Interview with an Indie Blog!

So here recently, I was asked to participate in an interview for an indie author blog. It was my first interview and it was so much fun! I was asked all sorts of questions and a lot about the behind-the-scenes projects I work on. Just so everyone knows, I will be adding a page listing my services and contact information for anyone who is interested in the upcoming week. Without further ado: My first interview.

Hi, Sarah! 1.Tell us a little bit about yourself. Well, my name is Sarah. I was born and raised in Texas and love living here. I live with my husband and dog who are my two favorite beings in the entire world. My day revolves around spending time with them, reading, working, and watching Netflix. I currently work in customer service (gag) for a furniture store but eventually want to work as either an English teacher or in publishing. 2. For those who might not know what captioning/audio narrating and beta reading is please share your process from your point of view and experience. I think everyone’s process is a little different. When it comes to Audiobook narration I have more a process than anything else. I need whatever I happen to be reading in print format. I read through it first and have different colored highlighters for making notes. Yellow for words that I can’t pronounce, blue for character changes, pink for dialogue, and green for accents and emphasis. Then I read through again to enjoy the story and get a true feel for the flow of the characters, then it is off to record! I basically make myself a script of words that are already written to be sure my sounds captivate the reader. As for captioning, I literally just pause and play until I get everything written out and then go back and watch to be sure everything is spelled and lined up correctly. Beta-reading is honestly something I do for fun (I told you I wanted to go into publishing.) A lot of times I look at a book and just see red marks where changes need to be made. Not a lot of books but I will usually always find the mistakes if a book has one. I love helping authors get their book to perfection. It gives me a huge sense of accomplishment. 3. As a mod of two groups on Goodreads and also having a full-time job outside of that, how and in what way does this affect your everyday life. Do you have any hobbies/interests that you do to wind down from an otherwise stressful day. It does get very stressful at times. Sometimes, I pile my plate so high but I usually just make a list of everything that I need to get done. When everything on that list is checked off, I always feel so productive and accomplished and it makes me feel awesome. I spend time with my husband or play with my dog. I also have a love for Netflix. You can always catch me watching something or reading for personal enjoyment. I also love watching videos from The Walking Dead universe or re-watching old episodes. (I am a walking dead superfan, it’s a little crazy, but I love it so much) 4. What is the name of your blog/website/page and what do you post about or talk about on these social media platforms? My blog is www.sarahschoggin.wix.com/coffeeshopr... . As of right now, my blog is under construction but should be up within a couple of weeks with all of my services and newest reviews! Be watching! If you are an aspiring author please get in contact with me on goodreads or the email coffeeshopreaders@gmail.com to be my featured author of the month! 5. Do you charge for your captioning/audio and beta services? How much do you charge? How long have you been doing the captioning/audio/beta reading? It really just depends on the situation. Different projects cost different things. I work with each person individually on pricing and form of payment. I have been beta-reading for several years. Captioning and audio, I am newer to the circuit but I have taken it by storm. I have plenty of samples that I can send over! If you are needing any of my services please shoot me an email or message on Goodreads! Both are checked very frequently! 6.Describe yourself in a one sentence epithet. I am a loyal, dedicated, headstrong wife and dog mom and reading maniac who is obsessed with the walking dead. 7. What is your greatest accomplishment? Professionally? Setting my self up as an audiobook narrator. I do everything myself and learned this business from the ground up. Also making it to a year with my current full time job. I bounced around jobs for about 6 years but this one has stuck! Personally, moving away from my family with my husband and us becoming completely independent! 8. Have you ever collaborated with anyone on any other creative/or business projects? Once upon a time when I was writing my first novel, a friend of mine was helping me through the writing process and making changes for me. That novel has since been lost when my hard drive had to be wiped. (note to self: always back up on a jump drive!) 9. How would you balance creativity with the business side when marketing and /or promoting your captioning, audio, beta services, or at your full time job, if applicable? I always have fun when I am doing any of these projects. I try to offer really competitive prices while still trying to be fair to myself since I am investing my time. I’m not only investing in my time, I am investing in YOU. I am investing in YOUR work. It is very important to me that you are just as happy as I am with a finished product. 10. Are there any beta reading, captioning, audio projects you are currently working on? I am currently working on one audiobook project. I am reading three chapters of A Chicago Princess by Robert Barr. I am applying for a new transcription company so I am in between projects there. I have had a few bites for beta-reading but nothing has really come out of it. I am always looking for new projects though and have many slots available for working with someone! 11. What other creative talents do you have? What advice would you give to other aspiring beta readers, audio narrators, and captionists? I’m actually a writer. I really want to publish a novel and am working on one as we speak. I have written my entire life. Mostly short stories and poems. Who knows, I could need a beta-reader one of these days! My advice is to never stop. It doesn’t matter how long of a break you take, but always come back! Also, READ READ READ! You can’t even believe how much your knowledge expands when you read one book. Don’t let one “No” tear you down. Keep truckin’ and you will eventually land something. Audio narrators, something I have found that helps is listening to a lot of books on tape. It gives you a feel for voices, accents, things of that nature. Keep auditioning for those as well! Something will come! 12. What are your dreams and aspirations that could drive you forward on this beta reading, captioning, audio narrator as well as being a mod on Goodreads and in your full-time job, if applicable? I really want to be published and work in publishing. Being an English teacher was something I’ve always wanted since I was a kid. My teachers really drove my love for reading, one in particular and she knows who she is! She is the one who made me realize that 11th grade English is something I could see doing for the rest of my life. I am very passionate about all things in this industry. I also am thinking of trying my hand at screenwriting! Hmm.. new project coming soon? 13. What inspired you to decide to do beta reading, audio/captioning? My beta-reading days started when a friend of mine was publishing her second novel in the series she wrote. I read her first and loved it and jumped on that train as quick as I could! Audio captured me when I listened to A Court of Thorns and Roses. That’s when I really started looking into it. 14. What are your favorite authors and genres? Who in your life has inspired you? Oh goodness! I love YA, mystery, and non-fiction mainly. My favorite authors include: Shannon Lee Alexander, Paula Treick DeBoard, Nicholas Sparks, Sarah J Maas, Suzanne Collins, Veronica Roth, Barbara Parks…the list goes on and on. My creative inspirations and professional inspirations include: My husband Joshua, Ron Clark, Lauren Conrad, Cassie Gregory, Katie Litton, and Shannon Lee Alexander!