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Beverly A. Rearick:
What genre do you write?
TL Schaefer:
I guess what I write could most accurately be
classified as romantic suspense.
Beverly A. Rearick:
What genres would you like to write?
TL Schaefer:
I'd love to be able to write sweeping
romantic sagas or erotica, but so far that muse has eluded me.
Beverly A. Rearick:
Where do you get your ideas?
TL Schaefer:
From here, from there....everywhere!
Newspapers and television are my favorite idea sparkers, but every once in
awhile an image will pop into my head and refuse to leave. As soon as I
can I'll sit down and write out that scene...hopefully it goes somewhere!
Beverly A. Rearick:
Do you pattern your characters after any real people?
TL Schaefer:
I usually start out
with more of a visual than anything else, then build a character around
them. In that sense, I'd have to say I do model them after real people,
but give them their own distinct personalities
Beverly A. Rearick:
What authors do you admire?
TL Schaefer:
I hugely admire Leta Nolan Childers for her
innovative, exhaustive work in e-publishing. On a more traditional scale,
I'd have to name William Shakespeare for his true-to-life, tortured
characters and Carl Sagan for his vision.
Beverly A. Rearick:
What authors do you read?
TL Schaefer:
I love Janet Evanovitch, Nora Roberts, Robert
McCammon, Stephen King, Linda Howard, Tami Hoag, Ann Rule and have just
"discovered" Iris Johanson. I've also just finished reading my first
"handheld" e-book...GRAVEROBBERS WANTED, NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY by Jeff
Strand....a quirky, first rate book!
Beverly A. Rearick:
What genres do you read?
TL Schaefer:
As must be obvious from the extensive list
above...a little bit of everything! I do find myself straying to romantic
suspense more and more as I get older.
Beverly A. Rearick:
What other genres do you see yourself writing?
TL Schaefer:
Historical western
romances, mainly. Since I grew up in an "old west" town, I really enjoy
bringing it back to life through my writing.
Beverly A. Rearick:
What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
TL Schaefer:
? I have the same dream most (if
not all) writers do....to write full-time. I can always hope that happens,
but until then I'm not giving up my day job!
Beverly A. Rearick:
Do you see yourself ever not writing?
TL Schaefer:
In a word, NO!
Beverly A. Rearick:
What books do you have planned in the near furture?
TL Schaefer:
I'm in the middle of an
historical western romance right now, and have outlines for two romantic
suspense/thrillers and one contemporary romance in the works.
Beverly A. Rearick:
How did you get started writing?
TL Schaefer:
I think being a voracious reader was what
really got me going. I loved the fact that books could take me away to
different worlds. I also had a ton of encouragement from my
teachers--elementary through high school. I think that kind of buy-in from
an adult really makes an impression on a child and prepares them to explore
their own possibilities....Thank you Mrs. Bernacchi!
Beverly A. Rearick:
What age were you when you started to write?
TL Schaefer:
I was twelve when I wrote my
first letter to the editor.
Beverly A. Rearick:
When is your next book due?
TL Schaefer:
? I have to finish it first! I'm hoping to have
my rough draft completed by August or September, then I'll start in on my
edits.
Beverly A. Rearick:
Was there any author or authors that helped you get your start in writing, or helped you break into the field?
TL Schaefer:
No, not really. I do, however, have
an absolutely fabulous critique group/family. Their honesty and nurturing
definitely made me hone my craft and walk down avenues I might not
otherwise have selected.
Beverly A. Rearick:
What do you feel makes your books unique or stand out from others in your genre?
TL Schaefer:
I think my take on Wicca is fairly unique....I've always seen it as
an alternative choice to religion rather than an animistic or pagan rite
performed for nefarious purposes. I also really enjoy writing about people
who are normal. I know that every once in awhile I like to read a book
where the hero isn't drop-dead gorgeous and the heroine isn't shaped like
Barbie.
Beverly A. Rearick:
What made you choose the genres you write?
TL Schaefer:
I think it chose me, rather
than the other way around. I've always been fascinated by true crime and
what makes people in general tick, so I guess it just makes sense that
those characters have found their way into my writing.
Beverly A. Rearick:
Do you have a special subgenre?
TL Schaefer:
No, at least not yet!
Beverly A. Rearick:
Do you have a favorite place you like to write?
TL Schaefer:
I usually write at my
computer desk, but it's what I like to listen to that sets the tone more
than anything else. Even though I'm a die-hard rock and roll fan--the
newer the better--the only thing I can seem to write to is country western
or the blues....go figure.
Beverly A. Rearick:
In what order do you write? For example starting beginning to end, combining parts, in random order or in development cycle?
TL Schaefer:
I write from
beginning to end, editing as I go. I also tend to stop at about 40,000
words, reread what I've written so far and add more characterization before
I delve into the last half. It also helps me keep in touch with my
characters and tends to make final edits that much easier.
Beverly A. Rearick:
Do you feel that the e-books offer authors a bit more freedome of expression in their books?
TL Schaefer:
Most definitely. I'm not sure a traditional publisher
would have touched THE SUMMERLAND unless I was a previously pubbed author
with a good track record.
Beverly A. Rearick:
What do you feel is, or isn't being done to promote authors?
TL Schaefer:
I think we're
getting there. E-books are becoming a more accepted and recognized form of
"binding," but until e-book formats become standardized, I'm afraid the
"big" publishers will continue to ignore the smaller, independent
publishers in favor of the industry standards. While this is
understandable, indy publishers are much more competitive in pricing and as
a reader, your selection is much more broad and varied. Given that
disparity between the Davids and Goliaths of the business, independent
publishers are going to have a significantly decreased marketing budget.
Authors need to get out there and promote, promote, promote their own work
or suffer in silence.
Beverly A. Rearick:
Do you feel that the marketing departments have their finger on the pulse of readers?
TL Schaefer:
On Fifth Avenue...no, not really. They've limited their
stable of artists to a very high-volume, high-visibility few, which may
(and I stress may) only serve to hinder them in the future. E-publishers,
on the other hand, MUST live in the real world, in the here and now, or
they won't be around tomorrow. By tapping into the existing computer
generation and the youngsters who will be viable consumers in the future,
the independents who survive the next few years should be quite comfortable
as e-reader prices come down to acceptable levels.
Beverly A. Rearick:
How do you feel about the review rating systems?
TL Schaefer:
To be real honest, I don't
really have an opinion. Personally, I'd rather have a substantive review
that gives readers a real clue as to why they'd like a particular story.
Beverly A. Rearick:
Through what venues do you feel most of your books are being sold?
TL Schaefer:
Definitely in download and CD format since it just became available in
trade paperback
Beverly A. Rearick:
What do you feel is the best part of the publishing industry?
TL Schaefer:
Getting new,
unheard voices out there for readers to enjoy. There's nothing better than
reading an author for the first time, loving them, and then realizing you
have five or six or ten more of their works to read and enjoy in the future.
Beverly A. Rearick:
What do you feel needs to be changed about the industry?
TL Schaefer:
I'd love to see
less dependence upon the "big name" authors for sales revenues. How hard
is it to sell Stephen King or Nora Roberts to an eager audience? Not too
hard. Why not invest some time and effort into authors who are recognized
regionally and promoting them....
Beverly A. Rearick:
Do you think small press and e-books will be the wave of the future?
TL Schaefer:
Maybe
not the new wave, but definitely a wave! I think e-books will become more
prevalent as the elementary schoolers out there become teenagers, then
adults. As for the small presses, unless there is a concerted effort to
conserve paper, etc., print runs will never go out of style. They're cheap
and the machinations of printing those large numbers are already well
established.
Beverly A. Rearick:
What of your published books is your favorite? Why?
TL Schaefer:
Well, since THE
SUMMERLAND is the only published book I've got out there...I'd have to say
it's my favorite. No, all kidding aside...THE SUMMERLAND will probably
always be my favorite--it was my first and I was heavily invested in my
characters and the location
Beverly A. Rearick:
What do you feel is the worst piece of advice anyone ever gave you about writing?
TL Schaefer:
My worst piece of advice wasn't really advice at all, but a kind
of ambivalent acceptance of the fact that I was "dabbling" at writing.
Other than those people who look down on writing or see it as a hobby, I've
had 150% support in my writing from my family, friends, and coworkers.
Beverly A. Rearick:
What is the best?
TL Schaefer:
The best???? It's also Nike's slogan.....Just do it!!
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