I guess I learned to honor my book's vision, to trust my writing instincts better. And I also found that no matter the length, the right publisher will accept the book.
Marie Lavender – 4 April 2017
The Back Flap
The Hill family saga concludes as loyalties are questioned, faiths will be tested and undying love may come at a terrible cost…
Fara Hill, mother and faithful wife, is torn between her family at home and her urge to be at sea. Soon, she learns some disturbing truths. Was the past a fairy tale instead of reality?
Chloe Hill, loving wife and young mother, questions her faith when her husband sets an ultimatum she cannot meet. Will she be able to keep her marriage from falling apart?
Adrienne Bellamont Hill, born of a valiant captain and a fiery redhead, is untamed to her core and will bow to no man. Then Christian du Plessis enters her life with an offer she can't refuse. Discovering the man behind the polished gentleman, she is drawn to him in many ways. Holding out for love is a family tradition, but can she resist the temptation of passion?
Christian finds this young woman to be a fascinating challenge, and is torn between keeping his distance from her and succumbing to her charms. A fierce battle of wills ensues as he sees she is much more than he ever imagined.
But danger lurks, threatening to destroy everything…
Can these two strong-willed individuals unite in the cause before time runs out?
About the book
What is the book about?
This book details the trials of love within the Hill family, their successes and losses, as well as the risks they take to protect those whom they love. Upon Your Love is a Victorian romance, set partly in New Orleans, but also takes place in other ports.
When did you start writing the book?
I actually began writing the first scene which came to me in 2013, but I didn't get to focus fully on UYL until sometime in 2015.
How long did it take you to write it?
The full-length novel took me about a year and half to write, then six months to edit and submit it to my publisher.
Where did you get the idea from?
I always knew I wanted to tell Adrienne's story, as she was a character who appeared in Upon Your Honor, the second book in the series. But while writing the novel, Upon Your Love became so much more than a romance between her and the man she came to love. It grew into a family saga with many interwoven tales.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Fight scenes are always challenging. I had to familiarize myself with duels by watching fencing videos and learn about the code of honor in order to make those scenes come to life.
What came easily?
Every character's journey wasn't easy, but I'd have to say that the love scenes were the easiest to write because I based each one on the character's perspective at the time. Being in that person's head made it so much easier to show events from their point-of-view.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
Yes, they're mostly fictional characters, though some may have traits I strongly identify with.
Do you have a target reader for this book?
Anyone over the age of 18 who enjoys historical tales and doesn't mind learning about the generations of a special family, as well as their loves and losses.
How was writing this book different from what you'd experienced writing previous books?
I told this book differently than I usually do with my stories or novels. Instead of using one character's point of view, or even two at different times with a romance tale, I shared the perspectives of twelve different people over a period of time. Each character's personal story ties into the next, and so on, and so forth.
What new things did you learn about writing, publishing, and/or yourself while writing and preparing this book for publication?
I guess I learned to honor my book's vision, to trust my writing instincts better. And I also found that no matter the length, the right publisher will accept the book.
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2 is a two person dome style tent with two side doors for convenient entry and exit.
The Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2 is the latest generation in the ultralight Copper Spur line of tents, boasting increased interior volume and livability by integrating steeper sides walls into the inner tent. The result is an outstanding balance of comfort and function in what I consider one of the best three-season lightweight tents available today.
Gear Weight vs Comfort
The Copper Spur HV UL 2 weighs 2 pounds and 12 ounces (minus stakes) making it a good backpacking tent for two people who want to lighten the weight of their gear, but still want a tent with two doors, lots of interior space, and good ventilation to stay cool and condensation free. The Copper Spur HV UL 2 delivers all of these.
The single hubbed pole architecture and horizontal spreader wall create near vertical walls that increase volume and livability. The doors of the inner tent are huge, allowing for easy entrance and exit.
Two doors
If you plan to camp out with a companion at night, having a tent with two doors is a must-have in my book because I don't want to be woken up every time my partner gets up at night to go to the bathroom. Two doors also means two vestibules, so double the space for gear storage, and more room for you inside the inner tent.
Interior space
The HV version of the Copper Spur uses a single hub pole structure, with a horizontal cross pole which is different from the previous two hub models like the Copper Spur Platinum UL 2. The new pole architecture creates a boxier inner tent with nearly vertical walls all around, providing more room to sit up or dress without ever touching the mesh inner walls. The new HV UL 2 is so much more spacious than the older Copper Spur models that it feels like an entirely new tent.
A large protected roof vent helps release moisture, even when it's raining.
Ventilation
The Copper Spur HV UL 2 has excellent ventilation even when the tent is buttoned up in bad weather. In addition to a large protected roof vent, you can stake the front walls (without doors) to promote ventilation under the fly (see center stake above), and there is a large air gap between the inner and outer tents to promote airflow and help reduce internal condensation buildup. Solid fabric on the lower half of the inner tent walls blocks cold breezes and provides increased visual privacy, without compromising on mesh venting higher up, extending the season that the tent can be used in cooler weather.
While I'm impressed by the airflow through the tent, I wish there was a rear roof vent to make pitching the tent less directional. As it is, you have to think which way the wind is blowing when you set the tent up, so you can position it properly if you want to keep the top vent open. A minor point perhaps, but when you're tired at the end of the day, these things feel insurmountable.
The inner tent doors are cut large so you can get past gear stored in the vestibules without having to crawl over it.
Covered Storage
The Copper Spur HV UL 2 has spacious side vestibules that provide plenty of gear storage so you can store your trail shoes, backpack, and wet gear outside of the inner tent, but under cover. The doors of the inner tent are cut large so you can get past gear stored in the vestibules without having to crawl over it and have rain flaps over the zippers to prevent rain from pouring down the roof on to your head when you open the doors in chucking rain (ask me how I know.)
The Copper Spur HV UL 2 has a tent-wide mesh pocket at the head end for stashing phones and power chargers, with ports for running headphones or cords.
Interior Comfort
The Copper Spur HV UL 2 is higher volume than its predecessor, most notably at the head and foot ends, and in the corners. The interior is tapered however, so you'll want to be cognizant of the head and foot ends when setting it up, although being nearly freestanding it's easy to pick up as a unit and turn around. The tent width at the head end is 49″, narrowing to 39″ at the foot end, but still probably wide enough to fit two 25″ wide pads as long at they have a mummy shape and taper toward the feet.
Each occupant has a mesh pocket by their head for personal items as well as a tent-wide mesh pocket on the ceiling, but not a gear loft. There are numerous hang loops along the ceiling for hanging lights and other items as well.
Setup
The Copper Spur HV UL 2 is very easy to set up quickly by one person in 2 minutes, and even faster with two because all of the components are color coded, with jakes feet (see Illustrated Tent Terminology Guide) in the corners, so that the inner tent and rain fly connect to the same corner webbing and buckle assembly.
Tent setup is very easy because the main hubbed poll slots into color coded grommets on the inner tent. The fly connects to these same corners using buckles.
The tent is virtually freestanding and the only parts that must be staked out are the side vestibules. In other words, you can pick up the assembled tent and reposition it if you like, as long as the vestibule doors aren't staked out yet. I'd still recommend staking out the corners (4 more stakes). Extra guy lines are also included to stake out the tent in high winds and increase ventilation.
When packing this tent, keep careful track of the horizontal cross-pole because it is very easy to lose or misplace in forest duff. If Big Agnes colored it more loudly, like blaze orange or bright red instead black, it might be harder to lose. You can still pitch the tent without the cross pole if you lose it, but it does help spread out the inner tent walls and raise the height of the tent center.
Trail weight*
Total: 44 oz / 1250 g
Fly: 16.1 oz / 456 g
Inner tent: 15.5 oz / 438 g
Poles (2): 12.5 oz / 356 g
Inner tent dimensions (actual):
Length: 84″
Width
Head end: 49″
Center: 41″
Foot end: 39″
Height
Head end: 21″
Center: 40″
Foot end: 14″
Semi-freestanding
Requires a minimum of 2 stakes for side vestibules
*Most manufacturers leave out stake and stuff sack weights under the assumption that you'll replace the manufacturer supplied stakes and repackage the tent in different sacks. It also makes the tent look likes it's lighter weight without the crappy stakes they often include.
The new 2017 Copper Spur HV UL 2 inner tent (top) has much more headroom and interior space than the older Copper Spur UL 2 (bottom) pole architecture,
Recommendation
Weighing 2 pounds 12 pounds, the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2 is a refined lightweight backpacking tent that's easy to pitch and loaded with features. The dual doors, large side vestibules, great ventilation, increased head room, and vestibule storage make this a great tent for couples and a palace for one. The inner tent in the high volume (HV) version of the Copper Spur is so different from pre-2017 Copper Spur models, as to be unrecognizable, with loads more interior volume, headroom, and a much different pole architecture. If the shape and livability of the old Copper Spur line were negatives for you, I'd encourage you to take another look at the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL 2. It's a great tent for three season use and should be on your short list. Highly recommended.
Likes
Virtually freestanding; just the vestibules require staking
Easy to set up: color coded jakes feet corners require fewer stakes
Fantastic ventilation – good separation between fly and inner tent, roof vent, two doors
Internal pockets and hand loops
Dislikes
Primary hubbed pole is bulky to pack
Easy to lose horizontal cross pole
Tapered floor dimensions may limit use of wide sleeping pads
Disclosure: Big Agnes loaned the author a tent for this review.
Support SectionHiker.com. If you make a purchase after clicking on the links above, a portion of the sale helps support this site at no additional cost to you.
from Section Hikers Backpacking Blog http://ift.tt/2o4bm9M
The ULA Ohm 2.0 is a high-capacity ultralight pack that's tough, lightweight and durable.
The ULA Ohm 2.0 is a high-capacity 63L ultralight style backpack that's durable enough for rough and tough adventures. It's also available with the same male and female shoulder straps and hip belt (available in multiple lengths) offered with ULA's other lightweight backpacks, so you get a pack that fits you and your body type. Compared to ULA other packs, the Ohm 2.0 has a minimalist frame and suspension system that best used by hikers who've already made the transition to less bulking and lightweight gear, not those starting down that road. It's a great backpack, but it requires a more nuanced packing and gear strategy than backpacks with a beefier frame.
Specifications:
Weight: 32.5 ounces (total); removable components reduce weight up to 5 ounces
Total volume: 63 Liters
Covered volume (main compartment and extension collar):
Rec'd Max Load: 25 lbs or less
Rec'd Base Weight: 12 lbs or less
Torso lengths: 15″-24″
Hip belt lengths: 26″-42″
Shoulder straps: J-curve for men, S-curve for all women and some men
Bear canister compatibility: A large canister will fit in the main compartment
The ULA Ohm 2.0 is laid out like most ultralight style backpacks with a large central storage compartment, side water bottle pockets, and a long rear mesh pocket. The hip belt has large pockets and there are two optional pockets that you can hang inside the main compartment using plastic clips, sized to hold a water reservoir and a wallet/phone or other personal items.
The Ohm 2.0 has a typical ultralight pack layout – main compartment, side water bottle pockets, and rear mesh pocket.
Main compartment
The main compartment on the Ohm 2.0 closes with a drawstring, not a roll-top as you might expect. There's also a wide webbing strap the runs from the top of the mesh pocket to the hang loop between the shoulder straps, so you can roll up any extra fabric in the extension collar to block out rain. This can be good or bad, depending on the weather and how full your pack is. If you pull really the drawstring really tight, you can get it to almost completely close the aperture to the main compartment. So, if you pack the gear inside your pack in a plastic bag or pack liner, it should still stay pretty dry even if it's chucking down rain all day. If the extension collar is not full you can roll up the extra fabric, just like you would a roll top, and block rain from entering that way. That would work fine, but it means you can carry a bit less gear and food inside the pack.
Personally, I would prefer having some kind of flap covering draw string opening, so I can overstuff the pack and still have the top hole covered, but I used a pack from a different manufacturer for years that had this same kind of closure system in very wet weather and it was a non-issue because I lined my pack with a pack-liner. YMMV.
The main compartment also comes with two removable internal pockets, one for hanging a reservoir inside the pack and a second smaller pocket-sized for wallet and personal items. They don't weigh much and can be good for organizing small stuff or maps that you want to keep track of, or, you can leave them at home to drop a few ounces.
Three views of the top closure: Draw string closes with strap across top (left); extension collar open with pack liner (top right); draw string pulled tight (bottom left)
Side water bottle pockets
The side water bottle pockets on the Ohm 2.0 are enormous and easily fit two Nalgene bottles. They're also very easy to reach for pulling out bottles and replacing them while you're walking.
Both pockets are entirely made with 210 Cordura so they are bomber tough, since the water bottle pockets on ultralight backpacks take a tremendous amount of abuse. The pockets have drain holes at their base and an elastic cord that runs over the top rim so you can scrunch them completely closed if you want. I would recommend that you use the elastic cord when placing items in the side pockets that you don't want to lose, since smaller items can pop out when you're unawares.
Rear mesh pocket
The rear mesh pocket is great for stuffing thing you want fast access to during the day like extra layers or as a place to store wet gear that you want to keep separate from the dry gear in your pack. If you've hiked with a pack with a mesh pocket like this, it's hard to move to a pack without it, since it is SO useful.
The Ohm 2.0 has a very simple, but effective side compression system.
Compression and External Attachment System
The compression system on the Ohm 2.0 is very simple and streamlined. There's a simple cord-based compression system that runs along the sides of the pack. I prefer webbing myself, but it's surprisingly effective. If you don't like zig-zag threading, it's simple enough for you to replace it with your own cord and cord locks. The side compression cord can also be used to secure tent poles, packraft paddles, or other long skinny objects to the side of the pack. If you don't like the zig-zig pattern, you can simple replace it with your own cord and cord locks.
The other primary component is the top strap which can help compress gear, from the top down. It's nowhere near as effective as a roll top, but it's useful for shrinking the contents of the extension collar. You can also secure extra gear to the strap or under it, although a three-part Y strap is a lot more fool-proof for carrying long wide objects like a foam sleeping pad.
The Ohm 2.0 has lots of places to attach gear to the shoulder straps, including yellow elastic cords that you can wrap around water bottles to keep them handy
The shoulder straps also have a number of very useful attachment points for carrying electronic accessories or attaching water bottles to the straps within easy reach. I'm not a big fan of shoulder strap water bottles and it's easy to remove the yellow elastic cord for these on ULA packs in a non-destructive way. But I do like to attach accessory pockets to my shoulder straps and appreciate the plastic rings and daisy chains sewn onto the shoulder straps.
There are also trekking poles and ice axe shaft holders sewn to the sides of the rear mesh pocket, as well as a single ice axe loop at the pocket's bottom.
Backpack Frame and Suspension
The Ohm 2.0 has a minimal frame and suspension system that's just a step up from frameless backpack, which is why the manufacturer recommends that you keep your base weight (gear minus food and water) at 12 pounds or less if you intend to use the backpack. You shouldn't take my description of the frame system as critical, but as cautionary. The Ohm 2.0 is really designed for people carrying very light loads. The manufacturer recommends a max load of 30 pounds, but I'd make that more like 25 pounds. If you're looking for a pack that's similar to the Ohm 2.0 but can handle heavier loads, I'd encourage you to look at the ULA Circuit or the ULA Catalyst, which are designed for that purpose. They're both great packs that share many of the same features as the Ohm 2.0.
The Ohm 2.0 frame has two components: a carbon fiber rod which runs around the perimeter of the main pack bag behind your shoulders and back, and a thin removable pad inside the main compartment that protects your back from pointy things poking through.
The Ohm 2.0 frame consists of a carbon fiber rod and a thin foam pad.
The carbon fiber rod does not insert into the hip belt and therefore provides very little load transfer to the hips. It's primary purpose is to prevent the pack bag from collapsing on itself like an unstructured sack and to provide an anchor point for the pack's load lifters above your shoulders. The carbon fiber rod is not very strong, so you should avoid sitting on the Ohm 2.0 to avoid breaking it.
The foam pad inside the pack is the equivalent to the bivy pad you'd find on a climber's pack. It's not big enough or thick enough to sleep on, but it is a good source secondary sleeping insulation under your torso or under you legs. It'd be a great sit pad, but it's stored inside your pack and difficult to get out without unpacking your pack, so best used in camp for that purpose.
When packing the Ohm 2.0 you need to be careful not to overstuff it with bulky objects, like tightly compressed stuff sacks, because you'll feel them poking through the foam back pad. The best way to pack your gear in the Ohm 2.0 is completely loose in a pack liner, so it conforms to the shape of the main compartment. Try to avoid stuffing too much gear in, because the pack has a tendency to barrel-roll into your back through the foam pad. Heavier items, like a food bag, are best placed toward the top of the main compartment near the load lifters, since the back of the pack doesn't touch your back there.
The fact that the Ohm has a frame, make it possible to give the pack load lifters. These are quite special on the Ohm 2.0 because you can adjust the strap angle depending on your personal dimensions. I'm not talking about pulling on the load lifter straps to tilt the pack forward and in line with your hips, but how to adjust the strap angle so it's close to a 45 degree angle. To do this, you'd move the buckle anchoring the front of the load lifter to the shoulder strap up or down, depending on how "thick" your torso is. This is a high-end customization option normally found on expedition packs and very useful if you want to personalize a pack's fit.
You can move the Ohm hip belt up or down where it connects to the back of the pack with velcro, in order to fine tune the pack's torso length.
The Ohm 2.0 hip belt is the standard wide wrap belt that ULA offers on all of its backpacks. It is attached to the back of the pack using velcro. Velcro attached hip belts are a tried and true design element on lightweight packs and make it possible for you to try on different hip belt sizes with the same pack to dial in a custom fit. There's also some vertical play in where you position the hip belt which gives you the ability to "tune" the pack's torso length, if you know how to feel the difference in load transfer.
The hip belt has two large zippered pockets and two straps that let you fine tune the fit depending on the shape of your hips. The four straps adjust using a Scherer pull-forward cinch, first developed by Kelty, and connect at a center buckle. It can take some experimentation to get the right fit. If you have problems, call ULA. They go above and beyond to make sure customers know how to adjust their packs.
Both the hip belt, back panel, and shoulder straps are covered in padded spacer mesh which is cushy without being too soft. The holes in the spacer mesh have a tendency to collect debris however, if you wander off-trail. The circuit's shoulder straps are available in too styles, J-shaped or S-shaped, to accommodate people with breasts or barrel chests.
Recommendation
The ULA Ohm 2.0 is a high volume ultralight backpack (63L/27 to 32 ounces) that's sized for weekend backpacking trips and thru-hikes. It is designed for ultralight backpackers who've gotten their base weight down and want a durable but streamlined backpack. Made with heavier, more durable fabrics (210 denier Robic or 500 denier Cordura), this is a backpack that can take some serious punishment, making it a standout for backpackers who want a pack that they can use for years, or several thru-hikes. Optional components make it easy to reconfigure the Ohm 2.0 for different styles of trips, and the choice of different style shoulder straps and hip belt lengths means that you can personalize the fit for optimal comfort. Highly recommended.
Likes
210 denier fabric is tough and durable
Side water bottle pockets are easy to reach
Male and female shoulder straps; one of the few UL cottage manufacturers that provides female compatible straps
Dislikes:
Draw string closure on main compartment
Disclosure: ULA loaned the author a backpack for this review.
Support SectionHiker.com. If you make a purchase after clicking on the links above, a portion of the sale helps support this site at no additional cost to you.
I looked back on what had happened and thought it was worth writing a book about our hilarious and horrendous adventures.
Stef Smulders – 1 April 2017
The Back Flap
Ever thought about moving to Italy? Think again. And do it anyway. Witty expat stories of two Dutchmen and their dog who took the plunge and nearly drowned …
About the book
What is the book about?
The book consists of stories about my experiences living as a Dutch expat in Italy. When I moved here in 2008 to buy a house and start a bed and breakfast we met a range of Italians and were confronted with a lot of situations that were rather different from what we were used to.
When did you start writing the book?
I started a few years after we moved to Italy, once things were settled and the b&b was running smoothly. I looked back on what had happened and thought it was worth writing a book about our hilarious and horrendous adventures.
How long did it take you to write it?
After several false starts in which I did not find the right track and tone I wrote it in two months. Editing and correcting then took another four!
Where did you get the idea from?
I had read Tim Parks' books about Italy some time before and was a great admirer, so I thought I might try and write something similar.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
The main struggle was to convert the blog posts into stories suited for a general public instead of just family and friends and to create continuity in the story.
What came easily?
Writing each chapter was easy once I knew what it was to be about. Surprisingly easy.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
The book is based on real life experiences and so are the characters, although I chose to emphasize some traits and neglect others to increase interest, without turning the characters into caricatures.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Yes, Tim Parks.
Do you have a target reader?
People who love Italy, like to travel and (to be) expats. Plus, anyone who likes to read amusing stories about people and cultural differences.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
With this book, my first, I collected the material for each chapter first, reading the blog posts involved and then just started writing.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I more or less made a timeline of what happened when and what should come before or after what, a general table of contents so to speak.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you've finished?
I did edit each chapter once, the day after writing it and then waited till the first version was complete.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I did not hire an editor but asked an author-friend to criticize and found a range of volunteer proofreaders.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
No, silence is best as I tend to listen to the sentences while writing, to check if the rhythm is okay. Classical music if needs be. No talking!
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No, I felt that chances of getting published by a major publisher were too small to make the effort. And I am an autodidact in everything, I love to remain in control. And the possibilities were there to publish all on your own.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I decided to self-publish straight from the beginning, in order to avoid the hassle with a publisher.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I opted for a website where you can propose a project and designers may offer their work. In the end a professional designer made the cover of my book.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I just do anything that crosses my mind or that I find on the internet, no plan.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Start early, way before the book is finished! Find prelaunch reviewers, start promotion before.
About You
Where did you grow up?
In the Netherlands, mainly in small villages in the countryside
Where do you live now?
In Italy, the wine region south of Milan called the Oltrepo Pavese
What would you like readers to know about you?
I am married to my husband Nico (we are a gay couple) and have a dog, Joia. Love reading, mainly psychological novels and stories. Plan to continue writing, other genres as well.
What are you working on now?
The third volume of stories about my life in Italy, in Dutch.
I looked back on what had happened and thought it was worth writing a book about our hilarious and horrendous adventures.
Stef Smulders – 1 April 2017
The Back Flap
Ever thought about moving to Italy? Think again. And do it anyway. Witty expat stories of two Dutchmen and their dog who took the plunge and nearly drowned …
About the book
What is the book about?
The book consists of stories about my experiences living as a Dutch expat in Italy. When I moved here in 2008 to buy a house and start a bed and breakfast we met a range of Italians and were confronted with a lot of situations that were rather different from what we were used to.
When did you start writing the book?
I started a few years after we moved to Italy, once things were settled and the b&b was running smoothly. I looked back on what had happened and thought it was worth writing a book about our hilarious and horrendous adventures.
How long did it take you to write it?
After several false starts in which I did not find the right track and tone I wrote it in two months. Editing and correcting then took another four!
Where did you get the idea from?
I had read Tim Parks’ books about Italy some time before and was a great admirer, so I thought I might try and write something similar.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
The main struggle was to convert the blog posts into stories suited for a general public instead of just family and friends and to create continuity in the story.
What came easily?
Writing each chapter was easy once I knew what it was to be about. Surprisingly easy.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
The book is based on real life experiences and so are the characters, although I chose to emphasize some traits and neglect others to increase interest, without turning the characters into caricatures.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
Yes, Tim Parks.
Do you have a target reader?
People who love Italy, like to travel and (to be) expats. Plus, anyone who likes to read amusing stories about people and cultural differences.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
With this book, my first, I collected the material for each chapter first, reading the blog posts involved and then just started writing.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
I more or less made a timeline of what happened when and what should come before or after what, a general table of contents so to speak.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
I did edit each chapter once, the day after writing it and then waited till the first version was complete.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I did not hire an editor but asked an author-friend to criticize and found a range of volunteer proofreaders.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
No, silence is best as I tend to listen to the sentences while writing, to check if the rhythm is okay. Classical music if needs be. No talking!
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
No, I felt that chances of getting published by a major publisher were too small to make the effort. And I am an autodidact in everything, I love to remain in control. And the possibilities were there to publish all on your own.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
I decided to self-publish straight from the beginning, in order to avoid the hassle with a publisher.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I opted for a website where you can propose a project and designers may offer their work. In the end a professional designer made the cover of my book.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I just do anything that crosses my mind or that I find on the internet, no plan.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Start early, way before the book is finished! Find prelaunch reviewers, start promotion before.
About You
Where did you grow up?
In the Netherlands, mainly in small villages in the countryside
Where do you live now?
In Italy, the wine region south of Milan called the Oltrepo Pavese
What would you like readers to know about you?
I am married to my husband Nico (we are a gay couple) and have a dog, Joia. Love reading, mainly psychological novels and stories. Plan to continue writing, other genres as well.
What are you working on now?
The third volume of stories about my life in Italy, in Dutch.
