Bestselling Author Tabitha Freeman Interview 10.1.2012 with book blogger and renowned author of the Paradox series, Patti Roberts, featured at
Author Interview – Tabitha Freeman, Bestselling Author of the Ghost Story Series
P: Where were you born and where do you call home?
TRF: Habersham County, Georgia. It’s a tiny town in northeastern Georgia.
TRF: Habersham County, Georgia. It’s a tiny town in northeastern Georgia.
Your most recent book, Becoming A Princess, was just released a few days ago. If you had to sum it up in 30 or less words, what would you say? It’s different from my other books. It’s a ‘tabletop’ book—one that’s more entertaining and light to read, and one that is easy to pick up, put back down for later, and pick right back up again. It’s all dialogue, so it’s effortless to fall into and become part of the story.
How did Becoming A Princess come about? It’s so dear to my heart. I began writing the story—though not in interview form—a long time ago and it grew and grew and grew into this huge, personal fairytale. I wanted to convert it into a more relatable and enjoyable read for my readers, so I turned it into something unique.
The moral of the story is “don’t settle for anything less than what you deserve” and the main character, Bets, firmly believes that everyone really does have their own fairytale. Why was this important to convey?Especially in this day and age, we really do make our own destinies…in Bets’ case, she goes through hell and back, but she is determined to understand her self-worth and not settle for anything less than her “fairytale”—whether that means a love story fairytale, a career fairytale, or whatever fairytale her life has in store for her. I think the whole concept of “fairytale” has really been cast out in a negative light—especially in our modern world. But why? Does that make Bets less of an independent woman because she believes in a happy ever after? I certainly don’t think so.
If you gave any one of your characters from any of your novels an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say? Ha! I have to jump over to the Ghost Story series for this. Nora Benedict would want to say to everyone that she knows she’s the most unlikely protagonist, but she really tries to put what little common sense she does have to use. She knows well-thought out plans are not her strong point, but she makes all her mistakes with the best intentions!
Speaking of the Ghost Story series, is that your next release? Yes, the second book in the Ghost Story series, The Unordinary, is being released next month, Nov 1!
Can we look forward to other releases this year? Hopefully at least one more contemporary fiction novel before the 2012 year is up.
Is there an author who you would really like to meet? There are plenty, but the one who will always be on the top of my list is J.K. Rowling.
What would you say to her if you met her? Thanks for amping up my childhood!
We are in the midst of the e-book age takeover. Where do YOU prefer to buy your books? A hardback book will always be my first love and my soul just lifts every time I walk into a book store or a library. But I am changing with the times, too. I like being able to carry around hundreds of books with me on my ipad, I like knowing that I can buy the book and start reading it in seconds while in my pajamas, and I like knowing that I can loan that book out and it will be returned to me in two weeks. My process on buying books now is I get the kindle version first and if I am in love with it, then I buy the hardcopy.
You are a self-published author yourself. Does the e-book takeover make this an easier challenge to take on? Definitely! The whole e-book revolution allows me to not only get my works out to the world in a short amount of time as another option to the print press, but also to get my works into the hands of a limitless amount of people in seconds. Not to mention, the option of loaning books on the kindle allows my books to make their way onto tons of other kindles as “borrows”, and so on and so on.
E-books made it possible for me to no longer have to wait on a publisher’s subjective view towards my writing to make or break my success—and then later, it allowed me to turn down those same publishers that saw my self-publish success first-hand when they suddenly decided to support my work.
E-books made it possible for me to no longer have to wait on a publisher’s subjective view towards my writing to make or break my success—and then later, it allowed me to turn down those same publishers that saw my self-publish success first-hand when they suddenly decided to support my work.
Being a full-time author, do you hold onto a “day job” as well? I have been fortunate enough that my books are successful, so that I do not have to have a day job—writing is my day job!
Assuming you get the time to read, what book are you currently reading?I just finished John Locke’s book Box on my Kindle.
What are your thoughts on book trailers? I’m personally not a fan. I don’t watch or do them, but I know plenty of authors who do. I would just rather use that extra time spent creating a trailer on creating a new book.
Why do you write under a pen name for the Ghost Story series? I write all different kinds of genres. Ghost Story is YA fantasy—which some people love and some people don’t. My other works are contemporary fiction—again, which some people love and some don’t. T.R. is for the fantasy lovers, so that they know that’s the story they’ll be getting.
Speaking of pen names, do you have a nickname? Tab, Tabi—any short version of Tabitha. “Hello there, beautiful woman!” also works.
Do you ever write in your PJ’s? All the time. It’s the best work uniform.
On to quirky questions! What are your pet peeves? Unkind people.
White wine or red? Vodka.
Coffee or tea? I have an IV for coffee hooked up in my office.
Do you have a favorite food? Meat, cheese, and chocolate. The main food groups, obviously.
Vanilla or chocolate ice-cream? Chocolate anything.
What do you normally eat for breakfast, of do you skip it and get straight to work? When I wake up, first thing is coffee and then I start working. Sometimes I remember to eat breakfast, and then sometimes I look up at the clock and it’s past lunchtime.
What are 4 things you never leave home without (apart from the obvious keys, money and phone)? You know, I actually hate carrying around a purse or wallet or anything. I normally shove whatever I need in my back pocket. But, if I do carry stuff with me, I’ll always have a drink (usually sweet tea), tic tacs, super glue, and flavored lip gloss.
Sleep in or get up early? I normally get up early, but if I end up writing late into the night, I’ll sleep in a bit extra.
Laptop or desktop for writing? LAPTOP!
Where and when do you prefer to do your writing? The best place to write in my house is our study. It’s got the perfect ambiance—fireplace, books piled on the bookshelves, medieval swords, and paintings on the walls…also, my house is 200 years old, so that adds to the weird romance of being in a perfect environment to write stories.
What are your thoughts on receiving book reviews – the good and the bad? I don’t think most readers realize this, but book reviews are so important! Even a one-line review for a book you enjoyed can land that book in one more reader’s hands that never knew about it before! The most established, well-known authors will tell you that just one more review than the million they might already have is something they really need and want to see.
“Bad” reviews also are not necessarily a “bad” thing—if they are done right. Unfortunately, a lot of “bad” reviews you’ll see for books are nasty and unfair—for instance, someone didn’t read what genre the book was before buying it or they didn’t read the summary and it turned out to be a type of book they don’t enjoy reading. Or sometimes, they don’t read the full book and send a review in for the first three pages. None of this is helpful to the other readers or the author. If you don’t like a book and you review it, at least write a review that is a legitimate critique. Why didn’t you like it? What would have made it better for you? It’s like when you go into a restaurant and you don’t like your dinner.
If you’re the type of person to say, “Hey, the chef messed up, it happens, can I get something else?” and the world doesn’t end, then I would love a “bad” review from you. If you’re the person who yells, curses, and makes that chef go home in tears just because your personal tastes were not satisfied, then you are probably an author’s worst nightmare—that reader who is never satisfied with anything.
If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you? Will Ferrell, Kristin Wigg, and Anna Ferris. Because you’re gonna die anyway, why not die laughing your butt off?
One of your favorite quotes? “Even when those who move you be kings or men of power, your soul is in your keeping alone. When you stand before God you cannot say “but I was told by others to do thus” or that “virtue was not convenient at the time. This will not suffice. Remember that.” It is from the movie Kingdom of Heaven.
3 of your favorite movies? Braveheart, The Princess Bride, and Titanic.
What is a movie or TV show that you watched just recently and really enjoyed? I just watched Hotel Transylvania at a drive-in theater and it was fantastic! As far as TV goes, Once Upon A Time is back on and you can’t beat a show about fairytales.
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