Interview Questions
- What inspired you to write your first book?
I’ve always wanted to write since I was 15 or 16-yrs old. I remember having a very vivid and colorful dream, filled with suspense and mystery. I was fascinated and awe-struck. That imagery would stay with me to this day. The dream never left me. That dream would later be shown and explained in much greater detail in my first novel Premeditated. Somehow I knew that it was meant to be held onto and written in all its bold colors and heart-pounding adventure.
- Do you have a specific writing style?
No. Not particularly. I have a certain mood and tone I want to be expressed in a novel. That is my goal, to portray the storyline to my best knowledge using a style or terminology that stays with you even after the novel is over.
- How did you come up with the title?
Premeditated just stuck out to me as I was writing. There were multiple instances in the book that all come to a head later, and the reader is shown all these things through the actions of the characters.
- How much of your books are realistic?
I always try to have a realistic base to the storyline. I like the realism portrayed in a story, knowing the reader can relate to the moods of the characters.
- Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
The characters I write have a complex emotional foundation. The character is searching for the thing missing in his or her life. I suppose you could say I have undergone some searching in my life as well to bring me to the point I can weave those sentiments into the characters.
- What are your current projects?
I have a few projects tugging at me for attention. Right now I am drafting chapter outlines for a two-part novel titled Cassiopeia. It is set in the Rocky Mountains at a ski resort, involving two childhood friends who meet again when they’re adults. And another novel titled Eden Revealed which centers around a college girl who stumbles onto some hidden secrets of her past.
- Do you see writing as a career?
It is a possibility. As I mentioned above, I’ve always wanted to write. I have a lot of novel ideas in preparation. I can’t imagine writing as a career, even though it is nice to dream. Writing is something that I’ve always enjoyed. Right now, though, I feel that I want to just get the manuscripts tidied up and published. One day I will look back and see my accomplishments, and know I didn’t waste additional time waiting to do what in my heart I know I wanted.
- If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
In my latest book, Near to Me, I strove to complete the novella within 6- months. I feel that I could have completed it within 4- months, but I have a day job that requires all of my time at the computer so I usually battle with finding excess mental and physical capacity in the evenings. I also had two gals editing the manuscript before I published. And with as many times as I find myself rehashing the dialogue and layout of paragraphs, I know I want the best product I can put out there for my readers.
- What was the hardest part of writing a book?
The hardest part of writing a book is finding the exact sequence of events. Then trying to determine the right type of dialogue that portrays the characters in a specific way. Lastly, striving to input as much detail into the paragraphs as possible before knowing you’re absolutely finished with the novel.
- Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
The one thing that ceases to amaze me is learning about my characters as I am writing the story. When I start out writing the novel I have a pretty good idea of what the character is doing, but I don’t find out what led them there or why they end up doing it until much later when more pieces of the puzzle are revealed to me. And that leads to a pretty amazing adventure in itself. It makes me realize that my characters are pretty smart to be doing what they’re doing.
- Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I can tell you that playing dolls with my younger sister and using our imaginations to fill our afternoons were likely a contributing factor. Playing dolls allowed anything to happen. Our imagination took us to new places. Dolls turned something as simple as play into excessive storylines. Eventually, playing dolls turned into writing ideas down and sharing our stories. Soon, I found myself filling notebooks to overflowing and buying multiple notebooks just for writing.
- What books have influenced you most?
Dying to Please by Linda Howard. Mirror Image by Sandra Brown. Seal Team 16 novels by Suzanne Brockmann. Steele Street novels by Tara Janzen. I-Team novels by Pamela Clare.
- What book are you reading now?
I am Atlas by Ella Emerson
- Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
There are some new series I’ve enjoyed by authors I’d never heard about, but glad I gave the first book a chance through Free Kindle promotions. My Secret Bodyguard series by S K Lee; The Wardham series by Zoe York; Playing with Power series by Adele Huxley; Trouble by Alexis Blake; Felony Romance by Jeana E Mann; The Sterling Shores series by C M Owens; and The Hart Family series by Ella Fox
- Do you have any advice for other writers?
Never stop writing, and never give up even if the first draft doesn’t look like much.
- Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you for giving a chance to a new author. I have a book-shelf of writing I’d like to produce so there will be plenty to look forward to.
- What genre do you mostly write?
Romance, Suspense, Drama
Books by Tarah Burke:
Premeditated (Finding Home Chronicles Book 1)
Near to Me
Viv Drewa - The Owl Lady 