Just The FAQ's With MaAnna Stephenson

MaAnna Stephenson is a nationally acclaimed author, lecturer, and woodcarver based in Nashville, Tennessee. Two decades of technical writing, web design and marketing for countless private clients and community groups have led to her new instructional series Just the FAQs, the ultimate user-friendly guide to the world of Internet marketing and promotions. You are welcome to see her other works at the following sites: www.SageAge.net and www.HeartwoodArt.com.

Today's guest interview with MaAnna Stephenson is part of her virtual tour.

1. How did you get to be a writer/technical writer?
I’m degreed in electronics and as a technician, had the opportunity to send information to the development engineering team to modify or enhance the products I repaired. I also documented my diagnostic and repair processes, which were eventually turned into training manuals for other technicians.

2. What led you to write these Just The FAQ's e-books?
I had created static websites for non-profits and small businesses for almost a decade when I took a break from it to conduct intensive research that lasted for over four years and became the material for The Sage Age – Blending Science with Intuitive Wisdom. When I began developing an online marketing campaign, Web 2.0 had become the rage and I had to catch up with the current technology. I was appalled at the lack of good information on the technical aspects of using Web 2.0, so I created documentation as I began developing these resources for my own sites. These became the first of the e-book series on blogs and RSS feeds. I later wrote the e-book on websites containing information to help others create sites that actually work well for them and to help folks avoid expensive pitfalls. It contains the same printable worksheets that I gave my site clients to help them gather and organize the material for the theme and content.

3. What was the hardest thing about writing these FAQs e-books?
Actually, they were quite fun. Because these are e-books and written for non-geeks, it was the first time I could use plain language and colorful graphics in my technical writing.

4. How are your e-books unique?
They cut right to the chase and dramatically reduce the learning curve of creating an online presence. That’s why they are called Just the FAQs. They are written in language anyone can understand and follow. No prior technical skill is necessary.

5. When did you know you were a writer?
When I wrote my first novella I heard my writing voice. I had never even written a short story prior to that. I was simply so inspired by a scene in my head that I decided to write it down and the rest of the story just came pouring out after it. I’m a published composer and found that I wrote stories the same way I wrote music. It was as delightful.

6. Do you have any stories about the writing process?
My technical writing is very efficient, which doesn’t actually work well for novels. I prefer getting to the point and don’t care much for creating fluff. That preference helped me narrow down the information I chose for The Sage Age, which still turned out to be a 400 page book. It’s a four year education condensed down into one inch of paper.

7. Where do you turn to when you need inspiration?
Oh my gosh, I try to turn my inspiration meter off once in a while. I’m inspired by practically everything. So many interesting projects to explore, so little time.

8. What is your strategy for staying motivated?
Some folks think I just work, work, work and that I never sleep. Not true. My cup overfloweth with creativity and I think I would explode if I didn’t have several outlets for it, including writing. Staying motivated is not a problem. Remembering to eat and sleep once in a while is the only reason I have clocks in the house.

9. What do you like and dislike about being a writer?
I love creativity in all forms. Just being in that flow is why I breathe. I also enjoy research and learning. I’m fortunate to have so many opportunities to create non-fiction and technical writing projects that actually help folks. With technology, there’s always something to learn. That’s a two-edge sword. I could run myself in circles trying to keep up with every new whiz-bang that comes out. All techie folks have to specialize to a great extent because of that. There’s just no way to know it all and be an expert at everything.

10. In your opinion, what does it mean to be a writer today?
It means being online and using Web 2.0 for two-way conversation with your readers. That means that authors must become comfortable with their computer beyond using a word processor, email, and browser. That is really scary for some folks who consider themselves complete technophobes. But, I’ve worked with several artist, musicians, and writers who are happy with it once they receive training that’s written in language they can understand. That’s the way I wrote the Just the FAQs series and why I’m teaching classes to guide folks step-by-step with a little extra support so they can ask questions that relate directly to what they want to do with their site.

11. Please describe a day in your life as a writer
It has changed over the last few years. I’m such a night owl and had spent most of my life creating into the wee hours of the morning. But, when I started the research for The Sage Age, I found that I preferred doing it in the mornings. That trend took hold and I enjoy writing in the mornings now and being online in the afternoons interacting with folks through social media networking. I make a point to see sunset everyday and usually carve, read, visit with folks in person, or enjoy some form of entertainment for a few hours. I let my imagination run free in the late evening hours, which is usually when I hit on great ideas or receive clarity on projects that are already in progress. I go from at least 7:30 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

12. How long have you been writing?
I’ve been creating technical documentation since 1984. I wrote my first short story around 2001.

13. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A musician and composer. One of my earliest memories is sitting in my grandmother’s lap making sounds on her organ. When she played Mary Had a Little Lamb I was hooked. That was magic. There was a logic to sound and I was watching it happen. By the time I was a teenager I was a multi-instrumentalist and composer. I’m published and have international airplay with jingles and documentary types of background music. I left the music business because I just didn’t vibe with the way it was being run by corporate boards. The internet has changed that and my interest has been renewed for releasing a CD at some point. In fact, the demo was cut a couple of years ago, I just haven’t had time to pursue it since all of my books took off, especially after The Sage Age was featured in Publishers Weekly.

14. Do you have a favorite thing and/or topic to write about?
My father was an engineer and my mother is an intuitive. Being raised in that environment helped me develop skills to perceive and think wholistically. I enjoy writing that blends both. The Sage Age blends science with intuitive wisdom. Just the FAQs translates technology into language for creatively-minded folks. I have a book project simmering on the back burner that highlights aspects of our evolution with the changes in biotechnology and spirituality we are experiencing and how we will soon have to re-evaluate what it is to be fully human.

15. How do you balance your time between all your different interests?
I usually have four different projects going at one time. I find that each feeds the other. For example, wood carving is a subtractive art and taught me how to be a better writer, which is normally an additive art. I remove everything that is not the art. Watercolor veil painting taught me how to play cello. It’s all in the wrist. Researching physics material for the books balances personal research in the noetic sciences. Music is my direct connect to spirit and the source of creativity. I usually focus on only one or two projects a day and simply rotate them, round-robin style, as either inspiration or deadlines dictate. Time and I are good friends and I make very efficient use of it.

16. What is your favorite thing to do?
Sit on my back deck and watch sunset every day the weather allows. There are woods all around and the critters offer a lot of entertainment as well.

17. Please share any writing advice and/or writing tips.
Just do it. Write now, edit later. I’ve found that I can’t be in creative mode and editing mode simultaneously. Creative mode is being totally in the flow, totally consumed with the vibe of letting it come through you. Editing mode involves critical thinking and making judgments. I’ve written thousands of songs. While composing, it felt so right. When I heard it anew a few days later, it sounded so wrong. Only about thirty percent of the songs I write ever make it to publication. However, I need to create that other seventy percent to hone my craft and keep me connected to source. With books and carving, the numbers are a little different. About half of the carvings I’ve created have been placed on the market. Five of the seven books I’ve written have been published. And, one hundred percent of the things I’ve put on the market have sold, which is fortunate, but still do not provide enough income to quit my day job, yet.

I’m a little like Van Gogh about it. I must create regardless of whether it sells. In doing so, something will eventually hit, especially since I’m now receiving so much national attention from some of it and actually marketing to sell. Previously, most of my work came by word of mouth, so I had no need to advertise. The process takes time and I’m patient that way. I also realize that everything I create is not for sale, nor does it need to be to serve its purpose.

18. Do you have any other books/e-books in the works?
I’m already storyboarding a carving book I’ve been asked to write by the same publishing company that produces the magazines in which the carvings have already been featured. I’m currently working on the graphics for a class titled Acoustics for Intuitives that I plan to start teaching this fall. This summer I’ll be teaching classes on blogs and RSS feeds and will be learning all about WordPress development from the coding standpoint and writing more for Just the FAQs. Those will likely be a series of articles and tips that I’ll eventually collect into a book. Late this year or early next I’ll be turning my novella into a script and will begin the research for the previously mentioned book on our evolution and the paradigm shift we are in.

Leave a comment below to be entered in a random drawing for two free Just the FAQs classes. Not only that, but every commenter is a winner and will receive a copy of MaAnna's Quick Step Guide. If you haven't already read her books, you can pick up the series at http://www.justthefaqs.net/ebooks.shtml