Dialogue:
Today is a bless day for myself, Author L.J. McBayne, and Destra World Books Publishing for this great opportunity to interview this amazing author I am on the phone with.
Congratulation! September 26, 2018 will be a special day for you and all your fans! Say Something Sammy, Say Something is schedule for release worldwide and I’m excited!
Q: Tell me a little more about yourself?
A: Ok. I’m married to a beautiful man named Trevor. Together we have a blended family of 6 children and 2 grandchildren.
Q: What inspires you to write?
A: I’m inspired by helping kids gain a love for reading. I feel like if I keep it interesting, they will want to read more which increases their reading level. If they know how to read it increases their chances of being successful academically.
Q: Do you proofread and edit your work on your own or pay someone to do it for you?
A: Both. I do the best I can but then I turn it over to the professionals. 4, 6 and 8 eyes are better than 2.
Q: What is the most important thing about a book in your opinion?
A: In my opinion the cover of the book is most important because the content can have so much substance but if the cover is not attractive enough to get them to want to read the book, they will not be able to benefit from what’s inside the book.
Q: Who is the most supportive of your writing in your family?
A: My whole family is supportive but I would have to my son Eugene since he was a very important part of the process.
Q: Do you have a day job other than being a children book author / writer?
A: Oh yes. I’m a sergeant with the Miami-Dade Police Department, Warrants Bureau
Q: Say Something Sammy, Say Something: does it carry a special message?
A: Yes it encourages children to discuss their problems with their parents or another adult they can trust.
Q: Do you have a daily habit of writing?
A: I wouldn’t say daily but whenever thoughts, ideas, or titles come to mind I write them down on whatever I have handy. So I sometimes scribble on pieces of paper at work then bring it home and transfer it to my computer or sometimes when I’m home I just sit down and start writing. I spend time organizing my notes to form a story and other times a complete story will come very easy. So I take it however it comes.
Q: Are you friends with other authors? If you are, what are their names?
A: Yes. Carol Watson, Durrell Knight, Ronald Destra and Juanita Destra
Q: Do you encourage your children or grandchildren to read?
A: Oh yes all the time. I recommend and give them books to read, send them links to articles and also solicit their feedback on my writing.
Q: Do you mentor in your community?
A: I do some mentoring through my interaction with the public as a police officer but I would like to do more purposeful one on one mentoring and I am looking for ways that I can do that.
Q: How many sibling do you have? How many of them share your passion?
A: I have 4 sibling and none of them share my passion for writing but 3 of us love to read.
Q: What are some great books you’ve read recently?
A: The Secret Things of God, by Henry Cloud and the 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman.
Q: How was life like for you growing up in Florida?
A: I loved growing up in Florida because I’m an outdoor person and the weather is perfect to do anything you want to do outdoors. My childhood was spent playing sports, dancing, and traveling. The same things I like to do now but don’t have as much time to do it.
Q: Where can your fans or the public purchase your book, Say Something Sammy, Say Something?
A: On my website https://www.AuthorLJMcBayne.com https://www.DestraWorldBooksPublishing.com and all major online bookstores.
Q: What one advice you have for authors?
A: For people that want to write and don’t know where to start just start writing. Don’t worry about the how it will all come together later. When you buy a puzzle at the store all the pieces come in the box. You piece them together. That’s sort of what I do with my writing.
Q: What books have influenced your life the most?
A: The purpose driven life by Rick Warren and Rich Dad Poor Dad and Who Took my Money by Robert Kiyosaki.
Q: Do you like traveling or do you prefer staying indoors?
A: I love traveling. I only stay indoors to rest and do the chores I have to do to get me back outdoors. Lol
Q: Are you going to celebrate the publishing of your first book?
A: Most Definitely.
Q: What are the main characters in your book: Say Something Sammy, Say Something?
A: Sammy, Spark, and his mom
Q: Are you working on something new at the moment?
A: Yes I am. Say Something will be a series but I’m also working on some other stories.
Q: Who is the illustrator of your book?
A: Eugene Edwards, my son.
Q: How many children do you have? Do you see any young writers in any of them?
A: So I have 2 from my 1st marriage but I have a blended family of 6. Yes. 2 of the boys write songs and the oldest boy expressed interest in writing books.
Q: Do you have a library at home?
A: I have a small library. I keep the books circulating.
Q: Do you blog?
A: Not really.
Q: Audio book is skyrocketing. Do you consider having your book turn into audio book?
A: Yes
Q: Where can I purchase Say Something Sammy Say Something written by L.J. McBayne?
A: On my website https://www.AuthorLJMcBayne.com https://www.DestraWorldBooksPublishing.com and all major online bookstores.
Q: Do you have anything else you would like to share or say to your fans?
A: I am so excited to share my first book with you and your family and to help our children increase their reading skills. I have no doubt you and your children will enjoy it and there will be more to come. I want to thank you in advance for your support and encouragement and it was a pleasure talking to you.
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Sang
Thanks so much for your genuine sharing! It is really inspiring for myself to enhance reading skills and then teach my kids in the future
Minh
After I finished reading this post, the first thing I did was to start drafting a plan to be a writer like you. Thanks for your inspirational sharing!
Nguyen
How many revisions do you need to do before publishing a book?
Ni Chi
Agreed! If we keep books interesting, the children will want to read more which increases their reading level gradually
Fa
I cannot agree with you more because I believe that books will be always good tools for kids increasing their chances of being successful academically.
Hung
I guess the really hard part is trying to find the most precise way to describe something complicated in the simplest way for children to understand, am I right?!!
Saiki
Which tool/ software/ app do you use to edit your work?
Ni ni
Reading books increase your knowledges.
Reading books let you know that this vast world has love, happiness and misfortune
What is inside Book is really beautiful
Tuyet
I think children like colorful things, so it ‘d be great to have a colorful cover to attract them first 🙂
Nhan
Say Something Sammy is a title that stimulates me a lot. I will definitely buy one to see what is happening with Sammy
Minh phu
Cover of the book is most important, thats also my opininion.
Hoping you could make more and more for your fans
Love this interview!!
Chi
How much time do you need to organize notes to form a story and complete story?
Neal Liddell
Interesting interview with an interesting author.
Bi
I love this one “For people that want to write and don’t know where to start just start writing. Don’t worry about the how it will all come together later”. Thanks for your sharing!!!!
Trang
Do you read “The business of 21st century” of Robert Kiyosaki? If so, do you think this book carry out totally different value from Rich Dad Poor Dad?
Quynh
I think travelling will help us to be more creative in writing books. So I love writing and travelling like you
Khoa
The title of this book “Say something, Say something Sammy” reminds me about a song Say Something of Justin Timberlake. Do you have idea to connect with this song and think about the title of your book?
Tin
As you said “Say something” will be a series, it means you will publish more part with different stories around Sammy?
Ty
Do you need to change illustrator in different series of “Say Something” besides Eugene Edwards?
Hien
Thank for your lovely sharing. But why don’t you blog? I think this is a great way to catch more attention from readers.
Thanh F.
Do you think that careful choice of words is a great suggestion while writing books for children because they are still so innocent to understand complicated things around? Thanks
Lokesh Rahul
I find this especially interesting, since it relates to children who will be the generation helps the world to be better if they are educated well.
Mathew Peiris
In order to become a writer, do you find what the most difficult part at the beginning?
Nuwan M. Ranathunge
I want to be mentored by you. How can I be a part of your mentoring community?
Maria Dana
Wow! This interview is very insightful, I really learnt a lot reading this interview. Well done to the Destra family for doing a wonderful job…
Antonia Marcus
I’m grateful I am a fan of yours Juanita, I really appreciate your works. This is such beautiful piece, Kudos to you. I’m really inspired…
Annette Jenkins
Please can you be my mentor? I’m so in love with your works. Please say yes
Toni Kloss
This is a beautiful interview, I’m really impressed. I love how you gave a glimpse of yourself, I really appreciate all your efforts.
Tanya Glaze
Please I want you to be my mentor, is this possible? You’re an inspiration to me
Johnny
Please can you be my mentor? I’d love to be mentored by you, I’m really inspired by your works.
Timi Santos
Such an insightful interview… Can’t wait to read your new book
Lilly C.
What an inspiration! Her previous work has inspired me to take writing back up, right now as just a hobby. But hopefully, something great will come out of it!
BRAD
Exceptional interview!