Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota, and am enjoying raising a family here myself. I have a wonderful significant other and two amazing boys, a 14 year old and a 3 year old. I live in a house full of boys, and that is just the way I want it as I am not a girly girl myself. I also have a black lab puppy, who just turned 1 and 2 cats who are both 6, all of which are male. The only other female in our house is our guinea pig. I have one younger brother, who is a genius, and my parents and grandparents live near and are all important in our lives.
My whole life, or at least since I was able to read, I have been an avid reader. I have read so many books and am that person that will re-read a book 50 times and still enjoy it. I read all types of books, but mainly horror, thriller, suspense, mystery, supernatural and psychological thrillers. However, I have read other books outside of these categories and enjoyed them. I try not to limit myself and to keep an open mind because that is where the adventure begins.
After high school, I decided to go to college. I had always wanted to be a nurse, from the time I was a little girl, and it was still an interesting career field for me. So, I did attend nursing school and graduated with a Bachelor’s in Nursing and currently work as a Registered Nurse. I have always wanted to help people, and no matter where I find myself, or what I am doing, I always want to be able to find a way to help people.
I have always had a passion for writing, and remember filling a couple of notebooks with a vampire story I wrote in middle school. The notebooks have long since gone missing, which is a bummer because I really would like to look back on it now and see in detail what that first book was about. I have also written several poems which I have compiled into a book titled The Darkest Light and it is available on Amazon in paperback and kindle formats.
My recently released novel, Rabbit’s Feet is available on paperback and Kindle on Amazon.com. This book is the first in The Tempie Rosenthal Series, which is a horror fiction series involving the supernatural. I have just completed the first draft of the second book in this series and am working on the final edits before submitting it to my copy editor.
I have plans for a couple of other series and stand alone books and have notes all over in my notebooks. When I have an idea, I write it down, and as the idea progresses, I keep adding to it. I am excited and can’t wait to get some of these other series started, but for now, my focus is The Tempie Rosenthal Series. However, when I need a mental break from the current novel that I am writing, I work on some of my other writing projects.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Rabbit’s Feet, and is the first in my new horror fiction series, The Tempie Rosenthal Series. This book opens up the gateway to a whole new supernatural world that began developing in my head several years ago. I had an idea, and I talked to a good friend about it. This one thought quickly turned into a whole world with characters and places and I knew I had to get it out.
I decided that I would write a novel. It took on a life of its own and is much different today that it had originally been planned, but I am much happier with the end product. This world has led to ideas for at least a few more books in the series, and I am excited to put them on paper for everyone to enjoy.
To be honest, I am not sure that I can pinpoint exactly what inspired me, other than that I have always loved to read, and get lost in the world I was reading about, so when an idea and world began to develop in my head, I decided to do something with it.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I typically write on my couch, laptop in my lap with my family playing video games or watching TV in the background. Unless, I am lucky enough to be writing after the children have gone to bed, then I write in silence. Probably the most unusual habit I have is while I have the laptop in my lap, usually there is also a 15lb cat in my lap between me and my laptop. It is a compromise, because it is that or he will lay on my laptop. So, most of the time I am reaching over the cat to type. Also, there are times when I just want to write, not type, so I will take a notebook and write out parts of my book, and then of course have to type them up.
I also do not like to edit on the computer. I like to see it on paper and feel that I catch more spelling errors and what not if I edit on paper vs. computer.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Not to be vague, but I think that every book I have ever read has provided influence in some manner. To see the creations of others, and the worlds that are developed into the detail and realistic nature that many books have, gives inspiration for the creation of your own world.
I have read everything from The Bell Jar, to RL Stine, Stephen King, Laurell K. Hamilton and 50 Shades of Grey, so I have a pretty vast pool of inspiration and admiration.
What are you working on now?
Right now I am editing the second book in The Tempie Rosenthal Series, and making the final tweaks to that manuscript before sending it to my copy editor. At the same time, I am also working on a short story series to release monthly on my blog. Also, I am always working on new ideas and updating ideas. I always have a notebook and pen with me…just in case. I am also working on promoting Rabbit’s Feet by hosting a giveaway for it on Goodreads.com, and just trying to connect with other people on social media sites.
It’s also summer, so I am trying to spend as much time outdoors with my family as I can before it becomes to cold to enjoy the outdoors.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
An effective brand and marketing campaign is the best when promoting your books. But, it is expensive, so I have found twitter, facebook and goodreads to be the most helpful. Goodreads has so many opportunities for authors that I am still learning all that they have to offer. You can do giveaways, sign up to have your book reviewed in it’s genre etc. There are so many resources it is merely a matter of finding them.
Finding websites such as this that will host author interviews or others such as the Independent Author Network, there are just so many out there. You will spend a lot of time on the computer searching, reading, researching, but there again, that is all part of the struggle of getting yourself and your novel out there, and in the hand of readers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t give up. I am sure that is what everyone says, but honestly writing is the most rewarding thing to do, but that does not come without a price of hard work, tired hands and arms, and frustrations. If something is frustrating you, put it aside for a night and return to it when you are calm. You will see so many rejection letters, you may begin to feel like your work sucks…but it doesn’t. Keep your head up and if you like your work…chances are that there are several other people out there that will too, you just haven’t found them yet.
Research online for the many resources that are available to the independent author and put aside money for marketing and design. In order to reach people, and to get your product known, you need an effective marketing campaign and a great brand. Marketing is expensive, so if you can put money aside for it, do it. Otherwise, look for free promotions, social media and other ways to try and reach people.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Whether you are writing, creating, or designing, do it for you. Don’t write something that you think other people would want. Don’t write to fit in with the crowd. Write what you would like, and write about what you want to. If you always write for you and never worry about all those around you, you will never fail. Oh, and there is no such thing as bad publicity. Sometimes the worst review, or most negative comment will make the interest in your product soar. Thank you Andy S. Banks for the great advice.
What are you reading now?
Right now, I am not currently reading anything as most of my free time has been devoted to editing and writing. I have a few books on my waiting list, and when I am not too tired, I try to read for at least a few minutes before bed. I am a book lover though, not a huge fan of reading on an electronic device, but I am learning to adapt because my bookcase has been overflowing for a decade now. I have run out of storage! Those that I have already started the series in paperback though, I will have to finish out the series with paperbacks and not convert to electronic…at least not yet.
What’s next for you as a writer?
As I finish up the final stages of my second book, the next step will be to publish and release it on amazon. Once I have released my second book, I will begin writing the third book as I already have a rough outline started for it. I am also in the process of putting together a short story blog to publish on my website monthly. So many exciting things in the future and I enjoy every bit of it!
What is your favorite book of all time?
My favorite book of all time? This is really a difficult one to answer as I have so many. There are two series that really stand out for me from my childhood though, The Vampire Twins series by Janice Harrell and The Vampire Diaries by LJ Smith. Those are two of my most favorite series which I have read a countless number of times.
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Trista Borgwardt Website
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