Monday, January 28, 2013

Spotlight Interview - Heather Sharpe

Spotlight Interview with Heather Sharpe

Tell us a little about yourself.
Hi! I am an ex elementary teacher turned stay at home mom.  I live on six acres out in the middle of nowhere with my husband, toddler, and way too many cats and dogs.  I’m a softie, though, and can’t kick them out in the cold, so our bed gets pretty crowded at night.  J I’ve been writing for three years, and am overjoyed to have three books coming out over six months this year.

Do you work with an outline or just write? 
I usually just write, but on longer works sometimes I’ll open another document to use to make notes of things I want to remember to tie up later in the book.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing? 
The hardest thing for me is transitions. I know where I want my characters to go next, but sometimes struggle getting them in position.  As a reader, sometimes I skim through these parts to get to the next action, and I tend to want to write the same way—skipping straight to each action scene.  The best writing advice I got once was to type TRANSITION in my manuscript and keep writing while I have momentum, then go back later and fill in the blanks instead of letting myself get stuck and dropping the ball just because I can’t figure it out at the moment.

How do you come up with the titles of your books? 
Titles are very hard for me. Many times I’ll ask my husband for help. He writes as well, and has come up with the title for two of my manuscripts.

Please share an enticing tag line of your current work with us.
Double Trouble anthology, available now: Will she ever determine which is Tanna’s Twin?
My book releasing January 8, For the Love of a Sphynx: When time’s the enemy, there’s no room to pussyfoot around.

If your book were made into a movie, who would you want to play your main characters?
Hmm. I’ve never really thought about it! I guess probably Jake Gyllenhaal because I can’t get enough
of seeing him!) and Zooey Deschane.
Where can we purchase your book?
Do you prefer to write with a pen and paper, or computer?
I prefer paper, but use a computer so I don’t have to rewrite it later.  I keep paper handy, though, when we are in the car because that’s when I invariably get some of my best ideas. 
What does your writing space look like?
Most of the time I write sitting on the couch in front of the TV while my baby sleeps on the cushion beside me.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not writing?
I used to read a lot, but now if I’m not writing, I’m playing with my son. He is fifteen months old, and very busy!  
What did you want to be when you were twelve years old?
Either a teacher or a vet. To be a vet, I was going to be one that never put animals to sleep. J
Who in your life has been the most influential?
Easily my husband. We’ve been together since I was fourteen, and he has been the greatest influence on my life. He’s the one that finally convinced me to start writing, and encouraged me every time I doubted myself.
What is your favourite colour?
Yellow-I love how cheery and happy it is.
What is your favourite pleasure food?
Goody bars-chocolate brownies topped with white frosting, then chocolate covered rice crisp cereal on top.  Yum.  Now I have to go make a pan… 
What is your favourite season?
Spring, when everything starts to turn green, and the air has a slight chill but is warm enough to not need a jacket.
 
What is your favourite television show?
Big Bang Theory
 
What is your favourite movie?
The Avengers
 
Who is your favourite actor?
Heath Ledger
 
What is your favourite song?
Nickelback’s Burn it to the Ground
 
What is your favourite comfort clothing attire?
Fuzzy pajama pants and an oversized T-Shirt
 
What books might we find on your bedside table?
Christine Feehan or Gena Showalter (any of either of their books!)
 
Describe yourself in three words.
Tired, happy, and hungry (now that we’ve talked about goody bars!)
 
Thank you for visiting with Still Moments  Magazine! 
Thank you for having me!

Learn more about Heather, visit her web site:
http://heathermsharpe.webstarts.com/index.html

2 comments:

Heather Sharpe said...

Thanks for having me today, this was a fun interview!

Linda Carroll-Bradd said...

I like the fact about living on six acres. I used to live on 2+ acres in Oregon and can relate. Best wishes on your title.