1) How did you get your start as a writer?
I was talking to a teacher friend of mine telling her how much success my children were having in my room with their reading. She stated that I should write a book with these ideas so that parents and teachers could benefit, thus, Motivating Children to Excel in Reading was born.
2) What kinds of books do you write?
Mostly I write children's books for the ages of 7 to 10 year old children. Booger Planet, and Terry & the Pirate's Treasure, are written for this age group. I have a new book coming out soon entitled, Girls Can Do Anything, Even Be Pirates; The Story of Mary Read the Pirate.
3) What are your top 5 tips to get children reading well and more often?
1) Set a regular time each day for everyone in the house to be reading or to be read to.
2) Have young children who can't read be shown the words that repeat in a book and have them say the word as you are reading when they see the word on the page.
3) Make a weekly visit to the library to check out books, these things make your child know that reading is a priority in your family's household.
4) Learn the reading level of your child, the Lexile level, and get books that are of interest to your child at their level. If they have to sound out 2 to 3 words on a page the book is too hard. If they don't have to sound out any words the book is too easy. The next higher Lexile level will be in increments of 50 or more.
5) Children should have a good sight word vocabulary, that is words that they don't have to sound-out. When a child misses a word on a page write it down on a 3X5 card. Put the card on a shower curtain. Then have your child study no more than three cards at a time until they have learned these words and they become sight words.
4) Tell us about your journey to publication. What advice would you give to unpublished authors?
Keep on keeping on! In other words keep writing. Join a writers critique group either by joining a critique group at the http://cbiclubhouse.com or go to http://meetup.com Before submitting a manuscript to a publisher, Google the publishers name followed by the word scam to see if the publisher is legitimate or go to the following URL address to see what publishers to stay away from:
http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2007/02/happy-valentines-day-from-writer-beware.html
5) How do you promote your work? What methods have worked best for you?
So far I have not had much success promoting my work, but that is going to change soon as I have learned many things recently. I write on my blog at http://hueffed.com something about my books, then I tweet a teaser on twitter.com with a suggestion to find out more go to my site. I also have begun to use http://commentkahuna.com to maximize my presence on the web.
6) Who are your favorite authors and literary genres?
Virginia Degner, author of Without Consent. She is an inspiration to me as an author and as a friend. Also, John Kremer author of 1001 Ways to Market Your Books. Lastly Will D. Rhame author of the Voyagers Series for children. He has developed a unique way of engaging children in his books to ensure greater comprehension and literacy at http://thevoyagers.net.
7) What are your upcoming plans for 2012?
More writing, more publishing and more and better marketing.
8) What is your definition of a success as an author?
To be a well read author. It is my hope that many parents and teachers across the nation or even the world will read and implement the content of this book. It is my hope that this book will help millions of deserving children become avid readers.
9) What advice would you offer to aspiring authors?
Show don't tell when you write. Telling your story is the kiss of death for an author.
About the Author
Terry Hueffed, is a retired grammar school teacher and pre-school director. He has taught classes in child development, child psychology, and parenting skills. Mr. Hueffed is a guest lecturer on many subjects of interest to parents in the San Francisco East Bay Area. Mr. Hueffed has a AA degree in Early Childhood Education, a BA degree in Psychology, and a lifetime teaching credential in early childhood education. He has two children, two step-children and five grandchildren and another one on the way, all of which he is very proud of. He spends most of his time writing children’s stories and has a Kindle book entitled, Motivating Children to Excel in Reading. His children’s storys include, Booger Planet, and Terry and The Pirate’s Treasure. he has a new book coming out entitled, Girls Can Do Anything, Even Be Pirates: The Story of Mary Read the Pirate.
Contact the Author
Twitter: http://twitter.com/THueffed
Web Site Link: http://hueffed.com
Facebook link: http://on.fb.me/yFOm4I
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