TAMARA GRANTHAM, AUTHOR OF NEVER CALL
ME A VAMPIRE TO GIRL WITH PEN. THANK YOU
FOR TAKING YOUR TIME OUT OF YOUR BUSY
SCHEDULE TO ANSWER MY READER'S QUESTIONS.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Q: Can you tell us a little about yourself to start?
Hello! My name is Tamara Grantham. I’m a full-time mom of five busy kids ages five to fifteen. In my “free time,” I love to write! Okay, I have to make free time, and my kids know when I’m on my computer, Mommy’s writing! But seriously, writing is my passion. I started writing ten years ago when my husband was in residency. It was a great creative outlet, and I haven’t stopped since. I am a native Texan, but I currently live in the beautiful state of Kansas, which I’ve come to love almost as much (or maybe more…shhh…don’t tell my parents) than Texas. In addition to my five kiddos, we also have six pets. Three cats and three dogs. So yeah, that free time thing…what was it again?
Q: How does your family feel about you being a published author?
My family is really excited about it. My kids think it’s super cool that Mommy has published books. They come to some of my book signings and help hand out bookmarks, and they think it’s the coolest. I’m lucky to have my husband as not only my biggest fan, but also my, in his words, “Alpha reader.” He reads all my first drafts and helps me come up with story ideas. He’s even started outlining his own book, so I’m hoping I’ll get to help him when the time comes.
Q: What inspires you to write?
Books and nature. I love to read. When I was kid, books transported me to worlds I could only imagine. I got lost in Narnia and Prydain. I’ve never lost my passion for reading, although these days, it’s definitely a luxury. I also love taking walks through natural settings. I love the woods and the beautiful trees, sunsets and sunrises. There’s nothing quite as inspiring as the beauty of nature.
Q: Describe your book in 3 words?
Misdirection. Suspense. Mythical.
Q: Out of all of your books do you have a favorite character or couple?
My favorite character is Kull from the Olive Kennedy, Fairy World MD series. Think Thor from the Ragnarok film with a little more cockiness and humor, and an addiction to Dr. Pepper.
Q: Are you currently working on a new book at this time?
Yes, I’m currently writing the sequel to Never Call Me Vampire.
Q: Do you have a routine you follow when you write? (i.e. listen to music, sit in a certain chair or at a certain desk)
Yes and no. If I get the chance to sit in my favorite spot at the kitchen table, listen to my Lindsey Stirling radio station, and drink cinnamon hot cocoa, I take it. But sometimes life throws me curve balls, so if I have to sit in my car in the parking lot at the orthodontist, I take the opportunity. Sometimes I have to compromise.
Q: How do your stories & characters develop?
It usually starts with a scene. For example, in Never Call Me Vampire, I envisioned a vampire sitting in a hospital setting, perhaps some place that had once been a sanitarium, and receiving blood transfusions to stay alive. Once I see the scene in my head, the story blossoms from there.
Q: What was the first thing that came to your mind when your first book was published?
I remember seeing my book for sale on Amazon, with my name on the cover, and it was such a memorable experience. I’ll never forget it.
Q: Do you have favorite author whose books you love to read?
Yes, Ilona Andrews is a favorite, as is Jim Butcher.
Q: What is your favorite genre to read & write?
Fantasy.
Q: How do you go about creating the most “Swoonworthy” character?
I don’t really create “swoonworthy” characters. My characters are usually multi-layered and relatable. If they happen to be swoonworthy, then all the better.
Q: Can you share something with everyone that inspires you?
Taking walks in nature is my greatest source of inspiration. Also, I love to read, and I’ll sometimes imagine a scene in a book, then I’ll branch off from there and create my own story from it.
Q: Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
I always wanted to write, but I didn’t necessarily always want to be a writer. I got a degree in English and I wanted to be an English teacher. In some ways, I feel I’m still honing the craft of teaching through writing my own stories.
Q: When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?
After I completed my first novel.
Q: Do you have a favorite playlist that you listen to when you write?
Yes! I love Lindsey Stirling, movie soundtracks for Braveheart and Inception, Paul Cardall, and Maxence Cyrin.
Q: Do you read all the reviews for your book(s)?
I try not to, but it’s hard to resist. Sometimes the reviews are AMAZING! I feel like my readers totally get the message and atmosphere I was trying to evoke. Other times, I wonder if they even read the same book I wrote. It’s so funny how different perspectives and personalities can color a book.
Q: Which do you prefer paperback, hardback or ebooks & why?
I’ve only read ebooks for the past five years or so. There’s just so convenient! I still love paperback, don’t get me wrong. But having a book or 500 on my phone is so much more portable and accessible.
Q: Of all of the books you have written do you have a favorite & why?
It’s probably the first book I wrote, which isn’t even published, but it holds a special place in my heart. It was the book that made me an author.
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Q: When you aren't writing what do you do to relax and have fun?
Lately I’ve been playing the Legends of Zelda, Breath of the Wild, with my daughter. (Okay, she plays, and I give advice, like “Go get that mushroom!”) Once upon a time I also loved going to the movies with just myself and my husband. Ahh…the good old days.
Okay now some fun ones:
Q: What are your favorite types of heroines? Do you like the damsel in distress who needs saving or the kick-ass variety? Why?
Kick-ass variety. Hands down. We need strong women in literature.
Q: What is or was your most embarrassing moment or the craziest thing you have ever don’t? Come on you can’t hold out on everyone.
LOL
Oh boy. I’ve got a DOOZIE of an embarrassing moment. Ready for it? Imagine me at sixteen. Awkward. Insecure. Slightly attracted to a really cute guy who’s going to be at a pool party. So I make it to said pool party with about 50 other guys and girls (cute guy included,) and I arrive a few minutes late, which means I miss a crucial announcement which goes something like this:
“If you use the bathroom, don’t lock the door. The lock isn’t working, and the door will swing open. Make sure someone stands at the door and holds it closed for you, because once you make it to the toilet, which is about 25 feet from the door, the door will open, and you will have to run those twenty feet, buck naked, to get the door closed again.”
Yes.
I missed that announcement.
And I wore a one-piece.
And I really had to go.
Inevitably, I got my wet swimsuit off and around my ankles, ready to do my thing, when the door swings WIDE open.
This wasn’t a bathroom inside the house. It was an add-on by the pool, open for the world to see.
I had two choices. Stay on the toilet. Or make a run for the door.
I made a run for it, praying no one—especially not him!—would see me,
God was watching out for me that day. A girl I knew, one of the friendliest girls in the world, who I thankfully saw on rare occasions, was standing at the door, saw me making a run for it in all my glory, and closed the door for me.
Still a mortifying experience. But it could’ve been so much worse…
How about a little of This or That:
Coffee or Tea? Hot cocoa. 😉
Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate.
Kinky or Sweet? A little of both.
Tall, dark & handsome or blonde, surfer type?
Dine in or Dine out? Out. I hate dishes.
Sunset or Sunrise? Sunset
Steak or Chicken? Steak
Cats or Dogs? Impossible to choose.
Dom or Sub?
Summer or Winter? Winter
Shower or Bath? Shower
Beer or Wine?
Scary or Comedy? Depends on my mood.
Biker or Billionaire? Biker
Thong or Commando?
Rock or Country? Rock
Vanilla or Toys?
Pink or Black? Black
THANK YOU TAMARA. I ENJOYED YOUR DELIGHTFUL
ANSWERS AND LEARNING ALL ABOUT YOU AS MY READERS
WILL. PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT HER WONDERFUL
NEW RELEASE, NEVER CALL ME A VAMPIRE. I HAVE HAD
THE PLEASURE OF READING THIS WONDERFUL BOOK
AND WILL BE POSTING MY REVIEW.
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