Interview with Camille Singleton

Published 2013-11-29.
When did you first start writing?
I started dabbling with short stories and poetry when I was in high school. I loved to read and writing came easy for me so English was my favorite subject.
What's the story behind your latest book?
I read Stephen King's book, On Writing, and he said that he wrote 2,000 words a day. I was off for summer vacation and I thought I'd give it a shot, but try for 1,000 instead. It was grueling. I had a husband who worked full time and two children at home who, for some reason, didn't seem to function as well with me closed up in a room for hours, ok, most of the day. As my mind wandered, I wondered what it would be like to be a "mouse in a pocket" or a "fly on a wall" to hear/see things without being noticed. I came up with a story called, A Fly on the Wall, but that title was already taken and the story line was even similar to mine! What are the odds? So I changed it to, Curse of the Golden Fly, where my main character, with the aid of a cursed object - a golden fly - is able to transform into a household fly without knowing of the dire consequences.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
I didn't have family or friends who read my manuscripts, but I did belong to a writing community, called Authonomy, who had very positive things to say about my stories. When a man I didn't even know, Professor William Holt, floored me with an outstanding review (on my profile), and after I saw that he actually specialized in Creative Writing, I had to rethink about all the rejection letters I had received from agents and editors. I thought maybe the story wasn't what was popular at the present time - hey, I didn't have any vampires -, but here was someone who felt my name would become "a household word." Since I work in a library, I have seen the trend toward paperless books and decided to publish with ebooks so my stories would have a chance of being read.
How has Smashwords contributed to your success?
I love the fact that Smashwords is a distributor for Apple, Barnes and Noble, Sony, and others who deal with ebooks. The fact that it also distributes to libraries is something I'm looking forward to. I'm hoping that with all the exposure Smashword has provided, it will be a catalyst for my success.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
When my protagonist is in a dilemma and I don't even know how I figured out the solution; it's like the characters wrote their own stories. I can laugh along and think "they" were so clever.
What do your fans mean to you?
It's like an old friend who knows the same people I know and we can share memories of people we have loved (and hated).
What are you working on next?
I'm working on the sequel to The Hobble Knobble Gobble Tree titled, The Edge of NoWhere.
Who are your favorite authors?
I loved the Harry Potter books written by JK Rowling. I read that to become a good writer, you had to be a good reader. I read those books while I was writing, The Hobble, Knobble, Gobble Tree. The Potter characters were so fun and lovable, the creatures were so vivid, and the villains were so dastardly that I grew to love all of them and I wanted my readers to feel the same connection with my characters. My daughter, a college graduate, (who has no anger issues, I might add) told me that she wanted to smack my main protagonist, Abigail. Those words were music to my ears!
I LOVED Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.
What inspires you to get out of bed each day?
My clock radio on a work day, lol. Then my cat who wants outside. Then my dog who wants inside. I'm blessed to live in a quiet, tranquil, rural area where I don't hear noises except for birds singing. However, I'd rather get up early (ish) because the start of a new day is always promising even if all the expectations aren't met by bedtime.
When you're not writing, how do you spend your time?
I love to read, go out with friends, float in a pool or just be around a body of water, and even though I'm not crazy about yard work, I do love having perennial and annual flowers. I'm pretty much gung ho at the beginning of the summer, and then, toward the end of the summer, it's every "man" (plant) for himself.
How do you discover the ebooks you read?
Since I work at a library, I'm able to browse book catalogs. Practically any paper book that I'd like to read is available as an ebook. Believe it or not, I still read books the old fashioned way, from a paper format.
What is your writing process?
I keep a notepad with me at all times in case I think of an idea in the middle of the night, at work, or outside of my home. I don't make an outline, but write what comes to me. Most of the time I'll be able to incorporate ideas from my notes. When I start writing, I close myself up in a room and I don't take phone calls. I'd rather not have to talk to anyone either, but that's not always possible. Most people don't understand about the "zone"; it's a place where you are lucky if you even get to eat.
How do you approach cover design?
With the Hobble Knobble Gobble Tree, I used to drive by a spooky tree on my way to work every day and wondered how long it had been there. I figured it was before a road, sidewalk, or house existed in that vicinity. Then I wondered if children walking past it, perhaps on their way to school, thought it was spooky. Then I wondered if the tree really WAS spooky in a sinister way. The knobs on the tree were about the size of a child's head; what if somehow the tree consumed children who got close enough to be snatched up? I was telling my oldest daughter, Lesley, who is an artist, about the story I was tossing around in my head and one day she showed me a picture of a tree, with knobs resembling faces in agony, and it became the Hobble Knobble Gobble Tree,
What book marketing techniques have been most effective for you?
Giving away free books. I hope to get reviews in return.
Describe your desk
I have a large, square, wooden, antique table that my computer and printer sits on in front of a tall window. Next to that desk (beside me), I have an antique, wooden, "writer's desk" covered with notes and research material. It has a full spectrum lamp on it to help prevent eye fatigue.
What do you read for pleasure?
Because I write fantasy (so far), I like reading fantasy. But I also love thrillers.
What is your e-reading device of choice?
I don't have one - yet.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in Peru, Indiana - a small town 80 miles north of Indianapolis. We owned a lake cottage and that's where I spent every summer while growing up. Amazingly, I don't remember watching a lot of TV; I was either in the water or reading. There was nothing better than curling up with a good book on a screened in front porch of a lake cottage.
Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?
Yes, I still have the manuscript and am wondering if I want to continue with it. I've learned so much about writing since then that it will probably be hard to get through it without cringing. But then, Stephen King, DID throw his manuscript, Carrie, in the trash. Hmmmm . . .
Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
I can't remember the "first" book, but I remember in High School we read a short story called The Lottery, by Shirley Jackson and I still remember how I felt after reading it.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
I loved the characters in the Outlander series (Gabaldon) and I fell in love with one of the main characters - Jamie. Really!
Gone With the Wind - duh
A Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux - made me cry
The Hollow Kingdom by Clare Dunkle - a beauty and the beast love story, sigh.
Harry Potter series - the ultimate children's fantasy.
J. R. R. Tolkien's Hobbit series
Smashwords Interviews are created by the profiled author or publisher.

Books by This Author

The Hobble, Knobble, Gobble Tree
Price: $3.00 USD. Words: 79,530. Language: English. Published: August 9, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Epic, Fiction » Children’s books » Action & Adventure / Survival Stories
(5.00 from 3 reviews)
Angry dragons, butt kicking gnomes, a mean-spirited witch, and a quest to find the lost Elves.
Curse of the Golden Fly
Price: $3.00 USD. Words: 33,780. Language: English. Published: July 14, 2013 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Fantasy, Fiction » Fantasy » Paranormal
(5.00 from 1 review)
Thousands of years ago, a king of Lower Egypt worshiped the demon of chaos and destruction. With the aid of an artifact, a golden fly, the Grand Vizier betrayed his king and sent him into exile. The fly finds its way to Lesley, a twelve-year-old girl in present-day Indiana, who unwittingly learns of its magical powers. But will she learn of its curse before it’s too late?