All the Little Things received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Heidi Dischler.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
All the Little Things, published October 1st, 2022
What’s the book’s first line?
” She wasn’t exactly sure how it had all started that morning.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
After the sudden death of her mother, Caroline must find a way to cope with her intense panic attacks and anxiety before they prevent her from chasing her dreams.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
This book was based mainly on my own struggles with anxiety and how they prevented me from doing many things in my day to day life. While what anxiety prevented Caroline from doing wasn’t the same as what it prevented me from doing, a lot of her fears and triggers are based on my own.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Unlike my other novels, this book was written for me. I didn’t write this book in the hopes that it would help many people with their own struggles, but mainly, so it could help me. This novel was my therapy. I found that Caroline’s journey helped me cope with my own, so, in a way, I hope that those who truly struggle with mental health and anxiety read this book and find healing from it just like I did.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Definitely Caroline’s pension for writing lists! This came from my own obsession with list-writing (especially to-do lists!), so it was fun to use it as writing tool as a means for her to understand her emotions a little better.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
I’ve actually written several! Many of which will never see the light of day because they were written before I properly knew how to structure a novel and write dialogue (ha ha). However, I have self-published two other novels, Words We Never Say and 2,697 Pages. Both are available on Amazon.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I work at a college doing many of the communications, social media, and recruiting of students at high schools!
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
That’s a tough one. It really depends on my mood, the current tone of the chapter I’m writing, and if they coincide. Although, All the Little Things was written as part of my thesis project for my master’s degree, so I wrote roughly 1,500 words a day.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The absolute best part is knowing that I’m in full control of my writing: when it goes out, how it goes out, how it’s marketed, etc. Of course, seeing good reviews of my novels is always a plus! The hardest part, for sure, is the fact that you have to learn business to be able to promote yourself and your novel.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
Take a business class! Even if it’s one that’s for free online. The one thing that I don’t think a lot of writers know about being an indie author is that it requires you to be more business and marketing savvy than have exceptional writing skills. While that sounds absolutely terrifying, it’s up to you to promote and market your work to success! Take that business class! Learn how to promote yourself! And definitely ask for help when you need it!
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
I think I would. Solely based on the reason that I could focus more on the writing side of being an author rather than the business side. While you still have to market yourself even if you publish traditionally, it’s a lot less extensive because you have a whole team there to help you.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
It’s totally going to sound lame, but definitely passion. Writing is how I understand and cope with my emotions. Of course, fortune and fame would be nice! But my main reason to write is for myself and the idea that, maybe one day, my words can change someone’s heart for the better.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
With all the books I’ve read, I admire the writers who make me feel something so deeply that I still remember it years later. With that being said, I read Amber Smith’s The Way I Used to Be about eight (ish?) years ago and still remember the entire book. I definitely admire Smith for the fact that I still remember her novel.