Here is my interview with Pamela Beckford

 
Name Pamela Beckford
Age Not as old as dirt, but closer than I would like
Where are you from – northern Indiana
A little about your self `ie your education Family life etc
I have never left my hometown, a small rural community in northern Indiana. It was a great place to raise my daughter. Of course, she wasted no time in leaving and moving to a large city. Sigh. I have an adorable five year old grandson. I know everyone says that, but really he is adorable. He actually has done some modelling (it helps that my daughter is a fashion designer and has been able to expose him to many photographers).

 

 
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
I published my third book in July this year. What an exciting adventure this has been.

 

 

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
I started writing poetry about 18 months ago as a way of bringing some catharsis to some personal situations.

 

 

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
It is still hard for me to think of myself as a writer.

 

 

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
I have a couple of muses and I started seeing a theme in my poems. A dear friend encouraged me to publish my first collection.

 

 

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style?
I really enjoy all the different poetry forms. They are challenging and I love learning new forms. It is hard to say something powerful with a limited amount of syllables.

 

 

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
Love: Lost and Found just seemed to convey both sides of the relationships we go through in our lives.

 

 

Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
My muses keep me supplied with stories and feelings that I am able to put into words

 

 

Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? I am an avid reader and have been since I was a young child. I loved the classics when I was in school, but cut my teeth on Nancy Drew, The Bobbsey Twins and classics like Gulliver Travels

 

 

Fiona: If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
I don’t know if I truly have a writing mentor. But I do have a mentor, Ionia Martin, who has guided me through some of the publishing and marketing processes

 

 

Fiona: What book are you reading now?
I am currently reading Patrick O’Bryon’s second book, Beacon of Vengeance. And I recommend it if you enjoy history, particularly Nazi Germany history,

 

 

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
I have been reading a lot of indie authors this past year. I love Sarah Cradit, Charles Yallowitz and Patrick O’Bryon.

 

 

Fiona: What are your current projects?
I am writing more love poems that I hope to have ready for a new collection that I will publish in 2015

 

 

Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
Ionia has been right there supporting me and prodding me

 

 

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career? Not really – I have a career that I just love and I don’t want to put my writing on a path of “must do” today.

 

 

Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? I’m pretty pleased with everything from my cover to the content

 

 

Fiona: Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
A friend encouraged me to write down feelings and it evolved into poetry

 

 

Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
I will only say that it is another love poem collection that will make you melt as you read it. The love poems seem to be my niche. I haven’t felt as strongly about my other poetry

 

 

Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
The various forms are always a challenge – just the perfect word with the correct number of syllables

 

 

Fiona: Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
I know this sounds like a real departure from love poetry, but Stephen King has always been a favorite contemporary author

 

 

Fiona: Who designed the covers?
I came up with the concept of the cover, but then had to turn it over to a graphic designer. My next challenge is to teach myself how to do cover design myself instead of directing someone else with what I’m seeing in my head

 

 

Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Hands down it is marketing. The formatting and publishing wasn’t too bad, the writing, of course, is my soul pouring out words. But the marketing is difficult and time consuming. I feel like if I don’t mention my books, they don’t sell. But then I feel like I’m always talking about my books and nagging.

 

 

Fiona: Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
I have learned a lot about social media marketing and the formatting.

 

 

Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Follow your heart

 

 

Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
I would encourage my readers, and every book reader, to read and review what you read. Fair and honest reviews are always appreciated.

 
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
Yikes, that was ages ago. But I do remember my favorite book from my childhood – Rabbit Hill by Robert Lawson

 
Fiona: Other than writing do you have any hobbies ?
As I mentioned earlier, I am an avid reader. I would rather be reading than almost anything else – preferable on a beach. I am also a huge football fan and my team is the Pittsburgh Steelers

 
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
I really don’t watch television or go to movies as they cut into my reading time. Watching my Pittsburgh Steelers play football is the exception.

 
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
I am a snacker and have a horrible diet because of all the potato chips/pretzels/popcorn. I love music – every genre except rap and actually began my college career as a vocal music major (when I realized that if I didn’t want to teach, my odds of having a successful vocal career were limited to being in the right place at the right time, I changed to a business major). I love anything colorful – the brighter and more vivid, the better. I’m a redhead who loves to wear bright red.

 
Fiona: If you were not a writer what else would you like to have done?
I’m already living my dream as the CEO of a small community non-profit.

 

Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it? http://poetrybypamela.wordpress.com
Here is the link to my book trailer http://voice.adobe.com/v/USjFF45ByPZ

 

Here is my FB page https://www.facebook.com/poetrybypamela