A Conversation with E.J. (Erica) Gore, Author of "Taya Bayliss - Dog Sitter"
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| Featured Author, E.J. Gore "Taya Bayliss - Dog Sitter" |
Why did you feel you had to tell this story?
I wanted to write stories for children who were finding the transition from picture books to chapter books difficult. In my years as a classroom teacher, I had seen so many children who were avid readers lose interest because they could not cope, for one reason or another, with the longer more complicated text of chapter books. For children with weak decoding or comprehension skills these longer books can be intimidating. We cannot afford to lose children as readers. Reading is such a vital skill. My stories are short, only 85 – 120 pages and are at about a 9 years reading age so that the children can read the whole book in a relatively short time.
Where do you get your ideas?
My main characters are just everyday kids…no special powers, no special effects. They have to use their wits to sort out the situations in which find themselves. I have found that children like to be able to see themselves in the characters. Taya, from the Taya Bayliss series, is the inquisitive little girl that I was many years ago. She is having the adventures that I imagined myself having but I think she is braver than I ever was.
Do you ever experience writer’s block and how do you overcome it?
Yes, of course. That’s normal, isn’t it? I tend to roll the ideas around in my head rather than put them on paper, or the computer. This can lead to sleepless nights as Taya and her mates roam around my subconscious mind trying to sort themselves out. I have been trying to blog more regularly so that I am writing something everyday. My Golden Doodle, Trudy, has her own blog so when I can’t write for myself, I write for her.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers on the writing and publishing process?
Keep writing. If you are a writer you won’t be able to help but write. It is easy to self publish these days so many of the blockages that used to stop aspiring authors from turning their ideas into print have disappeared. The hard part is making other people aware of your work.
How do you market your work? Have you found some avenues to be more successful than others?
I am still learning about this. I have had most success through word of mouth so far... interviews in the local news, visits to schools etc. I use the social media too but I am still learning about how to promote my website, blog etc.
If your book was made into a movie, who do you picture playing each part?
Taya would be played by an eleven year old Dakota Fanning look-alike. Brad Cooper would play her father and Zoe Dechanel would be her mother.
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Synopsis
About the Author:
Born and raised in Brisbane, Australia, E.J. (Erica) Gore grew up with a love of reading thanks to her mother who declared that 'you are never lonely if you have a book to read'. Joining the library at the age of 2, Erica developed a vivid imagination and a delight in story telling. Favourite books during her childhood were the adventure stories of Enid Blyton - 'The Secret Seven' and 'The Famous Five' - and later the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries. As a primary school teacher Erica used storytelling and drama as the base for her classroom practice, creating stories and plays through which her students were encouraged to develop deeper understanding and knowledge of the curriculum concepts. Now retired from teaching, she has more time for two of her favourite things; writing mysteries for young readers and travelling.
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FOR MORE INFO:
Website: www.ejgore.net, www.TayaBaylissBooks.com
Blog: http://ejgoreauthor.wordpress.com
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Eejaygee
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TayaBaylissBooks
LinkedIn: Erica Gore Author
Google+: Erica Gore
BUY THE BOOK:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/16vuRo7