Traci Sanders released in August her first fiction novel When Darkness Breaks. The debut was promising and received nice piece of positive feedback (av. 4,1 stars from 9 Amazon reviews). Our next guest has huge experience as children educator. Based on her primary job she wrote two other books.
Please take a special attention on Traci’s charity mission. 50% of her proceeds for the next few months is going to a local cancer patient named Kim. You may check more in the following interview.


– What is your book When Darkness Breaks about?
– It’s a story about a married couple whose seemingly perfect marriage slowly deteriorates because of a terrible tragedy they endure together. The couple moves to New York in hopes of starting over, but soon realizes that their problems follow. Tragedy befalls them again–but this time, it hits closer to home and nearly ‘breaks’ their lives apart.

– How did you decide to write the story?
– I have always been an avid reader (and watcher–Grey’s Anatomy, Army Wives, etc.) of drama and romance. The blurb for this story came to me while I was sick in bed one weekend. The characters and story line took about two months to fully develop.
– What was the biggest challenge during the write up process?
– For me, since I had never written adult fiction before, I didn’t realize there were so many more RULES to it compared to non-fiction and children’s books. I realized there was still much to learn about structuring a story, and even the grammar rules concerning dialogue. It has definitely been an eye-opening experience.
– Tell us something more about your main character? Is it close to someone from your real life?
– Oh, I just love Amber! And I think my readers will too. She’s not your typical stay-home-mom of two kids in dealing with this tragedy. Her reactions and decisions may surprise some readers, and many women will definitely be able to relate to her.
Drake, though he is a jerk during much of the story, was so much fun to create. The language he uses, his values, and his behaviors can be characteristic of many dad-types because he changes throughout the story. In fact, one of my readers/reviewers even mentioned that this book is “chick-lit which would work for guys” because he said my main female character almost reacts to the story like a man:)
– How much time did you need to finish the story and to publish it?
– Start to finish, this story took about six months to publish the final edited version. Like I said, it was a learning process all along the way.
– You are running a very special campaign to help single mother who is diagnosed with cancer. Would you give us some more info?
– When I was preparing to release my novel, I wanted to do it in a different way than I had my previous books–one, because it was my first adult fiction piece and I wanted it to stand apart; and two, because it was nearing Christmas and I always try to find a worthy cause to contribute to around that time of year. When I saw Kim’s story come across my Facebook page, it resonated with me so strongly that I KNEW it would be my driving point for this book. Her story is so compelling! Well, read for yourself here and see what I mean. THIS woman has seen some ‘darkness’ in her life for sure!
– What the readers will find inside your other published book Right at Home?
– Right at Home was one of the first parenting books I published. I have been a family child care provider for twelve years and have been in the industry for nearly twenty years, so I have met many different types of families. I’ve interviewed parents who asked me every question in the book and called every one of my references before placing their child in my care, and then I’ve had some who had no clue what to ask. Those parents are the ones I wrote this book for. It lays out all of the child care options for parents from all walks of life, and details the advantages and disadvantages of each one. I really thought it would take off because so many people told me for years, “you should write a guide on this stuff” and I’ve had more than 600 downloads during promotions but have yet to receive any reviews. My husband said there isn’t a wide enough demographic of people who need that type of advice. I guess not. But I’m still proud to have written it.
– Share some insight about Welcome to Poop Camp book?
– I am extremely proud of this book, simply because it was written from pure hands-on, real-life experience in potty training (now) forty children. I’ve trained twins, boys, girls, and children as young as fourteen months and up to five years. There is not much I don’t know about potty training and this book has been well received and has helped a lot of struggling parents. That was my goal in writing it.
– Who are you?
– Wow, you have some great, thought-provoking questions. I am a mother of three and wife (to my own ‘Drake’) first and foremost, a child care provider, and an author of five published books.
– What are your writing habits?
– I typically write every day, if I get time and feel well enough to do so. I write poems, songs, novels, children’s books, and whatever else inspires me.
– Are you satisfied by the sales of the book?
– I don’t think any author is ever truly satisfied with their sales. There is always potential to reach more people and earn more security for your future. My novel is still new and doesn’t have enough ‘social proof’ yet for people to take a chance on it. I get that. So I am very thankful to those who did already! I’m happy people are enjoying my story.
– What are you doing to promote your book by the best possible way?
– I’m not a publicist and have no background in marketing, so I am just treading the shark-infested, over-saturated waters of publishing like every other author out there. I do have personal goals I’d like to reach concerning sales this year, but most importantly, I want people to connect with my writing.
– When we will see your next novel?
– I am hoping to wrap up my second novel by the end of the summer this year. I’d like to give myself a good six months to promote When Darkness Breaks first. I also have an adorable picture book coming out called The Chocolate Monsters–based on the true story of the time my two boys painted my house with chocolate syrup.
– You are working with young children. How much the books influenced their development during the young age?
– The children in my care have influenced my children’s writing immensely. I don’t think I could have come up with such imaginative stories had I not cared for and taught young children in my career. Because I read to them every day, I KNOW what young children seek in a picture book, and I KNOW that I can deliver an engaging story with fun characters they will love. My children love for me to read my stories to them, even though I don’t have sketches to show them. Reading is the foundation of learning in my opinion.
– If you may ask yourself one question in the interview what it will be? (Don’t forget to answer)
– I don’t know … you have asked some pretty amazing questions here! I guess I would ask myself … “When will you trust yourself to know that you are a talented writer and you are the ONLY one who can tell your story?” I’m sure most authors second guess their work, which is why reviews are so important to us. Reviews help us know we are on track or let us know what we need to work on.

Learn more about Traci at her Blog
Facebook page
Video Trailer of When Darkness Breaks
Twitter

Take a look at her books:

When Darkness Breaks
Right At Home: A Parent’s Guide to Choosing Quality Child Care
Welcome to “Poop Camp”: The Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth about Potty Training