Interview with Harriet Hodgson

Author of The Family Caregiver’s Guide

 

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

I’m from Great Neck, Long Island, New York, the original location of the United Nations. After 18 moves, I now live in Rochester, Minnesota, home base of Mayo Clinic.

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

When I graduated from high school, women could be nurses, teachers, or secretaries. Thanks to a scholarship from the Great Neck Teachers’ Association, I went to Wheelock College of Education and Human Development in Boston. My husband was at Dartmouth College and we met on a blind date. One look at his brown eyes, handsome face, and sweet nature, I was smitten.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

All of my writing comes from experience. I have a BS in Early Childhood Education and and MA in Art Education. My first book was”I Made It Myself!” published by Warner Books. Next came Toyworks, Gameworks, and Artworks. In all, I invented 225 toys/games for young children.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

Honest, organized, and well-researched.

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

The Family Caregiver’s Guide is the first book of a four-book series for caregivers. It comes from extensive research and my 22 years in the care giving trenches. Family and paid caregivers will benefit from the series. People looking for practical caregiving tips, self-help steps, and inspiration will find them in The Family Caregiver’s Guide.

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

I’ve written books I never thought I would write. In 2007 my elder daughter, the mother of my twin grandchildren, died from the injuries she received in a car crash. Two days later, on the same weekend, my father-in-law succumbed to pneumonia. Eight weeks later, my brother and only sibling died of heart attack. In the fall of the same year, the twins’ father died from the injuries he received in another car crash. The court appointed me and my husband as the twins’ guardians. We cared for the twins for seven years and So, You’re Raising Your Grandkids! came from this experience. The book was a finalist in the Book Excellence Awards. My 37th book, The Grandma Force: How Grandmothers are Changing Grandchildren, Families, and Themselves, also comes from experience. New and experienced grandmothers will benefit from this well-researched, from-the-heart book.

If you could, what advice would you give to past self yourself before embarking on this journey?

When I started out, I wasn’t very good at keeping records. Now I live by the “file it, don’t pile it” rule. Over the years I’ve learned to accept rejection. In my mind, rejections come and go like tides. I learn from rejection and take steps to improve the manuscript.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

Since I write to help others, I would like to see The Family Caregiver’s Guide in the hands of thousands of caregivers. I would like to see it in public and hospital libraries too.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

When it comes to freelancing, I’m a survivor. I’ve survived many trends: traditional publishing, on demand publishing, independent publishing, and hybrid publishing. Understanding and adapting to these changes has been my biggest frustration. Still, I’ve learned from these changes.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

Research is probably my biggest strength. I distill information and make it understandable for readers. My writing style is another strength. Readers may not remember statistics, but they will remember the personal stories in my books. Marketing is a challenge for me because my generation was trained not to brag. However, my publisher convinced me that I’m not bragging, I am sharing factual information.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

As I near the end of a manuscript, I get so excited I’ve submitted work to publishers too soon.

When do you think you will you write your next book?

Right now I’m working on two books for young children. I started the manuscripts years ago, am updating them and, thanks to experience, improving them. An idea for another book is percolating in my mind.

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

The answer is “all.” I’ve been published by traditional publishers, self-published through CreateSpace to show I was still creative, and am currently with a hybrid publisher.