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Carole Brody Fleet is the award-winning author of Widows Wear Stilettos: A Practical and Emotional Guide for the Young Widow ,(New Horizon Press); Widows Wear Stilettos: The 'Answer" Book; the ULTIMATE Question, Answer and Reference Guide for Widows", as well as the author and executive producer of her CD, entitled, Widows Wear Stilettos: What Now?She is the founder of Widows Wear Stilettos and WidowsWearStilettos.com, the first website of its kind, allowing actual interactivity between its visitors, as well as a place where widows of all ages find support and encouragement, helpful tips, education and resources.

Ms. Fleet has made guest appearances on national, regional and local television; appears as a regular guest on numerous radio programs in the United States, Canada and Mexico and is a featured expert in many well-known international and national magazines, newspapers and websites in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. 

Thank you Carole for answering a few questions for us!  To start, please tell us about the latest project you've worked on. 

It's my pleasure and thank you.

My first book, "Widows Wear Stilettos: A Practical and Emotional Guide for the Young Widow " (New Horizon Press) was released in January, 2009 and my second book, "Widows Wear Stilettos: The 'Answer' Book – The ULTIMATE Question, Answer and Reference Guide for Widows" is due in 2010. 

Have you received any awards for your work?

I was a recipient of the 2008 Embrace Life Award from State Farm Insurance Companies and was also recognized as a founding case library author for "The Hot Mommas Project" which is housed at George Washington University

Do you also do speaking engagements, or seminars?

I spend a great deal of time making personal appearances which definitely ranks among my favorite aspects of my job.  In addition to presentations on grief recovery (which encompasses all manner of loss; from loss of a loved one to loss of a pet to the loss of a job), I also speak on everything from overcoming adversity to time management, stress management and goal setting; from parenting issues to dating and love issues…it  runs quite the gamut.  I have also taught courses and workshops on becoming a published author (for the new and / or previously unpublished). 

How has your education, profession or background helped you in your writing career? Or conversely, how has you writing success helped you in your profession?

The singularly most important thing that I took into my career as an author and writer is a disciplined work ethic.  Like everyone else, there are plenty of times when I just don't feel like going into my office; however, deadlines don't care if you don't feel well or you would rather be at the beach or shopping with your daughter; anymore than a conventional employer would. 

Many are of the belief that being a writer or being self-employed in any respect means that you "work when you want".  In point of fact and many times, it means that you are working when you would really rather not.  So many people have asked me how I wrote the first book in only four months time.  The answer is simple:  When it's time to work – I go to work

Is there any aspect to your profession that gets you in touch with your readers directly?

YES – and I love that! Our website, widowswearstilettos.com keeps me in touch with our audience; both via the Message Boards and through email.  I receive upwards of 4000 emails per month through the website and although I physically cannot respond to everyone, I do read every single letter that we receive and I answer as many as possible.

What will your next project be?

I am currently preparing the outline for a third book that will address loss recovery in broader terms.  We have also developed a television treatment for proposal to production companies.

Who inspires you on a personal or business level?

On a business level, I am inspired by all those who have gone before me who were told, "It can't be done"…and did "it" anyway.  The people who have had doors slammed in their faces and choose instead to break down the door rather than walk away will always be my source of inspiration and motivation.  On a personal level, I am constantly inspired and amazed by the thousands of widows that have come into my life – their stories and their collective determination to recover from their respective situations is a daily source of inspiration for me. 

What type of work is the most rewarding or satisfying for you?

Within the parameters of Widows Wear Stilettos, that question is almost impossible to answer because every aspect of what I do is incredibly rewarding and satisfying.  If I had to select just one thing, it would be the knowledge that in some small way, we are contributing to women's healing journeys all over the world.

What can you recommend for writers who are just getting started and are trying to make a name for themselves?

Re-read the above concerning self-discipline…without it, you may get started; however, you will not finish.  It is also very important that you "do your homework" and don't be so anxious to get published that you are taken in by scam agents or publishers – and sadly, both are out there in abundance. 

A great way to start is with two books: "Guide to Literary Agents" which is updated yearly and "Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors and Literary Agents"; also updated yearly.  I would not be where I am today absent those two books and happily had the opportunity to meet Jeff Herman and personally tell him so.

How did you get started as a writer?

I became widowed at the age of 40 years after caring for my husband through his over-two-year battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).  Like millions of other women who have experienced the loss of a spouse, I was left with an 11 year old daughter to raise (now 20 years of age), a "mountain" of bills to pay…and absolutely no direction or instruction on how to accomplish any of it. 

Worse, I could find no one with whom I could talk that truly understood my situation -   my contemporaries were either happily married and raising families or single by choice.  Imagine how it feels to have people physically back away from you when you tell them that you are widowed (and apparently "contagious") or to have to endure the seemingly insensitive opinions and observations of those around you; or try to figure out how the bills are going to be paid; how to raise young children who are themselves grieving; what the banks and creditors need to effect changes on accounts, mortgages, titles and credit cards; the "pros and pitfalls" of re-entering the "World of Dating"…and so much  more.

After years had passed, and after having sufficiently recovered in all respects from what can only be described as the "journey" of a lifetime, I then decided that if you can't find it…you create it!

Because of the emotional, practical and financial issues that I had faced as a younger widow and with the goals of educating, supporting and creating a network among the millions of others in similar situations, it became my life's mission to bring support, education, hope and promise to those who have been touched by the challenge of widowhood, regardless of age.  The glaring lack of education and support for younger widows in particular; as well as a desire to use my experiences to ease others' pain, enhance lives and coach widows of all ages were the motivations leading to the inception of Widows Wear Stilettos in its entirety.

Which is your favorite book/work published? Is there a favorite?

This is such a difficult question because there are so many wonderful works out there.  I am quite partial to "The Five Love Languages" by Dr. Gary Chapman as it really impacted the way that I approach the different relationships in my life – and any book that creates a life change or attitude will always rank high on my "favorites" list.  Another one of my very favorite books is, "Dave Barry's Book of Bad Songs" by the wonderful humorist, Dave Barry.  I have owned that book for over ten years and to this day, if I pick it up and open it, I'm laughing hysterically.  I literally cannot read the book in public because it makes me laugh so hard.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

I don't think that any writer has a "typical" day! I do try to plan some kind of agenda for each day…how well it is met is another question altogether.

I usually check email right away because emails coming in from the East Coast will have been sitting there since the middle of the night Pacific Time.  I also respond to any urgent press queries and interview requests, since the media often operates on an "urgent" basis.  After all of the emails are prioritized, I take care of "office work" for the day, i.e., reading emails coming in through the website, following up with media, returning phone calls, sending out thank you notes and so forth.  I do most of my "serious" writing in the late night and overnight hours. Of course, when there is a last minute interview or I'm on deadline, all agendas and schedules go right out the window

Have you ever had a mentor, or someone who sparked your passion for writing?

While I have had a long-standing passion for writing since the age of 12 years, it was my high school journalism teacher who said, "Yes you can" when everyone else seemed to be saying, "No you can't" or "How will you pay your bills?".  What a joy it was to return to my high school years later, give him a copy of my first book and be able to hug him and say thank you. 

Who is your favorite writer/author?

That depends entirely on the genre.  In fiction, I am an admirer of Jackie Collins, who develops her characters in such a way that you find yourself getting truly attached to them.  She also typically has several storylines going on at the same time and then brings them all together in the last few pages – this is writing that I could never do myself and have nothing but admiration for those who can.  When it comes to non-fiction, there is wonderful talent out there - Lee Woodruff, Lenore Skenazy and Marci Shimoff to name a few.  I am also partial to humor and enjoy the writings of the late George Carlin as well as Dave Barry.

Finally, a most important question: what was the last song you sang out loud when you were by yourself?  :)

"Walk Away" by Kelly Clarkson.  I have now just truly embarrassed myself!

Thank you Carole! We wish you great success with your next book Widows Wear Stilettos: The 'Answer' Book – The ULTIMATE Question, Answer and Reference Guide for Widows.