Interview with the Author: Alisa Guttadauro

I’m so excited to feature author Alisa Guttadauro on the blog today.  Alisa started on her author journey after reading one of my articles.

She reached out to me on Facebook, and I am humbled that the article I wrote about how to publish a children’s book made such an impact. However, her writing journey didn’t start there. Read on and learn more about this talented lady.

Interview with the Author: Alisa Guttadauro

Take it away, Alisa…

1. What made you first realize you were a writer?

In eighth grade, I wrote a story during my creative writing class. My teacher was so enthralled with it; she told me I should write children’s stories.

I was always an introvert as a child, and spent most of my time in my room, reading, writing poems, and short stories. I was too shy though, to do anything about it, nor did I know how.

2. How long have you been writing?

Since I was 12 years old.

3. What is your writing background?

I have written many poems and three children’s stories. At this point in time, I have one children’s story that I have self-published and more on the way.

4. Where do you get your ideas?

Some of my ideas come from my own childhood, where unfortunately I was bullied. My next two stories delve into that a little bit. Other times I get ideas from people watching, or just my own imagination.

5. Do you prefer to write fiction or nonfiction? Why?

I prefer to write fiction because I love the challenge of creating my own characters and ideas.

6. What was the process of writing your first book like?

It was overwhelming, but also exciting. I felt nervous at times, and pressured, mostly put on by myself. The story had been sitting in my laptop for over 10 years.

And then one day, like a light bulb went off, I decided it was now or never. I read an article about publishing a children’s book, got inspired, and took off from there.

7. What is the message you hope people will receive from it?

I hope the message people receive from my book is that it is fun to have story time with your children, its okay to be silly, and that togetherness is important.

8. When is your ideal time to write? (Morning/Afternoon/Night)

I’m definitely a morning person, give me a cup of coffee, and I’m ready to go!

9. Do you have a favorite character that you like to write about specifically?

Yes, I love my little girl character Dipsy doodle because she reminds me of myself as a child, she has a big imagination, she procrastinates at times, but she has a good heart, loves her family, and likes to have fun.

10. How do you go about your editing, formatting, and cover design? Can you recommend anyone you work with?

Through the wonderful article I read, written by Carrie Lowrance, I connected with a terrific illustrator and artist by the name of Jeannine Henning, and a talented formatter whose name is Maureen Cutajar.

11. When you aren’t writing, how do you spend your time?

I love to read, especially mystery books, but I also love to knit, paint, and do other arts and crafts, anything creative.

12. What is your next book about?

My next book is about my little girl character Dipsy doodle who is nervous about dancing in an upcoming school recital, but with a little help from her parents and a few friends, she is able to overcome her stage fright.

13. What are some of your favorite books?

I’m a huge Nancy Drew fan and have a pretty big collection. Mysteries are my favorite Genre. I also love Medieval fantasy stories and cookbooks.

14. Who are some of your favorite authors?

Mary Higgins Clark, Carol Higgins Clark, Janet Evanovich, Leslie Meier, Laura Levine, Fern Michaels, and books written about Medieval times by Phillipa Gregory.

15. Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

It’ll sound cliché, but, just keep doing what you love, and don’t give up. Take advice from others, especially those with more experience than you because knowledge is power.

16. What has been your biggest obstacle as an author?

Getting out there, sending manuscripts to actual publishing houses, and then getting rejection letters. Social media is a platform I am very weak at, I am not technologically inclined at all.

Also having the money to self-publish because it gets very expensive, especially if you want to hire good people.

17. Are you glad you went the self-published route? Why or why not?

Actually, I am because It is nice to see something I worked on and love come to fruition, on the other hand, sometimes it seems disappointing because it didn’t pick up the way I hoped it would, but, I’m still glad I went for it.

18. What is the one thing you must to have to write?

Even though I can only drink de-caf, definitely coffee because there is something soothing about it for me, I love flavored coffee! I also need silence in order to concentrate, noise drives me crazy.

19. What are you currently reading?

Currently, I am reading, “Truth or Dare,” by Fern Michaels.

20. What is your favorite resource as a writer?

I am currently browsing through, Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market, and, “Children’s Writer’s and Artist’s Yearbook.” So far both references seem very informative, and I am working on getting a few of my manuscripts to traditional publishers.

Bio: Alisa Guttaduaro was born and grew up in Staten Island, New York. She has always had a passion for writing, and enjoy writing fun, silly, adventurous children’s stories that include some kind of lesson and a bit of magic.

She also loves cooking, reading, knitting, playing tennis, and spending time with my husband, and family. Are you curious about the article she read that started her on her author journey? Read it at the How I Wrote a Children’s Book: From Idea to Execution.