Author Interview: Sierra Blasko

Sierra Blasko is a lover of finding the fantastic in the ordinary. She always carries a book, notebook, and assortment of pens in colors to match that day’s mood.

1. How long have you been writing and what got you started?

I’ve been writing seriously for about three years now. I made up stories in my head before that, but it wasn’t until I was about 13 that I started writing them down. What prompted me to write them down was actually my cousin getting published. I remember sitting down one Sunday night and thinking, “Well, if he can do it, I can too!”

2. What is the best piece of advice you have for new writers?

Don’t write for your audience. Write the story begging to be told, not the one you think people will be comfortable with. Sometimes stories that make us uncomfortable are the best ones, because they force us to think.

3. Are there any writing resources, such as books or websites, you’d like to recommend?

K.M. Weiland’s blog (https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com) is a fantastic site. I’ve learned so much about writing from her posts.

Also, for the name-challenge folks (like me) out there, I’d recommend http://fantasynamegenerators.com.

4. What is your favorite type of fiction and who are your favorite authors?

I’ll read anything except erotica and horror, but fantasy holds a special place in my heart. Of course, my favorite type all depends on what my mood is when I’m looking for a book. Some of my favorite authors are Jaye L. Knight, John Flanagan, Nadine Brandes, Wayne Thomas Batson, Bryan Davis, and Andrew Peterson.

5. What tips do you have for finding time to write?

Find the time of day when you write the best (be it morning, late at night, lunchtime, whatever) and then set aside a little time (a half hour, forty-five minutes, an hour) to just write. Also maybe use a device where you won’t be getting constant notifications to distract you, or shut off your phone and write on paper

6. Do you prefer to outline a story in advance or write on the fly? Why?

It depends on the story for me. Some I plan, some I just scribble notes, some I outline down to the most minute detail. I’m a pantser for the most part though.

7. How do you deal with rejections?

I’ll go through the story again and try to look at it from someone else’s perspective, see if there’s anything I could do to make it better, but I don’t stress over it. People have different opinions and tastes.

8. What are your writing goals for the next twelve months?

I want to edit my novel Where Loyalties Lie and get it published. Other than that… I’m hoping to get into a habit of writing consistently, not just when the ideas come in torrents.

9. For the next five years?

Honestly, I’m not sure I know. I have a few vague ideas (My stories Labyrinth and Verge are next in line to be written and edited), but I guess I’ll just have to see where God takes me.

10. Is there anything you’d like to plug? Feel free to share a link.

Well, lots of my other flash fiction stories can be found on my blog, flightsfromtheaerie.blogspot.com, and a short story of mine was included in the anthology, Space Kitties: Feline Forays through the Galaxies (http://www.amazon.com/Space-Kitties-Through-Galaxies-Anthology-ebook/dp/B00S5D1TRM) along with some other great stories.