Author Donna Shepherd is joining us again today to tell us more about her experiences in the field of Christian devotional writing. If you want to learn more about her work as an author of picture books, please see our interview here. You can also say hello to Donna on her blog at Devotionals by Donna.

Hi, Donna. Thanks for visiting us again.

Thanks for having me back.

Can you tell us how you got interested in devotional writing?

When my children were little, I didn’t have time to sit and read for long periods, so I got into the habit of reading devotionals. I’ve taught Sunday School for many years, and I’m studying for a Theology degree, so expounding on a Scripture is a fun exercise for me. I came up with the slogan “Lessons Learned from Everyday Life” because I want to emulate the teachings of Christ. He taught using everyday objects and events.

I like that slogan!

I started posting my devotionals on a blog. Someone saw them and recommended me to an editor. (Thank you, Elece!) That’s how I ended up with a contract to write devotionals for Daily Grace for Women: Devotional Reflections to Nourish Your Soul, which was published by Honor Books in April 2005. I’ll also have devotionals in the upcoming book, Anytime Prayers for Everyday Moms, which will be published by Warner Faith in November this year.

Wow — congratulations! Those sound like great books! Do you recommend any resources for moms or others who want to learn how to write devotionals?

Alyice Edrich, editor of The Dabbling Mum, called on me to write an article on writing devotionals. It’s called Help! I Want To Be A Christian Devotional Writer. I included links to many resources. My main resource is the Bible. It’s vital that you don’t take Bible verses out of context and that each scripture has a clear and supportive connection to the devotional. Quote scripture briefly and be sure to include proper references. To me this is of utmost importance.

Thanks for telling us about that article — it’s full of great links! I notice you mention The Upper Room, which has always been one of my favorite daily devotionals. Do you have any more tips for aspiring devotional writers?

Devotionals may be short, but that does not mean they are simple. Write a short, vivid article focusing on one theme – a single, spiritual teaching. My best recommendation would be to re-read your favorite devotionals. What touched your heart? What made it memorable?

Can you tell us a few places that publish devotionals?

When I first started putting devotionals on a blog, I was criticized for sharing them freely, yet I felt led by the Lord. Because of the exposure, I ended up writing for pay doing something I love; so don’t overlook nonpaying markets – at least not in the beginning. When you’re ready to find paying markets, look through Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers Market Guide or Writer’s Market. Other possible markets are The Upper Room or The Secret Place.

OK, one of my favorite devotionals of yours is Smelly Saints. Can you tell us a quick version of this funny story and how you found spiritual insight from burned popcorn?

Oh, my! The smell of burnt popcorn lingered in our home for days! I thought there had to be a spiritual lesson in this experience, and then I remembered the verse that says sin is a stench in God’s nostrils, and wrote “Smelly Saints.” What has been so wonderful about that devotional is how it has been seen by so many people searching for a way to rid their home of burnt popcorn odor. I guess my husband isn’t the first person to make that mistake!

Why do you think it’s good for parents to write down things our kids say and do?

When your children are young, be sure to write down everything. Don’t delay. You’ll forget the cute details, the facial expressions, and the darling statements. If I have one regret, it’s that I didn’t do that. God has blessed me with many memories, but I’m sure there are many more I could have written about. Keep a notebook in the kitchen (I seemed to spend a lot of time there when my children were little!) and a file on your computer.

I know that you’ve had several speaking engagements lately. Do you have any tips on helping people overcome the jitters about public speaking?

I’ve sung in church for many years, and gotten used to being up in front of people. The first time I spoke, I sang first which helped me overcome my jitters. I’ve had people tell me they can’t imagine that singing calmed me, but it did. When I speak in church or at women’s conferences, I always incorporate music. At a writers’ conference, I have to rely on my words. I make tons of notes, an outline I can refer to as I speak, and work to make sure the time spent with me has takeaway value. Handouts are good, and if you do a PowerPoint presentation, the eyes in the room are on the screen more than you!

Well, this has been so inspiring chatting with you, Donna. Thank you for your time!

I’ve enjoyed this too. It’s my desire that my children’s writing would impart joy and that my devotionals would teach, inspire, and encourage readers. I feel incredibly blessed to write – whether it’s about singing snakes or smelly saints!

A few of you have written to ask me if I know anything about publishing children’s books, especially picture books. I wish! I’m definitely not an expert in that realm, as my boxes full of unpublished short stories can attest. BUT! I do know a wonderful picture book writer who is also a blogger who agreed to come visit! And she’s beautiful inside and out!

Allow me to introduce Donna Shepherd, who is one of the most prolific and versatile writers I know. She’s the author of several picture books and hundreds of devotionals, many of which have been published in the book, Daily Grace for Women, as well as in a wide variety of print and online magazines.

Donna, many of us are parents who have been reading picture books out loud to our children for years. Sometimes we wonder if it might be possible to write a book for children. Can you tell us how you got started?

I’ve always been a voracious reader, and when my children were little, I enjoyed reading to them just as you do. In elementary school, my daughter set new records for the number of books she read, and my son followed suit. Shel Silverstein became his favorite poet.

I never really thought of writing for children until the summer of 2003 when I penned a short poem. I submitted it to Guideposts for Kids. The editor replied favorably with a couple of suggestions, but never formally accepted the poem for publication. I thought I might be onto something, and wrote a couple more stanzas, and then a few more. The end result was my first picture book, Topsy Turvy Land.

And in the meantime, I continued to submit to magazines, and GP4K published one of my first poems, “My Tooth Is Missing.”

My son and daughter still read everything first. If my son says, “I like it. Reminds me of Shel” I jump for joy!

What were your steps to publishing your first picture book?

I joined SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators), and starting looking for a critique group. I found one woman, Liz Ball, willing to meet with me and read some of my poetry. She saw potential and encouraged me to keep writing.

In the meantime, I met Kevin Scott Collier online when he joined a Yahoo group for Christian Children’s Writers (CCWL). I sent him the text of Topsy Turvy Land to get his opinion as an illustrator. We thought ebook at first, but when I took the ebook to a meeting at Liz’s house, we went to lunch afterwards, and she asked if I’d be interested in having it published as a print book. Would I! What I didn’t realize was that she had been considering branching out with her publishing company, and I became her first picture book author. I praised the Lord all the way home!

Did you always know you’d be a writer?

I can’t say that I did. I’ve never been one to journal, and besides a few things written for English class in high school, I didn’t write. But once I started, I wrote every day! In the last three years, I’ve written poetry and stories for children, devotionals, poetry, and articles for grownups. I feel like I need to make up for lost time, I suppose.

If you could give one or two pieces of advice to aspiring picture book authors, what would you say?

Read what you want to write. Then write. Don’t just talk about writing. Write every day if you can. Join a critique group, either online or in person, or both. Join SCBWI. They have excellent conferences where you can meet with other writers. And research and submit. It won’t get published as a file languishing on your computer.

What if I can’t draw? Can I still write picture books if my skills only include stick figures?

Unless the author is an illustrator, there is no need to draw stick figures. The text should stand on its own. Most publishers use their own illustrators, and unless you’re a professional artist, it isn’t necessary to send artwork along with your manuscript.

What age did you write Topsy Turvy Land for? Is it good for reading out loud in a group setting?

Yes! Read it aloud. Poetry is at its best when read aloud and shared!

When Suzanne Rae Deshchidn reviewed it for Christian Book Previews, she wrote, “Donna Shepherd’s Topsy Turvy Land is a fun, colorful book about God’s creation, imagining what things would look like with polka dot zebras and green monkeys, ultimately concluding God’s creation is the best.”

It’s a picture book for ages 4-8, and could easily be used in Sunday School. I love that idea since I became a Christian after hearing about Jesus during a Sunday School class. In fact, if someone buys the book, I have a handout that’s useful as a teaching tool. Email me through the link on the Devotionals by Donna site.

Here’s a blog for the publisher with all the different ways to order in one place:
Hidden Pictures Publishing.

Do you recommend any websites for the aspiring picture book writer?

Yes, I’d recommend all of these sites:

Verla Kay’s Website for Children’s Writers and Illustrators
KidMagWriters.com
The Purple Crayon
Write4Kids.com

Do you have any mentors who helped you along the way to becoming a published writer?

As for mentors for my children’s writing, I have to say I would have been lost without the expert direction of Liz Ball and a genius called Kevin Scott Collier. They’ve been heaven-sent, I have no doubt. And following my own advice, I have excellent critique partners!

Thanks, Donna! You’ve given us many resources and starting points for those of us who dream of turning our ideas into children’s books someday.

Everyone please join us again tomorrow, as Donna tells us more about how she got started as a devotional writer and how we can get started as well!

A couple of years ago, my husband and I took a 10th anniversary trip from sea to shining sea, flying to Santa Barbara, California. I was in a zany mood and wanted to pass the time on our flight, so I combed the bookstore for a novel that hollered, “Read me. I’m good, clean FUN.” I found it. The cover featured a skinny cartoon girl walking a tiny dog, and it was published by a new Christian publisher, Westbow Press. It leaped off the shelf at me, and I couldn’t even wait until our trip to start reading it.

The title? She’s Out of Control by Kristin Billerbeck. I loved it. I didn’t even notice the airline served us nothing but a mini bag of pretzels on our 3-hour flight. So, I’ve been hanging out lately at this totally hip blog for Christian novel fans, Girls Write Out. Have you visited yet?

If you haven’t, you’ve got to meet this Fab Foursome: along with Kristin Billerbeck, you can get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of what it’s like to be a Christian fiction writer, from the keyboards of fellow bloggers, Denise Hunter, Diann Hunt, and Colleen Coble.

Well, Colleen’s got a great publicist because she somehow found me and asked if I’d like to interview Colleen.

Would I? She’s an award-winning Christian writer who is also a MOM. You bet! I know that at least one of you is an aspiring Christian chick-lit novelist, but I won’t say WHO. (Oh, excuse me, did I let that slip?)

Let’s welcome author Colleen Coble today to Mom 2 Mom Connection.

Thanks for visiting, Colleen. I notice on your website, you’re a “Romantic Suspense Author.” Can you tell us a little about your pathway to becoming a published novelist?

Thanks, Heather. I’d known I wanted to write from the time I wrote my first story in 1st grade. I can still remember that story. It was about a horse that had twin colts. The teacher praised it, and the seed was planted in my heart.

I planned for it all through school, but got married at 19 and had my first baby at 21. I got busy raising my kids. The seed was still there, but it lay dormant. It took the pressure of adversity to crack it open.

A few months shy of my 40th birthday, my younger brother Randy was killed by lightning. It was a wake-up call that if I was going to follow my dream, I should get on with it. None of us knows how long God has planned for us on this earth.

I’m sorry to hear about your brother. That does sound like a startling wake-up call. How long did it take you to write your first novel?

It took me a year to write and then six more years to sell it. My first book, a prairie romance, sold to Barbour. Seventeen more sales followed to them, but my dream was always to write suspense. People ask why I write about murder when I’m friendly and outgoing. I think it’s because I’ve seen bad things happen in my life, and I want justice to win. I can make sure that happens in my writing.

Wow. You must really get hooked into writing the plots if there’s a murder to be solved. What advice would you give to women who love reading novels and think they’d like to write one someday?

Don’t just think about it! Read extensively in the genre you’d like to write. Join an online organization like American Christian fiction Writers and network with other writers.

Read books on writing such as Stein on Writing by Sol Stein, Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass, and Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell. Attend writing conferences. All these steps will increase your chances of writing something publishable.

I heard James Scott Bell give the keynote address at the Glorieta Christian Writer’s Conference last year, and I’m also reviewing his latest novel now. Do you really think it’s helpful for aspiring writers to go to conferences?

It’s VITAL! I can’t recommend it enough. At a conference you can meet editors and agents face to face, and while you may not sell your book at the first one, you’ll begin to build the networks and relationships that will grow as you meet every year at the conference.

You’ll also find other writers you “click” with who will become lifelong friends to encourage and commiserate as you tackle the writing adventure. And a really great conference has workshops where you’ll learn more about writing than you ever dreamed possible.

Also, they’re just plain FUN! No one else understands the writing life like another writers. Not your family, your best friend or your mother. Only other writers know what it feels like to put your heart into a book only to have it come zinging back in your mailbox. Only another writer knows how it feels when you finally get “the call.” I met my wonderful agent at the conference at Mount Hermon, and we just clicked. She went back to the office and read my proposal for Without a Trace and bought it, and I know it wouldn’t have happened without that conference.

Oh, I can relate to that feeling of sending something out and having it rejected. No fun at all. And you’re right — nobody else understands but other writers! Do you recommend any conferences?

For Christian fiction, there’s no better conference than the ACFW one. Virtually every publishing house in CBA has a representative in attendance. And there’s plenty of time to pitch your book to the many who are there. The workshops are stellar, and this year our keynote is Liz Curtis Higgs, a wonderful writer and amazing speaker. She’s totally hilarious to listen to.

I also think Liz is hysterical. I read her columns in Today’s Christian Woman magazine, and I’m also reviewing her novel, Grace in Thine Eyes right now. Will you be at the ACFW conference in Dallas this September?

Yes! I’m actually teaching an early bird main morning session with Deb Raney.

I notice that your latest novel is called Alaska Twilight. Did you have to go to Alaska for research?

I’m an Alaska nut. I’ve read about it, dreamed about it, and watched every movie about it 40 times. Okay, maybe not quite that many, but a lot.

So when WestBow asked me to do a Women of Faith book, that was the first setting I thought of. I also had two writer friends from Alaska who read it for me to make sure I got it right.

How do you decide on where your novels should be set?

I generally start with setting when coming up with a new story. It needs to be some place that has a certain mystique for me. I like my setting to play a role in the story where you couldn’t take that story and set it anywhere else.

I know so little about Alaska, though I’d love to go someday. I read on your website that you had a contest for one of your readers to identify the Alaskan craft mentioned in Alaska Twilight. A hoofaboo! How interesting.

I had so much fun writing that book. You can read several reviews of it on my website.

Can you tell us more about that fun blog you participate in, Girls Write Out? I discovered it through being a reader of Kristin Billerbeck’s chick-lit. How did you get to know each other?

Kristin and I have been friends the longest. We were both writing for Heartsong Presents at the time and connected online. We first met at the Glorieta Christian Writers Conference. Her mother-in-law was appalled she was going to room with someone she’d never met!

But we clicked as much in person as we did on email. Diann and Denise both live about an hour from me, and we all started at Barbour. The three of us get together a lot and all four of us room together at the ACFW conference. It’s our yearly girls night out.

That sounds like WAY too much fun. How did you get started blogging?

The four of us knew we’d like to have a blog but we also knew we’d never have the time to maintain one on our own so we pooled our resources. And we wanted it to be for READERS not just writers.

We wanted it to be relevant to women no matter what their age or occupation. We blog about stuff our husbands do, the perplexities of life, all kinds of things.

Well, I’m certainly enjoying reading it. I have one more quick question. Do you have a mentor of any kind?

The four of us mentor one another. We’ve been iron sharpening iron. And my editors have really helped me grow as well. Stephen King is my favorite author. He can write characters like no one else. I bet I’ve read THE STAND thirty times.

Do you have any more advice for aspiring writers?

The writing life can be tough. Friends make it more about the journey and less about the arriving, so make finding some writing friends a top priority!

Thanks, Colleen! This has been such a wonderful chat. I hope at least one of us will be able to meet you and the other writers in your Fab Foursome in Dallas at the ACFW conference. Thanks for stopping in.

Thanks, Heather! These were great questions.

If y’all enjoyed this chat with Colleen Coble, be sure and stop by Girls Write Out or her website and say hello! There’s also another great interview with Colleen at the ACFW website, where I learned that she reads 4-5 books a week!

Have you been feeling stressed out lately? I have. I’m stressed. You’re stressed. We’re all stressed, right? As women, we’re rocking the cradle, raising up the next generation, and carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders … at least, that’s what it seems like at 5:00 in the afternoon when everybody’s hungry and we gotta feed ’em. Do you ever feel like saying, “I need some time to BREATHE!”

Ah …. We’re in for a treat today. I’ve discovered a mom who is an expert on teaching women how to find the breathing room we need to survive. Everybody say “hello” to Keri Wyatt Kent! She’s a mom and author of several books for women, including Breathe: Creating Space for God in a Hectic Life and her newest that releases this week (woohoo!) Listen: Finding God in the Story of Your Life.

Hi, Keri. Thanks for visiting Mom 2 Mom Connection. We’re all glad you’re here!

Thanks, Heather, for inviting me.

Keri, not all of us here are moms, but we all know how it feels to be pulled in 20 different directions as we try to please everyone. It’s impossible. Is there something missing in our lives? I know you write and speak about a woman’s soul and what we really need. Can you tell us more about this?

I think we neglect our soul because we think caring for it is a luxury. But really, it’s a necessity. Parenting is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. Would we run a marathon without breathing? Of course not. Would we prepare for a marathon by not eating anything for a few days prior? We need to take in air and fuel in order to run.

In the same way, if we are going to love and lead our children, those are spiritual activities. They are ways of expending spiritual energy. We can’t do that very well if we haven’t taken in energy — fed our souls, so to speak. That’s the kind of thing I write about — how to breathe and feed your soul.

How can a woman find a place where her soul can breathe?

Well, she can’t do it by waiting for someone else to give it to her. As women, we often worry about other people’s needs, and we secretly wish someone would give that kind of care to us. But typically, they don’t. Rather than feeling frustrated by that, we need to choose to care for ourselves. Decide to do this. You’re an adult, you don’t have to ask permission to care for yourself.

Do you have any suggestions for how we can enlist help?

In practical terms, that means you have to get a sitter or a friend or relative to watch your kids, and get out of the house. You need to trust that God is in control and someone else can handle your children. Decide where to go — there are a lot of retreat centers all over the country. Or, if it’s nice, go to a park or beach. If it’s not nice outside, go to a library or even a coffee shop — but not one where you’ll run into people you know.

Some churches keep a chapel or room open where you can go for silent prayer — that’s a great option. Another idea is to have a friend watch your kids at your house, and you go to her now quiet and empty house for some time alone. Make sure you return the favor for her!

Do you think getting away alone is something we should try to do every day?

It depends. I suggest trying to get a bit of time (say five minutes) each morning, to just offer your day to God, ask Him to help you to notice Him in your day, just to ask for His help with whatever challenges you’re facing. Trying to have a long time of solitude or prayer with very small children underfoot is a recipe for frustration. If your children are very young, aim for five minutes a day, and then once a week, plan ahead for a longer time, even if it’s only for an hour.

The time away from the kids is as important as anything you read or pray about. Give this as a gift to yourself. If you trade babysitting with a friend, it won’t cost you anything.

I love the idea of giving this as a gift to ourselves. How can we convince our families that we need this time away?

That can be a challenge. Don’t start with asking for an entire weekend away. Start with an hour. If your spouse won’t help, get a friend to watch your kids. Take the time. Too often we say, “Oh, my husband won’t help,” or “My kids won’t let me,” or whatever. Don’t fall into the trap of letting other people make decisions that you are supposed to make.

Wow! That hits close to home for me. I have a hard time admitting that I can’t do it all.

Explain that in order to be the best mommy you can be, you need to have some time alone. The old “If mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy” is really true. I think our families can see that — it’s not usually them that needs to be convinced. It’s us. We have to let go of thinking we are the only ones who can do things around our house or with the kids.

Also, if your husband is the one with the kids while you are gone, don’t come home and complain about how he handled things, or re-do the dishes he washed. That’s one sure way to dissolve his support in an instant.

Those are great ideas, Keri. I’m always so thankful when my husband keeps our kids for a while — and they end up doing fun things that are different than when I’m home. What about women who need to find support outside of their home? Can you tell us how you got involved with MOPS?

MOPS stands for “Mothers of Preschoolers.” It’s a wonderful international organization that provides resources and support to mothers of young children. There are chapters all around the world. You can find out if there’s one near you by going to their website.

They typically meet in churches but are independent and are a very comfortable and accepting environment for all moms, regardless of their background or where they are on their spiritual journey.

I got involved with them through my writing — my first book, God’s Whisper in a Mother’s Chaos, was a popular resource with groups. MOPS eventually put it in their catalog, and did the same with my second book.

I think we’re all looking for God’s whisper in the midst of our chaos. That sounds like something I need to read!

Because of these books, a lot of local groups have invited me to come and speak to them. My third book, Breathe: Creating Space for God in a Hectic Life, was co-published by MOPS International. After it came out, several more MOPS groups invited me to speak. I was also invited to teach a workshop at the MOPS International convention. My newest book, Listen: Finding God in the Story of Your Life, is featured in their magazine, MomSense, this month. I also write articles for that magazine pretty regularly. It’s a great resource for moms.

Yes, I love reading your stories in MomSense. Can you tell us what people do at MOPS meetings? Is this only for moms with preschoolers?

A typical MOPS meeting depends on the group. There’s childcare (called “Moppets”) provided, which is great. They often have coffee and a snack, but some groups serve a buffet breakfast. Usually there’s a speaker talking about some aspect of parenting or spiritual growth, often about how those two areas of life intersect. Some groups do a craft and there’s usually time for small group discussion and sharing.

What about moms who might have teenagers or an empty nest? Is there a way for moms to get involved as a mentor of some sort to the younger moms?

Each MOPS group is run by a committee of volunteers, which usually has at least one “mentor mom,” whose kids are beyond the preschool years. Obviously, some moms have kids who are spread out in age so they might have one preschooler and a couple of older kids. There are also groups for moms who are teens themselves, as well as single moms — although sometimes those moms are included in a regular group.

MOPS groups always need mentor moms, and it’s a great ministry. All the mentor moms I talk to say they get so much by giving in this way.

Keri, you have given us all some fantastic ideas. And I can’t wait to learn more about how we can find space for ourselves to breathe and listen to God. I’m looking forward to having you visit again tomorrow.

Thanks. I’ve enjoyed it!

Tomorrow, Keri will be back to give us more details on what we can discover in her new books for women. If you’d like more information about Keri Wyatt Kent, please visit her website, as well as MOPS . You can also read Keri’s latest MomSense article here on the Christianity Today website.

You can probably tell I’ve got the beach on my mind this week, can’t you? Here’s another excuse to think about sand and surf. An author who writes mystery books set on islands! And … she’s an award-winning playwright and a grandmother. Everybody say hello to Vonda Skinner Skelton!

Best of all, Mrs. Skelton is a woman of faith who loves connecting with people through writing — AND I’ve met her in person in Nashville. She’s a beautiful woman with a kind heart, who gave me a big ol’ hug. So, I had to invite her to come visit us here.

Welcome to Mom 2 Mom Connection!

Thanks for inviting me, Heather.

I have to tell you, I’ve read your mystery books, and they’re set in places I’m familiar with, on Tybee and Amelia Islands, off the coast of Georgia. Can you tell us how you got started writing mysteries for children?

I’m always asked what gave me the great idea to start an island mystery series. Well, I hate to admit it, but I didn’t have the idea at all. The truth is, it just happened! The first book was set on Tybee Island because we had visited there when I was a child, and the second one was on Amelia Island because that’s where my oldest grandchildren live.

You’re a grandmother! Can you tell us a little about your family?

I’d love to! My sweet husband, Gary, and I were high school sweethearts and have now been married for 36 years. Our oldest daughter, Christina is married to Todd and they live on Amelia Island, Florida. They are the parents of our oldest grandchildren, Garrett (10) and Ellie (7). They are the stars along with Bitsy in the Amelia Island book. Our youngest daughter, Nicole, is married to Steve, and they have Cole (5) and Mallory (2), who will be in the third book, set on Hilton Head Island.

What do your grandchildren think about you writing mystery books?

I’m blessed to have an extremely supportive family, and the grandkids think it’s really cool that I write books, especially when I go to their schools. And Garrett and Ellie enjoyed their own moment in the spotlight when they, too, were asked to sign books because they were characters in the Amelia Island mystery!

Oh, that sounds like fun! Your grandkids get to help you sign books. I bet they give you a lot of ideas for writing.

Yes, they’ve given me a few ideas for the books, but I find I use their stories most often when I speak at Christian women’s events. The hilarious things they say often fit well with a point I’m trying to make as I speak. There’s nothing like the innocent words of a child to get a point across!

Oh, I know all about those cute things kids say. And if I don’t write them down, I’ll forget! So, do you think a person can write books for children even if their children are grown?

Definitely! I didn’t write until my kids were grown. I also think that some of us are better able to recognize the humor in life as we get older. When I was a young wife and mother, I was so focused on trying to do things right and raise responsible kids, that I often missed the laughter in situations.

And now, as I look back on my childhood, I see so much more than I did back then. The passing of years has helped me see the love my parents had for us and the sacrifices they made; for the struggles they had as a young couple with no money and four kids. I didn’t see the beauty of the experience back then. I do now, and I cherish it.

Now, can you tell us about your mysteries?

I’d love to. My first book, Bitsy and the Mystery at Tybee Island, introduces Bitsy, a 12-year-old tomboy from a poor family who always manages to get into trouble. She’s the oldest of three girls and her mother is expecting the fourth child at any time—and Bitsy’s not happy about it. The family travels to Tybee Island to test her father’s newest invention, suntan lotion. Bitsy and her cousin, Matt, decide to search for buried treasure, but instead discover more than they bargained for.

I remember that in the book. I thought it was so funny that Bitsy’s dad was trying to get them to test out his invention by using homemade suntan lotion on half their body and the leading brand on the other half! Did any of these things happen to you in real life?

Yes, believe it or not, my daddy was one of those great characters who was always going to invent something or come up with a great business deal that would make our family rich. Did we ever get rich? No! But he left a great collection of true stories for me to write about!

I’ve used lots of things that really did happen to me or someone I know and put them in my fictional books. Remember the bully getting his head caught in the porch rail on Amelia Island? That really happened to my brother when we were kids. (And I have to admit, I DID enjoy smearing him with mayonnaise and butter to get him out!)

Remember Bitsy’s Bangles? Well, believe it or not, I really had a jewelry business when I was 12-years-old, thanks to my dad. That’s the joy of fiction—you can do anything you want! You simply use the facts that would drive the story. But then take other scenes from your life, or other peoples’ lives, and use them any way you want—within reason, of course.

Wow! You’re getting me interested in writing some children’s fiction someday! Now, what about your second book?

In Bitsy and the Mystery at Amelia Island, Bitsy heads to Amelia Island, Florida to visit her friends, Garrett and Ellie. Although she has just turned over a new leaf—to live at peace with everyone, her resolution quickly dissolves when she has a run-in with the neighborhood bully, Ernie Van Tache. In this book, the kids search for a “ghost,” run from a “witch,” and attempt to discover what’s so important about a mysterious family portrait, all of which teaches Bitsy the true meaning of “the best things in life.”

How in the world did you come up with ideas for your books?

When I decided to write my first book, I knew several things before I started. I knew I wanted my book to be a mystery because I love to read mysteries; I knew I wanted it to be a book for kids because I love kids and enjoy interacting with them.

I also knew I wanted it to be based on my own family; and I knew I wanted the story to be set at Tybee Island, Georgia because it held special memories for me. (Of course, it didn’t hurt that Tybee had a lighthouse and abandoned forts, which are both great for mysteries.) But I had one little problem—I didn’t have a mystery! So I grabbed my mother and we headed down to Tybee Island to do some research.

That sounds like a fun place to do some research. But how did you find the mystery angle?

I guess you want me to be honest here, so I’ll admit my ignorance: I never realized Blackbeard the Pirate was a real person. I know, I know. I’m probably the only adult in America who didn’t know that little tidbit of information, but I didn’t.

Well, while doing my research, I discovered that not only was Blackbeard the Pirate real, but he really had spent time on Tybee Island. But not only was he a real person who had been on Tybee Island, I also found out there is speculation that perhaps, just maybe, there is still undiscovered buried treasure on Tybee Island! So voila! I had my mystery!

And what about researching on Amelia Island?

It was just as easy to decide to put my second book on Amelia Island, Florida, because, as I said, that’s where my two oldest grandchildren live. Again, I never even thought about the fact that it would make two books set on islands. All I was thinking about was that I could make trips down there for research, spend time with my grandchildren, and have a legitimate tax deduction! Of course, once the book came out, I had to do book signings there, too. (Oh, the struggles of writing!)

Again, I didn’t have any idea what the mystery was going to be until I went down there for research. That’s when I discovered that Amelia Island is very old, dating back to the 1500’s. And, as is often true of old towns, Amelia Island has an active ghost tour industry. So of course, I had to take a ghost tour.

A ghost tour! What did you discover?

That’s when I heard the true story of a nun who died in 1877 while caring for the sick during an outbreak of yellow fever. But the legend says that her ghost rises up out of the cemetery and walks into the church. Suddenly I had my mystery! And although the book does not involve “real” ghosts, the kids have to recognize that the bad guy is the one behind the mysterious occurrences.

By the time the second book was done, I realized it would be fun to continue the island theme. And now kids ask me what island Bitsy is going to next! In case you want to know, it’s set on Hilton Head Island, SC, and involves loggerhead turtles. It’s scheduled to be released in the spring of 2007.

We went to Hilton Head Island last summer and loved it. We’ll have to read your third book when it comes out. And I see you’ll be forced to do another author tour at the beach. With your grandkids of course! Do you have any advice for us if we’d like to write something about a trip we take?

I’d definitely say do your research. Find out the history of the area. But don’t just go to official places like museums and such. Talk to people who live in the area; get a flavor for the culture, for their way of doing things; find out about events that aren’t common knowledge.

For Bitsy at Tybee Island, I talked to a lady who had had a beach house there for years. I didn’t know her, but just knocked on her door and told her I was writing a children’s mystery. I told her I wanted to talk to someone who had lived on the island for a while. She invited me in and we talked for hours. She told me story after story of things that had happened to them and others on the island—many of which ended up in the book.

Remember the rat? True story. Remember the broken bridge and someone trying to get to the hospital? True story (although in real life, they got off safely). And the kids digging up the skeleton? Yep, you guessed it—true story.

For Amelia Island, I talked with a couple of women who had grown up there. They told me about their own experiences of hunting for ghosts and the teenage dares to tempt the “Pogy Witch Woman” out of hiding. I went to the cemetery where the nuns were buried and took a tour of the house that once was the convent. All those details make the location come alive and help you develop your story.

How do you remember all these details? Does it help to take pictures?

Yes! Take lots of pictures. You’ll be surprised at how much you forget the landscape or the color of the house or the layout of the building. But don’t just take pictures of things you plan to include. Snap photos of anything that looks unusual or out of place. The scene in which the bad guy is captured at Amelia was developed simply because I took a picture of a crane beside the river. I never intended to use a crane in the book, but the story invented itself through the pictures.

Well, Vonda, this has just been too much fun hearing all these behind-the-scene details about your writing! Now, I can’t wait for you to come back tomorrow and tell us how you became a four-time award-winning playwright because I know there are some moms out there who have a flair for drama!

You can learn more about Vonda Skinner Skelton on her website. If you’d like more details on how she got started writing, here’s an interview with her at this site.

Author Susan Thacker is back with us again today to tell us more about her passion for restoring the “dinnertime hour.” If you missed yesterday’s discussion full of inspiring kitchen ideas for spring, you’ll want to read here first.

Welcome back, Susan. Well, I’m holding a copy of your book right now, and I must say I love the hardy design with a glossy cover that looks easy to wipe off. In the first few chapters, you introduce us to the concept of supper swapping, and share how we can eat healthy and build friendships at the same time.

But the recipes are the true heart and soul of your book, an eclectic variety of mouth-watering meals! You feature recipes from several top chefs around the country. Why did you seek out these well-known chefs?

Would you believe — because I wasn’t a very good cook. You know how some people have a mental block against math? Well, I had been like that with cooking. So I literally called up all these chefs and said, “I need your easiest recipe. I’m not a very good cook.” Then they were like, “Yeah, right.” One of them even said, “That’s very humble of you.” It kind of tickled me that this big-time chef didn’t believe me. Oh by the way, I didn’t use his recipe. It was too hard.

I’m looking at the Chicken Picatta recipe on p.120 from Edible Arts in Franklin, Tennessee. This one got a double thumbs-up rating from both of your kids (which I think is a great idea, by the way — the ratings!). You’ve only got nine simple ingredients, and you even tell us how to get more juice from a lemon on p. 66.

Although the recipe has a fancy name, it looks do-able the way you describe it. You write, “Everyone loves it … This dish is versatile. Try making it without the capers and parsley and garnishing with Black Bean Asparagus Salad on p. 88. It’s beautiful!” I’d feel like a real gourmet cook if I prepared a meal like this! Do you think it’s possible for today’s busy parents to serve fabulous meals like these professional chefs do?

Yes, that’s one of the great things that I learned. Chefs all have a few simple recipes that they just throw together. At our website you can click “Recipes” to try some.

Well, I’m going to have to give these a try — it will be fun to say, “Tonight we’re having ‘Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Apples and Walnuts’ from Chicago’s internationally renowned Chef John Coletta of Quartino.” Sounds fancy.

Now can you tell us what it was like to be featured on the Dr. Laura radio show?

It was awesome. It’s kind of a funny story, but I have to first say, on a serious note, that the Lord handed me that endorsement. I had been second-guessing all the work I’d put into collecting these recipes, and I said, “Lord, please bless me with some kind of recognition on a national level.” I needed the encouragement. Right after that, Dr. Laura said she wanted to feature it.

The funny part of the story was that one day I just spontaneously decided to send Dr. Laura a silly fax mimicking one of her books called 10 Stupid Things Men Do to Mess Up Their Lives. My fax said, “10 Stupendous Reasons Dr. Laura wants to give away 50 Supper Swapping cookbooks,” and it looked like her book.

Then I listed 10 stupendous reasons, of course. It cracked her up! Her assistant called me immediately and said, “Dr. Laura wants to review Supper Swapping.” She loved it!

And now your book is featured on Dr. Laura’s website, and we can hear an audio of the broadcast on your Supper Swapping website.

Susan, this has been fun getting to know you and sharing your ideas about making family dinners practical and special.

Thanks so much, Heather, for interviewing me. If anyone has any additional questions or wants to obtain Supper Swapping through our website, I’ll send them my personal list of the meals that I think are the fastest and easiest in the cookbook. I think it’s a good cheat sheet for getting started, particularly if you don’t like to cook.

Now, do you have one recipe you wouldn’t mind sharing with us as we head into the spring season?

Yes! For spring, I love the Spinach Salad with Blueberry Vinaigrette — a recipe in Supper Swapping from Post Oak Grill in Houston. It’s what we all want: nutritious, few ingredients and kid-friendly. I wait to make this when blueberries are on special; otherwise it can be expensive.

[This recipe also appears on p. 78-79 in Supper Swapping, along with a tip from Chef Polo Becerra on how to cook fish properly so you don’t lose the juice and protein.]

I know a lot of you out there are looking for some inspiration in the kitchen. With kids, it’s easy to fall into a cooking slump when the demands of shopping, preparing, and cleaning up after meals — day after day — can wear down even the most energetic mom (where is she?)

That’s why I’ve invited author and mom Susan Thacker of Texas to rejuvenate us with her awesome idea of sharing the mealtime madness with a friend or two. In fact, she wrote a book on this topic called Supper Swapping. Her story has already been featured on the Dr. Laura radio show, a homeschool magazine, several newspapers, and she’ll be highlighted in the June issue of Family Circle. Way to go, Susan!

If you’re from the Lone Star state, you can also look for her in the Texas insert of an upcoming Southern Living Magazine. So, we’re privileged to have a chat with this busy author!

Welcome to Mom 2 Mom Connection, Susan. I’m so glad you could stop in. OK, I must say I’m intrigued with this whole idea of supper swapping. Can you tell us a little more about it?

Hi, Heather. Supper swapping is when friends trade meals. You don’t necessarily eat together. It’s a concept that can be used by people who hate cooking because then they don’t have to cook as much. Or it’s for people who love cooking because then they get to try new recipes and share them. There are all kinds of benefits, including saving money, saving time, upgrading meals, and having a growing friendship.

Sounds like this would appeal to a lot of us — whether we like being in the kitchen or not. Can you tell us how you got started with supper swapping?

I was talking to my friend on the phone one day, and she asked me if I wanted to come over to her house and cook a bunch of food to freeze. I said, “Not really.” You see, I didn’t like to cook. Then I thought about it and said, “Hey, why don’t I cook for you early this week and then you cook for me later in the week?” She said, “O.K., What do you want to eat?”

I can still remember how hilarious it was when I took the meal over there, and her husband looked blankly at us like we were nuts. Heather, my husband acted the same way when she brought her meal to us.

That does sound funny — he probably wondered what in the world you two were up to! Do you have any thoughts on what it is that hinders many women from preparing home-cooked meals for their families?

That’s a huge question. Our whole culture is changing. More women work. Kids have more structured activities like sports and different lessons, and that’s a fact according to a study by The University of Michigan. So women are in the car a lot. I also think that we have access to more ready-made foods today. So it’s tempting not to cook.

I can relate to being in the car a lot. If we’re not careful, we can have activities planned for every night of the week. Do you have any tips on how moms can get kids involved in the kitchen?

Yes, I think we can nurture the love of cooking by first making the family dinner an event each night, so that children have a positive association with food. Young children will emulate their mothers as they play with pots and pans. As they get older they can help by washing vegetables and participating in menu planning.

Do you usually have a sitter when you have company over for a meal, or do you prefer kids to eat with your guests?

They eat with us. I’m a firm believer in date nights, but our home is centered around the family. So, when we have big dinners, everyone is there. The kids get excited about company because the food is more extravagant, the candles are set, and the house is actually clean!

Well, Susan, you’ve given us a real SMORGASBORD of ideas here. Do you have any last words to help inspire us to dish up a springtime feast?

Sure, here are three springtime tips:

1. Start small and enjoy — Only trade one easy meal a week with a friend who reciprocates at first. On the day you receive your meal, take the kids to the park instead of cooking!

2. Make your cooking day fun — Do some of the food prep while the kids are asleep the evening before so cooking can be relaxing. Entertain yourself while you cook. Open the windows, listen to music or a book on tape. Make snacks for yourself while you cook.

3. Serve dinner outdoors and make dinner an event — Linger at the patio table after dinner and let the kids play in the yard. Springtime gives us the opportunity to unplug and tune into family.

These are great ideas. I hope everyone who’s stopping in to read this today will also go visit Susan Thacker at her Supper Swapping website.

Susan will be back tomorrow to tell us more about how she contacted dozens of top chefs around the country to compile her book. And she’s even promised to share with us one of her favorite recipes from The Post Oak Grill in Houston. Sounds delicious!

I can’t help but crack up (haha) every time I look at that book cover. Kathryn, sitting at her computer, holding the burned meatloaf. Ooh … I can relate. I once put cookies in the oven, then thought I’d run up to the attic REAL quick to find something. And of course when I got up there, I totally forgot I had cookies in the oven. Oops.

So, I gotta ask Kathryn. What’s with the burnt meatloaf?

The burnt meatloaf reference was just a phrase that made me laugh, but it also refers to those moments in our life when we make silly mistakes, like burning the meatloaf, and instead of crying about it, we should just laugh at ourselves. It makes life a lot more fun!

Tell us about your new book. Why is it called Cracked at Birth?

Well, when I first started writing my column, the editor asked me to come up with a column name. My husband actually came up with “Sunny Side Up” because the columns really just try to get people to laugh at all the strange and unexplained phenomena in life and not take life too seriously. Then, when I was developing my Web site, I recognized that sunny side up is also a way to cook eggs and I just started brainstorming along the whole egg theme. When I came up with “Cracked at Birth,” it just sounded funny to me and also kind of explained my slightly cracked view of life — so I went with it.

Fun! Hey, I saw that your website was one of the top 10 in the Writer’s Digest Best Website competition in 2003. Congratulations! So, what’s it like running a business from home?

Well, like anything, it’s got its plusses and minuses. It’s nice to be able to work from home and contribute to our family’s bottom line, but it’s also challenging because you have to work around your child’s schedule. I learned early on that I could only juggle so much and that has helped save my sanity.

I think it’s important for each mother to determine her comfort zone. How much can you handle? Do you like to be busy all of the time? Do you mind working at night after the kids go to bed? How much money do you want your business to make? These are all important questions you need to consider before you just dive in and start a business.

Can you tell us a little more about your marketing communications business?

Originally, I started out doing both the writing and designing of marketing communications materials, like brochures, fliers, direct mail pieces, etc. I quickly learned that I got flustered trying to handle the whole project, so I decided to focus my efforts on the writing and now outsource the design. This has worked out really well for me.

The percentage of moms working from home continues to grow every year. Do you have any suggestions for women who need to help out with their family income and want to try to work from home?

Just to try and determine what YOU need to make it work. Everyone has different needs, goals, time constraints, and stress tolerance levels. I think a job should be fun and fulfilling. If you find yourself working into the wee hours of the night, not enjoying the work, and most importantly neglecting your kids on a regular basis to get the job done, then I think you need to reassess the situation and come up with
a better balance.

I’m constantly reminding myself that my decision to stay home was to be with my kids and that is the most important thing, so when they get off the bus, I get off the computer and totally engage in being a mom. Raising those little human beings to be successful and happy is our main job and we need to keep sight of that.

Someone once said to me, “You’re only as happy as your unhappiest child,” and I totally believe that to be true. So I try to have fun with my kids, make them laugh, and if they’re happy…I’m happy!

That’s so true! Thanks, Kathryn! This has been such a refreshing experience to talk to someone with such a great outlook. I really enjoyed your book, and I wish you all the best as you continue seeing the Sunny Side Up of life.

P.S. Don’t forget to stop in Kathryn’s website and drop her a note! 🙂

Today, we have a guest visiting us here at Mom 2 Mom Connection. I’d like you to meet Kathryn Mahoney, a mom of two boys who started her own humor newspaper column. I feel like I know Kathryn because I’ve read her hilarious stories in her new book, Cracked at Birth: One Madcap Mom’s Thoughts on Motherhood, Marriage & Burnt Meatloaf.

If there are any of you out there who have ever thought of turning your family stories or blog into a column, here’s what Kathryn says about it:

Welcome, Kathryn! Can you tell us how you got started writing a column in the newspaper?

Well, it all started when I met a fellow writer named Gina. We met through a printer who we both used when we were working for different financial institutions. He hooked us up because he knew we had a lot in common. We had both left our jobs to take care of our children and we both started our own marketing communications business. One day when we got together with our kids, we were talking about how much we identified with Erma Bombeck.

Oh, yes! I grew up reading Erma Bombeck! She wrote If Life Is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits? So, did she give you the idea to start your humor column?

Well, Gina mentioned that she would like to try writing a humor column for a newspaper some day and even though that thought had never crossed my mind before, I decided to give it a try. I submitted a couple of columns to my local newspaper, and the editor asked if I wanted to write a biweekly column. That was in 2001, and I am still writing for them today.

Wow! So you’ve been writing a column for five years! Is it hard thinking of ideas every week?

I must admit, I haven’t been writing as regularly as I was when I first started my column. When I made the decision to write my book, the column kind of got put on the back burner because of time constraints and fortunately the editor of the newspaper has been very understanding. Now that my book is out, I really need to get back to writing my column on a regular basis.

What do you like to write about?

I like to write about my family and just the funny things that happen in everyday life that I know many of us can relate to. It’s the best feeling when I receive e-mails from readers who say, “I can totally relate to that” or “my husband does the same thing.” I think most people want to feel that they’re not the “only one” feeling a certain way about things. There is comfort in knowing “you’re not alone.”

Yes, that’s true. So, what would you say to a mom who’s considering starting a newspaper column?

I’d say … GO FOR IT! Like I said, I had no humor writing experience and in fact I was never the class clown or anything. I made my immediate friends laugh, but I always knew that I was funnier on paper than in person so I thought I would give it a whirl. If you think about it, you have nothing to lose by trying, so why not give it a shot?

Is there a certain way to approach an editor?

I think my case was unique because the newspaper I approached is relatively small. There are about 8,000 readers. I think it’s important to know how the editor likes to be approached and you can find that out by either sending an e-mail query or calling them on the phone and asking them a few questions. Is the paper looking to fill a certain need? Could you submit some samples for consideration? What word count do they prefer? Do they prefer e-mail or postal mail? Will they accept e-mail attachments? And then once you send this information, it’s important to follow-up in a couple weeks to discuss the situation. The key is, if you really want it, don’t give up.

That’s great advice for us, Kathryn. Now, I love your sense of humor — you seem to find the most hilarious ways of describing things that can almost drive moms crazy! Do you think it’s important for moms to keep a sense of humor in raising children?

Absolutely! If you don’t, you’ll go out of your ever lovin’ mind. Raising children in the world today is stressful and if we don’t try to approach it with humor and a good attitude I think our children are the ones who ultimately suffer.

OK, so how do we do we keep a sense of humor?

I think you have to learn to let the little things go. I went to a seminar once and the speaker referred to “the little things” as the “C” basket. Baskets A & B are things that might affect your child or other children’s well being and these are things that we should focus on. The “C” basket contains things like what clothes they wear, whether or not they brush their hair in the morning, whether they put their clothes in the hamper, etc. If you stress about the little things every day, you and your children are both going to be stressed out on a regular basis and it won’t be much fun at home.

My husband and I often remind each other about the “C” basket. If I hear him harping on the kids about something I consider a minor infraction, I’ll yell to him, “C basket.” He realizes I’m right and then everybody relaxes and we get on with life.

Wow — that’s a great idea. I’ll have to give the “C” basket a try around my house. What do you think are the really important things we should focus on instead?

I’d say always keep your eye on the big picture. Do your kids have good values? Do they use good judgment? Are they doing well at school? If all of these are true than you’re probably doing a pretty good job as a parent. So what if their hair is pink and their pants drag on the floor. It’s a passing phase and it doesn’t affect who they truly are inside. As they say in all of the parenting books…you’ve got to pick your battles.

A lot of us here are moms who like to write about our families in our blog or other places. Why do you think it’s important for moms to write down stories like you’ve done with your columns and now book?

I just think it’s a great history to have of your child’s life. I don’t know about other moms, but I have a lousy memory, so I knew that if I wrote these stories down as they happened my kids and I would have this history to share together forever. The key is to log these memories so you don’t forget them. Then when you’re older and your children have left the nest you’ll have all of these precious moments to relive in your mind and in your heart when they are out starting their careers and families. Even now I go back and read what I wrote a few years ago, and it puts a smile on my face.

Any more advice on helping us get started?

Just start writing, and don’t edit your words. Let it flow. You’ll be amazed at how just writing the words down on the paper is very cathartic.

Thanks so much Kathryn. You’ve been so helpful! I’m sure there are some aspiring newspaper columnists and essayists out there, and you’ve given us some great tips!

You’re welcome.

Tomorrow, Kathryn will be back visiting with us here to tell us more about her new book, Cracked at Birth: One Madcap Mom’s Thoughts on Motherhood, Marriage & Burnt Meatloaf. She’ll also be here to give us some tips on how to juggle a home business with keeping up with family responsibilities. You can read some of Kathryn’s writing here on Sanity Central and on her website.

We’re back today to finish up chatting with e-book expert Alyice Edrich of The Dabbling Mum, who is telling us how we can write about our passions in an e-book form and build a home-based business — while our kids do their schoolwork or nap.

If you missed yesterday’s interview, you’ll want to read it so you can learn the basics of writing e-books and exploring niche markets. Today, I’d like to learn more details about the selling part (oooh…that word scares me.)

Hi Alyice. Thanks for coming back to tell us more about e-books.

You’re welcome! Glad to be back.

So, if I’ve decided on a topic I’d like to write about, how much do I have to write to be able to sell my ideas as an e-book? How long should an e-book be?

An e-book should be as long as it needs to be to get the point across. Often, people come up with a great title, a great theme, but then leave the readers hanging because they don’t put in the time necessary to write a thorough book.

If you’re writing a book on how to build a tree house, for instance, your book will need to be comprised of things such as: do you need a building permit, how to get a building permit, how to draw up a blue print, how many people will be needed for the project, how to tell if a specific tree is sturdy enough, what types of woods are there and which are best, should you use nails or screws, shingles or cement, etc.

Then of course, you’ll need to decide if pictures should be included and if you use pictures, will they be sketches or actual photos — in which case you’ll need to build a tree house from scratch. Such a book could run 200 pages.

If you’re going to write a book about building a tree house, it does no good to just give a list of rules in 20 pages. People could end up buying too soft of a wood, untreated wood that warps once put together causing a safety issue in the structure, and nails that rust or loosen over time.

So, it looks like writing an e-book is a pretty in-depth process. Is it worth all the time it will take to research?

By taking the time to go into detail, providing more than surface answers, your readers will tell others about your book and you’ll gain more sales through word-of-mouth advertising.

That’s true. If customers are happy, they’ll be the ones telling other people about the product. But the whole idea of selling things scares me!

Marketing e-books is just like marketing any other product. You have to develop a business plan. You have to discover your target audience and then you have to pitch your e-book to that target audience.

You can market your e-book through word of mouth, speaking engagements, published articles, advertisements, press releases, radio interviews, etc.

What about online marketing? Do you have any tips on how we can do some marketing from home?

Sure. Here are some tips I shared with an e-book writer looking to increase sales by promoting from her website:

— Find websites that accept articles about your e-book’s topic and submit articles related to your e-book’s theme.

— Find forums where your target audience hangs out. When someone has a question related to your e-book’s theme, reply with a 250-word answer, then include a brief announcement about finding more answers in your e-book in your tagline.

— Volunteer to discuss your e-book, in an organized manner, in chat rooms that relate to the theme of your e-book. Most authors only think of chat rooms that discuss the secrets of writing and selling their books. While that can be a great place to start, your best bet for converting your time into sales is by targeting your target audience.

What about a blog tour? Is there a way we could do this with e-books?

Yes, blogs are wonderful mediums, and people love hearing from authors. You can visit blogs with subject matter that relates to the theme of your e-book. There are a several ways you can do a blog tour. I’ve written an article about it with more detail.

You can also visit appropriate blogs and leave a comment that truly responds to the post, and then link to your sales page. Or you can ask bloggers to invite you to write short content for their blogs.

And here you are! You’re offering all of us Mom 2 Mom readers useful information in case we decide to try writing e-books as a way to earn extra income for our families. And you’re also helping to market your own e-book.

Well, I feel like we’ve just nicked the tip of the iceberg — and I still have a thousand questions. Is there a place we can visit to learn more?

You can visit me at The Dabbling Mum Press and order a copy of my e-book, Tid-Bits For Making Money With E-books.

Great! We’ll also be sure to check The Dabbling Mum website to learn more. Thanks again for all of your help!

You’re welcome.

I want to add a couple of things here: I’ve gotten my own copy of Alyice’s e-book, and it’s fantastic — full of practical research and links that would take you forever to find on your own. She also includes a journaling section with questions to help trigger your thoughts about choosing a topic — which would be helpful for couples to work through together. I also learned that Alyice earns a VERY nice income from her home-based business — in fact, she was able to support her family completely for a few years to give her husband the freedom to finish school.

For those of you who have blogs and would like to invite Alyice Edrich to come tour your blog, you can contact her here. She has a wonderful interview with Carmen at Full Contact Christ-Centric Living about how she organizes her office to make sure she stays productive. You can check out the other stops on her blog tour here as well.