Today on Novels On The Run I would like to welcome the lovely Tammara Webber author of Easy and Between The Lines series for a Q & A session.
Hi Tammara, thank you for dropping in down under at Novels On The Run. I absolutely adored Easy. Looking forward to reading more of your works. J
Michelle: What 3 words describe Tammara Webber the author?
Tammara: Reader, Dreamer, HEA-lover
Michelle: I absolutely adored Easy. It was my first Tammara Webber read. I am going to hit your ‘Between The Lines’ series soon. I am rather excited I get three books to read in succession. Easy was an amazing read for me. You hit up a tough subject in a very empowering way. I for one am NEVER going to forget the ‘Lawnmower’ self defense move. If I ever need to defend myself, and my brain goes blank, I know thanks to Erin, the ‘Lawnmower’ move is forever in bedded in my brain. I know you would have been asked this before, but I thought it was important to put it out there again. What is the one thing you hope readers get from Easy?
Tammara: I want readers to feel empowered. Empowered people stand up for themselves in whatever way they’re able, and they don’t swallow the blame for something that isn't their fault.
Michelle: Lucas. Beautiful Lucas. What 5 words would Jacqueline use to describe Lucas?
Tammara: Protective, careful, loving, gentle and (okay, yeah) hot.
*nods*
Michelle: What 5 words would Lucas use to describe Jacqueline?
Tammara: Beautiful, empathetic, intelligent, strong, responsible.
Michelle: What song would best describe Lucas and Jacqueline’s relationship?
Tammara: In Easy, I quoted a line from the song Hardliners by Holcombe Waller (with his permission). It’s a song of support and encouragement, about carrying on and learning to love and trust again. I absolutely love it, and it fits their relationship so well.
Michelle: What 5 words would Don use to describe Erin?
Tammara: Fiesty, determined, strong, smart, bloodthirsty
Michelle: What song would best describe Erin the ‘bestie’?
Tammara: I included Kelly Clarkson’s song Stronger in my “soundtrack” of music (the list is on my website under the description of Easy). It’s a song for Jacqueline, but I think it’s what Erin would play for her, because she wants J to be the strongest version of herself. That’s the BFF all of us need and deserve. I have an Erin of my own, and I dedicated the book to her.
Michelle: I like to ask authors their philosophy on life. I read an interview where your motto is the song Dare You To Move by Switchfoot. I have heard this song many times, (I must laugh I thought it was Dare You To Run...well that is what I was singing, hehe) but it wasn’t until I read the interview you gave that I youtubed the song/lyric vid and read the words. WoW! Inspirational. Is there anything else you have learnt from life, your writing, you would like to add?
Tammara: I guess I haven’t narrowed to a specific philosophy just yet, per se. I think we form and reform that through our lives, and I’m sure I’ve got plenty to learn yet. I can narrow my present viewpoint to two things, though. One is the knowledge that sometimes, we have to push ourselves to do uncomfortable things, new things, to avoid ruts. It’s human nature (for most of us) to edge toward what’s safe. But safe can also be stagnant. The second thing is a corresponding realization: even small steps lead to forward movement. When a goal seems unsurmountable, it’s best to concentrate on those single steps instead of the intended target.
Michelle: You were given a piece of advice from another author. I wanted to share this as I thought it would strike a chord with other writers. Have you given any authors advice?
Tammara: “Courtney Summers told me that the moment I stop writing for myself was the moment I stop writing for everyone else.”
Tammara: Yes. I asked Courtney, specifically, how she handled getting bad and/or mean reviews. Not how or whether to respond to them, but rather how to handle them emotionally – how to keep writing. Authors get tons of conflicting feedback. I don’t know if readers really understand how confusing that can be, especially if you’re a new author. I no longer seek out reviews at all, positive or negative. I’m not managing a hotel – there’s no customer service line that will get you a different version of the book. I sent it through critique partners and beta readers and editors. It’s published. It is what it is.
My mother is a huge cheerleader – she’s excited for me when things go well, and she’s wonderfully supportive when they don’t. But after the second book (BTL #2), I had to tell her to please stop reading my work, because she was so uncomfortable and with the language and critical of the darker or racier scenes – and I have no intention of changing the way I write. (She still wants me to tell her the whole storyline of each book, and read sections to her, however. I edit as I read, and she knows I do. It’s kind of funny.)
Michelle: Having spent the majority of your adult life on a college campus yourself, have you ever people watched and found some of your characters for Easy or your Between The Lines series?
Tammara: Whether it be a visual description or more. I can’t help but pull physical and personality traits from people I know or observe. While all of my characters are created in my imagination, and none are taken wholly from someone I know, bits of people I know or observe are in every character. (There was an adorable guy working in our campus Starbucks – my office’s receptionist christened him Graham and looked for him every time we walked over to get coffee. I’d already written Graham, but the way she looked for him every time we went helped me imagine Lucas doing that job, once I began writing Easy.)
Michelle: Tattoos are quite in vogue with book boyfriends whether they are bad boys, reformed bad boys or an expression of love. Do you have any tattoos? I don’t, but hubby and I are leaning towards something each, that is significant. Meaningful. Lucas, all his body art is a product of his life and what he has lost, been through. Has a quote from one of your books, or something meant enough to you to get inked?
Tammara: I won’t ever put a tattoo on a character unless it has a meaning. Lucas’s have either specific meaning to him, or they’re used to hide something. I plan to get a couple of tattoos, and I know what they’ll be – and yes, they’ll definitely be something meaningful to me. I’ve been wanting to do it for years and have put it off. I don’t want to go just anywhere to have it done – I want someone I can trust, since it’s something so permanent.
Michelle: How did you garner your knowledge of Self Defense classes and the ‘moves’ for Easy? Without personally even being to a class myself, I felt that I learnt, gained, something from this part of the story. I think your words could have the potential to save somebody. I loved the humour you injected via the use of Erin’s character.
Tammara: I took the class – self-defence for women – on campus. I’m extremely shy, so the thought of hitting, kicking and yelling at a suited up guy scared me in the same way giving a speech would scare me, but I’m glad I did it. I used what I learned in the classes in the book, though the descriptions I gave don’t compare to taking the class. It was hugely empowering and I HIGHLY recommend it.
Michelle: Apart from ‘Between The Lines #4 ‘. Is there any other works you are working on that you could tell us about? Stand alone or new series? Is contemporary romance your niche you want to stay in?
Tammara: I tend to work on one thing at a time. After I submit BTL #4, I’ll be working on another stand-alone (romantic) novel for Penguin. After that, who knows?
Michelle: I know Easy is stand-alone, but I personally have this thing about reading Lucas in his ‘lost’stage, from his POV. Would you ever consider a novella or prequel about Lucas or do you want to leave Lucas in the now?
Tammara: A lot of readers view Easy as a romance – which it definitely is, but the issue of acquaintance rape was the reason I wrote it. When I began “hearing” the story, it was Jacqueline’s story. I knew Lucas was closed-off and secretive, and that he had reasons for this, but I didn’t know his complete backstory until I began writing. I don’t want to take the focus away from either J’s story or the issue, so I don’t plan to do any sort of companion novella or prequel. That said, I have considered taking a chapter from Easy and writing it from Lucas’s POV (much like Veronica Roth did with Divergent’s Four). However, I have two manuscript deadlines in 2013, and those have to be done first.
Michelle: If your life was like a box of chocolates, what flavour do you think it would be and why?
Tammara: Definitely dark chocolate, because it’s like real life – bittersweet.
Michelle: Which 4 people/characters alive or dead, would you invite to dinner and why? Go for it, they can be real people, from movies, books, politicians, whoever you want.
Tammara: Jane Austen, Emily Brontë, Edith Wharton and EM Forster. I would fangirl all of them, and then beg them to assist me in articulating why sequels aren’t usually a good idea.
Michelle: Thank you Tammara for writing such a beautiful character in Lucas, and such an amazing Contemporary Romance. I look forward to more works rather excitedly from you.
Tammara: Thank you, Michelle! I’m so glad you enjoyed Easy. Thanks for having me stop by your lovely blog. Happy reading!
Hi Tammara, thank you for dropping in down under at Novels On The Run. I absolutely adored Easy. Looking forward to reading more of your works. J
Michelle: What 3 words describe Tammara Webber the author?
Tammara: Reader, Dreamer, HEA-lover
Michelle: I absolutely adored Easy. It was my first Tammara Webber read. I am going to hit your ‘Between The Lines’ series soon. I am rather excited I get three books to read in succession. Easy was an amazing read for me. You hit up a tough subject in a very empowering way. I for one am NEVER going to forget the ‘Lawnmower’ self defense move. If I ever need to defend myself, and my brain goes blank, I know thanks to Erin, the ‘Lawnmower’ move is forever in bedded in my brain. I know you would have been asked this before, but I thought it was important to put it out there again. What is the one thing you hope readers get from Easy?
Tammara: I want readers to feel empowered. Empowered people stand up for themselves in whatever way they’re able, and they don’t swallow the blame for something that isn't their fault.
Michelle: Lucas. Beautiful Lucas. What 5 words would Jacqueline use to describe Lucas?
Tammara: Protective, careful, loving, gentle and (okay, yeah) hot.
*nods*
Michelle: What 5 words would Lucas use to describe Jacqueline?
Tammara: Beautiful, empathetic, intelligent, strong, responsible.
Michelle: What song would best describe Lucas and Jacqueline’s relationship?
Tammara: In Easy, I quoted a line from the song Hardliners by Holcombe Waller (with his permission). It’s a song of support and encouragement, about carrying on and learning to love and trust again. I absolutely love it, and it fits their relationship so well.
Michelle: What 5 words would Don use to describe Erin?
Tammara: Fiesty, determined, strong, smart, bloodthirsty
Michelle: What song would best describe Erin the ‘bestie’?
Tammara: I included Kelly Clarkson’s song Stronger in my “soundtrack” of music (the list is on my website under the description of Easy). It’s a song for Jacqueline, but I think it’s what Erin would play for her, because she wants J to be the strongest version of herself. That’s the BFF all of us need and deserve. I have an Erin of my own, and I dedicated the book to her.
Michelle: I like to ask authors their philosophy on life. I read an interview where your motto is the song Dare You To Move by Switchfoot. I have heard this song many times, (I must laugh I thought it was Dare You To Run...well that is what I was singing, hehe) but it wasn’t until I read the interview you gave that I youtubed the song/lyric vid and read the words. WoW! Inspirational. Is there anything else you have learnt from life, your writing, you would like to add?
Tammara: I guess I haven’t narrowed to a specific philosophy just yet, per se. I think we form and reform that through our lives, and I’m sure I’ve got plenty to learn yet. I can narrow my present viewpoint to two things, though. One is the knowledge that sometimes, we have to push ourselves to do uncomfortable things, new things, to avoid ruts. It’s human nature (for most of us) to edge toward what’s safe. But safe can also be stagnant. The second thing is a corresponding realization: even small steps lead to forward movement. When a goal seems unsurmountable, it’s best to concentrate on those single steps instead of the intended target.
Michelle: You were given a piece of advice from another author. I wanted to share this as I thought it would strike a chord with other writers. Have you given any authors advice?
Tammara: “Courtney Summers told me that the moment I stop writing for myself was the moment I stop writing for everyone else.”
Tammara: Yes. I asked Courtney, specifically, how she handled getting bad and/or mean reviews. Not how or whether to respond to them, but rather how to handle them emotionally – how to keep writing. Authors get tons of conflicting feedback. I don’t know if readers really understand how confusing that can be, especially if you’re a new author. I no longer seek out reviews at all, positive or negative. I’m not managing a hotel – there’s no customer service line that will get you a different version of the book. I sent it through critique partners and beta readers and editors. It’s published. It is what it is.
My mother is a huge cheerleader – she’s excited for me when things go well, and she’s wonderfully supportive when they don’t. But after the second book (BTL #2), I had to tell her to please stop reading my work, because she was so uncomfortable and with the language and critical of the darker or racier scenes – and I have no intention of changing the way I write. (She still wants me to tell her the whole storyline of each book, and read sections to her, however. I edit as I read, and she knows I do. It’s kind of funny.)
Michelle: Having spent the majority of your adult life on a college campus yourself, have you ever people watched and found some of your characters for Easy or your Between The Lines series?
Tammara: Whether it be a visual description or more. I can’t help but pull physical and personality traits from people I know or observe. While all of my characters are created in my imagination, and none are taken wholly from someone I know, bits of people I know or observe are in every character. (There was an adorable guy working in our campus Starbucks – my office’s receptionist christened him Graham and looked for him every time we walked over to get coffee. I’d already written Graham, but the way she looked for him every time we went helped me imagine Lucas doing that job, once I began writing Easy.)
Michelle: Tattoos are quite in vogue with book boyfriends whether they are bad boys, reformed bad boys or an expression of love. Do you have any tattoos? I don’t, but hubby and I are leaning towards something each, that is significant. Meaningful. Lucas, all his body art is a product of his life and what he has lost, been through. Has a quote from one of your books, or something meant enough to you to get inked?
Tammara: I won’t ever put a tattoo on a character unless it has a meaning. Lucas’s have either specific meaning to him, or they’re used to hide something. I plan to get a couple of tattoos, and I know what they’ll be – and yes, they’ll definitely be something meaningful to me. I’ve been wanting to do it for years and have put it off. I don’t want to go just anywhere to have it done – I want someone I can trust, since it’s something so permanent.
Michelle: How did you garner your knowledge of Self Defense classes and the ‘moves’ for Easy? Without personally even being to a class myself, I felt that I learnt, gained, something from this part of the story. I think your words could have the potential to save somebody. I loved the humour you injected via the use of Erin’s character.
Tammara: I took the class – self-defence for women – on campus. I’m extremely shy, so the thought of hitting, kicking and yelling at a suited up guy scared me in the same way giving a speech would scare me, but I’m glad I did it. I used what I learned in the classes in the book, though the descriptions I gave don’t compare to taking the class. It was hugely empowering and I HIGHLY recommend it.
Michelle: Apart from ‘Between The Lines #4 ‘. Is there any other works you are working on that you could tell us about? Stand alone or new series? Is contemporary romance your niche you want to stay in?
Tammara: I tend to work on one thing at a time. After I submit BTL #4, I’ll be working on another stand-alone (romantic) novel for Penguin. After that, who knows?
Michelle: I know Easy is stand-alone, but I personally have this thing about reading Lucas in his ‘lost’stage, from his POV. Would you ever consider a novella or prequel about Lucas or do you want to leave Lucas in the now?
Tammara: A lot of readers view Easy as a romance – which it definitely is, but the issue of acquaintance rape was the reason I wrote it. When I began “hearing” the story, it was Jacqueline’s story. I knew Lucas was closed-off and secretive, and that he had reasons for this, but I didn’t know his complete backstory until I began writing. I don’t want to take the focus away from either J’s story or the issue, so I don’t plan to do any sort of companion novella or prequel. That said, I have considered taking a chapter from Easy and writing it from Lucas’s POV (much like Veronica Roth did with Divergent’s Four). However, I have two manuscript deadlines in 2013, and those have to be done first.
Michelle: If your life was like a box of chocolates, what flavour do you think it would be and why?
Tammara: Definitely dark chocolate, because it’s like real life – bittersweet.
Michelle: Which 4 people/characters alive or dead, would you invite to dinner and why? Go for it, they can be real people, from movies, books, politicians, whoever you want.
Tammara: Jane Austen, Emily Brontë, Edith Wharton and EM Forster. I would fangirl all of them, and then beg them to assist me in articulating why sequels aren’t usually a good idea.
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| Jane Auston - Emily Bronte Edith Wharton - EM Forster |
Michelle: Thank you Tammara for writing such a beautiful character in Lucas, and such an amazing Contemporary Romance. I look forward to more works rather excitedly from you.
Tammara: Thank you, Michelle! I’m so glad you enjoyed Easy. Thanks for having me stop by your lovely blog. Happy reading!
