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Terri Jean

Terri is an Author, Activist, and Columnist. Her first novel, '365 Days of Walking the Red Road' (Adams Media, was published June 2003.

www.terrijean.com

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What drove/inspired you to get started?

My mom. She noticed early on that I could write poetry (she's a poet/artist) and she taught me how to edit my work and submit it for publication. I was first published when I was 12 in a kids magazine and by 17 my work was in Seventeen magazine and I was teaching classes on getting published. Since then I've turned my attention to non-fiction, but I still adore poetry.

Do you have any specialized training?

No. My mother told me that either you CAN write or you CAN'T. She said experience was far more important than education. She was right. I took one writing class in junior high school and the teacher tore apart my poem (the one later published in Seventeen) and told me that I would have to go to college to be a writer. She was wrong.

Has this been something you've always wanted to do?

Yes. I honestly believe I was born to write.

Have there been any obstacles along the way?

Yes.. myself. I'm terribly self-conscious of my work and I tend to have a muddled mind from time to time. But I'm getting better...

Before you got the all important contract how did your friends and family react to your goals? Were they supportive?

My family and friends (mostly writers/artists/musicians) completely understood what I was doing and what I was aiming for. So they supported me all the way -and still do. My in-laws are another story. They are straight and the very opposite of my family. To this day they tell me that I should get a "real job" - even though I have a book out and I'm pulling in an income. They just dont understand "the biz".

Now that you have a book/books in print, do you get different reactions from friends and family?

Yes, people make a huge deal out of it and really brag it up. This freaks me out. I'm a very reclusive person and I'm not keen on all this attention. I'd rather write and that's it - no promotion, no lectures, no book signings, etc. But that's not the way it is anymore. A writer has to sell their product - their work - and you can't do that secluded in an office out in the middle of nowhere.

How did you land that very first book deal?

I prepared an in-depth book proposal and sent it out to about 20 publishers. I had several nibbles, but Adams Media was persistant and offered me a great contract.

Did you have any misconceptions in the beginning about the whole book process?

I guess since I've been doing this for so long (plus I operated a small press for 6 years) I knew what to expect. The only thing that surprised me was the amount of time a publisher puts into promoting one's book - which is very little. Most of the responsibility falls upon the lap of the author.

How would you describe your work? What's the most important thing you'd like others to get out of it?

My first book, 365 Days of Walking the Red Road, is a daily inspiraitonal guide to undersanding the Native culture and history. It includes hundreds of wise quotes from Native Americans plus loads of historical events, short biographies, and cultural insights. It's a book that teaches as it inspires, and I really like that in a book.

Do you have an agent? If yes, please explain how you acquired your agent and how do you think having one has helped you? If you don't have an agent, would you consider getting one?

At this time I don't really want an agent.

Describe your relationship with your editor (art director if applicable).

I enjoyed working with my editor(s).

How do you most often communicate with your publisher--e-mail, phone, or snail mail?

Now that the book is out, about once a month. They want another book so that's usually what we talk about.

What books do you have in the works now?

I have several... I am superstitious and don't like to publicize them until they are under contract. I have 5 though and they should be finished by years end.

Is there anything you'd do differently with your new projects?

I want more control over how the book looks, especially the subtitle. And I'm doing the proposals differently (more in-depth), plus I'm using footnotes for the fact-checkers. My work tends to need a lot of fact-checking.

Humm... probably seeing an idea come to life. All of my notes are now organized into this handy little book. Holding it is like having closure to an event in my life. I feel released from the book itself.

Knowing that people are going to be reading it. It makes me nervous.

Any last words of encouragement for beginners?

Get that first draft down on paper ASAP. Dont worry about spelling mistakes, grammar, facts, etc. Just get it out. I think the first draft is the hardest part, and once it's out, the rest gets easier. Also, go to http://www.terrijean.com I have some tips on my website.