Today, author Bokerah Brumley answers the 10 Questions about her writing. Bokerah writes in a variety of genres, including steampunk and fantasy. Her shorter works have appeared in several anthologies.

Linda Covella: When and why did you decide to become a writer?

Bokerah Brumley: It’s the normal story, I suppose. I’ve always wanted to. As a girl, I wrote a poem, but I didn’t come up with my first story until I was twelve or thirteen. I wrote a novella in which the main character was an emu named Pixley. I called it Pixley Down Under. After that, I tried my hand at a romance or two, but I never learned all the things I didn’t know about writing until 2015. That’s when I figured out I could finish a story. It’s also when I figured out that I wasn’t that good and started to work at getting better.

LC: Good for you. As writers, we’re constantly working to improve, aren’t we?

What is your writing process: where do you write, how often do you write, are you a full-time or part-time writer, do you outline or do you plot as you go, etc.?

BB: I write every day, but deadlines really help me get work done. Word count seems to depend on whether or not my doom is impending. I write by beats. I like to pants things, but I need the structure to know the major points I have to hit, and then I let everything else come out however it comes out. Outlining kills the joy of discovery for me, and then I don’t finish the work. Also, I write part-time. I might go full-time once my kids are grown and out of the house, but that’s another ten years off. J

LC: Where do you find your inspiration for your stories? Do you draw from your own experiences?

BB: Any time any of my stories takes a farm turn, I’m definitely drawing on my experience. Beyond that, I’m SUCH a science fiction and fantasy lover. I generally come up with tech and magic for every story I write. Well… all except the contemporary romance ones. I do have a few of those coming out later this year.

LC: Who is one of your favorite characters from your story(ies), one that you enjoyed creating and writing about, and why?

BB: I’m always infatuated with whatever character I’m discovering at that moment. I don’t really have a favorite yet. I’ve enjoyed telling all the stories, each for different reasons. I liked writing the main character in THREE because she was so different than others I’ve come across. I based her on Temple Grandin. I like some of my sassy heroines, too. Those are fun. They’ve got some of the best witty repartee.

LC: Do you incorporate (or inadvertently find) any of your own personality traits into your characters?

BB: I’m sure that I do. Maybe the brave and adventuring side? No, I know. I mom everything.

That’s how that works. I mom my characters. I like to pass on my love of family. Seems like everybody in my stories winds up finding their place, their home, and their family. One way or another.

LC: Do you find your stories are more plot driven or character driven? Please explain.

BB: Oh, gosh. I’m horrid at this question. I would say that, normally, I find a character in a setting that I want to write about and then I try to come up with an absurd plot to change their lives in the worst way possible before righting it all again. I guess that makes me character driven? It’s hard for me to tell. Diagnosing my own work is very much “can’t see the forest for the trees” to me. J

LC: Did you read much as a child?

BB: I read ALL. THE. TIME. I read everything I could get my hands on. I loved all types of books.

LC: How important do you think reading is for writers?

BB: I think it’s important as a way to wind down and relax, as a way to challenge themselves to do better, and also a way to learn what’s selling in their market. Suffice it to say, I think it’s of the utmost importance.

LC: Who are some of your favorite authors and/or books? What draws you to them?

BB: Favorite authors… Well, it depends on the genre. In sweet, contemporary romance, I really like Victorine Lieske. In fantasy, I’m rather fond of Marc Secchia. In science fiction, I enjoy reading work by Nick Cole. I’m also starting to read Michael Anderle, and he’s something of a UF/SciFi.

LC: Anything new in the works?

BB: I have a paranormal romance trilogy, a cyberpunk trilogy, and a sweet, contemporary romance series all coming out next year. I’m busy, I guess. I also have a dragon story in Shards, a Noblebright Anthology that will be out on October 1, 2018. That’s edited by CJ Brightly.

LC: Bonus question 🙂 Do you have anything you’d like to add?

BB: Ummm…. Send me your mailing address in an email [found on her Facebook page], and I’ll send you a feather from Johnny Cash, my peacock. I have ten available. Also, if you follow me on Instagram, you can see pictures of my farm. J I’m @bokerah over there.

LC: Thanks so much, Bokerah. I enjoyed hearing about your writing. And, from your bio below, your life sounds fascinating. And…I’m heading over to Instagram to check out your farm!

You can connect with Bokerah at the following:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bokerah/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bokerah

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bokerah/

Website: http://www.bokerah.com

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Bokerah-Brumley/e/B0191ALXWI/

Author Bio:

Bokerah Brumley lives on ten permaculture acres, complete with sheep, goats, peacocks, turkeys, geese, guineas, ducks, chickens, five home-educated children, and one husband. She also moonlights as an acquisitions editor for The Crossover Alliance and production/marketing manager for an independent New York publisher.