INTERVIEW WITH THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR-CHERYL KAYE TARDIF

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cheryl Kaye Tardif
International bestselling author
http://www.cherylktardif.com
http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com
International bestseller CHILDREN OF THE FOG - a mother's worst nightmare…

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cherylktardif

ABOUT THE INTERVIEW

Q&A portion:

James: When did you begin to write? 

Cheryl : It feels like I’ve always written. I began to create my own stories in school, where my teachers encouraged me to pursue fiction. I was 16 when I wrote my first novel, but it was stolen from my locker. That was way before computers and flash drives, and all I had was a typed manuscript and no copy. I wrote my next novel about 5 years later. It remains unpublished, but I may resurrect it one day.

James: What made you think of publishing a book to share with others? 

Cheryl: When teachers told me I had talent in writing, I realized how much I enjoyed creating characters and worlds. But it was a difficult career to pursue in my 20s so I put it on the backburner, though I did try for many years to find a publisher and an agent. In 2001, a story became ingrained in my mind, building quickly and strongly to the point that I could envision the characters. I knew the beginning, middle and end. But I was afraid to write it because I thought it would never be published. I let the idea simmer for 2 years until one day I told a friend the story. She had tears in her eyes when I was done. Then she gave me the best advice I’d ever been given: “Don’t worry if it gets published. Write it for you. Write it because you have to.” So I did. That was Whale Song. I wrote it in 3 months. It was published in the summer of 2003 and is an international bestselling novel with worldwide appeal. And it has literally changed people’s lives.

James: So far what is your worst criticisms/attacks and how did you overcome them?

Cheryl: Constructive criticism is something I’ve always welcomed. Unfortunately some people leave out the “constructive” part and feel it’s their “job” to rip apart books. Some of the toughest criticisms have come from the odd reader who finds it necessary to slam a writer, even if they didn’t finish reading the book. I had a reviewer do this after reading only a couple of chapters of one of my books. When he slammed it afterward, I was amazed to find other readers jumping in to defend me. They had valid points. How can you honestly review a work if you didn’t read it? If he’d only said it was unreadable or that he didn’t like it enough to finish it, that would have been fine, but he went on to discuss elements in the story that he didn’t understand because he didn’t read the book. In this scenario, I realized that the issue wasn’t my book so much, but the reader. I didn’t get involved in the conversation between him and other readers, but I did read all the comments. Reviewers have the right to let other readers know what they think about a work; they don’t have the right to slaughter it or go on about how they know how to write better. I don’t allow myself to get sucked into negativity like this. People have different needs when they read a book. Sometimes my work meets their need; sometimes it doesn’t. We all have preferences too. Overcoming negative reviews isn’t difficult when you remind yourself that a review is one person’s opinion, and only one. Of course, if you get the same comment from the majority readers/reviewers, then you have some work to do.

James: Where do you get the courage to do so? 

Cheryl: It’s not really about courage. It’s about being realistic and understanding readers. I’ve read books I’ve loved and ones I’ve been disappointed in. Realistically, some readers will love my books, some will not. I can only hope that they’ll find at least one that they enjoy and I strive to do my best. But, as the saying goes, you can’t please all of the people all of the time.

James: Can you enlighten us a little more about your books?

Cheryl: I write suspense mainly. I am drawn to mystery, so there’s an element of that in every book I’ve written, except maybe my marketing book. My fiction titles: CHILDREN OF THE FOG, WHALE SONG, THE RIVER, DIVINE INTERVENTION, DIVINE JUSTICE, WHALE SONG: SCHOOL EDITION, LANCELOT’S LADY, SKELETONS IN THE CLOSET & OTHER CREEPY STORIES, REMOTE CONTROL. My nonfiction: HOW I MADE OVER $42,000 IN 1 MONTH SELLING MY KINDLE EBOOKS. Most of my fiction titles are international bestsellers. I’ve explored topics of alcoholism, kidnapping, ghosts, assisted suicide, racism, bullying, native folklore, psychics, serial killers, abortion, conspiracy, time travel, brain stem research, nanotechnology, multiple sclerosis, abuse, murder, greed and more.

James: Is there anything else you would like your readers to pay special attention in regards to your book, which you have not mentioned above? 

Cheryl: I like to write stories that have a depth of emotion so I strive to create characters you’ll either love, or love to hate. I want to make you FEEL something when you read my books. The best compliment a reader can give me is that they cried or laughed or fumed at something that happens in one of my books.

James: When do you plan to publish your next book?

Cheryl: I’m hoping my next standalone thriller will be out in 2013, followed by book 3 in the Divine series.

James : How many volume of books for the above series, if applicable?

Cheryl: The Divine series will have 5 books total, all of which have been plotted.

James: Tell us your guided principle that governs your life? How you cultivate these values?

Cheryl: Since early 2003, my motto has been “Dare to Dream...and Dream BIG!” Having a dream is essential, I believe. Without one, we get bogged down by working to live instead of really living. Having a dream is what got me where I am today. And I’m not done yet. I have more dreams, bigger ones. I’ve positioned myself to see these dreams come into reality. I remind myself that anything worth having is worth pursuing. And I remind myself that all great accomplishments started with one thing: a dream. Now I’m dreaming about a Divine TV series—maybe it’ll be called PSI Divine. And Whale Song, the movie. One day...

James: Any other advice which you’d like to share with our readers?

Cheryl: If you’re a lover of books and a reader, I hope that you find something good in every book you read. If you’re a writer, don’t worry if your book gets published. Write for yourself. Write because you have to. And above all, never give up on your dreams. If you don’t accomplish your dreams today, there is always tomorrow. Dare to Dream...and Dream BIG.

You can learn more about me and my books at http://www.cherylktardif.com

Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/cherylktardif

Check out my FB page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cheryl-Kaye-Tardif-novels/29769736630

Check out my publishing company Imajin Books: http://www.imajinbooks.com

Thanks again ...........for joining us today. Let us wish her a Great Success.

James Oh

http://my.linkedin.com/pub/oh-james/12/a11/29b

http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Oh/706849667

http://www.facebook.com/people/James-Oh/706849667#!/pages/Lift-You-Up-Always-there-for-You/176685462397920

Skype me at james.oh18


Alternatively you may read this interview from the author's link below:

http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com/2012/05/lift-you-up-blog-always-there-for-you.html