L.T. Suzuki, click
here to update your pages on AuthorsDen.
Blogs by L.T. Suzuki
Tamela Buhrke Interview 6/22/2013 9:38:01 PM
Paranormal fiction author Tamela Buhrke discusses her Watcher Series and the writing life! LTS: For today’s feature, I’m excited to introduce you to paranormal fiction author, Tamela Buhrke, the creator of The Watcher Series! I’d like to begin by having you share a little information about yourself with our readers, Tamela. What do you enjoy doing when you are not writing?
TB: I’m not really sure there’s a time when I’m not writing. There are a lot of people in my head and they long to be heard. There are also many magical lands that itch to be created. So I think my mind is always in the writer’s world.
However, I do have a corporeal self that lives in Baja. It loves the ocean. There are plenty of dolphins and whales to keep my eyes entertained as I watch the waves from my kitchen. To keep my body busy, I teach yoga. I also walk on the beach or boogie board. I’d really love to learn how to sail. That’s my next goal.
LTS: You have been writing stories since you were a young child. Is it wrong to assume that becoming a published author was a foregone conclusion?
TB: I always wanted to be an author. Always. No matter what other job I took (being practical) my true passion was pouring magical worlds into printed pages.
LTS: I’ve had a chance to read an excerpt from your debut novel, Angel Unraveled and I can see why it’s receiving great reviews! What was the inspiration behind this story and can you tell us a little bit about your protagonist, Andi Andreas?
TB: I was struck by an idea about heroes. Our culture likes to portray heroes as strong, confident and always right. They are nearly perfect. Most of the urban fantasy books have these kick butt female characters. I love them, but there are times when I just don’t buy it. They are too cool and calm. If I were to run into a real life vampire or demon, I’d have some issues with bladder control.
So I wanted to create a heroine who discovers monsters through an average woman’s eyes—with all the fear and humor that would inspire. My protagonist, Andi Andreas, represents every woman. The first “monster” she meets she attacks with a kitchen utensil. She argues with demons over her wardrobe. She worries that men with fangs might be a long-term commitment nightmare.
And yet, she rises to meet the challenge. She becomes the hero.
LTS: Without giving away too much, can you reveal what’s in store for the readers when they crack open Angel Unraveled?
TB: You’ll find that Andi Andreas is a psychic with monster troubles. Namely, she’s discovered they live upstairs. Her tenants are a vampire and his half-vampire great grandson. Worse, one night she opens her door and the sexy half-vampire, Tucker, collapses into her arms, bloodied and battered.
Tucker pulls Andi into a dark world of preternatural drug dealers who are headed by a sassy she-demon. They sell a drug that temporarily turns humans into vampires. This demon has set her sights on using Andi in her evil plans. Unfortunately, she seems to know more about Andi than Andi knows about herself.
So Andi must unlock the secrets of her own heritage in order to save herself, Tucker and the world from the demon’s plan to convert humanity into her slaves.
No pressure. Poor Andi, she must hate me for the things I put her through.
LTS: The road to publication is difficult at the best of times. Was it difficult for you to land an agent? Do you have any advice you’d like to share with the author struggling to find representation?
TB: Actually, I am self-published. I started my own publishing company called Wicked Women Publishing.
I called myself up and said, “Self, that book is epic. Let’s publish it!” So we did. We were both very happy.
LTS: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned on the road to publication?
TB: I like having control over the whole project. I hear a lot of authors complaining that their publishers created covers that don’t match the tone or content of their book. They also have creative and philosophical differences. Marketing fights.
Being my own publisher is a huge amount of work, but I am the master of my world. I sit in the big chair and approve covers or decide what content needs to be written.
It’s good to be the queen.
LTS: On the subject of writing styles, are you a plotter or pantser? The readers would like to know if you tend to plot out your story line in great detail or if your writing is more organic with the characters and events unfolding as you write.
TB: I started as a panster. My first novel was all panster.
In my second novel, Angel Unprepared, there was a time travel component to the story. So plotting became a must. Strangely, I found it easier to write the book after I knew the plot. Who knew that would happen?
Now I’ve become almost scary in my plotting. I’ve got software for keeping track of the details of my writing (Scrivener) and software for mind mapping, charting and diagraming (Scapple). I’ve become a plotting monster. Seriously, I should be reported to authorities.
LTS: Some authors meditate, others need to fuel up on coffee or listen to music. Do you have any rituals, ones that can be shared with the readers, that you must do before you hunker down for a writing session?
TB: Gosh, I wish I did. Mostly, I squeeze writing into all and any time crevices that I have. Sometimes, I do yoga before writing. I find that it quiets the mind, so I can write more effectively. Hmm… I should really do that more often.
LTS: At one time or another, most writers hit the wall and their work stalls because of the dreaded writer’s block. What do you do to get around or over this mental wall to resume writing?
TB: I find that there are different types of writer’s block. If it is just a matter of not knowing where to go next with a scene or trying to get a stronger understanding of a character, then I watch anything created by Joss Whedon. He inspires me and motivates me to create things that are off beat and interesting.
And his actors are so very pretty. They are just too pretty for me to let them go unwatched.
Unfortunately, sometimes the block is deeper. I had one recently that was a bugger. I found that writing about the writer’s block helped me to understand the more emotional issue that was causing the block. Now it has cleared away like writing Drano.
LTS: Who is your favourite author and how has he/she inspired you to write or influenced your writing style or choice of genre?
TB: Yikes! Choosing a favorite author that has inspired is so hard.
I’m inspired by so many greats: G.R.R. Martin, R. Heinlein, A. Bishop, M. L’Engle, C. S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, J.K. Rowling.
In my own genre, the person I most want to be when I grow up is Jim Butcher. I love his character, Harry Dresden. He blows shit up (sometimes, literally flaming poo). How can you not love that?
I’m also in awe of Jim Butcher because he plotted out a 20 book series in advance—before being published. That not only takes some serious skill, it is also incredibly hopeful and ballsy. I love that.
LTS: What do you foresee in your future over the next five years and do you hope to branch out from paranormal fiction into other genres? Can your fans expect a sequel to Angel Unraveled in the near future?
TB: The sequel is Angel Unprepared. In the next two to three years, I will have completed the Watcher Series. There should be seven books in that series. I’m currently working on book three, Angel Unleashed.
Later this summer, I plan to start a new adult paranormal thriller series. I have it all plotted out and diagrammed.
I also have a few ideas for some stand-alone novels.
So I’ll be busy. I think all my books will have some type of paranormal twist. They may branch off into steampunk or thrillers or even horror.
Thank for discussing your writing life and your great new series, Tamela! I'll catch you on Twitter! For more information about Tamela Buhrke and her novels, check out:
Website: www.tamelabuhrke.com
Follow Tamela on Twitter: .tamelabuhrke
Where to buy the book: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005CIRVX4
