. YOU make the final decision. But don't let that power go to your head. Don't let it make you think that your opinions are the only ones that matter--or are right. Would a small business owner tear up customer comment cards as stupid and ignorant? Not if they want to stay in business, they wouldn't.

4.) Observe. One of the best things a small business and an indie publisher can do is to study others. Study traditional publishers. What are they doing right? Study the successful indies. What are THEY doing right? Study the not-so-successful indies. What are they doing WRONG? This isn't being judgmental, it's being a good study and learning from those around you. It's called being wise and informed. Take some time to observe.


Let's chat!

Indie authors, how have you benefited from the help of other people on this journey? Do you have any points to add?

Prospective indie authors, any question? Anything surprise you or frustrate you? Have you thought about how you would need others, or were you excited about the whole "go-it-alone" idea of indie publishing?

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Krista is a follower of Jesus, a wife, a mother, and writes romantic comedy. Her latest book A Side of Love, released February 29, 2016.  She blogs about finding JOY in the journey of LIFE at http://www.kristaphillips.com. She is represented by Sarah Freese of Wordserve Literary.

The Indie Road: The New Perspective

Okay, so you've decided to check this Indie thing out, or have firmly planted your foot on the road.

What now?

THE FIRST thing you need to do is grab this pretty pair of new glasses I have for you.

If you're a hybrid author, don't chuck your old glasses. You'll still need them.

But Indie glasses are important, because the view changes on this journey from what you're used to.

Write-a-book-edit-get-critiques-enter-contests-submittoagent-submittoeditor-pubboard-contract-editsomemore-PUBLISH --- that is basic traditional publishing sequence.

Indie looks similar, but oh-so different.

You still write a book.

You still edit it.

You can still get critiques, and you can still enter contests if you want, but this takes on a whole new look.

No longer are you polishing those first three chapters until they are spic-n-span shiny for an agent/editor.

You are editing every word of your novel for READERS. They are your 100% priority. (well, we are Christian authors, so I would argue that GOD is our 100% priority, but that doesn't mean you forget that your readers are your audience.)

But regardless, you are trying to attract readers, not an agent or editor. These edits and critiques are no longer going to "gatekeepers" (I'm careful with that word because it inspires lots of feelings on both sides of the fence!) So YOU are responsible for making sure they are "buy" worthy.

Yes, you can (and probably SHOULD) hire an editor. But you still have the final call. It's a big responsibility. Some are excited about this, because YOU have control over the content your readers get. Some are petrified that the responsibility now rests with them.

Regardless of your feelings on the matter, you need to understand this new perspective.

The other big perspective shift is publishing.

YOU are the publisher. Sure, you can outsource a lot of it. Find a cover designer, editor, formatter. Hire a marketing firm.

But whether you tackle it yourself or hire it out, it still is costly --either in time for learning/doing, money for hiring out, or money because you have no sales because you did it and stunk at it. Sorry, just being blunt here!

So understand this new job of yours as publisher. You are not just a writer.

The good news is -- you get perks for this new job. Like larger percentages of royalties (70% in most cases when you price your book $2.99 or more) You also can have control over your sales, have real-time data of how well sales are working, and no more fearing of a horrid cover that you hate. Nope, if you hate the cover, it's YOUR fault because YOU are the publisher now.

Another change is the timeline. Traditional publishing, you're used to a LOT of awaiting. Like in months/years.

You still wait in indie publishing. But mostly you're waiting on yourself. And the other waiting is like "days" verses months. You can set your own deadlines/timelines, which can be a pro or con.

Let's Chat.

What do you think? Does this new set of glasses make you grin or fill you with fear? Are you excited about the idea of being your own boss or no-so-much?

**UPDATE** I picked a winner for the drawing last month, and it is Kathy R! Kathy, please send me an email (krista at kristaphillips.com) to claim your prize!

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Krista is a follower of Jesus, a wife, a mother, and writes romantic comedy. Her latest book A Side of Love, released February 29, 2016.  She blogs about finding JOY in the journey of LIFE at http://www.kristaphillips.com. She is represented by Sarah Freese of Wordserve Literary.