Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up in a small town in Wisconsin. I’ve been an avid reader with an interest in writing since I was very young. Most of my childhood can be described as having my nose stuck in one book or another. Thanks to my believe in ghosts and the paranormal as I got older I developed a special interest in writing paranormal romance for young adults.
When I’m not writing I enjoy reading and adding to my extensive book collection, cooking, and taking photographs.
I still currently live in Wisconsin, not far from where my debut novel, The Haunting Love is set.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My debut novel is The Haunting Love.
It’s a young adult paranormal romance novel set in Green Bay, Wisconsin. One night I was listening to music in my room and the thought came to me “what if you never got to tell that one person how you felt about them?” and from there I experimented with the idea “what if you had the chance to go back and tell that person exactly how you felt?”
I then began developing the story of Iza and Johnny; two high school students that, thanks to their own insecurities, had been unable to tell the other how they felt about one another. It isn’t until a fatal car crash traps Iza between the living and the dead and she returns to Johnny as a ghost that they can admit their true feelings.
I was inspired mainly because when I was in high school there was a boy that at the time I thought I had feelings for and I never had the confidence to tell him how I felt. I still to this day wonder what would have happened if I had actually said something to him.
I also wanted my potential readers to see that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. I want them, especially the girls, to realize that whatever you look like, whether you’re chubby or skinny, dark haired or blonde, popular or the school outcast, that everyone deserves to be loved. And that if you look hard enough, there’s someone out there waiting just for you.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really, no.
When I start a writing project I usually write down the basic concept I want the novel to be about. Once I have that down I choose character names and the setting for the novel. After that I just sort of wing it.
When I’m writing I usually listen to music, preferably loud rock or alternative rock music because it helps me get the overall feel. I can write almost anywhere but I prefer either the kitchen table or my bed as my work station.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Some of the authors that have influenced me are: Wendy Higgins, Rachel Caine, Meg Cabot, Rosemary Clement-Moore, and Jessica Verday.
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on the second book in a trilogy I’m developing. The second book I’m tentatively calling Into the Light follows two of the characters from the first book as they move to New Orleans after they and their friends and families reveal to the world that all the paranormal creatures (as well as some that haven’t been heard of before) people have been reading about and watching in movies for years truly exist.
I’m also working on getting my second completed standalone novel Finding Elizabeth ready to self-publish hopefully sometime this fall.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
So far Twitter has been the easiest way to get word out about my book to the most people. I’m still experimenting and seeing what works for me.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Build up your social media platform, interact & network with people, and get people excited to read your book. Also, remember that not everyone is going to love your book, so don’t take it personally and argue with a reader if they don’t like your book. All that does is make people look at you in a negative way.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My grandmother always taught me to go after whatever I want in life and to not give up if it doesn’t happen right way.
What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading Blood Magick by Nora Roberts; the third book in the Cousins O’Dwyer Trilogy. But I just got Asa by Jay Crownover, the final Marked Men book, and I can’t wait to dive into it.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Finishing the trilogy I’m working on and self-publishing Finding Elizabeth is the main focus right now. Once I’ve finished that I have three or four other story ideas I’d love to explore.
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?
Texas Gothic by Rosemary Clement-Moore, The Eternal Ones by Kirsten Miller, Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie, and The Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot; but there are so many more that I don’t think I could live without.
Author Websites and Profiles
Taylor Fenner Website
Taylor Fenner Amazon Profile
Taylor Fenner’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account
Pinterest Account