Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Sara Watterson

Talkshow Thursday: Welcome Sara Watterson

LINDA: Thanks for joining me today. Congratulations on your debut fantasy novel This Dreamer. I love biblical retellings! Why did you choose this particular Bible story, and how did you come up with your adaptation?

SARA: Thank you! And thanks for allowing me a space on your blog. The initial ideas for This Dreamer have been churning in my mind since 2011. I don’t remember the exact moment I landed on the story of Joseph, but I knew I wanted a biblical tie-in. After reading one of my favorite secular YA book series, I finally had an aha moment. In it, the author presents four fairytale retellings in four dystopian/sci-fi books. But the fairy stories are intertwined. The characters from one story carry over into the next fulfilling supporting roles in the following books. It’s a clever concept, and I thought, why can’t I do that with a few beloved Bible characters?

My series, The Chronicles of the Marked, begins with Joseph and the coat of many colors in the first book, Queen Esther will follow, and then Samson. The over-arching story tying them together represents heaven as well as Satan’s deception in the world and his eventual dismissal from God’s presence. My protagonist, Evie, is a part of this higher concept, layered over the retelling. It’s very much a Good vs. Evil story.

I also wanted to pen a message for my adopted daughter. I try to convey a message of purpose and belonging. One of my characters is in foster care, as she once was. He wrestles with the question, Why am I here if my birth mom didn’t want me?

LINDA: What is your writing process like, and how much research was necessary for this story?

SARA: Well, there are pantsers and plotters and then there are over plotters. That’s me! I LOVE the

Pixabay/Gidon Pico

outlining process, and I create incredibly detailed outlines before writing a single word of a novel. I read the Joseph story in Genesis many times and sketched a hero’s journey outline for it. Then I added my own characters and elements to mirror that. I also researched miracles and extraordinary powers in the Bible. Every powerful “Gift” in my story can be found in the Bible, with my own flair, of course: Strength, Water-Moving, Prophetic Dreams, etc.

LINDA: What is your favorite aspect of writing?

SARA: Coming up with the story idea and making all the pieces fit together. In other words, OUTLINING! Is that weird?

LINDA: Not at all, but I love to outline too, so I'm a bit biased! LOL. What do you do to prepare for writing? (e.g., do you listen to music, set up in a certain area, etc.)

SARA: I love to write either outside if the weather is nice or in a coffee shop. I don’t always remember, but I try to spend time in prayer before I get started. Then I grab some black coffee and get with it. When in a coffee shop, I often listen to instrumental music. Lately, my favorite has been The Greatest Showman soundtrack piano medley.

LINDA: You’re a teacher, a mom, a writer, and run a website. How do you juggle all your responsibilities?

SARA: It can be exhausting. And to be honest, I struggle to find time in the summer when my kids are home. But my kids are school age, and I only teach a few hours a day from August to May. During those months, I try to be disciplined and use my time wisely.

LINDA: What is one thing you wish you could do?

SARA: I wish I could pound out 2000+ words a day. Even when I have the time, I can’t stay focused for that long. After a few hours, I get restless and have to accept I’m done for the day.

LINDA: What is one piece of advice you’d like to offer to fledgling writers?

Pixabay/Janeb13

SARA: Stick to it! It takes hard work and may take a very long time, but it’s worth it to finally get your book baby out into the world. Pray before writing. Ask for God’s guidance, and he will help the words flow. And don’t wait until you’re about to launch your book to get serious about researching marking and social media. Start connecting with readers and other authors now. If I could go back, this is something I would do differently.

LINDA: What is your next project?

SARA: When I finish book two of my current series, I’ll be excited to jump back into another series I’ve kept on the back burner. I have a detailed outline (are you surprised?) and a 30,000-word start on a YA sci-fi/fantasy romance.

LINDA: Where can folks find you on the web?

SARA: You can find me on my website, http://www.sarawatterson.com, Instagram: @sarawattersonwrites, and Facebook: @sarawattersonwrites. I recently revamped the aesthetic of my website and Instagram. Check it out!

About This Dreamer:

Evie grows restless observing mortals from the safety of her desk in the Control Room. When a friend offers to smuggle her by portal into the human world, she jumps at the opportunity. Secretly, she also hopes to observe Adan, the human Dreamer. Only a glimpse, she promises herself.

But trouble awaits after her captivating adventure and delayed return. Not only did she take an unsanctioned trip to the ground, but now the boy, the Dreamer, is missing. Worse still, Evie’s director believes she is to blame.

Evidence places Adan in another sector, where Gifted humans are forbidden.

Donning a human body and wielding a golden blade, Evie’s orders are to travel to this uncharted territory, find Adan, and take care of the problem.

As she attempts to keep the human emotions at bay, she discovers this intriguing boy was smuggled here for a reason, and perhaps the culprit—the Deceiver—is a threat to them all.

This YA adventure is an enthralling mix of fantasy, mystery, and romance, a clean fantasy book for teens and tweens inspired by Joseph and his coat of many colors.

Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3cEWc68