When did you start writing and what inspired you to start?
I’ve been writing all my life but just recently decided to start doing it seriously when I was asked to write a short story for my cousin for his business as a promotional item.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
People have always told me that I was a writer, but I had just never pursued it until now.
What inspired you to write your first book?
What I published, and everything that I’ve written prior to that are separate things and there have been many things over the years and many events that have inspired me to write different things. Experiences at work, death of loved ones, and the love of mysteries as well as songs and music.
Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?
Being new to the process of publishing an e-book, mainly just finding out how to do that, get my book edited, and then formatted for Amazon/Kindle.
Talk about your most recent book. How did you come up with the title?
Help! My Dog Has Diabetes! I do have a dog, Pokey, that has diabetes and he is just the sweetest thing. I felt like he has gone through so much in his life that he deserved to have a book written about him and also I thought it might help someone else who has a pet with any illness not to give up on them but to research the illness and do your best to help them to have a normal life.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
That even if everyone does not share the same experiences that you did with your pet, you can still share the same bond and still benefit from hearing of someone else’s struggles and victories no matter what they might be.
Who are some of the authors you particularly admire or who’ve had some influence on your own writing?
There are so many I have loved over the years. I first started out reading all of the Patricia Cornwell novels. In the last few years, my favorite mysteries are all of the Alphabet Murders by Sue Grafton. Victoria Houston is another one of my favorites, and I love the C.J. Box novels. All of these writers have unique styles and different ways of writing and I love how no matter which style it is, you get sucked into the story just like you were there.
What is the best advice you could give an aspiring author?
If you enjoy writing, then with digital publishing, there is no reason you can’t be an author. It just takes your imagination, determination, and finding out how to put it out there.
What is the best advice you’ve received from other authors or anyone else?
It’s not necessarily advice, but what has motivated me the most are the reviews I’ve gotten for me to write more. If people have enjoyed my book, then I’ve accomplished my goal.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
Sue Grafton. I love the detail she puts into her books and how she makes her characters so real and so likeable. I love how she can tell a mystery and make everything come together perfectly and her use of humor in her books makes me laugh out loud while reading it.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you for making something that was a dream a reality. I’m simply elated that you love my book.
You can purchase “Help! My Dog Has Diabetes!” and Tamra’s other book through our bookstore and connect with her on social media on her author page.
William S. Chadwick is the author of two novels; The Rabbitry, and Rain. He grew up in northern Arkansas, steeped in the salty-sweet brine of dark Ozark folklore combined with Bible Belt Christian doctrine. He now lives in the Hot Springs area with his wife (Rose), their dog (Bella), cat (Ken), and a small green lizard that has taken up residence in their home who they have not named yet, but they would accept suggestions.
