Pump Up Chats with Bonnie Trachtenberg

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Bonnie Trachtenburg

Bonnie Trachtenberg worked as Senior Writer and Copy Chief at Book-of-the-Month Club and has written seven children’s book adaptations. She’s also written for three newspapers, and has penned countless magazine articles.Wedlocked is her first novel. She lives on Long Island with her husband, stepchildren, and cats.

Please visit her blogs at:

http://www.BonnieTrachtenberg.com

http://www.Wedlockedthenovel.com

and on Twitter athttp://twitter.com/WritebrainedNY

On Wedlocked: A Novel

Q: Can you tell us why you wrote your book?

I wrote Wedlocked after my first brief, calamitous marriage, because the events that transpired during that time were so insanely wild that I knew they would make for a great book. I also wrote it as a means of catharsis. I had such an abundance of emotion bottled up inside me about what had occurred. I knew the most productive and enjoyable way to purge it from my system would be via a humorous and entertaining novel.

Q: Which part of the book was the hardest to write?

Probably the most truthful aspects. You tend to want to stick very close to the way things actually happened, but that doesn’t always make for the best story. I found myself having to assess if the true events I was writing about needed to be tweaked, ratcheted up, or cut. This is a difficult process when you are so close to something. I read somewhere that a writer’s first novel should not be based too closely on true events, because writing a story like this is so much more difficult than making it up entirely. I know that’s probably good advice, but now that the book is finished, I’m glad I faced up to that challenge because this really was the book I needed to write the most. And as an added bonus, it made writing my second novel a whole lot easier.

Q: Does your book have an underlying message that readers should know about?

Yes. I think the underlying message of Wedlocked is that we can be worthy of love without being a perfect person, and that sometimes it’s our flawed human nature that makes us more loveable than anything else.

On Writing

Q: Do you remember when the writing bug hit?

In grade school. I always loved those creative writing assignments. They came so naturally to me as I had an active imagination and good English skills. I don’t ever remember being stumped or nervous and my skills and abilities improved through high school, college and beyond.

Q: What’s the most frustrating thing about becoming a published author and what’s the most rewarding?

The most frustrating thing so far is finding the patience to wait for the people who are (or will be) selling your book to do what they need to do to make sure your book is available to the public. You aren’t necessarily going to be first on their list and since humans are involved, there are also mistakes that will have to be corrected. If, like me, you are a bit of a control freak and feel you are fighting time, it can be very frustrating.

On the other hand, the most rewarding aspect is hearing and reading all the accolades from people who have enjoyed reading the book. That makes everything else worth it!

Q: Do you have a writing tip you’d like to share?

One thing I have learned is that when you have to write but would rather do laundry or clean the bathroom (that’s when you know you really don’t want to write), sit down at your computer instead and just start editing the last few pages you’ve worked on. This will help you get back into the flow more easily and before you know it, you will be creating new material too. You can always postpone the chores for after!

On Family and Home:

Q: Would you like to tell us about your home life? Where you live? Family? Pets?

I live on the North Shore of Long Island with my husband, Mitchell, my stepchildren, four indoor cats, and three backyard cats we call The Yardleys, for whom we have actually built a little heated and carpeted house. I now work from home which is great since I’ve always been a home body and love the freedom it affords. On weekends, we love entertaining in the yard during the warm months as we have a pool, and close family and friends who love to hang out with us there.
Q: Where’s your favorite place to write at home?

I love switching off depending on my mood. I have a little office at home that I usually start out in. Then sometimes I’ll switch to the chaise lounge in my bedroom, or if it’s cold and rainy, I like to take the laptop with me into bed, especially now that I have a bed that can be adjusted with a remote control.

Q: What do you do to get away from it all?

I love getting away to the Hamptons. My friends have a fabulous home in Sag Harbor, NY which, by the way, is where I am writing this! I also happen to love Italy, which I’m sure will be evident to anyone who reads my book.

On Childhood:

Bonnie kid 2 (2) Q: Were you the kind of child who always had a book in her/his hand?

Not really (to my detriment). I think I came by my love of reading as an adult. Then, when I landed my dream job as Senior Writer/Copy Chief at Book-of-the-Month Club, it was like I died and went to book heaven!

Q: Can you remember your favorite book?

As a kid, I loved The Borrowers, Little Women, and From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. In high school I also fell in love with Gone With the Wind.

Q: Do you remember writing stories when you were a child?

Oh yes, but they were mainly assignments for school. However, I enjoyed them very much and was happy to see my teachers did too.

On Book Promotion:

Q: What was the first thing you did as far as promoting your book?

Creating my websites: www.BonnieTrachtenberg.com and www.Wedlockedthebook.com. On the websites I have a blog about my journey as author. I also give people a good tasting of what Wedlocked is all about, and share other information about myself and my life.

Q: Are you familiar with the social networks and do you actively participate?

I am now familiarizing myself with the social networks. I’m pretty confident on Facebook and LinkedIn, have just begun to tackle Twitter and am getting involved in a slew of others. I am also about to begin work with a social marketing expert who I’m sure will be enlightening me a whole lot more. Social marketing is hugely important nowadays and I want to become an expert in my own right.

Q: How do you think book promotion has changed over the years?

Drastically! The internet has taken the monopoly away from traditional publishers. We don’t have to rely on them anymore and we shouldn’t. Look at Amanda Hocking. She is one of the people reinventing the publishing wheel. It’s a whole new world with a whole new way of reaching audiences and that’s very exciting. I think creativity will rule the day when it comes to sales and marketing and I love the feeling that I’m getting in on the ground floor of a new publishing model.

On Other Fun Stuff:

Q: If you had one wish, what would that be?

That I never had to say good-bye to any of the people or animals I love.

Q: If you could be anywhere in the world other than where you are right now, where would that place be?

I’m content to be just where I am.

Q: Your book has just been awarded a Pulitzer. Who would you thank?

God!

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Question of the Day

How do you make sales happen for you?

A lot of hard work! I sponsor a lot of on line parties, festivals and contests. Book sales don’t magically happen, believe me. An author has to work hard to earn her readers. And then she has to work hard to keep them by giving them something they’ll enjoy reading. I try hard to make my books worth a reader’s time.

-- Sheila Roberts, Author of Winter at the Beach