Author Interview with Sally Dubats
I’m happy to host an interview with author Sally Dubats today. Sally is a YA fantasy author, and she’s currently touring her book Winter Shock.
1) When did you know you wanted to become an author?
I don’t think there was a time when I wasn’t a writer. I spent a lot of time on other creative endeavors, and finally have gotten back to my first love. I wrote a little story about a Praying Mantis in fourth grade that still cracks me up. It’s illustrated. I also drafted a novel when I was seventeen (that I will never write because it’s awful), and have written a few screenplays, a play, a non-fiction book that was published, and various other projects. I am so glad to be getting back to the novel form. No other form allows writers to go so deep into the characters and the worlds we created.
2) Do you plot everything beforehand or not?
I plot, and then there is a lot of room to roam within my writing. One thing I like to do after a lot of planning is write one summary paragraph for each chapter. With “Winter Shock” the last chapters were very different than originally intended, but the story remained. When I would finish a chapter and scroll to the next chapter and read the original paragraph that could have been written two months before or more, I would crumple up my face in confusion, like, “Why did I ever think that would happen?”
3) What’s your editing process like?
I write very short chapters. I like the pace they create. So, when I sit down to write, I go to the previously finished chapter and edit it. I don’t do any rewrites here. I simply edit out my over-used words or find a bit of punctuation that needs correcting. Sometimes, I’ll add a sentence here or there to build tension, etc., but a lot of times this involves a lot of deleting. Then I get into the fresh writing. This process really gets me back into the world of the story, and it helps me to write a tighter manuscript along the way because my less useful techniques (bad writing habits) are fresh in my head. I also read the entire manuscript out loud during a final edit.
4) What are your writing goals for 2013?
I’d like to finish a Paranormal Comedy I’m working on, finish Book 3, get my previously published non-fiction “Natural Magick” as an e-book, and hopefully get through book 4 of “The Grimoire Chronicles”.
5) What was the most challenging part about writing Winter Shock?
Writing despite the chaos that was in my life at the time. The chaos is over, life is good, and I’m not bitter or anything like that, it’s just the truth. I wanted to share that because I’ve had people who want to write novels say that they can’t find the time, or their life doesn’t allow it because it’s too hectic, or next year will be better. Believe me, there will always be something happening, even next year. Sometimes it can be overwhelming. Write anyway. No matter what is happening in your life, write anyway.
6) Which book was the toughest to write of the books you’ve written so far?
Winter Shock. I had to really stretch as a writer, and also… read above.
7) What are you working on right now?
A paranormal comedy J I’ve wanted to write this fun project for a while, and I wanted to give it to myself as a gift to step away from the intensity of “The Grimoire Chronicles” just for a couple of months.
Thank you so much for having me on your site! I really appreciate it!
Thanks for letting me interview you, Sally!
About Winter Shock
Title: Winter Shock
Author: Sally Dubats
Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
“Trenton drugged and kidnapped me. I was powerless.”
Cassie’s neighbors have secrets, and she is one of them.
A Witch taken against her will to an isolated, frozen wilderness on an impossible quest, Cassie defends herself against Trenton who has gone over to the dark side. One minute he’s adorable and charming, and the next weird, uncaring, and hostile. And now, Cassie fears for her life.
Winter Solstice draws near, and Cassie performs magical spells to gain clarity. Instead she is shocked by visions and mind jumps into the lives of strangers on the brink of disaster.
Why is she in a hostile, threatening wilderness? What is causing the horrific visions? Cassie discovers there is much more at stake than her own survival. To survive, she must overcome impossible odds.
Book two in “The Grimoire Chronicles” series, “Winter Shock” is a paranormal fantasy novel that you’ll never forget! If you love paranormal romance, urban fantasy, Witches and Wicca, paranormal mystery, paranormal horror, action and survival, “The Grimoire Chronicles” series is definitely for you!
Author Bio
Sally Dubats is a published author of a non-fiction compendium on the practice of witchcraft called Natural Magick: The Essential Witch’s Grimoire. Her current project is an 8-book fantasy series, The Grimoire Chronicles. The first two books are complete, and Veil Between Worlds and Winter Shock have received critical acclaim. She has held editorial positions for green non-profit organizations, and was the editor of a metaphysical newspaper for several years. Sally is Wiccan and continues to practice and research the Craft.
Twitter: @sallydubats
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that’s really excellent, keep up writing.