Today I have another Brain to Books Cyber Convention author feature. Remember, this great event for authors and readers alike is coming to Goodreads this April, on the 8th, 9th and 10th. Be sure to check out all the details and pertinent links for the event here: http://www.angelabchrysler.com/brain-to-books-cyber-convention-2016/
Now on with the main event, our latest Brain to Books author feature. Today I have a great interview with YA fantasy author, Shari Tapscott. Enjoy...
Interview With Shari Tapscott
Why don’t you begin by sharing a little
about yourself.
When I’m not writing or reading, I love
to garden, make soap, and pretend I can sing (I can’t). In the summer, my
family enjoys camping and hiking, and the settings in a lot of my books are
inspired by our nearby mountains.
Could you tell us a bit about your
latest book?
My newest release is Seirsha of Errinton, the third book in The Eldentimber Series. Each installment
of the series focuses on a character we met in my first book, Pippa of
Lauramore, and this time, the story is set in the kingdom of Errinton. It was a
unique writing experience for me. My other books are lighthearted, but Errinton
has fallen from its former glory, and it’s in a dark place. In the book, we meet Seirsha, only daughter of the cruel king. After living
in the shadow of her father, she’s learned to keep herself distant from those
around her. But after the untimely death of the heir to the throne, a man from
Seirsha’s childhood steps back into her life and threatens to crumble her
carefully constructed walls. Though darker than my previous novels, at its
heart, the book is a story of love and hope.
Of all the books you've written, do you
have a favourite?
It seems whatever book I’m working on at
the moment is my favorite! Looking back, I would have to say it’s probably Pippa of Lauramore. It was my first
published novel, and Pippa was just so much fun to write. That, and I have such
a soft spot for Archer.
You write in several genres. Do you have
a favourite? And if so, why?
I’m going to compare my genres to
desserts. The humorous contemporaries are like cookies—they are quick, sweet,
and a fast fix for a sugar craving. Fantasies, to me, are like a really good
cheesecake. They’re rich and decadent and so much more satisfying. I write
contemporaries to clear my head. I write fantasies because I adore them.
When did you realize you wanted to be a
writer?
When I was in fifth grade, I started
writing stories in spiral notebooks. All of my “books” seemed to be about
horses—though I’d never ridden one at that point (I blame the embarrassingly
extensive collection of Saddle Club
books I had at that time). As the years went by, I continued to write, but I
exchanged my notebooks for Microsoft Word. As an adult, I took a few writing
courses focused on children’s literature. Most people thought I planned to
submit a story here and there, maybe write a picture book. I never admitted to
anyone how badly I wanted to write adult and young adult novels. Finally, after
I finished Pippa of Lauramore, I
decided to go for it. I’ve never looked back.
Can you tell us about your writing
process? Where do your ideas originate? Do you have a certain writing routine?
I’m not certain where the ideas come
from, but once they’re in my head, I begin to plot them. I’m an obsessive
outliner, and nothing makes me happier than taking an idea and expanding on it
until I have a story. As for the actual writing process, I’m usually at my
kitchen table. I don’t have any specific routines, but I do like to get ready
for the day, eat breakfast, and make a fresh cup of coffee before I get
started. I can write in a messy house, but for some reason, I can’t write with
messy hair.
What is your greatest challenge as a
writer?
I struggle with balancing my days. It
seems that between writing, taking care of my kids, maintaining the house, and
planning meals, something always falls behind. That something is usually eating
at home. Writing is my work, but I enjoy it so much, I tend to feel guilty when
I let it take over, even if it’s only for a few days.
What do you like to do when you're not
writing? Any hobbies?
As I mentioned earlier, I make soap.
It’s a crazy process, and every time I pull on my goggles and gloves, I feel
like a mad scientist. There is just something so satisfying about watching a
liquid go through a natural chemical change and become something solid and
bubbly. And there is nothing as luxurious as cold process soap. My family’s
favorite is a citrus blend with dried lemon peel. You just can’t help but be happy when you
smell like an orange.
Are you working on another book?
I actually have three projects going
right now, and they’re all in different stages. I’m writing the fourth book in
my Eldentimber series, editing a
steampunk fantasy, and outlining the second book in the Cabin. Coffee. Love. series. I’m not sure how I ended up with this
many books going at once, but it seems to be working just fine.
Shari L. Tapscott writes young adult fantasy and humorous contemporary fiction. She lives in Western Colorado with her husband, son, daughter, and two very spoiled Saint Bernards.
Website: shariltapscott.com
I'd like to thank Shari L. Tapscott for stopping by today, and be sure to check out her virtual booth at the convention this April.
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