Interviewing Author Tess Thompson with Linda’s Book Obsession

Linda’s Book Obsession Interviews Author Tess Thompson

 

 

Linda’s Book Obsession Interviews Author Tess Thompson

 

 

 
What was your motivation in becoming an author and writer? What did you do before you were a writer?

 

Tess:

I was that kid with her nose in a book constantly. I’m not sure what my motivation was, other than it felt like if I didn’t write, I might die. It’s like breathing to me. Plus, I guess I have a lot to say or something! My day job before I went full-time was as an HR Manager. I did that work for fifteen years.

 

What are your goals for readers to take away after reading?

 

Tess:

For Scarred, I’d like women to realize that none of us are perfect physically, but that doesn’t mean we’re not worthy of being loved. Men are not nearly as hard on us as we are on ourselves. They don’t see the ‘flaws’ we think we have.

 

Did you base any of your characters on people that you know?

 

Tess:

I almost never do, but they’re more like compilations of different people and definitely parts of me.

 

 

What is a typical day of your life?

Tess:

I thrive on routine, so most days are the same. I make coffee, take my daughter to school, then go to the gym. After I get home, I usually do business stuff like social media and answer emails before I sit down to write. I usually write from about 10-4. When it’s nice, I like to take a walk around 4 and listen to a book on audio. After that, it’s a shower, then cook dinner for my family. Cliff and I usually like to watch our shows after dinner. It sounds kind of boring, but I love my days and evenings!

 

 

Tess:

What are your hobbies or things you do in your downtime?

I like to walk, read, watch tv/movies. I’m not a great cook, but I enjoy it most of the time. I’m a wine snob and belong to several (okay, six) local wineries’ clubs. Cliff and I like to go tastings on the weekends up in Woodinville, then have dinner out. I’ve recently gotten more into gardening. My husband and I are constantly working on a home or garden project. We live in a suburb of Seattle and are able to grow incredible flowers here, but the vegetables have been a dismal failure!

 

What can you tell us of any new writing projects that you might have?

 

Tess:

I’m currently working on the 9^th Cliffside Bay novel. After that, I have a pitch to make to a publisher for a new historical. Depending on that, I’ll write the last Cliffside book, the fourth Blue Mountain (and last), then move on to another series or write a standalone historical.

 

 

 

What are your favorite genres of books that you like to read?

 

Tess:

I like romance, Women’s Fiction, and Historical Fiction; really, anything with interesting characters and an emotional story. I prefer happy endings to depressing literary fiction. I read to escape and get into the lives of the characters.

 

 

What advice can you give to someone that wants to be a writer?

 

Tess:

Read a lot. Write every day, even if it’s just in a journal. Take classes and workshops. Read all the craft books you can get your hands on.

 

How would you like the readers to connect with you?

 

Tess:

They can connect with me all over the place. Here are the links to all my social media accounts.