A Golden Welcome to Author Pauline Isaksen!

Here on my book island, my sunny, golden days are filled with the joy of books. Everyday, I read a variety of good stories. I also enjoy learning about the craft of writing. And an added bonus is that I get to know people from…everywhere! So, I am delighted to introduce you to Author Pauline Isaksen. She has written a book that captivated me and she has also written about her successful writing journey. She is from Norway, by way of England! Let’s get to know her and her books, as I am sure you don’t want to be clueless!

Thanks for inviting me to your wonderful blog! By way of introduction – I’m originally from England but have lived in Norway for the past thirty years. I’m married with four grown children and seven growing grandchildren. If I’d known having grandchildren would be so much fun, I would’ve had them first.

I spend my days helping my husband in our Biotech company, working on my books, playing tennis or exercising on my bike, and playing with grandkids. 

Norway is a beautiful country and I love living here. We’re only four-and-a-half-million people in the whole country so there’s a lot of space. The mountains and fjords are stunning, and I’ve seen a lot of Norway which is a little over 1,000 miles long. One of my greatest feats was climbing to the top of Preikestolen(the Pulpit Rock) – one of the most famous sights in Norway.

I published my first book – Dying for Justice– in 2018 at the happy age of sixty! I’d only recently finished a pre-university course and I was considering taking a degree. However, the last semester of the course was English Literature and Grammar, and I realized how much I missed writing English. I’d always wanted to write a book and so I made the decision that I was going to get it done.  

As I explain in my new book – How I Went from Clueless to Best Seller Using These Simple 12 Steps– (released on 11^thMay 2019), I was totally clueless when I began the process, and I had a steep learning curve to get through. I’d no idea what I was letting myself in for and have come out of the process with a greater appreciation for authors generally.

I knew I’d have to set a goal to get the job done, so in November 2017 I decided to write a book, publish it within twelve months, and achieve Best Seller status. At that time, I’d never heard of the word Indie, I didn’t know what Point of View meant, and I thought KDP sounded like a radio station from the nineties. Like I said – clueless! 

What Happens Next, Pauline?

Less than twelve months later, on October 15^th, 2018 to be exact, I released my paperback version on Amazon. The ebook was released on December 26^ththat same year. On the first day of sale, the book reached the Best Seller lists for both paperback and ebook. I know because I stayed awake until three in the morning, refreshing the pages every few minutes until I hit my goal. Then I went to bed. A few days later the book reached Best Seller in four categories and soared to number one in Hot New Releases for Mystery Series. I was over the moon. s

So, How Did you Go from “Clueless” to “Bestseller”?

When I decided I wanted to write a best seller I asked myself what people were interested in. I thought about popular television shows and came up with three things – crime/police, hospitals and legal. I also knew instinctively that the biggest market would be the U.S.A., and I know how much they love the British 😊. So, I wrote a murder mystery about a lawyer living in London. That wasn’t very sophisticated was it? And yet, at the time, I didn’t know I was doing something authors will tell you to do, called, ‘write to market’. 

I really enjoyed the process of learning new things, not just about writing, but all the things I learned while researching for my book. I began to understand the love writers have for their craft.

Pauline Isaksen, Author

JENA’S REVIEW

How I Went from Clueless to Best Seller: Using These 12 Simple Steps by Pauline Isaksen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had the pleasure of reading Author Pauline Isaksen’s debut novel, a legal thriller. When I recently learned she had written a new book on how to plan a successful writing journey, I chuckled at the title- “How I Went From Clueless To Best Seller: Using These 12 Simple Steps”. Author Isaksen certainly hadn’t seemed to me to be a clueless writer; I had found her first book to be polished and good entertainment, and I had given it a well-deserved glowing review.

I was eager to read her book about writing and publishing. When she graciously sent me a review copy, I noticed she had empathized clueless in her book blurb:

“When I say ‘clueless’, I mean really, really clueless.”- Pauline Isaksen

Wow so how did this self-described and emphatically-affirmed “clueless” writer produce a debut bestseller in one year?! How did she go from clueless to successful? Time for me to read this book. (And in all honesty, I can also describe myself as at least somewhat clueless.)

“Clueless to Bestseller” is well-organized, entertaining and encouraging to read. I liked that it was organized around twelve steps. Each step includes friendly and solid knowledge and ends with extra tips, as well as free methods and investment methods for achieving that step.

Bearing in mind that the goal is to become a bestseller, the steps are a good blend of current, practical internet-based knowledge. I was happy that the author also gives a nod towards the joy of writing and creating. For example, should you write a book about the arcane rules of tiddlywinks or should you pick a more popular topic? If you want to be a bestseller on Amazon, you should choose a more popular genre than tiddlywinks. But, if you want to write to satisfy your soul, which many of us do, then at least you know the plusses and minuses of your decision.

Do you want to become a more professional and polished writer? There’s a chapter for that! Ms. Isaksen’s unique method for learning to be a more accomplished writer will fascinate you. Want to know how you get more reviews or develop effective ads- yes, there are chapters and steps for you to follow!

From the first steps of learning how to write to the final step, “Step 12- Launch and Lift-Off”, this book will inspire you with its workable plans and resources. The book includes many links to websites and products. I was familiar with some of the products, so it was helpful to have the author’s opinion of them. Highly recommend.

Many thanks to the author for a review copy. This is my honest review.

View all my reviews

Pauline, What’s Next?

I’m now working on the sequel and (although I got a bit waylaid whilst writing Clueless to Best Seller) I’m already 10,000 words in, and plan to have it published in Fall, 2019. I wasn’t sure I would ever write more than the first book, but when I’ve written something, edited it, found just the right words, and it looks and feels right, I get the most amazing feeling of happiness inside of me.

My biggest fear is that the second book won’t be as good as the first, because I threw my heart and soul into that one. I don’t know where the ideas came from, and I worry I won’t be able to come up with new ideas for the second one. When I get these doubts, I tell myself if I did it once I can do it again and I just start writing. 

I’m not sure how far I’ll go with my writing, but as long as I’m enjoying the process, and growing and learning, I will continue.

Pauline Isaksen grew up in England but moved to Norway in 1999, where she currently resides. She and her husband, Morten (who proposed after three days!), now have four children and seven grandchildren. 

She enjoys time with her family, tennis, cycling, reading, writing, and photography. She also likes to sleep! 

Her novel debut – Dying for Justice – achieved Best Seller and #1 Hot New Release (December 2018). She likes to write exciting novels and short stories, without sex and profanity.

My two books and two short stories currently available. The Secret is free on my website.

www.pauline-isaksen.com

Facebook page – Pauline Isaksen

Twitter

Thanks, Pauline. I have enjoyed your books and it’s been a real pleasure getting to know you! Here’s my review of Dying for Justice.