Is it a nice day, for a Monday, wherever you are?
Well, it’s about to get better!
Today’s Monday Morning Author Interview is with S.E. Anderson, author of the Starstruck series, Aix Marks the Spot, and her latest release, INALIENABLE. Let’s get to it!
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
There was never one specific moment, I think it’s been something I’ve wanted to do since birth. My family is filled with wonderful storytellers and I’ve always had a story to tell. Though it wasn’t until I was out of high school that I realized publishing them was even an option for me. Getting paid to tell stories? That’s the dream!
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
I try to squeeze it in when I can, when I’m not working on my thesis. Usually it’s in the last hours before bed, meaning I don’t get to sleep that much.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I like writing to really loud music. It stops me from thinking about my insecurities when I’m writing, and just go for it.
What does your family think of your writing?
Like any loving family, they tell me they love it! If they actually do, though, I don’t know if they’ll ever tell.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I love getting to hear from them! Random emails and DMs make me so happy. They tend to really appreciate the mental health aspect of the book – that or they want to thank me for the good laugh they just had. I also have some shippers who want me to hurry up the romance, already.
Click on Image to Purchase
As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
An Astronaut! And I would have been one, too, if I hadn’t stopped growing two inches too short. Now I’m an astrophysicist (in training) and a writer on the side.
What is the first book that made you cry?
The first one I really remember bringing me to tears was Flowers for Algernon. I can’t even pinpoint why, but I remember being inconsolable.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
Why not both? Readers want to be surprised, they have elements they like but they’ll get bored if anything is too formulaic. I try to bring them a story that they’ve never read before.
What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?
I’m not doing to drop names in here, but my writer friends are essential to me. Not just in critiquing my work, but in helping me stay grounded, and helping me deal with the ‘side effects’ of being an author. I love them so much.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
I’d tell my younger self that you can write and publish. I held back on the dream for years because I didn’t think it was a reasonable goal.
Click the Image to Purchase!
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
I don’t know, I don’t tend to buy myself ‘author stuff’ except maybe some books on technique. Good tea, maybe?
What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?
The books I like tend to get a lot of love, but maybe the Invisible Library series? I wish more people talked about it.
What are you working on now?
I have a few projects running at the same time, but right now, I’m focusing on finishing Starstruck 8, and I’m still working on my Wizard of Oz retelling. I just can’t seem to get the ending right, even after four years. More on that to come!
What do you have coming soon?
Starstruck 7, Inalienable, hit the shelves on March 8th. But you have plenty of time to catch up on the saga before grabbing it!
Click on Image to Purchase!
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
If you need to escape lockdown, try my YA Contemporary novel, Aix Marks the Spot, which is set in Provence and based on real experiences. Also, some author friends and I banded together to publish an anthology called UNBOUND: STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION, LOVE, AND MONSTERS which comes out February 15th! Best part is that it will be entirely free!
Fantastic! How can your fans connect with you?
I’m all over social media as well as my website, so feel free to drop in and chat!
Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/seandersonauthor/ Website: seandersonauthor.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/sea_author
