Ask the Author: Angela Muir Van Etten
Answered Questions (7)
Angela Muir Van Etten
I don't take any offense to your question Lilyyy. But your curiosity which inspired the question is what prompted me to write my memoirs. The best way for you to find out what it's like to be little is to read one or more of the books in my dwarfism trilogy. All three are now available on Kindle, but I suggest starting with "Dwarfs Don't Live in Doll Houses."
Angela Muir Van Etten
I write nonfiction so I avoid writer's block by outlining and having a clear idea where I'm going before I start writing. To avoid getting stuck, I make sure I leave off knowing where to pick up when I come back to the article or chapter. When I'm tired or don't feel like writing, I spend time editing what I have already written, somehow this process gets me back in the groove and it's not long before I'm creating new material.
Angela Muir Van Etten
I'm not one for picking "best things" or favorites. There are many things I love about writing--the way the words come together on the screen, editing my work until it's succinct and clearly says what I intend, and God giving me ideas for how to express my thoughts.
Angela Muir Van Etten
Everyone has a story to tell, the question is whether you need 40 to 60 thousand words to tell it. I recommend starting with smaller pieces such as articles and newsletters. Hone your craft before tackling an entire book. Seek and value feedback and editing of your writing. Learn from the input. And don’t forget about your intended audience. Consider how you will reach the people you want to read your work. Once the writing and editing is in the rearview mirror, you’re only half way there. You still need a publisher and a marketing plan. These steps can be even harder than writing because they are out of your control.
Angela Muir Van Etten
I am currently marketing all three books in my dwarfism trilogy: Dwarfs Don't Live in Doll Houses, PASS ME YOUR SHOES: a Couple with Dwarfism Navigate Life's Detours with Love and Faith", and "ALWAYS AN ADVOCATE: Champions of Change for People with Dwarfism and Disabilities." All three are available on Kindle and the last two are also in paperback.
The audiobook of "Always an Advocate" was delayed by medical issues for both the author and sound engineer. However, we anticipate release in January.
The audiobook of "Always an Advocate" was delayed by medical issues for both the author and sound engineer. However, we anticipate release in January.
Angela Muir Van Etten
I am primarily inspired because media articles written on dwarfism issues have limited words and insufficient insight to accurately describe the dwarfism experience. I also believe that our story offers hope to others who face challenging life circumstances.
Angela Muir Van Etten
When I first met my husband Robert, I had already begun writing a book called "Dwarfs Don’t Live in Doll Houses," a memoir of my early years mixed in with a discussion of issues affecting little people from the point of view of a single person. Even though the book was published seven years after I married Robert, I kept to the original plan and only wrote about being single. Because many people asked why our romance was not covered in "Dwarfs Don’t Live in Doll Houses," my typical response was, “Wait for book two.” As it turns out, it has been a long wait!
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