Interview with Tania L Giguere

Author of The White Pearl

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

I am originally from Michigan but now live in Horseshoe Bay, Texas. It is a beautiful place for writing and letting your inner spirit flow.

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

At the young age of nineteen, I wanted to see the world, not just where I was born. The winters were also harsh, and long I lived myself, which made it even harder. So I set out on an adventure, which was confusing. I moved with a few suitcases on a red-eye flight that dropped me off in Arlington, Texas, and yes, I looked like a lost puppy when I stepped off of the plane and into the terminal. Finding a job was not hard at all. I had lots of experience, but the job market was folding, which left me unemployed and broke. I had no money, no food, and was living in awful motels. I called back home a lot telling my father about my troubles he wanted to come home and leave Texas behind my father was worried about my safety, but I told him that I liked my freedom and I liked Texas. So I continued finding jobs with my paychecks bouncing two years of doing this, and crying was enough for me. I finally made the call my father wanted to hear I was going to fly back home if another job folded. I probably weight all of 100 lbs because of a lack of food. So I set out the next day in 110-degree weather walking to the next job which was a convenience store a blessing it was, I stayed working for the next four years buying myself a car and food plus I had a small apartment life became good again. I still love living in Texas. But my father always wanted me to come back home.

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

I am going to sing the same song I have always written books and journals. I have been writing since I was in elementary. I would write stories for extra credit and poetry at night. I just always loved expressing myself. I am not shy, and I love the excitement of putting myself out there to the world. I am a Ham. When I was in high school, I would sit and write instead of listening to the teacher and get myself into trouble. I had one teacher pick up my paper and read it out loud to the class, but she then said, you know, with some polishing, you could write a book. I just looked up and smiled, telling her that is all I want is to write. Nothing made me write I write about anything that settles in my heart from children’s books to coloring books, fiction, and poetry (laughs). Writing keeps us all in check. Then one day, I woke up, and it just happened. I published my first book Goodnight Love a story for Kids, a tale of love and sweetness between a mother and her daughter. I can’t say any more; you will have to buy the story. (Smiling). My favorite story (The White Pearl) centering around Detective John Parker, he is the hero of Chicago John the lone wolf on the streets watching and keeping Chicago safe. I wrote about a cop with a heart and soul, an officer that feels the need of his people. What makes John Parker such a rare breed is he was born on the streets of Chicago and built into the person he is today.
(The White Pearl) An awesome read. John and I have become good friends.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

I want you to feel anything that I do and become a part of my story.

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

Everyone. I can not say that enough. I write for every person in this world, not just one genre. My writing is for the young and the old and everybody in between. I write children’s books adult fiction, coloring books, quotes, poetry, whatever your heart and soul needs at that time in your life.

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

I found out a sad thing about publishers they don’t need us, writers. They are doing all these remakes of movies and books, and it is paying off with the old writers. So why take a chance on me? I have sent in stories and have been turned down so many times or heard nothing back from them. If you are a new writer, you have to sell thousands of books before they even look at your writing. Or perhaps you get lucky. Publishers want the Gold, but so do I. The people in the world are enjoying the old remakes that I grew up with, so the publishers are not going to change a thing. Then someone out there came up with self-publishing, which is a billion-dollar industry. Plus, I don’t get the exposure I need unless I can come up with something for marketing. It is all a game, and it is a hard game to play. I am lucky that you found me and my stories. I am proud that you wanted to interview me and hear about my books and bring me to life. I am real, and so is my writing, and I Thank You. My books are self-published; I work hard at social media and everything in-between.
The White Pearl Starring John Parker would make a fantastic movie he is Charles Bronson. I have a second book, The White Pearl The Missing, but I have not published it. The most unexpected surprising thing to me is that Publishers do not need our writing. They will continue to do the remakes of movies and books.

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

Nothing. The journey is real and I love everything about it. I will leave this world a part of myself.

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

Every living being on earth because I have written my books for every person, not just one genre.

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

The only frustration is trying to write and work a full-time job. I work all day and write all night. I am not going to stop writing, so I have adjusted myself to the fact of no sleep running on empty. (Laughing). And this brings to mind I have also written a few songs. (Haha). I forgot about those I wrote songs in High School. I need a band to look at them and see what they think. I Love to Write. I do want to write fulltime; if I can get a publisher, I have a lot more stories about The White Pearl and Detective John Parker.

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

I will not quit, even though it is tough. Never stop. Never give up my father taught me that. I am an outspoken woman and have no problem with selling myself.

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

Not able to write fulltime. Working puts a damper on my writing, but I have to pay the bills. (Smiles).

When do you think you will write your next book?

Now. Every day I write something new. Go to the online book stores, and you will witness everything I have written. Plus, my author page on Amazon, my books are at Barnes and noble, WaterStone, etc.

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

My books are self-published.