I figured since today was my birthday and I’d already have comments on FB and Twitter (at least I hope I do), it might best serve to hog the spotlight, so next week another author can have the limelight to themselves. 🙂 I’ve sent an FB interview out a few weeks ago, so the format below will feel very familiar.
Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
I was born on October 26th (today) in Frankfurt, Germany. We moved to North Dakota when I was seven, and I have lived here ever since. I married my high school sweetheart and we currently live on a hobby farm with two horses, two dogs, a cat, a catfish and a parrot.
How do you make time to write?
I have a full-time job, so I tend to write in the evenings or on the weekends. I’ve written before work and on my lunch hour too when I’m trying to finish a project.
Do you believe in Writer’s Block?
I do. Not in the sense of I’m just not feeling it, but in the sense that a life-event can interrupt your flow on a project. I believe stress creates true writer’s block. Writing yourself into a corner or reigniting passion for a project can be fixed.
Tell us a bit about the genre you write and why you love it.
I write in both contemporary and SFFP (Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Paranormal) subgenres of romance. I love writing contemporary, because it makes for a quick write, as it doesn’t require the level of world building that SFFP does. SFFP is fun to write because I love exploring legends, myths, and fairy tales, putting your own twist in for readers is wonderful. They say you should write what you read. I love historicals, but have not tackled them because I’m so intimidated by the history aspect. When I discovered Steampunk, which usually requires changing history and including fantasy elements I knew I discovered a niche that I’d love.
How are you publishing your recent book and why? (e.g. Indie, traditional or both).
I just finished a Steampunk Novel, titled The Courtesan of Constantinople and am currently seeking representation for the traditional publishing market. I’ve been digitally published in the past with both Liquid Silver Books and Resplendence Publishing, but am looking for a different (and hopefully expanded) market for my current story.
Are you an Introvert or extrovert? How does this affect your work?
I’m an Extrovert. I learned recently that how you get your energy is what determines whether you’re an Introvert or an Extrovert. I get mine from people. It makes it very easy to write in noisy (like coffee houses) environments.
What is your favorite motivational phrase? 
“Just keep swimming.” ~Dory from Finding Nemo. It’s simplistic but when I don’t feel like writing, it puts my butt in chair. I have a goal to write 200 words a day, knowing if I write 200, I’m just as likely to write 500 or more.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
No one cares more about you and your story than you do. I think knowing yourself and what you want out of writing is the most important thing you can do for your story.
Creating a work of fiction is a tremendous success and what you want when you in type “The End” is just as important as publishing (if that’s what you want). I would recommend each writer get to know themselves and figure out their own path, which might be similar to other writers or completely different.
Where can readers find you on the World Wide Web?
https://twitter.com/haveubeenaughty
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3122975.Tina_Holland
https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003OLKLA6
I hope you enjoyed this insight into my writing life. Next week we’ll get back on track meeting other writers. 🙂 Until then be Naughty. ~Tina
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