Author Talk – Annette Rochelle Aben

Today we sit down with Annette Rochelle Aben, author and blogger. Her poetry and images make her blog one that I follow and read every day.

---

DM: What is the title and genre of the book you want to tell us about?

AA: Angel Messages – a wing and a prayer. Its genre is Body, Mind, Spirit with a sub-category of Angels and Spirit Guides

DM: Can you summarize your book in one sentence?

AA: Photographs, prayers and poems designed to connect you with Angels.

DM: Who is your intended audience and why should they read your book?

AA: Anyone and everyone who is seeking comfort, guidance and love from the Angelic realm.

DM: How did you come up with the title?

AA: For most of my life I have been receiving messages, on a daily basis, from Angels. It seemed natural to title this book illustrating where I honestly felt the material for the book originated, in the Angel Messages!

DM: Tell me about your cover art. Who designed it? Why did you go with that particular image/artwork?

AA: I created the cover actually, but it was designed by Angels. It went through three incarnations. First I chose a photograph I took of the sky. It was an intense medium blue with a magnificent sun radiating out in all directions. That cover was bounced for low resolution. Then I created a cover from the ground up, making a background, adding some technically created rays and this time the cover was pink and gold. This one passed with flying colors and so I released previews, even ordered the proof. One night I had a dream of these wings that were opening and closing. As I generally do not remember my dreams, it dawned on me this was important and it was about the cover.  I had already taken the picture of the wings I saw in the dream, so I created yet another cover and this is one on the book. This is why I say, I created it but it was designed by Angels.

DM: What are your biggest writing influences (another author, another book, a movie, etc.)

AA: My biggest writing influences are conversations I hear, songs I listen to or simply observing the world around me.  As I was never really good at drawing, I realized I could “draw pictures” using words. This means I am constantly thinking, even when I am listening to something or someone, my mind is going like crazy.

DM: If you could change ONE thing about your novel, what would it be?  Why?

AA: Gee, the one thing I would change about this book? Well that might be to add several more photos. People have told me they love looking at the pictures.

DM: Give me a fun fact or a few about your book or series:

AA: Fun Fact: All of the photos in this book are pictures I took of Angels that are in my home.  Each of the Angels came to me as a gift. The Angels are in every room of my home and no matter if I give one away to an admirer, another will come to me in short order. As a result of my connection to Angels, I have received the nick name, Sister Angel.

DM: What other books are similar to your own?  What makes them alike?

AA: Other books I have encountered about Angels seem to embrace the common theme of love. Doreen Virtue, Sophie Burham, and my good friend,Suzi Hendricks, are other authors whose books about Angels I enjoy and they all speak of the love Angels have for everyone. The other way I believe the books are similar is that each of the presentations by the authors, was guided by Angels.  None of our books look alike but the messages are the unifying factors.

DM: Do you have any unique talents or hobbies?

AA: My one time hobbies of writing, acting, singing, cooking, photography and making jewelry, turned into jobs.  My professional broadcasting (television and radio) career began in 1983. For over 20 years now I have been a professional psychic, giving readings in person as well as over the phone. I became a Certified Hypnotherapist ,  an aroma therapist, a Bach Flower Essence Practitioner and Reiki Master over the past 17 years. Fifteen years ago, I became an Ordained Minister and have performed many a sacred ceremony (weddings, funerals) with joy!  I make all my greeting cards by hand. There has to be a special reason for me to buy a card from a store.  It’s fun and as I have no formal talent at drawing, I call them my inner child artwork!

I also enjoy reading, cooking, music, photography, going to the park, farmer’s markets, watching Steve Martin films, Monty Python comedy, card games and visiting with friends/family.

DM: How can we find out more about you and your books?

AA: My blog site URL is http://www.annetterochelleaben.wordpress.com

My Author Central Page is http://www.amazon.com/author/annetterochelleaben

DM: What can we expect from you in the future?

AA: Coffee, if you are here at the right time of day. Okay, I have a book to release in April of 2016, in honor of National Poetry Month. It’s titled, A Haiku Perspective 2016.

DM: What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?

AA: Tell others about it as word of mouth is the most effective advertising and leave honest reviews on Amazon! The purchases and reviews help a book climb the ladder of success which in turn helps support the author.

DM: Do you have any advice for other writers trying to get published?

AA: Just DO IT!  Contact the self-publishing venue of choice, I currently use Create Space, and just get your book out there.  You’ll learn more about yourself by having to follow this journey through every step and you’ll bond with your book as well.

DM: Can you give us an excerpt from your book to intrigue and tantalize us?

AA: This is the picture that ended up being the cover.  Originally, it was used as a page inside the book and I saw no reason to remove it once it became the cover. The poem/prayer on the picture was one that came to me when I heard one of my friends has succumbed to his battle with cancer…