Author Bio:
Irene Dolnick lives in El Paso, Texas with her husband and daughter and four beagles. In between working as a substitute teacher and writing she enjoys traveling, eating at new restaurants, reading, and watching old movies.
What inspires you to write?
As a substitute teacher I see students struggle to read and pronounce high frequency words and syllables of words in all the grade levels. I began to think of a way to help them and with the help of my four beagles and their antics to get into mischief and trouble I an idea came to me in how I could share some of their adventures and help kids learn to read. Write a series of children’s book that would incorporate my beagles mischief and the phonics that children need to succeed. So I did.
Tell us about your writing process.
At first the ideas come to me and I just jot them down and think about it and how I can use it in a story to help a children utilize phonological principals and high frequency words. Then after the thought process I go the old fashioned route and write down the story before I use Microsoft Word to type up for the publisher.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I don’t really talk to my characters as much as I watch my dogs get into mischief and listen to their adventures. For example in this book Jazmine meets a stray dog Bagel and becomes his friend. In real life Bagel came up to the door as a stray dog and we decided to keep him if he got along with the other dogs. We put him in the back yard with Jazmine and watched. Jazmine sniffed him, barked at him and then she got use to him and started to play with him. Since then they have been great friends and have taught each other how to cause different mischief activities.
What advice would you give other writers?
Follow your own inspiration and don’t give up. Writing should be fun for you and if you allow to many people or ideas that tell you otherwise then take a break and go back to it when you are ready but don’t give up.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
For me, I looked into all the self-publishing companies before choosing Outskirts Press. I was looking for a publishing company that allowed me to keep my royalties and decision making on how my book should look and read.
For others looking to publish look at what you want out of the publishing of your book. Then investigate and search different companies and methods of publishing before you choose the one you like. Also make sure to ask the publisher you choose of any extra fees, costs, and issues you may come upon with setting you book up, editing, marketing and publishing your book so that you have an accurate idea in how much it will cost and time it will take.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
The future of book publishing looks good from my point of view. With so many different options and ways to publish as well as ebook options the sky is the limit for authors or inspiring authors.
What genres do you write?
Children Fiction, picture book, Animals
What formats are your books in?
Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Irene Dolnick Home Page Link
Link To Irene Dolnick Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
https://www.facebook.com/kurtgertjazmineandbagelthebook?ref=hl
https://twitter.com/irenedolnick
