Join Alicia as she chats it up with author Renee Flagler.
Renee is author of three books "Mountain High, Valley Low", "Misguided"
and "In Her Mind". After reading this, you will see why Sugar & Spice loves Renee.
Alicia - Renee, how long have you been writing and what was your first book?
Renee - I have been writing for many years. I graduated with a Masters from New School
University's film program and I wrote scene plays there. I have done everything from magazine articles as a freelance journalist, copy writing as a marketing professional, poetry, lyrics and books. My first book was
Mountain High Valley Low, which was published in 2004.
Alicia - How did you come up with that title?
Renee - The characters in the book Mountain High Valley Low went through extreme ups and downs in their lives. The title comes from the theme of the book. One minute things are great and the next,
well you never know.
Alicia - When writing what is your inspiration?
Renee - I find inspiration in many ways. They come from ideas, people, personality traits, situations, feelings, experiences. I pay close attention to many of the nuances of life. There's a story around you everywhere.
Alicia - Do you still do any reading?
Renee - Absolutely, How could I call myself a writer if I don't read? Reading is necessary to continuously build your own craft. It's reinforcement. I read all kinds of books from all genres. Right now, I am actually listening to the audio book "The Four Spiritual Laws of
Prosperity" by Edwene Gaines and reading Eric Jerome Dickey's "Dying for Revenge."
Alicia - Who is one if your favorite authors and why?
Renee - Eric Jerome Dickey is one of my favorites because of his ability to paint vivid pictures with his words. I also enjoy his strong plots and interesting twists. Another, I know you only asked for one LOL, but I would be remiss if I did not mention Lalita Tademy.
Her work is filled with such tangible and raw emotion and determination that you can't help but be moved. I cried while reading parts of her second book "Red River"
Alicia- Renee, you are a self-published author and I am interested in why you went that
route?
Renee - I didn't want to wait for the traditional route. I had already had a publishing company established because I wanted to start a magazine. Also, I
wanted to see how well I could build a following on my own and be viewed as an asset to a larger traditional publisher.
Alicia- Congratulations on your Self-Publishing Symposium. Renee why did you start this Symposium?
Renee - I had many questions about book publishing when I started out in 2004. I wanted do this right and learn what I needed to learn to be successful. I have always known the value of networking so I knew how important it was. As I met other authors like me, I realized many of us had the same questions so I decided to put together this event and figured we
can all learn from the experts and network with key people at the same time. Attendees still love the outcome of this event because many times it places
them in an environment where they can mix, mingle & network with key people from across the publishing industry that they normally would not have an
opportunity to be around.
Thank you Renee for taking the time to chat with us.
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