Interview With Author Tanja Waltrip
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As a single mother and unabashed wanderlust, I moved from my hometown in the ‘burbs of Chicago to the warmer, sultry weather and I’m (somewhat!) settled on a charming lake in Florida. Despite the tumultuous nature of chasing the sun, one thing has remained the same—my voracious reading habit. I’ve always known that I would one day turn this passion for the Contemporary Romance genre into my own writing pursuit. Five Dates is my debut novel that was released in July 2022.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Fives Dates is about a charming community called Lake Harmony which sits west of Chicago and the first book for my debut series. This little town and all its characters have been floating around in my head for a couple of years, and I knew it was time to write them down and bring them to life. I am an avid reader and at this point in my life I wanted to read a more mature love story with people closer to my own age dealing with real world issues.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I have to plot out my stories and outline it all on paper. I need to be able to have all my people, places and things on paper so I can "see" them.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Many authors have influenced me but I would say the ones that shaped my writing style would be Melissa Foster, Nicole Snow, Carly Phillips, Carrie Ann Ryan, Elle Kennedy and Meghan Quinn. They can all spin a fantastic steamy love story.
What are you working on now?
I am currently writing the next book in the Lake Harmony series Sexy Secrets which I hope to have ready for my readers by October 2022.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Still working on that, but I have my website and newsletter, facebook page and I use TikTok to promote almost daily.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Do your research! Have beta readers in your genre and find someone to edit your final book draft.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just start writing!
What are you reading now?
I like to find an author that writes books in contemporary romance and then binge through their entire catalog. I am currently reading through Melanie Harlow books.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Keep writing! I hope to have close to 10 books for this series.
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 love the beach and the sun so I would most likely be out in the water floating around but books….Anything by Meghan Quinn for her ease of writing love with humor and then a Nora Roberts trilogy-any because they are all great.
Author Websites and Profiles
Tanja Waltrip’s Social Media Links