The lesfic community is always growing, and I’m constantly meeting new authors through Twitter. One new author I’ve chatted with is Sabrina Blaum, whose book The Well of Shadows is out right now on Amazon!
Sabrina writes sapphic fantasy, and if you sign up for her mailing list at https://sabrinablaum.com/ you will receive the book The Fall which is a fantasy romance where Death falls in love with a grief counselor. Sign up now to get this awesome book for FREE!
To get to know Sabrina a little bit better, check out the interview I conducted with her where we find out her writing inspiration, her future plans, and the age-old question: is Sabrina a dog person or a cat person?
Here’s my interview with Sabrina Blaum!
1. Why did you start to write?
I’m honestly not sure. I started writing as soon as I could write. I used to tell my grandmother bedtime stories, and I’d write little tales about animals on sticky notes. There were just always so many stories bouncing in my head.
2. What inspired your first book?
The very first one in German I will never ever release? It’s a vampire novel, and I suppose it was a mixture of being fascinated by vampires from an early age, and an enduring love for the character of Lady Oscar from the self-titled anime. For the Well of Shadows, my first publication? To be honest, I just wanted to see if I can write a fantasy novel since I am so dialogue heavy, yet fantasy as a genre demands that you are more descriptive.
3. Do you have a writing routine? If so, can you describe it?
No. I just try to write as often as I can. I sit on the breakfast table most often, with my family around, and just write. Sometimes I write on my phone, too. I used to need quiet to write, but my kids have disabused me of that notion, and now I actually write better with noise around me.
4. What’s the toughest part for you when you write a book?
The middle. It’s easy to start and finish a book, but the middle? There’s always something where I get stuck. Often, I also tell stories too quickly. That’s likely because I am not very descriptive, and if you think about it, it actually doesn’t take that long to write a story.
5. What is your favorite thing to do outside of writing?
Reading, spending time with family and friends, and to be honest, sleeping. I also love to spend time with my cats.
6. Name one book that you think everyone should read.
I can’t. I don’t think there is one that everyone should read. There are books a lot of people could likely benefit from reading, but even that depends. Then there’s fiction vs. non-fiction, and that also makes a difference. Besides, tastes are so different. There are a few popular book series that people LOVE, and I can’t stand them. So, how could there be a book that everyone should read?
7. What book are you reading right now?
The Headmistress by Milena McKay, the Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin, and Razorblade Tears by S. A. Cosby (I have the tendency to read too many books at the same time)
8. Do you have any tips for anyone who wants to write a novel?
Have patience. Read a lot. Step away from your first draft for at least a few days, ideally longer. At some point, read it out loud or have an app read it to you. Also, read it once in print as a final proofing before publishing. Be gentle with yourself. You are always a work in progress, and while it may seem that everyone else is a better writer than you are, that’s not true. Everyone else is a different writer than you are, and only you can write like you do.
9. What is one interesting fact about you?
I have too many obsessions. I get really into things, and then that’s all I live and breathe.
10. If you could choose any superpower, what would you pick?
To understand, read, write, and speak any language.
11. Do you write with music on or off?
Mostly off, but sometimes I play some music.
12. What are your favorite genres to read? Are there genres you don’t read?
It’s easier to say what I don’t read. I don’t read horror or anything that depicts sexual violence. I like romance, fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction best, but I will read whatever sounds appealing aside from the two things mentioned above.
13. How many projects do you work on at the same time?
I try to limit myself to only work on one active project (writing wise), though sometimes I take a break and add a shorter one I finish in between. At times, I get stuck in a project, and then I write on another. I also try to have one revision project going on at the same time as I am writing (style, not content revisions). Most, I’ve handled four projects at the same time, but that’s exhausting and not recommended.
14. List your three favorite romance tropes?
Age gap, ice queen, enemies to lovers (I’m boring. I know).
15. Would you be open to co-write a book with another wlw author?
Yes, if I like their writing and we have a complimentary writing style.
16. How many books do you hope to publish in a year?
Two would be awesome.
17. Cats or dogs?
Cats. I love cats. Dogs are strange animals to me.
