My dear friend and fellow founding member of the USC Sirens, miss Guang Ming Whitley, is such an inspiration to me. She just published her second book. And did so in the midst of raising FOUR children under the age of five, two of them identical twin boys! This adorable photo was taken at my wedding while her fourth child, Luke, was presumably running around somewhere with a tambourine.
I know many of you aspire to write your own book one day. But like the music scene, the book industry is changing. More and more independent authors are self-publishing as a means of getting their book out there without an agent or a large publishing company. Guang Ming shares with us how she turned her dreams into reality...
Why did you decide to self-publish and what platforms did you use?
I don't know how I'd make time for going the traditional publishing route. I use Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (e-books) and CreateSpace (hard copies).
With your busy schedule, how on earth do you find time to write?
I write in the evenings, working around choir night, date night, weekends, and general exhaustion. I also jot down ideas on my phone during the day.
What advice would you give to others who want to become a published author?
Find an editor who will give honest criticism of your work (however harsh) and listen to him or her. Mine happens to be my husband. He shredded my first attempt at a novel to pieces. I'm still putting them back together.
What are your goals for the future?
My ultimate goal is to become J.K. Rowling and retire. In all seriousness, I write because I love writing. Like an indie musician, I have dreams of being a rock star. But if that never happens, I'll keep writing for my small, appreciative fan base.
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If you like quick reads, download her newest novella, Peace Out. It's a thought-provoking character-driven story about euthanasia set in the not-too-distant future. I found it fascinating.
Her first book is Lockdown, An American Girl's Guide to Chinese Postpartum Recovery. And she has two more books in the pipeline. Get notified of their release by following Guang Ming's adventures on Facebook.
{Image by One Love Photo}
