Interview with Author Cheryl Tardif

Our chat is with author Cheryl Tardif about her struggle to become a successful writer.



Q: Before you had your first book published, you walked away from your dream for 10 years out of despair. What led to this decision?

A: I had tried for years to become a published author. Years ago I attempted to get two children’s books published. I had invested in creating actual prototypes of each book, which was an expensive endeavor. I spent over two years on this project, sending out query after query, and doing successful readings in schools, daycares and other places. Yet, no publishing contract.

This was only one of many projects that I had tried to get published over the years. I noticed that the “catch-22” issue – publishers wouldn’t even look at you without an agent, and agents wouldn’t consider you if you hadn’t been published-was becoming more the norm. I lost faith in myself, and simply gave up. Or so I thought…

Q: What did you do with your writing during this time?

A: During that time, I put away all ideas for the “great Canadian novel” and focused on work and making an income. The strange thing is that in every J.O.B. I did, writing became an integral part of it (whether it was in my “job description” or not). It was only recently that I realized that I had been creating in every job; it just wasn’t the novel or work of fiction I had dreamed of writing.

As a manager for the telemarketing division of a home security company, I re-wrote their scripts although it wasn’t something I was expected to do, and this led to a job offer as a consultant for two other companies (one in home security, one in financial services). When I decided to home-school my daughter and run a home daycare, I put together a newsletter for my neighbors, just to let them know what we were doing in the community. When I worked as a consultant for The Pampered Chef Canada, I wrote a successful presentation which was adopted by other consultants. And when I needed time for myself, I worked on poetry and short stories and then posted them on my first website-Anjelkisses.com.

Q: During that 10-year period, what were your feelings about your gift to write?

A: The crazy thing about that time is that I knew I could write! I yearned to write! But I thought that the responsible thing to do was focus on my family and my job(s) and create income. The last time I remember making an income from writing was in 1986 when I wrote a Health & Beauty column in a small BC newspaper. In essence, I denied myself by not writing what I really wanted to write-fiction. And the longer I put it off, the less I thought I even had a gift. But I think somewhere in my mind, I knew that writing was simply being put on hold. I believe in synchronicity and serendipity. “Write time, write place!”
Q: What led you back to your dream to be published?

A: A friend. She told me: “Don’t worry if it gets published or not, Cheryl. Write it for yourself! Write it because you have to write it!” (Now here is someone who understands the soul of a true writer!) When my friend, Carolyn, was visiting, I somehow began telling her about this story that kept “haunting me.” Her words of encouragement were so empowering that I really started to get the “itch.” And any writer knows what that feels like. The story wouldn’t let go of me. I would dream of it in full color. I would think about it during the day. It played out in my head like a movie . . . all I needed was the popcorn!

Q: When did the idea for Whale Song, your first published novel take shape and how?

A: Whale Song grew from a native legend that I had grown up with on the Queen Charlotte Islands. If a killer whale shows up close to shore, it’s a soul coming to say farewell to family and friends.

A week after Carolyn’s words of encouragement, I began researching native folklore and legends and once again became fascinated with the stories. The novel grew out of a desire to show that there is beauty and hope even amidst the utmost despair. My characters’ and mine, I guess. It also deals with tragedy in a way that I hope leaves the reader with a sense of comfort. And of course, forgiveness is the key “lesson” in Whale Song. “Forgiveness sets you free…”

Q: How long did it take you to write Whale Song?

A: Three and a half months. It was completed, revised a million times and then edited by two others. I’ve never written so much, so fast. I couldn’t type fast enough. I guess it helps when the story has been in your head for almost two years before even writing a word. Whale Song is my “baby.”

Q: How many publishing companies did you research before deciding to self-publish?

A: I started sending out query letter to traditional publishers during the first week, then went online and researched my options. What I discovered was the print-on-demand form of publishing. Years ago I had considered self –publishing through a major vanity press, but the cost was astronomical. Who has that kind of money? Of course, technology has advanced and so has the entire publishing industry. In total I probably researched over twenty companies. And then I discovered Trafford Publishing, a print-on-demand company based in Victoria.

I had narrowed the field to about 4 different companies, but only Trafford was based in Canada. When I finally got to the top two companies, I realized that I couldn’t decide based on what these companies were telling me-I needed to go to the source. The authors! I began tracking down authors who had published through the US company and Trafford. I found many of the authors’ email addresses and sent out emails requesting information. I asked them to honestly describe their experience and tell me whether they would publish again with that company. The response from the authors of the US POD publisher was not good. No one seemed happy with the services. Issues of delays, cost and poor product quality were brought up. Then I received the emails from Trafford’s customers. No one negative comment! Authors were extremely happy with the quality, books were published in 4-6 weeks and their books were on Amazon within weeks. My choice was clear.

Q: What made you decide to go with Trafford Publishing?

I went with Trafford because their customers whom I corresponded with there genuinely satisfied. I was impressed that this Canadian company had offices in 4 countries (5 now…Canada, US, UK, Ireland and Spain). Trafford’s publishing packages are affordable and the company does their best to provide top-notch services. They also reward returning authors with discounts on future packages. Since choosing Trafford, I haven’t looked back. Last September I visited Victoria and was invited to tour Trafford Publishing. They made me feel like family. I recently had the pleasure of discussing the book industry with Bruce Batchelor, the CEO of Trafford, and found him to be a down-to-earth person who truly cares about his authors and who is striving to eliminate some of the roadblocks that Canadian writers face. From Christyne Learmonth, to Stacy Butterfield, to Michelle Bourne and everyone else at Trafford, Bruce has gathered a competent, caring and supportive staff. I have never once regretted choosing Trafford Publishing.

Q: Trafford Publishing has published Whale Song and Divine Intervention for you. How easy has it been for you to work with them?

A: It has been extremely easy for me to work with Trafford. You can control as much of the process as you want to. I found two people on my own to edit Whale Song, three editors for Divine Intervention, and because I like designing things, I chose to do my own layout. I hired a young graphic designer, Charles Biddiscombe from Grant McEwan Community College, to design the cover for Whale Song. The cover picture is from a painting titled Sanctuary, by world-renowned US artist, David Miller. The cover for Divine Intervention I designed completely on my own. Trafford took the covers and my stories, producing quality books that are comparative to anything else on bookstore shelves. The support I received, and still receive, was vital to my success.

The biggest advantage is that by investing in the Best Seller Package, I did not have to worry about hidden costs (as with other POD or self-publishers). Trafford took care of all the legalities (ISBN, listings, etc.), and in 6 weeks I had a published book in my hand. Both times!

Q: What do you like best about self-publishing?

A: I love the fact that I am now a published author, with two books available online and in bookstores in Edmonton, Calgary and Victoria. This was a dream that I had thought would never come true. I love the fact that the public does not really care who publishes your book as along as it is a well-written story by a talented writer. My fans have made me feel like I am on the same level as J.K. Rowling or J.D. Robb/Nora Roberts. I now have a track record of sales, and them what I’ve been told by many of the managers at Indigo, Chapters and Coles in Edmonton, my booksigning event sales are some of the highest they have ever seen. But most of all, self-publishing has restored my dream.

“Date to Dream…and Dream Big!!!” (One of my mottos)

Q: What do you like the least about self-publishing?

A: With self-publishing through a POD company, there is a non-returnability clause. This means that bookstores cannot return unsold books to the publisher. As a result they will not stock your books on their shelves unless you sigh a private consignment contract. I have books in Edmonton, Calgary and Victoria in the Indigo chain of stores by way of consignment. And consignments are a headache! I want my books to be available on the shelves of All Chapters, Indigo, Coles and Smithbooks stores, along with McNally Robinson, Greenwoods and all other independent stores, without having to do all the legwork. The business end of this takes away from my writing time…and I am not an accountant.

Q: What advice would you give to an author thinking about self-publishing?

A: If you have had no luck with query letters, or in finding an agent, what have you got to lose? By self-publishing, you will gather a track record of sales that you can present to a publisher or agent. Prior to self-publishing, I had never received a letter from a publisher or agent requesting more information; instead I received the standard form letter or rejection stamp. A couple of months ago, I re-approached publishers and agents, stating my sales, publicity and media coverage. Immediately I was contacted by a publisher and an agent…and am hoping to hear back from them soon.

What have you got to lose? How about your dream? Research the market, keep sending out the queries, and test the market and your talent by self-publishing one book. You will know within a year if it’s the right path for you.

“To be published or not to be published?” That is the question (You know my answer)

“Don’t wait for things to happen; Make things happen!”

Q: You now have two books published, Whale Song and Divine Intervention. How do you feel about your gift of writing now?

A: I am a writer. I was born a writer and I will die a writer. Writers write! But we also have a huge responsibility to the public and to our fans to produce something of value. In both Divine Intervention and Whale Song there are strong messages for those who will see them-racial issues, societal issues, abuse and health issues. It is also important to me to “keep it Canadian,” so my stories are proudly set mainly in Canadian locales.

I started by writing for myself, and now I write for my readers too. I am honored and humbled by the people I have met at my booksignings who have expressed that I have inspired them in some way. Years ago I worked as a motivational speaker for a well-known international company and although I knew that had I inspired many people to make life-changing transformations, it is even more satisfying to know that I have somehow inspired people to make soul-changing transformations.

Q: Do you think that your 10-year breather made you better writers?

A: Truthfully, I’m not sure if I am a better writer than I was ten years ago. I know that I am better than I was twenty years ago. I believe the ten years was no own personal test, to see if I was destined to do something else besides write. And as you can tell, from the writing I did at every job, the answer should have been clear to me. A couple of years ago, after starting Whale Song, I took a course through Peak Potentials that forced me to question who I really was…and what was holding me back from being who I was. I learned that I have a gift of writing and inspiring others. To combine them, that is my “passionate mission.”

Q: You have a third book, The River, on the way. How is it coming along and when can we expect to see it?

A: I am very excited about The River. Set on the Nahanni River in Canada’s NWT, my newest novel will be a mixture of possible and impossible. I want the end product to be something that will haunt you, make you question which part is fact and which part is fiction. And again, my messages should be loud and clear. The River will force readers to ask themselves: “How far do we go until we’ve done too far? At what point…have we become God?”

Anyone who joins my members only club on my website will eventually see a sneak peek of The River. Everyone else will have to wait until the summer of 2005, if all goes according to plan.

Q: What advice to you have for struggling writers who are on the brink of giving up?

A: If you wake up with stories crowding your brain, if you can’t sleep because the characters for a novel keep you awake with their incessant chattering, if you are distracted at work by a plot that plays itself out like a movie, then you are a writer! Don’t just dream about it. Take charge of it! Don’t wait for things to happen; Make things happen.

If your desire is to be published by Penquin, Bantam or Harlequin, then keep sending out those query letters. Read everything you can on “how to get published.” Research all editors and publishers, and find out what they are publishing. Don’t send your award-winning sci-fi novel to a publisher that only produces cookbooks! Know your market. Use the Internet-it has been invaluable to me! Email published authors. I’ve emailed Piers Anthony, a bestselling fantasy author…and he emailed me back! But above all, believe in “right place, right time,” and you will be surprised at whom you will meet or what will fall into your lap.

Someone once wrote: “Courage is contagious. So is fear. Fear can’t hurt you, unless you surrender to it,” For a writer this is so true.

But let’s look at it this way: “Fear is contagious. So is Courage. Courage can’t help you, unless you grab it with both hands!” There is no “try”; there is only “do!”

Q: Do you have anything else to add?

A: One of the most vital things a writer needs is support from family and friends. Some people may not understand the investments in time and money that you may have to (or want to) make. But as a writer you must invest in yourself. Think of it as starting a new business, for that is exactly what it is. You are the CEO of your enterprise. Spend time on your craft; spend money on the tools you need to write and get published. Remember that whatever you7 write, when it is published, that is your legacy. To your children, family, friends…and all future generations.

Is there a price for that? If you’re a writer – write!

Tardif's books are available @ http://www.northwestwriters.com