Hi Billie! Thanks so much for joining me today on my blog couch!
Tell us about yourself, Billie. Who are you and what do you like to do when you’re not a writer?
Overall, I like to think of myself as an average, basic, human being just like anyone else. I am very outgoing, and love nothing more than meeting new people. It’s one of my favorite things because we are all so diverse and it just plain old fascinates me. Children are the ones I relate to the most. Which is probably why I’ve held on to being a school bus driver for as long as I have. The conversations I have with kids are what I’ve loved most about that job.
What inspires you to write?
This is really hard to nail down to just one thing. There is so many things that inspire me to write. Music is a huge part. Occasionally, one of the kids I drive say something funny and that will kick my imagination into gear. My love for a great, unique story keeps me going too. Life always has a funny way of working out just right sometimes to inspire you as well.
Tell me about your journey as a writer. When did you start and how do you keep the creative juices flowing?
I started officially writing in 2010, but I’ve been a story teller my whole life. I’ve been cooking up stories since I can remember. It was fear that held me back for as long as I did. But, thankfully I’ve overcome that and have many more stories to write in my future. Better late than never.
That’s wonderful. We’re glad you over the fear, too! Give us the elevator pitch for your book.
“Imagine waking up to discover that the life you thought was real never was. That your real life is actually lived somewhere else, and the love you thought was lost will go on forever.”
Intriguing! I like it! Do you have a favourite character in your story? Who is most like you?
Harmony is most like me. Well, the snarkier parts I have to suppress so I behave like a model adult. I have many favorite characters in Enlightened and have grown to love them all as my friends and I do think of them as real people. I often wonder if this is how other writers feel? If I really had to pick one certain character, I would have to say Luke. He is harmony’s spirit guide. He is extremely kind and wise, and at first glance doesn’t come across as a someone who would be a wise spirit guide. He’s very tall, muscular and has a rough outward appearance like a big bad biker. In Enlightened, it’s always what’s on the inside that matters most.
Who would you like to see play your characters in a movie?
The ones I’ve envision I have not seen yet in “real life” I don’t think they’re famous yet, 😉
That leaves the door open for discovery. Do you have a favourite time of day and place to write? Do you have a routine?
Anytime my house is quiet. I love curling up with my laptop, in my comfy recliner, getting lost in my imagination for as long as my life will let me. I do it whenever and however I can. I’ve also been known to take my laptop on the school bus during field trips.
What do you do to market your book?
For the most part social media like Facebook and Instagram, Twitter too. I’ve also done BookExpo and BookCon. I try to meet as many people face to face as possible to market my book, that seems to be the best.
Who are you three top author crushes? Who would you most like to meet?
Sophia Kinsella, my god is she funny! I enjoy C.C. Bolick’s books as well. Hers are full of imagination and humor. But the one I would most like to meet, hands down is Stephanie Meyers. Her twilight series was just pure genius.
What are your future plans for writing?
Currently, I am working on supporting myself as a fulltime writer. This goal has not been an easy one at all and has taken me many years to get to the point that I have. But, I have, drive, passion, determination, and a wild imagination. I think my chances are just as good as anyone else’s to reach this goal. I’m not a quitter (I’m working on publishing the sequel to Enlightened as we speak.)
What words of wisdom would you share with aspiring authors?
First, just because you think your story is good, don’t expect your writing to be right off the bat. No matter what stage you’re at there is always room for improvement. Also, DO NOT ASK YOUR FRIENDS for criticism. Although there will be signs that they were not happy with your story, most likely they will not be honest with you because they are afraid to hurt your feelings. There are plenty of online writing support groups that will help with this. Also take what some of these people say with a grain of salt. Not all of the criticism will be actually helpful. In the end, as long as you follow what your heart tells you with your story, that will always be the right way. Never give up
Thanks for visiting with me today on my blog couch, Billie!
Dear Readers, please check out Billie’s links below!
Amazon link for Enlightened: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VTBR36K
Amazon link for sequel Divided: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078JVJC6R
Also find
https://www.facebook.com/authorbilliek
https://www.twitter.com/enlightened31
https://www.instgram.com/kowalewskibillie
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/billie-kowalewski
https://www.amazon.com/author/billiekowalewski
https://www.goodreads.com/harmony31
Tell us about yourself, Billie. Who are you and what do you like to do when you’re not a writer?
Overall, I like to think of myself as an average, basic, human being just like anyone else. I am very outgoing, and love nothing more than meeting new people. It’s one of my favorite things because we are all so diverse and it just plain old fascinates me. Children are the ones I relate to the most. Which is probably why I’ve held on to being a school bus driver for as long as I have. The conversations I have with kids are what I’ve loved most about that job.
What inspires you to write?
This is really hard to nail down to just one thing. There is so many things that inspire me to write. Music is a huge part. Occasionally, one of the kids I drive say something funny and that will kick my imagination into gear. My love for a great, unique story keeps me going too. Life always has a funny way of working out just right sometimes to inspire you as well.
Tell me about your journey as a writer. When did you start and how do you keep the creative juices flowing?
I started officially writing in 2010, but I’ve been a story teller my whole life. I’ve been cooking up stories since I can remember. It was fear that held me back for as long as I did. But, thankfully I’ve overcome that and have many more stories to write in my future. Better late than never.
That’s wonderful. We’re glad you over the fear, too! Give us the elevator pitch for your book.
“Imagine waking up to discover that the life you thought was real never was. That your real life is actually lived somewhere else, and the love you thought was lost will go on forever.”
Intriguing! I like it! Do you have a favourite character in your story? Who is most like you?
Harmony is most like me. Well, the snarkier parts I have to suppress so I behave like a model adult. I have many favorite characters in Enlightened and have grown to love them all as my friends and I do think of them as real people. I often wonder if this is how other writers feel? If I really had to pick one certain character, I would have to say Luke. He is harmony’s spirit guide. He is extremely kind and wise, and at first glance doesn’t come across as a someone who would be a wise spirit guide. He’s very tall, muscular and has a rough outward appearance like a big bad biker. In Enlightened, it’s always what’s on the inside that matters most.
Who would you like to see play your characters in a movie?
The ones I’ve envision I have not seen yet in “real life” I don’t think they’re famous yet, 😉
That leaves the door open for discovery. Do you have a favourite time of day and place to write? Do you have a routine?
Anytime my house is quiet. I love curling up with my laptop, in my comfy recliner, getting lost in my imagination for as long as my life will let me. I do it whenever and however I can. I’ve also been known to take my laptop on the school bus during field trips.
What do you do to market your book?
For the most part social media like Facebook and Instagram, Twitter too. I’ve also done BookExpo and BookCon. I try to meet as many people face to face as possible to market my book, that seems to be the best.
Who are you three top author crushes? Who would you most like to meet?
Sophia Kinsella, my god is she funny! I enjoy C.C. Bolick’s books as well. Hers are full of imagination and humor. But the one I would most like to meet, hands down is Stephanie Meyers. Her twilight series was just pure genius.
What are your future plans for writing?
Currently, I am working on supporting myself as a fulltime writer. This goal has not been an easy one at all and has taken me many years to get to the point that I have. But, I have, drive, passion, determination, and a wild imagination. I think my chances are just as good as anyone else’s to reach this goal. I’m not a quitter (I’m working on publishing the sequel to Enlightened as we speak.)
What words of wisdom would you share with aspiring authors?
First, just because you think your story is good, don’t expect your writing to be right off the bat. No matter what stage you’re at there is always room for improvement. Also, DO NOT ASK YOUR FRIENDS for criticism. Although there will be signs that they were not happy with your story, most likely they will not be honest with you because they are afraid to hurt your feelings. There are plenty of online writing support groups that will help with this. Also take what some of these people say with a grain of salt. Not all of the criticism will be actually helpful. In the end, as long as you follow what your heart tells you with your story, that will always be the right way. Never give up
Thanks for visiting with me today on my blog couch, Billie!
Dear Readers, please check out Billie’s links below!
Amazon link for Enlightened: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06VTBR36K
Amazon link for sequel Divided: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078JVJC6R
Also find
https://www.facebook.com/authorbilliek
https://www.twitter.com/enlightened31
https://www.instgram.com/kowalewskibillie
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/billie-kowalewski
https://www.amazon.com/author/billiekowalewski
https://www.goodreads.com/harmony31
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