Inka Piegsa-Quischotte and I met online. It may have been via Linkedin or Facebook. In any case, we have become friends and it seems like we have known each other a long time. We are both nomads at heart and share one of those rare instant connections.

Reviewing Inka’s book Sweet Revenge, gave be an inside glimpse into her talent. I will tell you, anyone who likes mystery, intrigue and just endings, will be enthralled with this novel.

Inka contributes to our Where And What In the World Blog. We are fortunate to feature a historical profile of a recipe from the past every six weeks or so. It is always fascinating what she discovers on various well-known favorite dishes.
I keep up with Inka by reading her online articles whenever possible. Fortunately, she lists them on FaceBook, so I know when something new is available.

When deciding to feature these interviews with writers, Inka was the first person that came to mind, as her background is quite interesting. I hope you enjoy learning a little about Inka.

INTERVIEW Questions:

Inka Piegsa-Quischotte

1. Please introduce yourself: provide some background, i.e. where are you from, how did you start writing, is there anything specifically interesting about you? If you had another career first, how/why did you switch to writing?

I was born in Germany and first qualified as an international attorney. I hold law degrees in Germany, the UK and Spain. My parents took me on trips at an early age and I have loved travel ever since. My profession took me around the globe, but I was not able to see anything and therefore I decided, after nearly 30 years of practicing law to travel for fun and to write about it. I have always been writing short stories and I love to read, so I started on a novel too, which was completed and published and then followed with another novel, which actually won an award.

I am pleased to say that my travel articles are becoming quite popular and I am currently working on my third novel.

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2. What can you share with others as to important tips or suggestions for other writers on writing and finding outlets for articles?

There are no short cuts. Surf the net to find print magazines and online magazines, study the guidelines very, very carefully, adhere to them strictly and submit, submit, submit. Never be discouraged by rejections. A great, great help are social networks such as FaceBook and Linkedin or Twitter. Perseverance is the key word though and that goes for the articles as well as for the novels.

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3. Inka, I’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed the mystery and intrigue and just ending of Sweet Revenge and great insight and laughs with House Husbands Club. How did you get started writing?

I just did because I felt the need to share my experience. As for the novels: they are pure entertainment and I love to make people smile.

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4. Did you have something specific that inspired you to write in this genre?

I like to read it myself and often came upon books, which disappointed me, which I didn’t even finish. So I decided to write my own. If someone else loves them too, so much the better.

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5. Do you also blog or have a website?

Yes, The Single Woman Traveler.

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6. Do you query for assignments before you write or after the article is done?

Both. I query more often now than I did before.

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7. Can you comfortably recommend any publications looking for freelancers?

In the Know Traveler, Gonomad, Literary Traveler to mention but a few.

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8. Are you a freelancer or on staff?

Freelance.

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9. What’s the most difficult part of your job?

Coping with the technicalities. Each site has different requirements and I sometimes feel that form is more important than content. But if you want to be published, you just do as you are told.

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10. What is your approach to research?

Double check. Of course I use the Internet a lot, but I don’t rely on just one source of information.

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11. Have you learned any inside tips along the way you could recommend to writers starting out?

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I can only repeat: study the guidelines and strictly follow them even if you think you can do a short-cut. You can’t.

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12. What are your favorite type of books and authors and what draws you to them? What intrigues you about them?

I love each and anything by John Steinbeck and Scott Fitzgerald. I like books by Donna Leon and P.D. James for entertainment. I like the plots, the locations, the certain melancholy and the drama.

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13. Do you Facebook or Twitter? If so, do you find them effective?

I do and I find them absolutely vital for my travel writing, particularly FB.

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14. If you are marketing on line, do you find one site more helpful than others?

No.

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15. Where can readers learn more about you?

@lilygogo (twitter) and my blog: The Single Woman Traveler.

Sweet Revenge : http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Sweet-Revenge/Inka-Piegsa-Quischotte/e/9781935383758/?itm=24&USRI=sweet+revenge

The Househusbands Club

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MDH Note: There are quite a few books named Sweet Revenge. Be sure to use the link to go to Inka’s or search by author.

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I hope you enjoyed meeting Inka. If you are a writer or publisher who would like to me interviewed, please send me your contact information at MDHill@NoraLyn.com. I will send you a list of questions for the correct category. If you are a blogger on food, wine or travel, I’d also be interested in interviewing you.

Maralyn D. Hill, President
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success With Writing Where & What in the World
Member: Society of Professional Journalists

Finalist in the Writing and Publishing category of the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, “$uccess, Your Path to a Successful Book,”