Friday, August 1, 2008

Louisiana Saturday Night - Meet Author Alyssa Paul

Meet nine-year old Alyssa Paul, a Louisiana author. Alyssa has written her first book, Meet Daisy, published by AuthorHouse. For a self-published, first-time author, Meet Daisy is well-done. The illustrations are cute and Daisy is a likeable character. If Alyssa Paul can tell interesting stories at nine what kind of writer will she be at nineteen . . . or twenty nine? Congratulations to Alyssa on her first published book, but especially for having the kind of parental support and encouragement every child needs and deserves. Read to the end to learn how to win your own copy of Meet Daisy.



1. Where did you get the idea for Meet Daisy?
I got the idea of Meet Daisy last summer. We go to the mountains every summer and we go camping alot. I wrote in the past because I like reading the Laura Ingalls books. So, I just pulled everything together.

2. Are your characters based on people you know?
No, they're not.

3. When did you first know that you were a writer, and how did you know? Well, I didn't really know I was a writer until I sat down at the computer and completed the story.

4. What has surprised you most about being a real author?
What really surprised me is that people are saying how good my book is and how many they've bought. I didn't really think my book was a big deal.

5. You've had several book signings. How many? What do you like best about them and what do you absolutely hate about them?
I've had four book signings. What I really like about them is getting to meet new people and other authors. What I hate about them is how long they last and not being able to take a break.

6. Do you have any advice for other young people who want to write a book? All the advice I have is use your imagination and be creative. You can do it!!

7. What do you find to be the hardest part of writing?
The hardest part about writing is thinking up the names for the characters. All the good names that I think of are taken by my family and friends. I don't want to use their names.

8. What is your work schedule like when you’re writing and does it interfere with school? Will you keep writing when school starts?
Well, I don't really have a schedule. Some days I don't feel like writing. But when school starts back, I'll have to write early in the mornings and in the afternoon, after my homework is done.

9. What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Read? What do you like to read? Yes, I do love reading. I also like watching TV, playing with my dog, riding my horse, and drawing. I like reading mystery stories and horse stories.

10. What kind of research went into the writing of Meet Daisy? When I first wrote the book I had it in the 1800's. My mom read it and said that they didn't have electricity or automobiles in the 1800's, so I changed it to 1908.

11. What do your friends think about you being a author with a published book? They think it's cool, but we really don't talk about it.

12. What are your goals for the future? Do you have another book in your head? Tell us what's coming up for you? Well, I want to have a horse ranch, and I would like to be an animal trainer at Sea World. But I still want to write, of course. I have another book finished, but it has not been published. The title is "Let Me Tell You About My Horse." It's about a girl named Grace and her horse. I want to get it published alot.


If you'd like to leave a comment for Alyssa, we'll put your name in a hat and draw. One lucky winner will get a copy of Meet Daisy and the bookmark shown above. If you don't win, you can visit Alyssa's website to order your own copy of Meet Daisy.

23 comments:

Sandra Robbins said...

How wonderful to see a young person writing! Keep it up, Alyssa, and there's not telling what your future in the writing world will be. I would love to have your book.

Sandra Robbins

Sandra Robbins said...

Oops! I meant to say "there's no telling".

Sandra Robbins

Marcia Gruver said...

Allyssa, you go girl!!!

What a wonderful start on the rest of your life. I had to wait until I turned into a great-granny before I got my first book published. I can't wait to read "Meet Daisy" and I sure hope they publish "Let Me Tell You About My Horse" so I can read that, too.

Bless you, sweetie!

Erica Vetsch said...

What a fun interview. I bet there are a lot of writers who would agree with you about long book signings and not being able to take a break. I loved the Laura Ingalls books myself.

Debra Harris-Johnson said...

Yea Alyssa, congratulations! I am so proud of you. You are a great young lady please never stop writing.

Anonymous said...

How cool. I wish I had started writing sooner. I now have a granddaughter who wants to write. I'll tell her about you.

Linda Ford

Virginia Smith said...

Congratulations on your first book, Alyssa! You inspire me!

Kathi Macias said...

Alyssa, this is wonderful! I am an author of 22 books, with four more coming soon, and I've wanted to be a writer since I was your age. I'm so proud of you, and so excited to see what God has in store for you in the future. Keep writing--and let us know if you're ever in Southern California so we can come to your book signing!

Kathi Macias
www.kathimacias.com

Anonymous said...

Congrats, Alyssa! What a fun accomplishment! Keep on writing and hang in there during those long book signings! :)

Amy Simon

Jessica Nelson said...

wow, that's so cool that you finished your book! I love that one of your issues is characters' names. I'm the same. Just changed a name, in fact, because I realized it was too close to a friend's name.
Anyways, congrats on the book!

Christa Allan said...

How awesome are YOU! Congrats on your first of what I'm sure will be many books! Practice your autographs!

Jennifer Gladen said...

Congrats on the book publishing! I wish you much success.

Unknown said...

Alyssa, That's wonderful that you wrote a book. I think its fun to come up with characters and settings back in time. I look forward to reading your book.

Anonymous said...

Alyssa YOU ROCK. I want to be you when I grow up.

Laurie Kolp said...

Alyssa,
You inspire me! You have accomplished something at the age of nine, that some people dream of doing all their lives. My daughter will be nine Aug. 10 and she loves to read and write. I'd love to be able to share your book with her.

Laurie K.

Julie Lessman said...

HOLY COW, Alyssa, it may be no "big deal" to you, but it's a big deal to lots of other people, especially "this" child author!! You see, I started my novel at the age of 12 after reading Gone With the Wind, but didn't finish it or get published until 43 years later!! So I, for one, am VERY IMPRESSED, not to mention blessed and inspired by your early success. You go, girl!

Hugs,
Julie

Elizabeth Ludwig said...

Alyssa, what an achievement!! I wish you all the best in your writing.

Mary said...

Alyssa, what a wonderful thing you are doing. Laura Ingalls Wilder was my first favorite author. If I don't win your book, I am going to look for it and buy one for my grandkids and one for our church library. I think reading it would encourage children to just do what they like. I will look for more books from you in the near future. God bless you!
Mary

Eileen Key said...

Woohoo! Keep those computer keys flying, young lady. There's no limit to how God can use you in the wonderful world of words.

Jean said...

Congratulations, Alyssa. This is quite an accomplishment. I hope you see every last copy of "Meet Daisy."

Blessings,
Jean Hall
http://www.jeanmatthewhall.blogspot.com

Cynthia Reeg said...

Congratulations, Alyssa,
on publishing your first book! You are quite amazing and determined and talented. Keep up the good work and continue to dream BIG!

Cynthia Reeg
www.cynthiareeg.com

Dawn Michelle Michals said...

Alyssa,

You go, girl! Keep writing and never stop. God has a place for you and your words. I can't wait to read your book!

Take care and God bless~

Dawn Michelle Michals

www.dawnmichellemichals.blogspot.com

Missy Tippens said...

Congratulations, Alyssa! The book is beautiful!

Missy