Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, I’m Teri, and like almost everyone- still discovering all of who I am.
I’ve worn lots of hats over the years- i’ve done everything from marketing and management, to sword-smithing and horse training. I am a trained herbalist, bodyworker and primarily- a trained and initiated shaman,
I have always been drawn to and fascinated by the vastness and mystery of the universe around us. I have always been extremely sensitive, emotionally and psychically (for lack of better word:). Anything occult: ghosts, ESP, out of body, life-after-death/ reincarnation, other realms… always fascinated me and at a deep level have always believed in that there is far more than we can perceive with our senses. In fact, I remember reading The Hobbit, at age eight- and hunting for hobbit-holes, and turning around quickly, in the hopes that I would catch one out of the corer of my eye ( i remembered reading they were very fast and hard to spot:).
Later, as an adult, I got drawn into the sci-fi and fantasy genre of books it opened a whole new realm of reading, where I took what I understood of literature, anthropology and religion– and dove into the diverse possibilities that existed in the imaginations of other writers.
During that time, I was also living with a sword-smith/ armourer,, and we worked renaissance fairs and craft shows- where I met a lot of like-minded people.
After that demise ( there’s a whole story in that one, I’ll tell you one day;).. I finished a masters degree and taught ( briefly). before i “remembered” why i didn’t like school when i was a kid.. and got outta dodge!
since then, I went through another round of life-adventures, primarily around lyme disease- another story- and ended up writing several nonfiction health books, based on what I have learned about the critical connection between diet, environment, lifestyle and the immune system, a big part of this was being introduced to shamanism, and being trained by some of the most regarded spiritual teachers and gifted healers-shaman in the field.
So, out of this comes my fiction work… building fantasy worlds that also delve into very real things, important social and environmental topics… and a lot of just plain cool-shit:)
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
the title of my latest boo is Cafe of the Hungry Ghosts: behind the veil of Ordinary.
It was inspired by my work with and personal experiences as a Shaman. While many of the events in the story are fictitious, they are built upon real events and very real concepts
I think the title came to me first- I have noooo idea where… and then I played around with what the title meant. Why was it interesting to me. I know it is not anything remotely typical for a fantasy, supernatural or genre title…
From there, the main character introduced herself… and while she has had a few minor changes- I think that was where and how the rest of the story unfolded.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
hhmmm. I generally write in short intense bursts- completing a book or story within several weeks. I have found that if I let stories sit… I tend to lose the clarity of the story- much the way we remember our dreams with intensity when we first wake up, but then later on, only vague bits and pieces.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am not sure if influence is quite the right word- because in literary terms, i believe that influence indicates that a writing style is adopted or modeled. I can say that there are authors whose work I have greatly admired and why. perhaps those things have influeced my work;)
CJ cherryh- i cannot say enough good things about her writing. I love how she has a vast range of learning and life experiences that she has drawn on to create real worlds and powerful, complex characters, and i like how she uses the genre to explore important issues- with subtletly and nuance. Her writing – especially some of her earlier writing- is tight, clean and powerful. She is a master storyteller
Joseph Conrad- who also crafts subtle but powerful stories. I like how he creates questionable heros: people who are cast into difficult situations, are forced through circumstances to confront their inner-shadow, externally… and how that inner-outer conflict mirror each other.. in other words.. the external serves as a mirror for the internal– and what those two things say about each other. is a man a hero, if he chooses a heroic death, rather than face the truth of his own failings…? a question for which there is no clear answser, just as in life.
David brin- his ability to look at concepts of “other” and to allow the reader to really experience both the reality of not-human, but equal, and sometimes superior.. that allows us as readers to ask what makes us human, and what kind of people we want to become…
Stephen Baxter- just because I love the concepts of physics that i can never-truly- get my mind around. He has an incredible depth and knowledge base that he brings to his books, to create vast worlds and timelines that stretch into infinity… and stories that weave expertly through that hard science.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I am working on the very beginning of the sequel to Cafe of the Hungry Ghosts. Just ideas and thoughts weaving in and out in my imagination. What characters might be coming into the story, what connections different characters might have when put together, etc.. and where Wayra’s journey through her personal and cosmic struggle will take her:)
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still working on finding the best place to connect with my readers- especially now that I have genre-jumped. Non-fiction is about building a base, around a topic. becoming a thought-leader on something. Fiction writing shares some of that, but it is very different.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
for new authors, I would suggest. Read good writing. learn how to step back and ask, what makes this a good book and a good story. Whether it is classic literature, genre writing, or nonfiction. Look at how other authors have addressed similar issues. For example, if you want to write a story about a woman who struggles with social constraints- perhaps looking at Jane Austen or the brontes- to understand an entire period of time and writers who struggled with that, and perhaps delve outside of fiction for something like vindication of the rights of women. all of these aspects would improve insights and perspectives- whether it is romance, or social issues or other.
and- find a good community of other writers, online or real-world, who can continue to offer critical insights and commentary, as well as writing advice.
and lastly- a good, old-fashioned book of grammar:)
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
step back from your work. let it breathe and come back fresh. I have just gone through this while writing the book description- which as any author will agree– may be harder than writing the entire book. a fellow author told me I was too close to it, and couldn’t see it, that i needed to step back from it. I have heard this advice before, and have often inadvertently taken it, via distractions. Such as with this description i was wrestling with. I got sidetracked for a week. when I pulled up the blurb, I could see it much more objectively, with fresh eyes that picked up on nuances and aspects that I missed in my previous sessions.
What are you reading now?
Right now I am reading an independent work for a fellow author, to offer feedback, and i am reading a book of short stories by Roger Zelazny. I have a handful of books on my to-read list, as well.
What’s next for you as a writer?
As a writer, working on my next book, and developing the world of another series that I began. With The path of the Soul-worker (working title), I want to world-build. this title is more traditional fantasy being set in an alternate/ fantasy universe. And I want to develop what that world is. I also need to decide if i want to make it post-apocalyptic in nature, or straight-magic based… tiny decisions that affect the structure of a story. so, i thought if I began to build and map the world itself- the rest might begin to come to me;)
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?
would the complete works of shakespeare count as 1 book?
how to build a boat with little or no tools, or how to live off-grid- which might-should include building techniques.. ie a homestead/ survivalists book. I’d like a place to sleep, to make something to wear, and to eat:)
something philosophical in nature, depending on how long I might be there, there are only so many times one can reread a few books- so something that allows me to think and ponder on ideas, about something:)
a very large blank, lined book with pens– so that i can continue to write… no-brainer!
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