I discovered the works of Sara Brooke last year after a mutual friend on Facebook posted a link to her new (at the time) novella, "The Bed." Always on the lookout for something different to read, I downloaded the book based on that recommendation (proving once again that word-of-mouth really is among the best forms of advertisement). I immediately loved Sara's writing-style, not to mention vivid imagination. After then reading "Ghost Swim," "Still Lake," followed by "Kransen House," (my favorite so far) I was completely hooked on wanting to pick up even more of her work. I would call her style a cross between Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Bentley Little with just the right amount of eroticism mixed in. She has a lot of new projects on her plate, which she discusses in this interview. Read on for more. :)
TA: First, thanks for taking some time away from your many projects to do this. Now as I understand, you began publishing fiction fairly recently when you published "Still Lake." How did all that come to fruition (writing career and the story)?
SB: In my early twenties, I worked as a local TV news reporter in Northwest Florida and often drove through small towns that literally only had one or two traffic lights. As I would drive along, I would often think about what would happen if something really horrible occurred within the town that required a greater level of intervention. That’s when the story of Still Lake began to form in my mind, but I didn’t actually write it until much later when self-publishing became a reality. The idea that you no longer had to rely on a literary agent or a traditional publisher to create and disseminate a book was very freeing and exciting. The funny thing is that it took me years to write the story, but only two weeks for a small press (Biting Dog Press) to pick up the novel and help me get it to a better place both editorially and strategically.
TA: Do you have a writing process or do you just "write as the spirit moves you"?
SB: I typically write early in the morning or late at night. And always with a Diet Coke. My writing process has been somewhat directed by what books I’m slotted to complete for a particular publisher. Presently, there’s a long list of books that need to be written, so I’m taking it slow and steady. :)
TA: What would you say is your favorite published work?
SB: My upcoming horror/paranormal romance series for adults is a delicious read. I’ve worked closely with the editorial team at Lachesis publishing and we’ve got a great set of books that will be released later this year. I can honestly see people falling in love with these amazing characters. It is an absolute pleasure working on this series.
TA: Are there any challenges you've faced or do face as a writer?
SB: Being a woman in the horrorgenre can be challenging. Some people think I look too nice to write a scary book—but then theyread some of my work and usually change their minds They’re like, “Damn! You’re one twisted redhead.”
TA: Now, I see on your website that you also work in film and ghost hunting, not to mention are currently working on a film. Since I also work in film and have been on a few ghost hunting expeditions myself, I'm interested in hearing a little of what you are working on there.
SB: I’m actually not a ghost hunter. My upcoming documentary film was basically about a horror writer entering the REAL world of the paranormal and finding some amazing things. The film reveals some of the most incredible EVP and paranormal video/photos you’ll ever see on the big (or semi-big) screen. We are hoping for a release later this year and look forward to people watching our night spent in one of the most haunted houses in the world.
TA: Recently, I posted your cover reveal for your forthcoming book, "Sunken Park." Can you give us a little synopsis (without giving too much away, of course)?
SB: Sure! Here’s the upcoming book synopsis:
Some places are bad to the core. Behind the locked gates of Sunken Park, there is a terrible secret that spreads darkness over the once-natural beauty of the trees and lakes. There is an evil that is powerful and hungry, seeking to extract its revenge on anyone who daresto tread on its land.
Looking for some rest and relaxation, several college students decide to spend the weekend at the park. But they're about to walk into a nightmare that will affect each of them differently. As they struggle to survive, the mystery begins to unravel.
There's no place to hide from the horrors of Sunken Park.
TA: Where can we find you and your projects on the web? Plug away!
SB: www.sarabrooke.com
https://twitter.com/SaraBrooke8
https://www.facebook.com/sbrooke38
Photo courtesy of Eugenio Wilman
TA: First, thanks for taking some time away from your many projects to do this. Now as I understand, you began publishing fiction fairly recently when you published "Still Lake." How did all that come to fruition (writing career and the story)?
SB: In my early twenties, I worked as a local TV news reporter in Northwest Florida and often drove through small towns that literally only had one or two traffic lights. As I would drive along, I would often think about what would happen if something really horrible occurred within the town that required a greater level of intervention. That’s when the story of Still Lake began to form in my mind, but I didn’t actually write it until much later when self-publishing became a reality. The idea that you no longer had to rely on a literary agent or a traditional publisher to create and disseminate a book was very freeing and exciting. The funny thing is that it took me years to write the story, but only two weeks for a small press (Biting Dog Press) to pick up the novel and help me get it to a better place both editorially and strategically.
TA: Do you have a writing process or do you just "write as the spirit moves you"?
SB: I typically write early in the morning or late at night. And always with a Diet Coke. My writing process has been somewhat directed by what books I’m slotted to complete for a particular publisher. Presently, there’s a long list of books that need to be written, so I’m taking it slow and steady. :)
TA: What would you say is your favorite published work?
SB: My upcoming horror/paranormal romance series for adults is a delicious read. I’ve worked closely with the editorial team at Lachesis publishing and we’ve got a great set of books that will be released later this year. I can honestly see people falling in love with these amazing characters. It is an absolute pleasure working on this series.
TA: Are there any challenges you've faced or do face as a writer?
SB: Being a woman in the horrorgenre can be challenging. Some people think I look too nice to write a scary book—but then theyread some of my work and usually change their minds They’re like, “Damn! You’re one twisted redhead.”
Photo courtesy of Eugenio Wilman
TA: Now, I see on your website that you also work in film and ghost hunting, not to mention are currently working on a film. Since I also work in film and have been on a few ghost hunting expeditions myself, I'm interested in hearing a little of what you are working on there.
SB: I’m actually not a ghost hunter. My upcoming documentary film was basically about a horror writer entering the REAL world of the paranormal and finding some amazing things. The film reveals some of the most incredible EVP and paranormal video/photos you’ll ever see on the big (or semi-big) screen. We are hoping for a release later this year and look forward to people watching our night spent in one of the most haunted houses in the world.
TA: Recently, I posted your cover reveal for your forthcoming book, "Sunken Park." Can you give us a little synopsis (without giving too much away, of course)?
SB: Sure! Here’s the upcoming book synopsis:
Some places are bad to the core. Behind the locked gates of Sunken Park, there is a terrible secret that spreads darkness over the once-natural beauty of the trees and lakes. There is an evil that is powerful and hungry, seeking to extract its revenge on anyone who daresto tread on its land.
Looking for some rest and relaxation, several college students decide to spend the weekend at the park. But they're about to walk into a nightmare that will affect each of them differently. As they struggle to survive, the mystery begins to unravel.
There's no place to hide from the horrors of Sunken Park.
TA: Where can we find you and your projects on the web? Plug away!
SB: www.sarabrooke.com
https://twitter.com/SaraBrooke8
https://www.facebook.com/sbrooke38
Photo courtesy of Eugenio Wilman
You can also pick up Sara work at independent retailers:
The Bed at Smashwords
******
My short story, "The Cemetery by the Lake" is now available at Smashwords as a FREE download. More retailers will follow, but Smashwords is pretty compatible with most e-reader and PC formats.
Tiffany Apan at Smashwords
The Cemetery by the Lake at Smashwords
and Barnes and Noble NOOK
My music is also available at CDBaby
Tiffany on IMDb
Official Website
The Birthrite Series Website
Support your local bookstores: Search Indiebound to see what may be in your area.
******
My short story, "The Cemetery by the Lake" is now available at Smashwords as a FREE download. More retailers will follow, but Smashwords is pretty compatible with most e-reader and PC formats.
Tiffany Apan at Smashwords
The Cemetery by the Lake at Smashwords
and Barnes and Noble NOOK
My music is also available at CDBaby
Tiffany on IMDb
Official Website
The Birthrite Series Website
Support your local bookstores: Search Indiebound to see what may be in your area.
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