T.
Hammond feels writing is not a calling so much as a compulsion. No one is more
surprised than her when characters take over the plot and dialog, (re)directing
stories in directions she had not (consciously) intended. Although she starts
with a basic framework, she finds that one or two chapters into each novel, not
only have characters shredded her outline into tiny unidentifiable pieces, they
use the resulting confetti in a nose-thumbing parade. She is fully convinced
the writer is merely the tool a story uses to tell its tale.
T. has written six
books in the Team Red series—spicy, LOL, romance with a paranormal twist. T’s
first Urban Fantasy, Posse: Legends, is scheduled for Winter 2015
Can
you share a little of your current work with us?
I
have completed the scheduled books for the Team Red series, and I’m ready to
expand out of the Paranormal Romance genre. I’m currently working on the first
book in the Posse trilogy, Posse: Legends, which is a blend of historical
events and urban fantasy. The series is challenging, as I’ve been tackling the
huge responsibility of world-building (making rules for your fantasy world).
World-building needs to be consistent and make sense—well, as much sense as
writing about vampires and Fae can make. Researching historical events to meld
into the storyline, is another layer of time-consuming nit-picking, but I feel
if an author fools around with actual events, they have a duty to portray the
timeline, clothing, and other small details to enhance the tale. The story is
told from eight points of view (PoV) which is a delicate dance, giving each
character enough face time to tell their story and build reader empathy, but
not so much as to lose reader’s interest
with too many scene changes or confusing timelines.
Who designs your
covers?
The Team
Red covers are done by Sami Hensler (feel free to contact me for her email
address). The Posse trilogy is designed by Hang Le (www.byhangle.com). She’s done an awesome job on
the first two covers already and we are working on book three’s. The cover
reveal for Posse: Legends will be around October 1st.
Do you have any
advice for other writers?
This is
a subject I talk about in my Facebook author group “Author Coffee Break” as
well as on my personal and Goodreads blogs.
PROFESSIONALLY
EDIT YOUR WORK!
It is
almost impossible to self-edit. Most people have a tendency to look right over
their mistakes. Get a good editor—in fact, get an awesomely excellent editor
(If you’re only paying $200 for a 80k document, then save yourself the money
and do spell check—that’s pretty much all you get for that amount, and you
could do your own in 30 min). I have a Goordreads blog post https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog_posts/6257152-blind-rage-the-writing-process which talks about the writing process
as a whole.
Nothing
beats an editor who specializes in line edit, and or developmental edit. Expect
to pay $600-1000 for your 80k manuscript, depending on how well you self-edit
first. You will be charged more for sloppy work (which is as it should be, an
editor is your associate, not your mom who follows you around to wipe up your
mess). After the edit, I also recommend a flock of proofreaders. They will
always find something, no matter how great the editor or how many times you’ve
reviewed the darn thing yourself.
Do you have any
writing rituals or certain things you do to aid your writing process?
Coffee.
Copious amounts of dark-roasted nectar from heavens.
Next, I
start a “Characters” spreadsheet to jot down names, character traits, ages,
associations (to other characters)
I also
start a “Notes” document to track recurring things, such as my preferred way to
do a date stamp—for example: ** Early Morning, Tuesday Jan 6 ** or, in my Team
Red series, Teresa is blind and has a talking alarm clock. I want to keep
consistency with how the clock recites information so I have an example of the
clock: six-fifteen a.m., Tuesday, January sixth. My notes also contain snippets
of dialog I may want to include. Also, in my main document, I sometimes find a
paragraph or two may not be as relevant as I’d initially thought, although I
may really like the wording; I’ll cut it from the document and paste it to
“Notes” to possibly insert somewhere else later.
Favorite snack and
thing to drink while you write?
Everything
goes with coffee. I keep a candy dish on my desk (anything from Milk Duds, to
Hot Tamales, Sweet Tarts, and Spice Drops), but I don’t eat too often when I’m
writing. When I do, I step away from the desk and eat and read in my recliner
to take a break.
Ebook or
Print? eBook (Print books for favored authors)
Junk Food
or Sweets? Sweets
Dogs or Cats?
Dogs! The bigger the better
Tea or Coffee?
Coffee
Dark
Colors or Light Colors? In between? My closet is mostly shades of gray.
Angels
or Demons? Demons
Paranormal
Romance or Historical Romance? Paranormal
Boxers
or Briefs? Naked, definitely commando!
Control
Freak or Careless Jerk? Control Freak.
Must
read books (in no particular order)
1. Archer’s Voice, Mia Sheridan
2.The Execution, Sharon Cramer
3. Shadowboxer, Cari Quinn
4.Blackbirds, Chuck Wendig
5.Falling Into You, Jasinda Wilder
Stalk Tina!
Check out all of Tina’s novels
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