Behind the Scene ~ The Writing of a Novel
Sinking ~ Book One of the Sinking Trilogy
By Sarah Armstrong-Garner
Releasing February of 2016
Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing
If you are a YA fan, love historical fiction, are an avid romance reader, relish a mystery, and enjoy fantasy ~ Sinking is the book to dive into and swim between the pages.
Debut author Sarah Armstrong Garner’s first book in a trilogy releases on February 23 and promises to transport you to 18th century Ireland for a memorable adventure.
Joycelyn, ship captain Aiden Boyd, and fleet owner Thomas Corwin did not choose the circumstances they share, nor do they truly have control of their individual destinies whether on land or in the sea. The two men are irresistibly drawn to Joceyln’s inner and outer beauty and a struggle for her love ensues. The young woman with amnesia is not sure who to trust after she washes up on the Irish shore after a terrible storm. Intrigue sets the course for her in the manor of an elderly woman who discovers and takes her in, then barters with her life.
Mystery surrounds Jocelyn and she is determined to search for her identity even if it means risking all by sailing to India and China with both Aiden and Thomas on board along with a superstitious crew. The sea calls and a hauntingly familiar voice begins speaking to her. The waves respond to her moods. She begins to wonder what world she belongs to as longing stirs her heart for the handsome captain, and to become one with the ocean at the same time.
Is love as dangerous as the mighty depths and the secrets that lie below?
***
Author Sarah Armstrong-Garner not only weaves YA fantasy, she writes stage and screen plays, is a professional photographer, and was a producer and stage crew for local TSPN television station.
Sarah at TSPN TV Station on the set of ~ Authors, Writers, Books & Beyond Show.
The interview.
Kathy ~ How do you divide your time between your Ya novel writing, the screen/stage play genres, your family and other work?
Sarah ~ Novels take a lot more time to write so most of the time I’m in the middle of a book when writing a stage or screen play. I have to put the novel aside for a while until I finish the other. I get a lot less sleep. During the day I’m a full time mom with very little time to write, so I do most of my writing at night. I find I’m more creative during those uninterrupted hours.
Kathy ~ What writer conferences have you squeezed in that are helpful through the continuing process of your writing journey?
Sarah ~ There have been a few that have helped me a lot ~ Gold Rush Writers, Squaw Valley Community of Writers, and The Great American Pitch Festival. Each one offered new information to help me develop my craft. Mingling with like-minded peers was priceless.
Kathy ~ Let’s talk about the process of writing a book. I know when you came to Amador Fiction Writer Critique Group in 2011 it was your first time with a critique group. The bi-weekly meetings help keep a writer accountable, to keep writing. And you did this after your first child, pregnant with your second, and again with your third. That has to give other aspiring writers serious encouragement!
Sarah and Elijah! After the baby arrived ~ a summer of one-on-one critique time.
**Sarah at the Amador Fiction Writer Critique Group 2011 annual photo shoot.**
Kathy ~ You transitioned from a larger beginning critique group to more intimate small group as your story changed, your characters grew in depth, and some of those “darlings” left. Then the rewrites, rewrites, rewrites. Did that help?
Sarah ~ Yes, seriously! I was able to develop relationships within that inner circle which grew a deep trust. The feedback more in tune to encourage me to stay true to my voice.
Kathy ~ I can’t agree more. I think respect for voice is of great value. And how blessed to have John who used to live and work in Ireland a part of that small group. He had great insights to the physicality of the land and sea of the then location in your story.
Sarah ~ Definitely. Then he moved to Sweden!
Kathy ~ Our group builds each other in discipline and challenges risk, to take leaps of faith, but to weigh what is beneficial and what may not yet be. We delve in self, indie and traditional publishing, also hybrid, and do a lot of networking too.
Sarah ~ I wouldn’t be here without the amazing Amador writers. They helped me get my D***y first draft out and grow as a writer.
Kathy ~ Sarah, I can’t thank you enough for sharing part of the behind the scenes birth of your book baby. May the ‘Sinking’ launch at De Vere’s Irish Pub in Sacramento on the 27th be spectacular!
Sarah ~ Thank you, Kathy for the interview and review!
Sarah with other critique group members at the 2014 Amador Writers photo shoot.
At 221 Baker Street West upstairs at Hein and Company Bookstore for the 2015 annual critique group photo shoot. Sarah in character for a Sherlockian afternoon of writerly fun surrounded by bookshelves everywhere. I wonder if she’s plotting her next trilogy?
**Sarah, can you leave your readers with one sage piece of advice?**
What I would say to future writers is to never give up. There will be great days and then crappy days, but each day make you stronger as a person and a writer. If you give up too soon then you will never know what could of been. Nothing happens over night.
Link for the book launch at De Vere’s Irish Pub in Sacramento, California. Feb 27 2-5 pm
http://www.love2readlove2writepublishing.com/?p=161http://www.love2readlove2writepublishing.com/?p=161
You can like Sarah’s author page on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/SarahArmstrongGarner/?fref=ts
Find Sarah on Twitter
https://twitter.com/SarahTwyla
Find Sarah on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-armstrong-garner-b35b6932
Find Sarah on Pinterest
https://www.pinterest.com/sarahtwyla/
Follow Sarah’s Blog Tour at the following link!
Blog Tour for Sinking | Love2ReadLove2Write Publishing
*All photographs copyright ~ Kathy Boyd Fellure/Joe Fellure*