Title: Chewy Noh and the Phantasm of Winter Author: Tim Learn Publication: July 15th 2016 Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy Pages: 312 Format: Paperback Chewy Noh has many problems. Besides his mom becoming a mu-dang—a Korean fortune-teller possessed by his dead grandmother who can read minds—the school bully, Kent, is still on the warpath to get Chewy […]
I’m known to my friends and family as Joey or Joseph (as that’s my given name), but online I generally go by the username J Matt. Seeing as my debut memoir ‘Cam Boy’ is so closely linked to my online persona, and the username I perform under, it seemed only natural to publish it under this moniker.
It’s called ‘Cam Boy’ and is an exploration into the world of online camming through my time spent as an webcam performer for a primarily gay audience.
Straight to the point. Bold. Explicit. Controversial some might say…. My writing isn’t for everyone, but it’s honest and raw and it comes from the heart. I really do put my all into my work.
I need to pretty much work in an environment that’s silent, or as close to silent as can be when I’m writing. Television, music and having other people around me in close proximity are big distractions for me.
‘I noticed when I was reading your book that the time just flew by – I couldn’t put it down!’ – I think that’s one of the biggest compliments that any writer can get. I’d hate for anyone to call my work boring or repetitive.
Since before I could write! I used to dictate to my mum what it was that I wanted each page of my story to say then I’d go and add the illustrations later on.
Quirk? I’m not sure about that one, but I learned an awful lot about some of my not-so-good writing habits when it came to the editing process of my debut book (after sending out advance copies for feedback). I genuinely hadn’t noticed any until I’d had them pointed out to me! I know I’m a decent writer but I always strive to be the best I can be and any and all constructive feedback is truly invaluable to me.
‘Cam Boy’ took me about 2 or 3 months to complete in total. It started off as more of an autobiography than a memoir but I found myself going off on longwinded, fairly irrelevant tangents that added little to the story. I realised that I had to find a primary focus so I ended up cutting out a load of the crap and focused on following a rough timeline of events leading up to, and following, my first year working as a cam boy. That made things far easier. Then it was just a case of editing, re-writing, and editing some more till I got to a point I was happy with it.
Don’t be afraid to share your work with others – whether in the form of rough drafts, the odd snippet/chapter here and there or whatever it may be. Sometimes you need an outsiders perspective to pick up on things you were far too caught up in your own self to notice. Positive feedback is great for your ego, but there’s always room for improvement. Facing up to the fact that some chapters might need a rewrite, or might be better off scrapped altogether is never a bad thing.
It varies from genre to genre. In memoir, I think being upfront and honest with your readers about your life experiences, showing vulnerability and not being afraid to admit to your mistakes is what generally makes for the best story.
Shameless plug – ‘Cam Boy’, my debut memoir is available to purchase on Amazon from April 1st 2016 at the following link – http://www.amazon.co.uk/Cam-Boy-debut-memoir-J-Matt-ebook/dp/B01D7Y1KX6/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1458562540&sr=1-2
You can also follow me on Facebook at facebook.com/jmatt93 for updates 🙂
Source: Author Michelle Griep
Ronke Jegede is a Social Media and Reputation Management Strategist. She studied Law and later went on to graduate from the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators in 1994, this ignited her passion for corporate governance. She has been involved in Internet Marketing since 2001.
Ronke is the Founder and CEO of Ace Results Marketing and Reputation Maven. She wears a number of hats – Author, Business Consultant, Trainer, Coach and Speaker. Her first book is titled “Church where art thou? She wrote this out of her strong desire to have the church connect with today’s tech savvy generation. The second one is titled “Online Business Exposure” which is a gem for businesses that wants to learn how to position themselves on the first page of Google in order to generate massive exposure.
She is also a loving wife and mother of three grown children.
Describe yourself in five words.
I am a joyful, passionate, approachable, sociable and visionary person.
What fact about yourself would really surprise people?
I absolutely love cuddly toys and can’t resist buying cute ones.
What makes you happiest?
Spending quality time with my family is definitely first on my list.
Why do you write?
I love sharing information and practical tips that will be beneficial to people.
Have you always enjoyed writing?
Yes, from when I was a child, but I kind of stopped writing for a long while.
What writing are you most proud of?
Online Business Exposure. It’s a self-help book for small businesses that will arm them with tools they need to get exposure and be found on Google, so they can generate business.
What are you most proud of in your personal life?
I am mega proud of my three absolutely amazing children! They are absolutely fab! They bring so much joy, every time I think about them I smile and I am so grateful that I have them in my life.
What books did you love growing up?
I grew up reading romantic books such as Mills and Boon, Barbara Cartland, Jane Austen, Emily Bronte. I also enjoyed reading books from other authors such as Jeffrey Archer, James Hardly Chase Sidney Sheldon, Charles Dickens and William Shakespeare
How did you develop your writing?
Simply by writing and self-critiquing.
What is hardest – getting published, writing or marketing?
I believe marketing is the hardest of the three.
What marketing works for you?
Social media marketing is my best strategy.
Do you find it hard to share your work?
No, not really. I enjoy sharing my work.
Is your family supportive? Do your friends support you?
My family is 100% supportive! I also have friends who support me as well.
What else do you do, other than write?
I am a Social Media and Reputation Management Strategist, so I run successful marketing campaigns for businesses using the latest social media strategies and I also help them manage their online reputation. I also conduct training sessions teaching and equipping organisations with cutting edge tools about these subjects.
What other jobs have you had in your life?
I studied Law so worked as a Lawyer for a short while; I have also run a few online businesses.
If you could study any subject at university what would you pick?
It would be computer programming!
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
Hawaii, because of its unsurpassed Natural Beauty and Unmatched Laid-back Lifestyle!
Where do you live right now?
I live in London, UK
Tell us about your family?
I have a wonderful husband; we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary in January 2016. I also have 3 absolutely incredible grown children – 1 boy named Bolu – 22 years old, and 2 Girls – Fope – 20 years old and Tani -18 years old.
How do you write – lap top, pen, paper, in bed, at a desk?
Mostly, I write on my computer desk most of the time, but sometimes an idea will pop into my head while in bed and so I will write there and then.
How much sleep do you need to be your best?
6 hours
Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge and thank for their support?
My husband – for his unending and tireless support!
When you are not writing, how do you like to relax?
I enjoy having pampering sessions.
What is the best piece of writing advice you can give?
Find someone who will not shy away from giving constructive criticism no matter how tough it is. That’s the only way to get some honest feedback.
For your own reading, do you prefer ebooks or traditional paper/hard back books?
I like traditional paperback books as I like to be physically holding the book. I underline, scribble and make notes all over my books .
Do you proofread/edit all your own books or do you get someone to do that for you?
I get someone else to do it.
How many books have you written?
I have written two books so far and I am working on my third one.
Are you writing anything at the moment?
Yes I am.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
It’s about monitoring online reputation. A lot of people and organisations are focussed on getting on the first page of Google. However, it is important to ensure that what shows up is positive, otherwise being on the first page will end up being detrimental to that person or organisation. The truth is, negative information can be plastered online about anyone at any time, so if a monitoring system is not in place to curtail and prevent reputation damage then something that starts up small could spiral out of control and end up being disastrous.
Do you have any plans for more books or other ventures?
Yes I do, I am going to write more books in the area of reputation management. I am also going to be doing extensive work on an organisation that I have recently set up – www.digitallyeducate.org.uk. We are hoping to take digital education to every community including the remotest parts of the world.
What book are you reading right now?
Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath
How can readers discover more about you and you work?
Website: www.aceresultsmarketing.com
Blog: http://www.ronkejegede.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ronke-Jegede-162798290451151/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ronke_jegede
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronke-jegede-09948a110
Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/ronke_jegede/
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Ronke-Jegede/e/B01CRYYB9W
Book Links: (* American, UK, etc.)
http://www.amazon.com/Online-Business-Exposure-First-Google/dp/0993450911
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Church-Where-Art-Thou-Google/dp/0993450903/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29437483-online-business-exposure
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Founder of IBP
Review My Life Next Door Description “One thing my mother never knew, and would disapprove of most of all, was that I watched the Garretts. All the time.” The Garretts are everything t…
Source: Review: My Life Next Door
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We asked our editor to share some useful tips for authors so that they could double check their work before sending it out to an editor.
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