What genres and authors would we find you reading when taking a break from your own writing?
I read most anything, from bios to horror to romance to non-fiction. As for authors, I always favored Stephen King, Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child’s Pendergast books, Nelson Demille, Brian Lumley, William W. Johnstone, Tami Hoag, Rita Mae Brown, and many others. Recently I’ve become fans of Jenny Twist, and also of T. Fox Durham, fellow authors I’ve met since being published. I’m always interested in new authors coming out.
Do you have travel when researching your books? If yes, where is the most interesting place you’ve visited?
The most interesting place I enjoy visiting is Letchworth State Park , which is in Western New York . I went there first for my honeymoon years ago. I go there now every year with my mom for a girl’s getaway. When I began writing, I couldn’t wait to use the romantic settings in some of my works, and took copious notes when I was there last fall. The upcoming short story Night Music of Midnight Thirsts 2 (available from Melange Books in May 2012) is set completely at Letchworth State Park Glen Iris Inn
If I was a first time reader of your books, which one would you recommend I start with and why?
I would ask you which genres you enjoy. If you said romance, I’d offer you the novella Surrender To Me, a historical vampire romance, or the novella Return To Me, a contemporary paranormal romance. If you said horror, I’d offer you Just Shadows, my first horror/suspense anthology from Bradley Publishing, or recommend Spellbound 2011, which has my terrifying short story “The Origin of Fear.” If you said erotica, I’d recommend Wicked Christmas Wishes, which features my short story, “Kink.” All of these stories can be read independently of one another. I like to write in various genres, and plan to try out others in the future. But you will see romance and suspense/horror works from me regularly, I promise.
All that said, Surrender To Me was my first romance work, and it’s probably most representative of the romance that I write. Devlin, the gorgeous vampire relaying the tale, will show up in other books of mine. So I’d recommend starting with that one. There’s action, adventure, and some passionate sex, along with a HFN for 3$. What’s not to like? J
How do you deal with rejection letters?
Initially, I threw them away. Shortly after, I began to track them, as I needed to know whom I’d already submitted to, so I didn’t waste time sending more submissions to someone who sent a form letter rejection. Over the years, I got depressed by the sheer stack of how many there were, and put them in a file that I tried not to look at too much when I stuffed in more. When I finally got published, I took them all out, sorted them by name, and put them in alphabetical order in a ring binder with the title “Tara ’s Shit List.” It was probably juvenile, but it made me feel much better about the whole thing! J
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything on your road to publication?
I’d have not wasted my time courting agents, and instead worked harder to get my work out there and have it ready by others. There are so many places online that want new work and can make you feel valued for your writing efforts. There are many small publishing houses that appreciate new authors. I do wish I’d taken that route sooner. I’d have been happier, and wasted a lot less time, energy, paper, envelopes, and stamps.
What song would best describe your life?
Right Here, Right Now by Jesus Jones
What is the last thing you do before turning off the lights at bedtime?
I check to make sure the light in the snake tank is on, so Hannibal
What is the first thing you do in the mornings?
Try to determine if it’s a day I have to obey the alarm, or if I can sleep in.
What is sexier boxer or briefs?
Briefs, of course. I want to see what’s there. Boxers are way, way too loose.
What’s your favorite curse word?
I enjoy them all equally, though the F-word would probably have to take precedence.
*Please share with us your future projects and upcoming releases.
2012 contracted Releases:
Just Shadows suspense horror anthology - Jan 2012 e-book
End of Days horror/suspense Serial in Dark Eclipse Magazine - beginning Feb 2012 e-book
Lash - action/adventure/suspense novel - April 2012 print and e-book
Partners (suspense) and Night Music (romance) in Midnight Thirsts anthology May 2012 print and e-book
Promise Me (first in vampire romance/suspense novel series) print and e-book
Broken Promise (1st Sequel) - Sept 2012 print and e-book
Taken in the night (2nd Sequel) - Dec 2012 print and e-book.
There are other projects I’m working on, but they have not been confirmed/contracted for yet J
Website: www.tarafoxhall.com
Email: tarafoxhallATgmailDOTcom
For info on my recently published work, Just Shadows, click here: http://www.amazon.com/Just-Shadows-ebook/dp/B006V4HB2Y
Thank you so much for having me at Seriously Interviewed today, Romance Reader! :) I had a lot of fun answering the unusual questions you posed.
ReplyDeleteYou own a snake? That's badass. (They scare me, so I have complete respect for someone who owns one.)
ReplyDeleteOff to shop for your books...
Hi Magdalen :)Hannibal is a very sweet snake. He's never bitten me in the year and a half I owned him. I've handled a lot of smaller snakes, mostly wild, and have yet to get bitten (though I'm sure it'll happen eventually). I even brought one back to life once: http://www.tarafoxhall.com/tarafoxhall.com/Catnip_Blossoms_list_files/Breath-story.pdf
DeleteThank you for your comment, and I hope you enjoy my books!
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Great post Tara! I agree, they are fun and unique questions. Can't do the snake think either, Magdalen. They intrique me, but I'll avoid them when I can. LOVE the rejection letter response. You definitely need to do what makes you feel better at the time.
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting, Jody. It did make me feel a LOT better! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post Tara, as a longtime horror fan I can attest to your talents in that genre' and I'm betting that talent crosses the line into your to other books as well.
ReplyDeleteJohn M.
Thank you for commenting and the much appreciated compliment, John. I am a big fan of yours, too.
ReplyDeleteNot being too familiar with blogs, Ithought this one was very informative.I,of course, love your stories and can't wait to see more in print.Did I read any of John M."s work?? MOM
ReplyDeleteHi Mom :) Thank you for commenting :) Yes, you read John M.'s work in Spellbound 2011; he wrote Room 1309.5.
ReplyDeleteAs a last note, be sure to check out my website contest listed here at Seriously Reviewed. Thank you again for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, Tara. I am so thrilled to be one of your favourite authors! The feeling is mutual. Love the park. What a magnificent place! I can see why you chose it for your honeymoon. I want to go there when I finally get to visit the States.
ReplyDeleteAs you know. I love all your stories. Go for it, Tara! Keep writing more!
Thank you for commenting, Jenny :) If you ever get here to the States, I'd love to visit Letchworth with you :)
ReplyDeleteFrom one Buffalonian to another, Letchworth State Park is one beutiful piece of land. Thanks for the interview- I am looking forward to the book. I have been to many parties in my younger days there and been down South for 15 years. I try andvisit my sister in West Seneca. Hopefully next time- a picnic at the park is in order.
ReplyDeleteSuzanne, thank you for your comment :) I'm actually not from Buffalo, but I am a NYS girl. I hope you enjoy the book, and also get the opportunity for a picnic at Letchworth. I'm looking forward to my visit to the park this September :)
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