Author Interview: Sharon Clark
How did you become a writer?
I’ve been writing stories in some form since I was a preteen, but I only started taking it seriously after joining a local writing group in 2017. Since then, I’ve fully completed one novel, written a handful of short stories and a couple of serials, and I have two works in progress and many other ideas that are just waiting their turn. I feel that this is what I was supposed to be doing all along and I’m lucky to have my family 100% behind me and cheering me on.
What inspires you to write?
Everything. Books, movies, tv shows, the news, conversations. An idea will get stuck in my head and then I tend to let my mind wander and play with that idea until it turns into a story. I’m sure I’m not alone in this, but ever since I was a child I’ve played out scenarios in my head, feeding a random thought and imagining what-ifs. Now I just write them down.
How do you develop your plot and characters?
To be honest, I have a set of templates that help me organize my thoughts and build the plot. Sometimes I’ll create a character first and imagine what kind of situation would be most interesting for that personality, what conflict would challenge them the most. I use an outline to plot out the meet cute, the conflicts, and the resolution but I almost always have to revise the story after I’ve started. Authors talk about a character having a mind of his or her own and I always thought that was a little odd but it happens to me with every project.
Could you share some of your challenges as a writer?
Confidence is the biggest roadblock for me and, I think, for a lot of people. Imposter syndrome runs rampant through my group of friends. There are so many authors out there fighting for an audience that it can be a little overwhelming at times. Another challenge is allowing myself the time to sit down and write, trying not to look at it as a luxury but as my career.
What are your current/future projects?
My current project is I’ll Call You Mine, a romantic suspense novel. The project I’ll working on next is a ghost love story, Bradford Mansion, but I have several future projects waiting somewhat patiently for me to flesh them out. A murder mystery, a couple of spin-offs from I’ll Call You Mine, and a romantic comedy that started as a weekly online serial.
What is your preferred method for readers to get in touch with you?
I suppose email would be the top preference, but I’m open to almost anything. I can be reached through Twitter @SharClark36, on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/SharonLClarkAuthor, or on my website www.sharonlclark.com.
