Sharon Bayliss Interview!

My guest poster/interview blogger is away at camp this week. I will be adding her interview in the blogfest mix just as soon as she returns home! In the mean time, I am re-posting a previous interview. You're gonna wanna read it. And, don't forget to check out the scavenger hunt clues. right here. 

There are TWO clues up and another will be posted later:)

 I decided to start the interviews with special guest, Sharon Bayliss. She's a wife, mother, author and Social media Expert and she's the ring leader behind the carnival. It's only fitting to start her off with this AMAZING interview. You are going to love it! I promise! Why wait another minute? Well, because we've got something else to talk about, first:)

You see, Warrren King will be joining us tomorrow to open up our scavenger hunt booth! He's an amazing host, one you will not forget and he wants you to join him on his journey to find his kidnapped brother.

Now, each day, there will be a clue, a super easy clue that will will guide you along the way. The great thing about all this is that not only are we traveling with Warren, but there are a whole host of characters traveling with us. That's right! These clues, and things you will find during the hunt will open a whole lot of good things about Curiosity Quills and the authors and stories they represent. This will be a journey you DO NOT  want to miss. And it will be loads of fun. Remember, the booth opens tomorrow, so please come back and get your tickets and join in on the fun.

Okay, ready for the interview? *Drum rolls sounding in background*


1. When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

To some extent, I've always known. I've been interested in creative writing since I was a child and have been writing on and off since my whole life. In 2009, I had an idea for a novel while going for a jog and decided to keep working at it until I was published. I just knew it was the right time.

2. How many hours each day do you devote to media research and posting? Has it been difficult to create a new schedule to include media work?

I work for Curiosity Quills to do social media marketing, so I spend a lot of more time than most writers because it's my job! Unlike most jobs, I don't just sit at my computer for a certain period of time. I work on and off throughout the day, every day. Sometimes I'm on the computer almost all day, sometimes it's just a few hours, depending on what's going on at work and in my personal life. 

I have another part-time job, a book coming out, and am a mother to a toddler (with another on the way). So, yes, it's been difficult finding the time for everything. But it's important enough to me that I'm making it work. It helps that my social media job is very flexible. I work when I can.

For authors who don't have side jobs in social media marketing, I think a little goes a long way. You can manage a blog and your other social media sites in less than an hour a day...as long as you can focus! Social media is a great way to procrastinate on writing if you're not careful.

3. What advice can you offer new and aspiring authors who want to spread the word about their brand? What's the best way to create an author brand?

Your brand should be whatever name you plan to use to publish your books. Whenever possible, use your author name as your blog address, Twitter handle, and Facebook page name. It makes it so much easier for people to find you. Assuming you want to write more than one book in your life, focus your brand on you as an author, not your book. Then, think about your genre and potential readers when creating your pages. Use content and designs that would appeal to them. Then interact with similar professionals and potential readers on social media. You don't have to self-promote, just interact. Your brand will build itself organically.

4. What is your favorite thing in the whole wide world to do? (Excluding anything to do with writing!)

I'm happiest when I'm with my family. My perfect moment would be sitting on the back porch with my husband watching my kids play in the yard. I'm drinking a margarita and listening to "Heavenly Day" by Patty Griffin. I can smell barbecue smoking on the grill.

5. Do you listen to music when you work?

Only if I'm doing something mindless. If I'm writing, I'm so in the zone, I wouldn't hear it anyway. But if I don't need my brain too much, I have a Norah Jones Pandora station that is nice and calming.

6. What is your favorite food?

I have several: vanilla birthday cake, brisket tacos, anything with chipotle sauce, and Kerby Lane queso.

Thank you, Sharon, wasn't that a blast to read? When you comment, you get a ticket. Who loves books? Comment, then, and tell Sharon thanks:)