Interview with Loreen De Kort
Loreen De Kort is an author, wife, mother of four wonderful women, and a grandmother to three teenagers. She has lived in a suburb north of Seattle for the past 18 years. Living in the Pacific Northwest is rather like living in a land of Christmas trees and mountains filled with natural beauty. She finds the weather is temperate most of the year, never getting too hot or cold for extended periods. People associate the Seattle area with being overly rainy, but she doesn’t think it is that bad. They get many overcast days, but no real downpours. The majority of it is a light drizzle where you need not even bother with raingear.
However, when the sun comes out, she loves the beauty of the mountains and the trees. To her, the views across the valleys are breath taking. She developed a love of poetry writing in her teens and has been writing ever since.
Traveling was part of her joys when she was younger. As an adult, she lived in Turkey for about a year and lived in the Netherlands for almost as long. She has visited Germany, Belgium and Moscow. In an aside, she does not suggest you visit Moscow during the winter. It was cold like she’d never thought could exist outside of the vacuum of space. She has taken cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska, and highly recommend the experience.
During their Alaska trip, they went whale watching. Whales are big! One must see them to get the full scope of their size. If she had to choose where she would wish to live the most, she would probably pick right here in the Pacific Northwest though.
Tell me more about your latest book
My book, Notes on the Train, is a poetry book. It features poems and stories I wrote during my time in therapy and during a challenging part of my life. The book shows my feelings and thoughts as I battled with depression and anxiety.
What was the most challenging aspect of writing this book?
The most challenging part was putting my feelings down into words on paper. It was difficult speaking my thoughts out and I later thought of many things I wanted to say but didn’t. My therapist suggested I start journaling my thoughts. Having my innermost thoughts and feelings written down and put into the public space has been difficult. There is a feeling of what if nobody understands what I have written that doesn’t seem to go away.
What is your normal procedure to get your books published?
I first sent my manuscript to an editor for proofreading. After that, I sent to a formatter, got my cover art and submitted the documents into Amazon KDP. The process was very straightforward.
Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?
I view writing as giving voice to the soul and inner child within all of us. I wouldn’t call it spiritual, but I would say it is putting your conscience in touch with your subconscious.
How many books have you written so far? List and name them all here
I have only written the one book so far. I am working on a fantasy novel, but it will be some time before that is finished.
What’s the best way to market your books?
Getting the word out that you have written is the best way. I have been using limited and targeted promotions on various social media platforms. Finding ways to promote yourself through interviews and joining groups of likeminded people is also helpful.
How hard or easy is it to establish and maintain a career in writing?
I have not established a career as of yet, but I am hopeful to do more with my writing over time.
What is your advice for aspiring writers?
Never give up on a dream. Dreams seem scary, but once you are on the other side of them, you will be glad you did it. It’s never too late. I wrote my book years ago and now, all this time later, I see the results. I did it. Nothing beats that feeling.
Visit Author Loreen De Kort book links:-
Amazon: http://bit.ly/notesonthetrain
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57981560-notes-on-the-train
Website: http://www.loreendekort.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorloreendekort
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/loreendekort
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/loreendekort
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