SECOND INTERVIEW ON WHOHUB

Interview with:
Elizabeth J Van Amelsvoort [ejvanam]

CULTURE

What do you currently have in your MP3 player?

Mainly country and classic rock. I prefer music that you can relate to, songs with some kind of meaning to them and are more "real" Music that "makes you think"

What books are you currently reading?

I just finished reading Twilight by Stephanie Meyer and getting ready to read New Moon.

What is that special film you never tire of watching?

I actually have two favorite movies, Grease and The Postman, I can watch those two over and Over and still enjoy them everytime.

Do you believe there is excessive sex and violence in the media?

Definitely and I personally believe the amount of sex and violence in our media is creating a Society for our young people, where they believe they can get away with anything.

What were your favourite subjects when you were in primary/secondary school?

I would have to say English, Art and music. I always enjoyed writing short stories and poetry which made english fun for me. Drawing was something else I enjoyed doing in my spare time and music is another on of my great loves

Do you think video games, chat rooms, etc. have a dangerous addictive effect on teenagers?

Most definitely, teens these days spend more time playing video games and talking in chat rooms then anything else. Most don’t even spend as much time on their school work. The video games Of today consist of guns, knives, gangs and other sources of violence and quite honestly it is giving Teens ideas, that they are unbreakable. There is more street violence in our society today then Ever before and most of the ideas these kids have, they’re getting from the amount of Violence in video games and seen on television and in the media. These violent games, seem to consume our young people and it is creating a society filled with violence and crime.

© Elizabeth J Van AmelsvoortWeb address for this interview: http://www.whohub.com/ejvanam

NETWORKING THE WAY OF THE 21ST CENTURY

In today’s changing world, where technology has become the key, networking has become an essential component in any career. Whether you are looking for a job, or simply wanting to make connections with those in the same or similar fields of work. Networking has become a successful element.

In the past, networking may have involved luncheons, dinner meetings or even office gatherings. Where everyone in the field met, handed out business cards and shared stories. However in our new world of today, networking has become a cyberspace based forum with a greater number of contacts readily available. Through online networking, you are able to make contacts and connections, with individuals in your field from all across the world. You are no longer limited to your city or areas surrounding you, when making connections.

Networking has taken many new forms in today’s world. No longer is it just for business. Social networks and friend networks have come into play. Connecting people all over the world and making the world a more connected place. People on opposite sides of the world are able to connect, making our world a much closer nit place, then days past.

Networking has completely changed the way our world once worked. Now through simple online networking, people are able to gain access to absolutely anything they want. Anything of interest can now be found, by typing a few simple words into a search bar. Most of those searches, leading to some kind of social or business network or forum.

Networking has allowed people from all over to connect and meet, who otherwise likely never would have been given a chance. It has brought people in business, friends and even family members together socially and professionally. It has brought families back together and has even reconnected people with long lost relatives.

The networking of today is much different from the networking of the past and in my opinion a much more successful way, of making connections across the world. Business relationships have become stronger and people are given new ideas from others in their field of work, to help better themselves in their own careers and bring new ideas into business.

LIVE INTERVIEW WITH CARMEN DANIELSON

Carmen Danielson- Live Author Interview’s from NY

Good morning Elizabeth, we’re glad you could be with us today to talk to us about you and your books.

Thank you, I’m happy to be here.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve actually been writing most of my life. As a child I enjoyed writing poems and short stories and had several pen pals I wrote to weekly. It was always a great passion of mine, however I never got really serious about my writing until around age 21 and I’ve been writing steady ever since.

What got you started in the writing field?

Nothing really got me “started” so to speak. It was just something I loved doing and I wanted to continue on with and see where it took me.

You released a new children’s book in April, can you tell us a bit about it?

Yes April 2nd I released Wally Waddles. This was actually a children’s poem I’d written years ago, that I decided to turn into a children’s book. It’s actually based on myself and my children. Years ago, we had a pair of ducks that made a home at the end of our yard. We took care of them and they returned every spring and would even come right up on our porch to let us know they were there. My children and I all enjoyed having them around, they became almost like family pets after a while. So it’s a children’s story about Wally the Mallard duck, the mate he came back with one spring and the ducklings they later raised together.

You have another children’s book coming out in May, what can you tell us about this one? And when is it’s expected release date?

Watch me grow, is expected to be released on May 5th. This is an actual story of rabbit growth and development with actual photos taken by myself. At the time I photographed this book, I owned a rabbitry of my own here in London, so photographing the story was easily done. It’s a story of Hopi the dutch rabbit, from right before birth to six weeks of age. Kids can follow Hopi’s adventure and at the same time actually learn a little bit about how a rabbit grows.

Are you writing anything new right now?

Yes I am currently working on a brand new series for children. I will not get into details on this series but am very excited about it. I have the first few editions written and the first should be released this summer.

We understand you have a short poetry book to be released this year as well, can you tell us when we can expect to see it and maybe something about it?

ONE VOICE should be released by June of this year. It is a small collection of poems I’ve written over the past little while. Most them are written from personal experiences and experiences I have some how been a part of in my life. I hope that my poetry is something many people can relate to and will enjoy.

Do you have a website, where we can find out more about you about your books?

Yes I do, my website is Ejvanam.4mg.com and there is also a book store on the site where people can purchase signed copies. Ejvanam.4mg.com/store.html

Do you have other books planned for the future?

I have several books planned for the future, new editions to my new children’s series another poetry book, new young adult book and a few other children’s book ideas. There will be much more from me in the future.

Elizabeth thank you for joining us this morning, it has been a pleasure.

Thank you Carmen, it’s been a pleasure being here.

MY INTERVIEW FROM THE WHOHUB

Interview with:
Elizabeth J Van Amelsvoort

WRITING

What did you first read? How did you begin to write? Who were the first to read what you wrote?

Thinking back, I think the very first book I can recall reading, was Romona Quimby by Beverly Cleary. I actually read her entire series, they were some my favourite books growing up.
I began to write when I was around ten years old. I started with short stories and poetry and had pen pals from across the world, I enjoyed writing to weekly. I however, never got really serious about my writing, until the age of 21, when I started writing down story ideas and making rough drafts. Following that I began working on my first book THE CRYSTAL STEP. I think the first people to read my work, were my closest friends and some family.

What is your favorite genre? Can you provide a link to a site where we can read some of your work or learn something about it?

I prefer, young adult and children's fiction over any other genre. Children are our future and keeping them interested in reading is a key eliment in how successful today's youth will be in the future.
http://ejvanam.4mg.com

What is your creative process like? What happens before sitting down to write?

Before I sit down to write, I need to have a good story line in my head and a rough story line jotted down on paper. Once I have put all of these ideas together, I can sit down and begin to write the first draft of the story. It sometimes takes two or three re-writes of a piece before I am completely satisfied, but using my notes and ideas I have made throughout the process I am able to put it all together.

What type of reading inspires you to write?

The type of reading, that most inspires me to write. Is stories that are fiction, yet true to life. Stories that have some kind of meaning behind them, stories with written truths of events that happen in our everyday lives. I find stories that people can relate to, make you think or even help with issues you may be dealing with in your own life, are the best kind.

What do you think are the basic ingredients of a story?

For me, the basic ingredients to a story, in my case a children's story. Are setting a good scene and believable characters. Even in a fiction story, creating characters that are believable or can tap into a child's imagination are important.
A good story line a plot and a good conclusion are also all very important keys.

What voice do you find most to your liking: first person or third person?

I find that the voice I use most in my writing, is that of the the third person, but more of a third person unrestricted omniscient. Describing into depth, the thoughts and feelings, felt but each character in the story and giving a more descriptive telling of the events surrounding them.

What well known writers do you admire most?

Some of the writers I most admire or have been a great inspiration to me over the years are. Beverly Cleary, Danielle Steel, Jackie Collins, Robert Munsch, Stan and Jan Berenstain, Paulette Bourgeois and more recently Stephanie Meyer.

Are you equally good at telling stories orally?

Actually no I'm not. I am a lot better at putting a story down on paper, then creating one orally.

Deep down inside, who do you write for?

To answer this question honestly, I write for myself. Writing is something I have always enjoyed and my biggest dream in life, was to see my work published and shared with the world. For me, it's not so much becoming a number one selling Author, or being known by the world. It's more following a dream, never knowing what is on the other side and enjoying every moment of getting there.

Is writing a form of personal therapy? Are internal conflicts a creative force?

When it comes to my poetry, yes. I find when I am going through a rough patch, or have some issues to work through. Writing Poetry is the best therapy for me and some of my best poetry, has been written after personal experiences.

Does reader feed-back help you?

Of course, hearing from your readers, helps you to be a better writer.

Do you participate in competitions? Have you received any awards?

I have not recently participated in any competitions, but have in the past. Back in 1996 I participated in a writing for children competition with my first Children's story and series idea INSPECTOR CLAUS AND THE CASE OF THE MISSING TOY and recieved my first literary award. I also took part in several poetry and short prose competitions between 1996 and 1999 and won two poetry awards, for Angels Among Us and Tiny Finger Prints.

Do you share rough drafts of your writings with someone whose opinion you trust?

Only with those closest to me. When I have an idea for a story, I run it by my closest friends and family and get their feedback and opinions on the idea.

Do you believe you have already found "your voice" or is that something one is always searching for?

Yes I do, when I first began writing, I found it difficult to choose one voice and stick to it. I found myself bobbing between first and third person at times which made it hard to differentiate. Now however I am able to choose one voice and stick to it throughout a piece.

What do you surround yourself with in your work area in order to help your concentrate?

To be honest, I don't really need anything in particular to surround me when working to help me concentrate. I do however need music, some writers find it odd, being most perfer total quiet to work. I however need my music, from the moment I begin writing until I have completed a piece, I have music playing along side me. Music is another great love of mine and I find listening to the songs I love most, helps me to do my best work.

Do you write on a computer? Do you print frequently? Do you correct on paper? What is your process?

Yes I use a computer to write, I do however always have a note pad handy for jotting down ideas as they come to me and I do all my corrections on paper. I find it easier to notice errors, when looking at a written piece on paper, rather then on a computer screen.

What are you working on now?

I am currently working on a brand new series for Children. I prefer not to get into detail on what this series is about. I am however very excited about it and hope to have the first edition in publication in the next couple of months.

© Elizabeth J Van Amelsvoort
Web address for this interview: http://www.whohub.com/ejvanam

THE ART OF WRITING POETRY

Poetry is a true art form; it can be as simple or as complicated as you would like it to be. It can be as simple as rhyming cute limericks, to the more complex writing of truth and life experiences.

One of the best ways of learning how to write poetry is to look up some of your favourite poets. Read their poetry and study the different forms that poetry can take. Find a form that suits you and go with it. Trying to create poetry that is not suited to your writing style can be more difficult then sticking with what you know. I personally find using real life experiences and putting them to words, can be a simpler form and yet create poetry that your readers can relate to. Sometimes tugging at the heartstrings of your readers makes for a stronger and more touching piece.

Poetry is more of an outlet for expressing your feelings but can also be a way of conveying your ideas to your readers and also a good form of entertainment.
Poetry should always include three main elements, imagination, imagery and conveying ideas. Writing poetry which uses both rhythms, rhyme along with tone and uses the various means of the English language, to enhance your work, brings forth a much stronger piece.

Two important things to remember when writing poetry is the use of metaphors which is a figure of speech in which two things are compared such as “the worlds a stage” and Similes a figure of speech in which two things are compared using words such as "like" or "as." The use of such forms when writing poetry allows the writer to broaden the images and meanings giving them a whole new dimension.

Writers wanting to enhance the content of their poetry should familiarize themselves with these terms. This will not only increase your knowledge of poetry writing but also increase your writing vocabulary helping you to create many new ideas.

There are many different forms poetry can take, limericks are one form of poetry then there are more complex forms such as, ballads, sonnets, odes, epitaphs, elegies just to name a few.

When sitting down to write poetry, take all of these terms and forms into consideration, as you create and base plan for your piece. Your base plan should consist of the subject you wish to write about, experiences you may have had, ideas unique to the subject and ways to express your feelings on this topic. Make a list of descriptive words that can be used in your piece, ways of rhyming those words and bringing the piece to life. Take those notes and let the words flow as you create poetry for all to enjoy.

STATUS THE WRITTEN EXPRESSION

What is in a status? Is it just a sentence written without thought, or a true expression of ones feelings at that moment?

In today’s world, where there is Facebook © Myspace © Linkedin © and now the newest rage Twitter © a site designed as a status feed, everyone has a status.

Whether it be the announcement of a new child in the family, a new job, a break up or even just to let someone know how you feel. Status has become today’s way of expression. The new communication through simple words beside a name on on the web.

Our society has turned to writing simple words, rather then actual communication with friends, accquaintences and even loved ones. Everyday surfing the web, you see status messages of people speaking directly to one person, through a simple sentence. What happened to picking up the telephone and calling that person or even the more direct approach of visiting that person to have a face to face chat? Why is today’s world now more focused on status then a personal touch?

Our world is forever changing and computers and social newtworking have become our new world. Do we however allow all these changes to change us as people? Or do we hold on to some of the more personable ways of the past at the same time.

Famillies are being pulled further and further apart, they spend more time talking online through instant messaging and through online social networks, or telephone texting, then actually taking the time to meet face to face and spend quality time together.

Has our world truly become a world, where status is the key? Drowning out the true voice of communication? Some people say that status messages are just a fad that will soon wear off, yet more and more social networks containing status feeds have surfaced, drawing even more attention to this rising trend.

Famillies and friends need to look at the big picture. Take a step back and look at how “status” has changed the way people view the world. See that time once spent together, has now been replaced by some simple typed words. Take the time to sit down and have a face to face talk, have a family day, take a friend out for coffee. Bring some of the reality back into our world, before “status” becomes all there is.

SELF PUBLISHING A STEADILY RISING TREND

With all of the new technology available these days, more Authors, poets and writers alike are choosing the self publishing path. The lack of publishers available for manuscript submissions and the acceptance of new work is something that has made self publishing, a very fast growing industry.

Self publishing, allows Authors, more choices in the way their work is presented and also promoted to the public, yet can also be a confusing and mind boggling job.
From the actual writing of the piece, to the layout, cover design and illustrations, it can be a long process, yet rewarding in its own way. Many companies out there, for assisting with self publishing these days. Offer layout, cover and illustration designs, they provide you with your bar-coding and ISBN numbers, copyright and will even assist with editing. All of this of course comes with its own price.

The more you know about laying out and designing your own book, the better it will be in the long run. Taking care of some of the minor details will decrease your costs and at the same time give you the satisfaction of being in complete control of your completed piece.
There are so many writers out there that say to themselves, “maybe someday I will write a book” Simply saying it and not putting an effort into it, will not get you anywhere. The best thing to do is set a deadline for your self and go for it. If the constant flood of rejection letters from publishing houses is something that is keeping you from putting your thoughts into writing. Then self publishing is something worth taking into consideration.

The first be step in publishing a book, is actually setting the deadline and sitting down and writing it. Even if you only write a page or two a day, you’re getting somewhere.
Once you have completed your writing, it always best to take some time away from it for a bit. Even if only a few days, clearing your mind from it before doing your first revisions is always best.

Once you have completed your revisions and made the changes you feel your manuscript needs, it is a good idea to consider a freelance editor. Someone who can review your work and perhaps give some ideas as to the books strengths and weaknesses, point out errors and suggest ideas to really bring your story to life.

Once edited, it becomes time for the re-write. This is the time where many Authors discover areas of their work that they themselves decide to re-word or completely change. This is a common thing and in the end brings forth a much stronger piece.

A lot of us cringe at the thought of the re-write, it can be time consuming and redundant in so many ways. Writing a book is not an easy process and should not be considered that. Writing can literally consume your life, from the time you set out begin writing to the time you put it on the market. Yet once completely and you hold your published piece in your hands, that all becomes a thing of the past. It is a very rewarding and exciting career to those of us who have a true passion for it.

Once your piece has been completed, edited, re-written, laid out and copy edits are finished. It’s time to find the self publishing house that suits your needs. Look for a self publisher who offers all you need. Whether it is illustrations, cover designs, help with layouts or just simple printing. Decide what exactly it is you are looking for from your company and find the right one for you. There are many out there to choose from and all offer different options for your publishing needs.

An idea when choosing a self publishing company is to go with a company that also offers some sort of distribution and advertising for your book. Some out there do not offer this to their clients, so beware when searching out the company you want to go with.
Once your book is sent into a company and date is set for your books release, it becomes time for advertisement and promotion.

Advertising and promoting, your book, ahead of its release, Will help to increase your sales and create a fan base for when your book is ready to hit the market.
Self publishing is a steadily rising trend and in its own way a very rewarding and suitable choice for many.

INTERVIEW APRIL 13, 2009

This morning April 13, 2009 I was interviewed online by Gwen Allison from the University of Toronto, for her journalism class and given the interview transcript to post here on my blog.
I want to thank Gwen and I wish her all the best with her project.

Transcript from my Interview April 13, 2009
Interviewer Gwen Allison (University of Toronto)

Q- You’re from London Ontario Canada, have you always been a Londoner?

A- Yes I was born and raised in London

Q- How long have you been writing?

A- I’ve been writing my entire life. Growing up, I had pen pals all over the world I wrote to and loved writing articles in school ECT. I never got really serious about my writing though until 1993 and I’ve been writing steady ever since.

Q- Was writing always something you wanted you do?

A- Yes, always loved to write. I started with poems and small articles and then moved on to writing children’s stories and continued from there.

Q- Is there any other writing field you hope to give a try at some point in your career?

A- Actually yes, I hope to some day work with someone and do some song writing. I’ve always loved music as well, in fact I can not write without listening to music. Music always helps me focus. Some people find it odd, a lot of writers need silence to write, but I however need my music.

Q- There was a lot of interest in your young adult novel The Crystal Step and you were highly commended for your willingness to address “real” issues that teens of today face. Were there any doubts in your mind about writing of these issues before the books publication?

A- No there was never a doubt in my mind. I do not believe in hiding the truth from kids, teens especially. Too many kids today think they are unbreakable and they do what they want with no consequences. I feel they need to see the “real picture” and understand that everything we do in our lives has its consequences. Good or bad, everything that happens in life there is a result to.

Q- Your Sweet Sixteen Series came out in 2003; will there be more editions to this series in the future?

A- Yes, I actually have the 4th edition “I want to fit in” written and I am currently working on the editing and re-writing to get it out in 2010 "I want to fit in" goes more into depth on the problems kids face, then the issues in "The Crystal Step" and shows the lengths some kids will go to, just to fit in to the "cool" crowds in school and how peer pressure truly effects them.


Q- What about your children’s series “Inspector Claus”

A- The second edition for this series will be out sometime this summer. Inspector Claus and the case of the crystal snowflake is ready and currently in the layout process.

Q- Do you have any new series ideas for the future?

A- I am currently working on a brand new series. I prefer not to give details on this series at this time, but the first edition will be out later this year.

Q- Aside from your new release “Wally Waddles” what other books can we expect to see released in 2009?

A- Watch me grow is set to be released around May 8th of this year, the second edition of Inspector Claus in July or August. The first edition of my new series hopefully by late June and before the fall, My puppy and me will be released.

Q- The big question, many writers and Authors find you to be a great inspiration to them. Being a mother of 9 children and still finding the time to write and balance everything you do with charities, public events, magazines and promotion and even through it all, still keep things “real” Do you find it difficult to keep things in order and keep up with it all?

A- Well to be completely honest, yes some days can be very trying. There just never seems to be enough hours in a day. I do however balance it all and get things done. I’ve always been someone who sticks to my guns. When I want something done, I get it done. Some days can be harder then others and sometimes stressful, but when you really want something, you put your mind to it and push forward, regardless of any obstacles. The work I do has allowed me to remain a stay at home mom with my children since my first was born in 1989. Being home with my children was something I always wanted. I wanted to be there for everything and yet still continue with my career. I admit that some days I needed eyes in the back of my head and still do but it’s all worth it. I do keep a fairly tight schedule, but I do my best to keep it all organized.

Q- Your online blog, addressed your feelings on the way writing for teens in today’s world are handled. Do feel that more writers should consider writing of “truths” when in comes to our young adults?

A- Yes I stand behind my thoughts on that 100%, children need to know the real issues and sugar coating everything and making life seem perfect is not how children learn. They need to know the truth in order to become mature and upstanding adults. If we make everything in life fictional, how do children learn reality? They need to hear the truth once in a while and they need to see that not everything in life is a game or fantasy.

WRITING WITH PURPOSE

In today’s fast paced society, where children are growing and developing their own ideas, at a more rapid pace, then children of the past. We as writers need to be aware of how our work, could and will, effect the way children view the world.

The future of our children, truly lies with the writers of today. Before sitting down to write a piece geared towards children or young adults. Today’s writers need to take into account the ages of the children reading their material and put some serious thought and consideration into it before publishing it.

If violence is depicted in the stories our children are reading, then what kind of example are we teaching them. I believe in giving children, teens especially the true facts, telling the story how it is, showing them that every action has it’s
consequences.

However also keeping in mind, ideas are drawn from written words.
When setting out to write a book for children and young adults, we as writers need to consider for ourselves, the consequences that could arise and realize, that everyone, being young or old, paints a different picture to every story.

Writing a fiction story that makes reading enjoyable for young people, brings forth a healthier generation of children, then that of violence, involving, guns, knives and gangs ect.

What happened to the days of Nancy Drew and the Hardy boys? Fiction stories with adventure minus the violence and supernatural characters depicted today? What happened to characters like Ramona and her family and the stories of issues “real” children face in their family life, friendships and school days?

Today rather then stories, of real life issues and real to life characters. They have been replaced with more fictional characters. Do you we really want our children, thinking that wearing long black trench coats, hiding guns, knives and even throwing stars and trying to conquer the world single handed is the way the world of today works?

Children and young adults, truly do form ideas from stories they read. There is nothing wrong with writing of supernatural events, gang related characters, serial killers and so forth, but should it been written in a book geared towards our young people? Or kept on a more adult written level?

The stories our children of today read, the video games they play and the shows they watch on television. Have truly brought us into a society, where teens especially think they are unbreakable. There is more street violence and more crime then ever before and we as writers should really consider the changing times as we sit down to write a piece aimed towards our young people.

Perhaps bringing to light, the real issues in today’s world and mixing it with issues of the past on a more upbeat, child oriented manor, will help in creating a better future of our children of tomorrow.

E.j Van Amelsvoort