Author Spotlight: T Torrest

September 24, 2015 • News

1) How did you get started as an author and what made you want to pursue that field?
Ummm… unemployment? LOL. Actually, that’s not a flippant answer. The truth is, I was always a writer; I just never thought to make it a career until after my mural-painting business went extinct. I edited the heck out of an already-written manuscript (REMEMBER WHEN) and put it out into the world. I researched effective ways to promote my book and then spent half my waking hours marketing it… Every. Single. Day. It’s been a slow burn since then, but I just keep stoking that fire, trying to coax those embers into a flame.

2) What hurdles have you overcome while striving towards your goals?
Finding my balance has been the biggest challenge. I have a husband and two kids to care for plus an entire household to run. I’m a mom and an author, and it’s tough to maintain both roles. Guilt inevitably creeps in whenever I have to choose between playing Carol Brady or Judy Blume. I’m still trying to find the best way to be both.

3) Which novel has been your favorite to write and why? 
Oh God. Of course I hate to play favorites… but if I’m going to be honest, I’d have to say REMEMBER WHEN. It was the book that started it all, but even more so, I haven’t had a working situation like that since I published. I wrote that book for me. I never thought anyone would get to read it. It took close to four years from start to finish, on and off, only writing when the mood struck. Since then, I haven’t experienced the same freedom while writing as I did during that time, and I do miss it. Being an author is the greatest job in the world but make no mistake, it is, in fact, a job.

4) For those looking to become an author, what advice would you give them?
You have to make the time and commitment to actually do it. Even if you only write one sentence a night and it takes forever to hold a finished manuscript in your hands… Ten years from now, you can either have written a book… or not.

5) Favorite motto?
Write drunk. Edit sober.

6) In one word, how would you describe your writing style?
Obsessive.

7) Which author inspires you the most and why?
Hmmmm. I normally say Judith McNaught. Hers were the first romance books I’d ever read, and her stories inspired me to write my own. REMEMBER WHEN was titled in homage to her.

8) What is your writing process like?
I have a basic idea for a story, including a kickass ending. Then I just sit down and let the characters introduce themselves to me. I envision vague scenes and situations, throw them into my world, and write in order to find out what will happen. All the while, I’m fleshing out the details and keeping that preconceived ending in mind, constantly directing them toward that climax.

9) Goals for the remainder of the year?
I’m striving to have A WAY TO GET BY (with its gorgeous CJC Photography/Hang Le cover!) out on the shelves before the new year. After that? Maybe hit the New York Times list. Build an ark. Cure cancer. Who knows.

10) What new projects are you currently working on?
After I finish A WAY TO GET BY, I’ll be diving back into SWAN. It’s about a former geek turned image consultant, and it’s totally adorkable. Then I’ve got a half-written follow-up to DOWN THE SHORE to complete entitled BRIDESMAID FROM HELL. After all that, I will be very excited to dive into the next book on the horizon, but it’s top secret so I can’t tell you what it is. Let’s just say my readers will get a chance to visit with some old friends.

11) Any final thoughts you would like to share with the CJC Photography readers?
Just… thank you. I’ve met such incredible people during my writing life and I have the greatest readers in the world. Life is good! I am grateful every day. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

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