Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi!
My book is NOT all about flamenco dance, which was my passion, and you may not even have a passion, and it for sure is not dance. That’s okay, because the lessons that I learned about self-motivation and following a passion is what improved my mental health of depression and S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder).
I taught English and writing for many years, was a full-time mother to two sons now grown, oversaw the care for my mother who lived to be 96 with Alzheimer’s, AND I danced every opportunity that I could make happen, which kept me sane.
My book took almost 10 years to write, because I was so busy with the above listed. This is my first book, my memoir, about the joys and lows of life, along with all the mental health issues that were my family’s: depression, addiction, alcoholism, suicide, OCD, and Alzheimer’s.
I am close to completing my first children’s book, and I am excited to share my YouTube Channel with you where I have posted some videos of dance instruction, my latest video where I completed a 6 week challenge for the online flamenco dance class that I take, and various story time videos that taped mostly for my grandchild during Covid.
Freed by Flamenco @freedbyflamenco5935 Yhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UClQE7gE_uh0EpzrqEKYdnmg
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Freed by Flamenco is my latest book, and the things listed in the previous question sums up a lot, but I also wanted to inspire others to follow their dreams for the benefit of their mental health. If I could do it, despite the odds, I know that you can as well.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My flamenco wooden dance floor sits on the carpet behind the chair at the desk where I write. To sit and sit at a computer makes me crazy, so I strap on the dance shoes, crank up the music, and escape to a different place.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Lisa Dale Norton, who wrote
Shimmering Images, and Terry Tempest Williams who wrote Refuge. I also visited in Maui the home of W.S. Merwyn, the poet laureate, whose love of nature and conservation, along with his beautiful poetry, has greatly inspired me.
What are you working on now?
I am working on getting the illustrator, my husband, to finish his work for my children’s book, while he is also finishing his first book of non-fiction.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The truth is that I am on a whole new learning curve on book promoting. Since I self-published, I now am doing the marketing! So I recently joined an online support group/school for authors on advertising. To write in a room by yourself is one thing. To reveal it to the world is another.
Just like a gifted guitarist who practices beneath an olive tree and no one hears it, is the same with writing if no one reads it or even knows that it is written. Emily Dickinson wrote beautiful poems that were discovered after her death. I would like my book to be read while I am alive.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice is to keep going and do not give up, on writing, finding and following your passion, finding your happiness, and “You’ve Got to Make Your Own Sunshine.” Nobody else can do it for you.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
It came from my mother: dot your “i”s and cross your “t”s. In other words, watch the details so that the small things do not catch you up.
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading many self-help articles online about book marketing! : )
What’s next for you as a writer?
After completely the children’s book, I want to write a fiction novel.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Gone With the Wind is the only book that I read twice. There are so many books, but that one captured my attention to escape to a different time and place like no other.
Author Websites and Profiles
Sandra Samore Website
Sandra Samore Amazon Profile
Sandra Samore’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile