Interview with Samantha Weiland
Published 2015-07-11.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
I jump out of bed every morning with excitement because I get to teach! I love my students, I love sharing the English language and helping others become more fluent, pass an exam, and help create presentations they need to give in English. I often work with 6-7 students and then spend time writing my children's books and don't realize 10 hours has gone by!!
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I teach students English over Skype which is my main profession. When I'm not working Benjamin (my terrier) and I explore the beaches and forests of Arcata, California.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
I used to choose books according to the reviews my beloved grandmother would give me from her book club. Since she passed away I get suggestions from friends or just look for authors I've enjoyed in the past.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
When I was about 10 and living on a turkey ranch I wrote short stories about a big city girl (which I had been) moving to a small town farm where her horse was her best friend (which was true too!)
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
I began reading very young and I can list a multitude of books that I enjoyed, but when I was 9 and we were moving to the farm my mother gave me Anne of Green Gables. Anne was one of the first characters I truly identified with and she was my best friend for years.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
Kindle, but right now I'm using Nook on my new Samsung Galaxy.
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
This is all new! I'll let you know!
Describe your desk
Desktop Computer, letters to be dealt with in a box, my phone and tablet charging, and 4 notebooks full of story ideas, to do lists, and needs of my students.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
We lived in Santa Monica and typical Jewish family until my parents decided buying a turkey ranch in Central California would be an adventure when I was 9. The short stories for children that will be published in the next month are directly related to that experience!
When did you first start writing?
I think I was 4!
What's the story behind your latest book?
Right now I'm just publishing vocabulary picture books for children internationally to learn English and correspond to videos. My first Tasha and Benji story will hopefully be ready by the end of July and is a short story about a little girl and her dog visiting a farm and talking to the animals.
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