The Bookshelf: Author Spotlight: Sylvia Morales Moffett

Published 2:00 pm Saturday, December 21, 2024

This week I had the pleasure of interviewing another local author, Sylvia Morales Moffett. She is the author of “Herbie’s Yellow Spots,” a children’s book that teaches about self-acceptance and overcoming the obstacles of bullying. We talked about her future projects and the advice she gives aspiring writers.

Request: Tell us a little about your writing process and how you brainstorm ideas.

Moffett: I like to brainstorm at coffee shops and stay for a couple of hours, putting my thoughts down on paper. It takes longer than I should when writing a book due to working full time, but I keep at it.

Question: What is your inspiration for writing?

Moffett: Sometimes inspiration comes from personal experience or someone I know. I mix it up with a creative outlook to teach a moral/ethical lesson to children. It also comes from the main issues being heard and seen in the media or as I observe within education as a teacher.

Question: Do you believe in writer’s block?

Moffett: I have come across difficulty on how or where to start a story. I have had to set it aside and have another cup of coffee. I’d call a friend to chat with and then go back to the drawing board, looking online at images for possible ideas and retrying to come up with different scenarios.

Question: How did you celebrate the publishing of your first book?

Moffett: My family threw me a party and invited friends to buy and get their copies signed.

Question: What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

Moffett: For now, the only author I can truly call a friend is Vickie Wooten. She is a precious woman I admire, respect and love like family. Her pure and genuine faith greatly inspires me.

Question: If you were given the opportunity to form a book club with your favorite authors of all time, which legends or contemporary writers would you want to become a part of the club?

Moffett: I would want Frank Peretti, Jerry Jenkins, Dee Henderson, Tim LaHaye, Priscilla Shirer and Mike Berenstain, but if C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were alive, they’d be there, too.

Question: How do you think the concepts such as Kindle and ebooks have changed the present or future of reading?

Moffett: It was a game changer for many, but for those that prefer turning actual pages, holding an actual book in hand, buying books is still preferred (my opinion).

Question: What marketing strategies do you find most helpful?

Moffett: Word of mouth and book readings/signings work well, but I am working on a much-needed website.

Question: Can you tell us about your current projects?

Moffett: I’m working on the sequel of “Herbie’s Yellow Spots,” a middle grade book (stay tuned) and an autobiography.

Question: Any advice you would like to give to aspiring writers?

Moffett: Write from the heart and make a difference through your writing … your voice is to be heard for generations.

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Jessica Carrasco is the public relations coordinator for the Dalton-Whitfield County Public Library.