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An Interview With AJ Rodriguez

Tell us a bit about yourself. What would you like us to know about you?

My name is AJ Rodriguez. I am a Louisiana Storyteller and author of the Theodore Da Baer series of books.

I was born in PA. I was a military wife for over twenty years and this is where my stories began. My stories are continuations of stories I had created for my children in the 1960.

What are you doing now? (Career? Married? Single? Children? Pets?)

Currently I am busy setting up my fall school visitations for my storytelling. My husband and I visit the schools in LA, TX and Florida and share Theodore's tales.

I have just completed my third book,which I hope to have released next year.

I spend a great deal of time promoting and signing my first two books, Theodore Da Baer and Theodore Da Baer II, A New Beginning.

What is your favourite food?

Chinese. We lived on the island of Taiwan for 4 years. Therefore, I am an avid fan of Chinese food.

What is your favourite colour?

My favorite color is black.

What is your favourite sound?

The sound of rain gently falling on the roof.

Who is your favourite person?

I would have to say my husband. He has put up with me for over 40 years.

What is your favourite place?

Germany

What is your favourite memory?

The first time I saw my husband and he smiled at me. It was love at first sight.

What is your favourite article of clothing?

My red hat from the red hatters.

What is your favourite word?

Hugs

What is your favourite writers' quote and why?

Teddy Baer Hugs and Magical Wishes to you and yours. May your lives be filled with Teddy Baer Hugs and Magical Moments(dreams)

Everyone can use a good hug.

What is your most favourite quality about yourself?

My willingness to give to others. We do not charge schools to come for visits. We are trying to encourage children to read.

What is the least favourite quality about yourself?

Sometimes I take on too much and wear myself out.

If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?

I would go to Germany to visit my grandchildren.

What inspires you to write and why?

My grandchildren encouraged me to continue writing. In 2000 they had come to my house to visit and I shared the tales of Theodore with them. They were so impressed that they told their friends and they wanted more stories.

The children of the world inspire me. Most literature is filled with violence. There is no violence in my books. My books are about teaching children about life in a non threatening way.

What is your favourite book and why?

Tom Sawyer.

It is a cute story. It takes me back to a gentler time in my life.

What is your favourite genre and why?

Children's literature.

For a few hours I can be a kid again.

List your three favourite authors (any genre) and why?

Edgar Alan Poe His stories give me a different perspective on life

Shakespear-A real talent

What do you think makes a writer successful?

The ability to be able to express yourself in a language that is understood by your readers.

Whta is it that makes you successful as a writer?

My ability to reach out and to interact with the children and adults that I come into contact with.

What are your goals as a writer?

To share my stories with the world.

What is the best tip you can give to fellow writers?

Never give up on your dream. Keep telling your stories as only you can write your story. Life is full of suprises. Follow that dream where ever it may take you.

What do you hope to provide your readers with through your writing?

A sense of being. Many of my stories have morals for children about never giving up on their dreams and that they can accomplish anything as long as they believe in themselve.

List your three favourite online writer-resource sites and why (include URLS).

Publish America-I get a lot of tips from them.
AuthorDen-interact with a lot of writers
yahoo-good source

If you have published a book, tell us about your publishing success (title, publishing date and company, where it is available to purcahse).

Theodore Da Baer published 2005. Theodore Da Baer II, A New Beginning published 2006.

Books are available at Publish America, B&N, Walden Amazon,and most on line stores and a few regular stores in the USA and Canada. A few stores in GA, FL, LA and Texas carry my books in their stores. Autographed books may be ordered from my web site: www.theodoredabaer.com

How long did it take you to write your book(s)?

This has been an ungoing event since the 1960's.

What would you do differently if you could repeat the same publishing experience?

I would start with Publish America. They are the ones that believed in me.

What have you learned about the publishing world?

It is a hard world to break into. If you are famous you can put out any trash and it will be published. It is very hard to break into the world of published author and even when you do, people are always trying to discourage you.

The big publishing house have had their way for too long as to who will be published and what the public will read. It is time for the American public to decide who they want to read.

This is your chance to 'Talk Back' to your readers. What would you like to say to them?

Teddy Baer Hugs and Magical Wishes to each and every one of you. May your lives be filled with Teddy Baer Hugs and Magical Moments.

If you have not read my books, please give them a try. Ask for them at your libraries. To those of you that have read and enjoyed my books, I want to say thank you. It is an honor to know that somewhere in the world someone is enjoying my tales. You are my inspiration for writing.

What's the one thing that you want them to know about your writing?

There is no violence in my books. There is enough violence in this world without our children having to read about it too.

Hold onto today, read to the children for they grow up too soon.

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