Fighting Prose Interview with Tara Jenkinson Cignarella!
Welcome to my in-depth writers series Fighting Prose. Where I talk to authors in the industry on what their process is like and what it takes for them to keep on creating, through all the odds.
Tara Jenkinson Cignarella
is my interview this week!
How long have you been writing?
Books SInce 3-25-14 but in general since preschool.
If you've written several books, which is your favorite?
Lilac Sand. My first one.
What's your favorite genre to read? Write?
Romance for both but I read many others.
How do you get in the mood to write?
If I am alone then I am in the mood.
How do your characters come together?
Like an actor in a movie that is stuck in my head they speak to me.
How do you get your ideas?
They live in my head and so do I so its a good combo
If you're not busy writing, what are you busy doing?
Being a mom, a foster family to cats, kittens, and puppies. Sitting in carpool or out for a walk collection ideas. And of course feeding and cleaning up after everyone.
Have you always been creative? Has it always been writing?
Yes I think I have. And no writing came after photography, cake decorating and crafts.
Have you ever had writer’s block? If so, how did you get out of it?
I don’t think so. If I am not in the mood to write I edit but so far I have never been unable to work on a book in some capicity.
When you sit down to write, is it easy or hard? If it's hard, what makes you keep showing up?
I have hard moments. Hard scenes to write or no idea how to write a scene. I tend to put music on and think it over to try to find the answer.
For a writer starting out what advice would you give them?
Write for you only. Don't write for others. And dont think about what they about your work. You are the only critic you need.
What is your dream writing location?
The beach or anywhere near water.
In reference to your books, what question do you get asked the most?
When did you find the time to write? And how do you make the characters seems so real?
If you could bring one of your characters to life who would it be? Why?
Gunner Cross from LIlac Sand and Magnolia Rain. He is the most fun to write and therefor I think he would be the most fun if he was real.
What do you think makes a good story?
When the reader is so lost they forget they are reading. Good characters, good writing, good storyline.
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
Be a psychiatrist.
“Thank you for letting me interview you and Good Luck with everything Tara!”
If you happen to know an author that would be great for my Fighting Prose series be sure to send them my way!
Thanks for reading!
XoXo-
Colleen
