Books-n-Kisses is pleased to have Tammy Maas on the blog today. We are chatting about life, Cheez-it’s and her debut novella ‘A Complicated Life in a Small Town’
Q1) Can you please share with us a little about yourself?
Sure! I am a new author, a happy wife, the mother of two beautiful children, a blogger and a domestic Goddess.
Q2) Have you always wanted to be an author?
I feel in love with writing in the 3rdgrade and have dreamed of becoming an author ever since.
Q3) Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?Stephen King is my favorite writer and from him I have learned that there is a story hiding in nearly every conversation or situation that occurs. Topics to write on are endless.
Q4) How did you get into writing in this specific genre? Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?
I didn’t choose the genres for my book prior to writing it; they just evolved as the story did. I would write in any genre if I had the right storyline for it.
Q5) What are some of your writing rituals?
I sit in a recliner with my feet up in the air and my laptop on my lap, Animal Planet on TV and a cup of coffee at my side. Sometimes I eat Cheez-it’s for a snack.
Q6) Can you please tell us about your latest book?
My debut Novella is titled A Complicated Life in a Small Town, it was released on 2/27.
The story is about the road to hell being paved with good intentions. Bitter that she was robbed of her childhood, at age eighteen, Lydia Lawson severed all communication ties with her alcoholic parents. Her father commits suicide one year after she leaves home. Twenty-three years later she receives word that her mother is dead and that she has inherited more than just the family home. Lily, a twenty-one-year-old, morbidly obese half-sister with Prader-Willi Syndrome, is found in the basement, too big to move out of the home. Lydia sets out on a life-changing journey trying to help Lily, trying to find Lily s father and trying to find herself. In the interim, she falls in love with Tommy Porter who remains with her right up to the climatic, mind-blowing reveal at the end.
Q7) How did you come with the idea for this story?
I was shopping for a disease online and I came across Prader-Willi Syndrome. I was so fascinated by it that I decided to use it in my story.
Q8) Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
I am currently working on the sequel to A Complicated Life in a Small Town. The debut novella had a powerful ending that left readers wanting more. I didn’t plan on doing a sequel but I am writing one to satisfy my new fans.
Q9) What would you be if you were not an author?
I have been a lot of things in my life: fast-food worker, concession stand worker, supervisor, manager, coordinator, security guard, caregiver, newspaper reporter, photographer and the list goes on and on. If I couldn’t be an author I would continue to try new jobs but I really love being an author and don’t plan on stopping anytime soon.
Q10) What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for? Amber Hartman’s book Slave to a Vampire
Q11) Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yes! For any unpublished writers I would like to encourage you to never give up. My situation is not common: at 10pm on a Saturday night I sent my manuscript to eight publishers. Within 30 minutes I had a reply and within 10 days I had a contract. Never give up, not all situations are the same. You’ll never know if you don’t try.
Want to learn more about Tammy? You can find her here:
Blog Site: http://animaasity.weebly.com
Facebook: Tammy Maas
Twitter: @Animaasity
Thanks for the interview ladies, and Tammy, congrats on the new release!