Author Spotlight: Taryn Steele

June 5, 2018 • News

1) How did you get started as an author and what made you want to pursue that field?
In 2014, I was visiting with a friend from high school, and we were reminiscing and she said I should write a book about all of the stuff I had been through. I thought about how it could be therapeutic for me. At that time I just signed up for a two year program at a local college for my Paralegal certification so it went on the back burner for a couple of years. Once I received my certification I immediately started writing Good Enough (Book 1 in The Enough Series) and kept going.

2) What hurdles have your overcome while striving towards your goals?
Comparing myself to other writers. I have to remind myself that by doing that I will only drag myself down, and think I’m not good enough (no pun intended). I repeat to myself that no one has been on my exact path, no one has my exact experiences and I need to just focus on developing myself.

3) Which novel has been your favorite to write and why?
My very first book, Good Enough has been my favorite because it was my first. It has the majority of my back story and a lot of meaningful characters who are still very much a part of my every day life.

4) For those looking to become an author, what advice would you give them?
My advice would be to write every day. I don’t care if it’s only ten words. Write something. Make sure you are enjoying the process. Be happy while doing this. The one other thing to keep in mind is be prepared for criticism. You will not be everyone’s cup of tea, and you have to be okay with that.

5) Favorite motto?
“I’m stronger because I had to be, I’m smarter because of my mistakes, happier because of the sadness I’ve known, and now wiser because I learned.”

6) In one word, how would you describe your writing style?
Multi-Tasker. While I’m Googling locations to make sure I’m getting all of the details right I’m plotting scenes at the same time in my head all the while cooking dinner for my family. (LOL).

7) Which author inspires you the most and why?
I’ve mentioned this in other interviews and it is still true to this day. My inspirations are Stephen King and E.L. James. Stephen Kings imagination blows my mind. I thoroughly enjoyed reading his memoir on his writing style. I highly recommend it. He’s amazing. The way E.L. James brought back the love of reading romance back to the community has been huge on so many levels.

8) What is your writing process like?
When I first started with Good Enough I had no idea what I was doing or any type of process. I’m a very, stubborn, Polish female who does not like to ask for help so I was completely winging it. I had no outline and was going completely from the memories in my head. Now, I don’t know what I would do without an outline. I search for character muses and write out all of their characteristics. I keep a folder with notes and details about certain places I’ll be writing about so I describe them accurately. I write chapter by chapter, but I have been known to skip over a chapter because I’m anxious to write a particular scene.

9) Goals for the remainder of the year?
Read. Read. Read.

10) What new projects are you currently working on?
I’m working on a little something that I’m actually opening up to the public to contribute. It’s a book called Mother-In-Law: The Good, The Bad and The Appalling. I’ve received a ton of emails already where people want to share their stories (some of which are staying anonymous which is of course fine with me). Some of the stories are just the sweetest ever, then of course the ones I get in the appalling category and it’s … WOW!

11) Any final thoughts you would like to share with the CJC Photography readers?
Christopher has been a dream to work with for my front and back covers of What If. I also enjoyed working with him two years ago when I was creating the charity book boyfriend calendar where he generously donated photos to contribute to the process. He is the best!

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