Author Interview - Shel Delisle

Please tell us a little about yourself.

It always feels weird to do this. Here's the list of the most important stuff, but I can't vouch for the order:
I'm a wife and mom to three very sporty boys.
We have a mutt, er...I'll be politically correct...mixed breed dog.
Before pursuing my writing, I worked in marketing for nearly twenty years.
We live in S. Florida, where it is absolutely gorgeous this time of year (let's not talk about August).
I bake fabulous cookies, mostly for other people, and I try to avoid eating them. :)
I love to write and am having an absolute blast with self-publishing!

What is your book about?

DOLPHIN GIRL is about sixteen-year-old Jane, who is artistic and dolphin-obsessed, as she yearns to break free from the rules that govern her life.

How long did it take you to write?

This book took a very long time--off and on for six years--which is a lot longer than any other book I've written.

What inspired you to write this novel?

This one has always been about the main MC. She wouldn't leave me alone.

I actually put this book away for about two years--which helps explain why it took so long--and pulled it back out in the beginning of 2011. I still liked the story and the theme, but felt my writing had improved and I could make it better.

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

I've wanted to be a writer since first grade, but made the decision to pursue it at around forty-ish. Yeah, some people call that being a late bloomer.

What part of writing do you struggle with? Character, plot, description or dialogue?

Character and dialogue feel very natural for me. Description, although I see it in my minds eye, doesn't always make it onto the page in the first draft and so that's something I generally add later. so, plot is the hardest and i spend a lot of time thinking about it before I ever start a project.

What made you decide on self-publishing?

There wasn't any one thing, but rather a whole bunch of stuff piled on top of each other. Lots of tries and near misses with traditional publishing. The changes in book distribution. The fact that so many of the new self-pubbed writers were putting out good books. The fact that I believed my books that had been rejected would have readers who enjoyed them. And more, but if I kept going I'd probably take over your blog or something. :)

Did you have a professional editor?

Yes! The fabulous Rhonda Helms.

Do you edit as you write or wait until your book is finished?

A little as I write and a lot when it's finished.

Are you currently working on any projects?

I have several going, which makes me sound ADHD.
One is in production for publication. One is in revision. Two in concept/outline.

Any advice for new authors?

I'm pretty new myself having just launched in October. If I were to give myself advice it would be this: relax, a little.

Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what type of music?

Sometimes rock or pop, but I usually prefer silence.

Best time of day to write?

Anytime except late night. I veg at that point.

Top 3 authors?

Ugh! Impossible question! I've read almost everything by these three:
Kurt Vonnegut
Meg Cabot
Stephen King

Top 3 novels of all time?

This is too hard. These are the ones I've read over and over and over.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Stand by Stephen King
Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Top 3 movies of all time?

This is a little better
Shawshank Redemption
Forrest Gump
Finding Nemo

What do you read the most? Fiction or non-fiction?

Oh, fiction for sure and mostly YA, too, but I've definitely increased my non-fiction reading with Kindle. I think it's happened because I can read a few pages when I have a minute or two without needing to immerse myself like I do with story.

Is your book in Print, ebook or both?

Now this is easy. Both.

Where can your readers contact you? Links, etc.

At my blog they can read an excerpt of the book and every so often I write a semi-interesting post. :) http://sheldelisle.wordpress.com/
I'm a pretty lousy tweeter, but I'm trying to get more entertaining. Here's my handle: https://twitter.com/#!/sheldelisle
I also work on a kids lit community with two other writer friends, and so i'm hanging out there too: http://whatchareadingnow.com/
My email is sheldelisle (at) aol (dot) com

I'm in plenty of other places--probably too many--but if you connect with me at these, you'll end up finding me elsewhere.

Thank you for the interview Marie! I really appreciate it!

Shel