Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m technically new to the author world, as I have just recently released my debut novel, however, I have been writing since I was old enough to hold a pencil. I grew up in a remote area without things like cable and internet or even a park to play in. The woods were my playground and I spent a good chunk of my formidable years packing a backpack with snacks, a notebook and a pencil and wandering into the woods to either make a little writers fort or to climb a tree where I would stay for the day and write all of the thoughts that came to my mind. Song lyrics, poems, short stories.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My debut novel is titled “Out Of Nowhere”. If you have read the book, this answer may come as a bit of a surprise, but it was inspired by my husband. Or at least the general idea came from him. We were having a chat, a good old fashioned ‘lets talk about life and all the different paths one can take, how people present themselves and make impressions’ kind of chats and he said something that just sort of rattled my brain a bit. It struck a chord and the idea for Out Of Nowhere was born. I won’t say what he said as it may give away too much of the book, you’ll just have to read it!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I’m not sure they are unusual, but I can not write unless I am alone. If anyone is home while I’m trying to get writing done, I can’t focus and I can’t seem to allow myself to get utterly lost in my characters. I also don’t really have any rhyme or reason to my path. I will write whatever scene seems to pop into my head and go from there, often needing to go back and write chapters before or after in order to put it all together.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a young teenager, I was very heavily influenced by Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles. I liked the depth of her stories and how there was a certain romance to the darkness. Those books made me feel something that I had yet to feel. It set the tone for me to really want to bring out emotion in my writing and create something my readers could really and truly feel.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I am working on a historical romance piece. It will be a little darker than Out Of Nowhere and is set back in time whereas Out Of Nowhere is a present day story. I’ve always felt I was born in the wrong time, so this is a fun adventure to take on.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I think this can differ from author to author, but for me, my online presence whether it be via my website, twitter or goodreads page is the best way for me to connect with readers. I am in that sense, much like my Out Of Nowhere main character Hailey. She too is a writer and shares in my introverted ways.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I believe it is of utmost importance that when you decide to become an author, that you do it for yourself. Throw the rule book out the window and write what you want, the way you want to write it. It’s easy to get caught up in dollar signs and formula’s but if you are writing for the sole purpose of selling books, I think that will show in your writing. Likewise, I think if you are writing for the love of the story, that will be what your readers take away from their experience.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I have ever recieved came to me a few years back. I was at a crossroads in my life and although I knew there was something out there waiting for me that I could be passionate about, I hadn’t yet found it. Pressures from our ever pushy society to be 25 years old with a spouse, children on the way and an already successful career had me reeling when I hadn’t completed that check list. I wish I could remember where I read this little tid bit of information, sadly I can’t, but it changed my life.
“What did you want to be when you grew up?”
It’s so startling simple. When we are young we have the world at our finger tips. There are few expectations on us to fit a mould and we are free to be an artist one day, a dr. in the making the next and finally to decide that in reality we want to be both. Somewhere along the line, we grow up and misplace that sense of being true to ourselves and we begin to cater to what others have in mind for us. We aim to please and we sacrifice ourselves in the process. After hearing those words, I chose to honour my childhood self and really discovour who I was and what made me the happiest. I discovered that I had utterly forgotten my love of writing and that I could indeed bring that back into my life.
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I didn’t know anything about the books or the tv series until this past Christmas. I know, I’m a little behind on what’s currently popular. I was skimming netflix looking for a new series to dive into and was coming up short. Outlander had been suggested on the service many times, but I hadn’t really understood what it was about. I finally gave it a shot and was hooked from episode one. This past month I grabbed a copy of the book and haven’t been able to put it down since! It’s a fantastic read and I have to admit, I have gotten just as caught up on learning about the author as I have about reading the books. She’s quite open and honest about her process and I just find it facinating. Every night before bed I tell my husband I’m heading to Scotland before getting lost in the book and realizing somehow my inner voice has a wicked good scottish accent! I dare you to read her books without finding your inner scot!
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll be caught between two worlds for the next little while. I’m right in the thick of promoting the release of Out Of Nowhere, all while beginning to put some meat on the bones of my yet to be titled next book.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I think I would have to bring the Outlander series since it’s an ever-evolving story and the books are fantastically long. It would keep me occupied for a good chunk of time.
Author Websites and Profiles
Claire Whitmore Website
Claire Whitmore Amazon Profile
Claire Whitmore’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Twitter Account