Wendy VanHatten

An Interview with Wendy VanHatten: Author  

Sylvia: Hi Wendy, it is such a pleasure to interview you.  Please give our readers a brief introduction of yourself and a little about your book.

Wendy: After 16 years in health care administration, I left the corporate world to become an author and an editor. Now with several books published, more coming out soon, and a freelance editing career I love what I’m doing. The realization that we are all busy yet some of us get more done than others was a stepping stone to writing this book. As women, can we have it all? Can we do more than most? Sure. It’s just how you go about it.

 

Sylvia: What inspired you to write your first book?

Wendy: When I wrote my first book, it was about our son and his time in Iraq. As a human interest story it was not about the war, but about regular guys in an irregular place. I went on to write about other subjects including women and success and enjoying your life.

 

Sylvia: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

Wendy: In “When the Cat Speaks…Listen”: Just to enjoy life…it is so short and we get caught up in too much stuff some days.  In “My Life the Sequel: A Girlfriend’s Guide to Personal Success”: Everyone is busy, no one has enough hours in the day, kids need something, work needs more things…what can you do? Well…we all have the same number of hours. It’s what we do with them.

 

Sylvia: You are right; we all have the same number of hours in a day to get things done. Share one success tip you give women in the book.

Wendy: We are all different. We all have our own path to success. This book will help you recognize what path works for you and gives you ideas for new paths. For example, do you know the difference between a mentor and a coach? Would you benefit from having either or both? How do you find a mentor? Would you follow a mentor’s advice? Successful people know the importance of working with a mentor that has actually been there and done that. Then they pay attention to what that mentor has to say.

Sylvia: Do you have any advice for other writers?

Wendy: If you are serious, take time to write. If you are new at this, take time to investigate classes, workshops, advice from authors who have been there and done that, and put your writing team together.

 

Sylvia: What marketing techniques have you used to sell your books and which ones have been most successful?

Wendy: Virtual book tours are successful for me as well as speaking engagements.

 

Sylvia: Why should we buy your book?

Wendy: Think your life is spinning by too quickly? Both of these books give you hints and practical advice on how to enjoy what you do and how you do it.

 

Sylvia: Is there a special place that you prefer when you write?

Wendy: My office in the winter…by the pool in the sun in spring and fall.

 

Sylvia: What projects are you currently working on?

Wendy: A children’s series and a book about my dad and WWII.

 

Sylvia: What is your POWER WORD?

Wendy:  SUCCESS!  My power word would be success. When I hear the word success I think positive thoughts. Success for some could be personal, as in gaining or increasing confidence. Success for others could be professional, as in achieving a promotion. I’ve had both. Then I started writing and editing. Would I ever achieve success again? For me success is both personal and professional and I achieve it every single day. It’s how I look at the word success…with a positive outlook.

 

Sylvia: Wendy, this has been great. Thank you for your time. I enjoyed learning more about you and your book. Please let our readers know how to contact you.

Wendy: You are very welcome. See below.

• Website: http://www.vhwritingservices.com/

• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/VanHatten-Writing-Services/145843862118999

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/vhwriting

• LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/wendy-vanhatten/3/25b/297/

• YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/VanHattenWriting?feature=watch