Interview with Iris Shamble

Interview with Iris Shamble Freelance Writer And Author When did you begin your writing career and what inspires you to write? I began writing in 1999. Daily encounters that mothers and wives face daily inspires me to write. As a mother and wife, I feel if you share what you experience, feel and desire you will be able to minister and reach other women that feel the same way, but may have been afraid to ask. I feel a mandate on reaching the heart of mothers that truly want to be home and available for their family. I have a strong passion for this and will share what honestly come my way to help mothers fulfill their desires. What was the first market you queried and why did you choose that market? The local newspaper in my area is the first market I queried. I chose this market because I feel if you are close by, people tend to feel like they know you even if they have never met you, and there maybe a little more trust. Did you get the assignment? If yes, how did you feel seeing your name in print? If no, how did you get past your first rejection? Yes I did get the assignment. I felt the persistence and late night hours were well spent and well worth the wait! I truly believe anything that is worth working for is worth giving up time for. If it was so easy, everyone would be doing it. It is only the determined ones that succeed. Most writers want a steady income level that says, "I made it." What would be the income level that says, "You made it?" Why do you feel this income level says you've made it? To reach a six-figure income would be great. However, being able to share and reach the homes of many mothers is a great blessing to me. To achieve an upper-income level income would give me a great feeling of "I did it". I feel this income level will be an easy income level to handle, while at the same time be able to continue to accomplish my mission with my message. Let's say you were a new writer and you figured out you need that figure to survive, what would you do to reach that level of success? I would market, market and more market. You must market your work and yourself in order to succeed. This is a biggie. I would continually use the internet resources/forums that are readily available to give me any information I need for my work. I would make as many connections with people that have the same drive and mission in order to help me achieve my goals. Sharing with someone of like faith and desires, will help you gain and cover a lot more ground easily. Going to the library and bookstores to find similar books and resources wouldn't be left out for direction. What is your biggest struggle as a writer? How are you working to overcoming that struggle? The biggest struggle as a writer for me was financial. Most people (including myself), have limited funds to finance their writing career from the start--not that it takes an extreme amount of finances. But you must prepare and budget a set amount in order to accomplish your dreams. I took out a small personal loan to help me get started. If you are not able to take out a small $3,000 loan, you have to be determined to set aside x amount of money each month (or week). One thing I found out--for me--was that the more I said "when I get enough saved, I will start" the further my dream seemed. Something always came up--we needed the money for the home or car, etc.--and the money I saved was used. I had to change my thinking. What I do now is take a certain amount of money each month to budget for my book, my website, and my advertising. Why did you decide to write, A Christian Mother's Survival Guide: Making a living while raising your family at home? My heart has always been for children. I know our children are a gift from God, and we should be available to train them as the Word of God says, "...in the way they should go". I know the importance of being a godly mother and also walking in ways of influence to your family. Most of all, I remember what I went through when searching for legitimate work-at-home resources. I went through MANY long days and nights searching on the Internet for real work. I always felt, I was almost there, and then another long night would be ahead and I received so many scams while doing the research. I talk to many mothers that want to be home for their children and make a living while at home, but financially can't do it right now. This is where I felt "A Christian Mother's Survival Guide" would be a great asset with a two-fold mission: being a godly wife and being able to find legitimate work-at-home resources to help mothers be in their home for influence. Covering scams is also a big part of this message. I want to help others avoid and be aware of what they may come across in their search for work. If you could choose just one thing for your book to accomplish, what would it be? To reach the homes of as many mothers as possible to enable them to be available for their families while making an income. Also to help women become confident in whom they are as a mother and wife, while raising their children to be successful in whatever their hearts desire as well. What was the hardest part of writing this book? How did you work through those issues? The hardest part about writing this book was receiving a strong support from my spouse. Men see things a lot different than women. By that I mean as women we plan, prepare, and savor our heart's desire with great emotion. A man has a desire he wants to achieve and a lot of times he just gets it. What I have done to work through this is be adamant in my prayer life. I make sure I stay focused in what my mission is for my book and website. Basically I tune out all the negative that can't help me achieve my dream. I understand that you chose to self-publish your book. Why did you go this route? After numerous rejections from my manuscript proposals and queries, I decided the only person to do this is me. I never stop believing I could do this. I was determined to sacrifice what I needed to in order to get this message out. Whether it was not buying something particular I desired, or even taking a short trip for a get-a-way. I did what was necessary. Being able to keep the total profits from my book was a big plus for me right now. There are many well-known authors that self-published their books and ended up with a big contract with a major publisher. Whether it happens or not, I will continue to seek areas and avenues to reach the heart of as many mothers as I can. As a self-published author, it's more difficult to get your book noticed. What steps are you taking to get your book noticed and increase your sales? I have contacted newspapers near and far. On my contact list are various radio stations, websites, forums, mother groups, parenting groups, local bookstores and churches local and national. For some writers, articles are easy but books are hard. What one tip would you offer an article writer, looking to write his/her first book? The main tip I would offer anyone looking to write his/her first book is to not let anyone talk you out of your dream. I can't emphasis this enough. If it is in your heart, you can touch the hearts of many with it. As sure as you have that desire and dream, there is someone, somewhere that needs to read what you have to say. Look out for writers' conferences that come into your area as well. Search out new and published authors and make contact with them. People are very receptive when they sense the sincerity in your heart. Visit her at http://www.achristianmothersguide.com