I’m very happy to welcome author Tifani Clark who is celebrating her new release Haven Waiting with a blog tour. Check out the other blogs here: http://tifaniclark.blogspot.com/2015/01/haven-waiting-blog-tour.html
Linda Covella: Tifani, how long have you been a writer?
Tifani Clark: I’ve been writing in my head for years, but actually letting the words out has only been happening since 2012.
LC: Do you write in one particular genre, or explore a variety of stories?
TC: This is a hard question. I’ve written in different genres, including a few middle grade books and women’s fiction, but the only ones I’ve actually completed are of the Young Adult genre.
LC: From where do you get your inspiration for your stories?
TC: Most of my inspiration comes from real life events or places I’ve been. Although I’ve never visited any of the places in the Soul Saver series, I feel like I have because I’ve done so much research on the areas. I hope to someday visit the sites in the series for real. My other books take place closer to home, in areas I have been.
LC: What is your writing process? How much/often do you write?
TC: I go in spurts where I’m writing for hours every day and then I take a break. When I start a book, I struggle to get anything else done until the story is finished. When I’m on a roll, I complete a first draft in 4-6 weeks.
LC: Do you have writing partners who critique your work before submission? Why do or why don’t you think this is important?
TC: I don’t belong to an official group, but I always have other writers critique my work. I think this step of the writing process is hugely important. I’m way too close to the story to catch mistakes that others easily notice. Besides, I know the characters more intimately than readers and sometimes I forget that not everyone can read my mind.
Your Road to Publication
LC: How long have you actively been pursuing publication?
TC: From the time I sent the first query, to the time I signed my first contract, it was maybe 15 months.
LC: Do you have an agent? If yes, how did you go about finding him/her and what have the benefits been to having an agent?
If not, do you think an agent would be helpful to your writing career/do you plan to seek an agent?
TC: I do not have an agent. I think it could be helpful to advance my career, but as of right now, I am content. Creative Prose Publishing gave me a chance and they have been great to work with.
LC: Your latest book, Haven Waiting, was released yesterday, January 12, 2015. Congratulations! This is the second book in a series that began with Shadow of a Life. Can you please tell us about your books and the series?
TC: I love history and I love mysteries. My Soul Saver series lets me combine both of those loves. The books are based on real historical events and unsolved mysteries. They take place in our modern world, but part of the stories are told through the eyes of ghosts. The first book, Shadow of a Life, solves a real mystery of a shipwreck from the 1800s. Haven Waiting dives into the craziness of the Salem Witch Trials.
LC: Your books are published traditionally with Creative Prose Publishing. These days, many authors are choosing to self-publish. Why did you go the traditional route?
In your view, what are the pros and cons of each?
TC: When I first started writing, I read everything I could find about traditional publishing vs. self-publishing. I decided with Shadow of a Life I would aim for traditional publishing and self-publish if I didn’t find a good fit. Creative Prose Publishing has been absolutely wonderful to work with. Although I respect those who choose the self-publishing route, I don’t enjoy (or have the talent) to do the behind the scene designing and formatting. I’ll gladly let someone else design my covers. J
LC: Are you a full-time writer, or do you have a “day job.” If you have a day job, do you wish to share what you do? And…if you could have any job (besides being a writer), what profession would you choose?
TC: Hmm…this is a great question. I am a stay-at-home mom to four children. My youngest will go to school next year and I admit I’m looking forward to having more hours in the day to write. If I could have any job besides a writer, I would choose to be an archaeologist. I’ve always wanted to unearth something culturally important.
LC: What’s up next for Author Tifani Clark?
TC: Book 3 in the Soul Saver series is well on its way to completion. Yay! I have three other stand-alone YA books finished as well. Someday, I hope to find a home for them.
LC: Anything you’d like to add or that we should know about you?
TC: Never stop loving life and find something to make yourself happy each day. That happiness for me often comes from losing myself in another world by reading books.
Tifani Clark grew up on a farm in southeastern Idaho (yes, that’s where they grow all the potatoes) as the middle of five children. She had a lot of space to imagine and daydream and often pictured herself as a character in one of the many books she read. She was habitually found pretending to be Scarlet O’Hara. Tifani loves mysteries and hates it when one goes unsolved. She is married to the love of her life and is the mother to four fabulous children. When not writing, she enjoys playing the violin and piano and traveling to new places. She especially enjoys visits to national parks and places of historical significance.
Learn more about Tifani and her writing:
Haven Waiting on Amazon
Shadow of a Life on Amazon
http://www.facebook.com/tifaniclark
@TifaniClark
Haven Waiting Blog Tour (and Tifani’s blog)
http://tifaniclark.blogspot.com/2015/01/haven-waiting-blog-tour.html
Linda Covella, Author 
Thanks for the interview, Linda!
You’re welcome, Tifani! I enjoyed having you!!
Never stop loving life — so true. Life teaches us everything about the stories we write. Great interview, Linda. Enjoyed meeting the author.
Nice interview! Looks like a good series.