As part of an ongoing celebration of upcoming debut novels, I’ll be running highlights of interviews from a number of my fellow debuts through the end of 2019. The full interviews are available on DebutAuthors19.com.
Today, we’re continuing the series with a conversation with Sarah J. Sover, author of Double-Crossing the Bridge, a humorous fantasy releasing from The Parliament House on August 13th, 2019.
ABOUT THE BOOK
An upstanding, grog-chugging troll sick of struggling to make ends meet devises a scheme to solve her financial woes—a heist!
Interview Excerpt
Where did you get the idea?
I love to combine things that shouldn’t be combined, so when my husband and I were talking about a sitcom starring trolls, it only seemed natural to take it to the next level. Double-Crossing The Bridge is How I Met Your Mother meets Ocean’s 11 with the humor of Deadpool and characters that could have been created by Jim Henson.
What’s the story behind the title?
I’m a sucker for word play. My dog’s name is Roadie because I found him hit by a car back when I used to play guitar. So when Double-Crossing The Bridge came out of a brainstorming session, I knew it was the one.
How long did you take to write this book?
My writing process is atypical. It took about a year to get the bones all in place and another to get the story fleshed out.
What kind of research did you do for this book?
I read Donald Westlake and researched troll lore. But the best part was subjecting my husband to hours upon hours of heist movies in the name of research, frequently with our own versions of grog—scotch for him, beer for me.
What is your favorite part of your writing process, and why?
Discovering the story. I begin with a spark and write from there. Finding out what it turns into is exciting.
What is the most challenging part of your writing process, and why?
Once I know the story, I struggle to keep momentum through revision after revision. I get bored and lose focus easily, so I really have to beat myself up to get it whole and shiny.
Can you share your writing routine?
I have two young children. I only get about 30 minutes of writing in per day under normal circumstances. Some days, I don’t write at all and others, I have to steal time during naps and after bedtime. I have a dedicated writing space that is always buried, currently beneath Double-Crossing The Bridge swag, so I do most of my writing at the dining room table or hiding in a corner of the bedroom.
Have you ever gotten writer’s block? If yes, how do you overcome it?
I don’t really believe in writer’s block. I’ve lost all will to keep going, but that’s not really the same thing. In those times, I take a week or two off and set a drop-dead date. If I haven’t picked it up by then, I force myself to push through. Eventually, I get my groove back and go back to fix whatever nonsense I wrote when I was only focused on getting the words down.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Relax and embrace who you are. You don’t need to change the world overtly to have an impact on it.
What are you working on right now?
I’m working on a fantasy noir about a fairy godmother who goes rogue to hunt down the serial killer who slaughtered her first princess.
What’s your favorite writing advice?
Just do it. LOL! I’m really not kidding though. There are so many routes, and different things work for different people. Whatever works for you is the right way to get it done.
What’s the book you’re currently reading?
I’m currently enjoying The Queen Con by Meghan Scott Molin. Next up is Shrouded Loyalties by Reese Hogan.
About the Author
Sarah J. Sover writes fantasy crossover novels while raising two energetic little people. A Georgia Southern Bell Honor's graduate who grew up living near Detroit, London, Miami, and Atlanta, Sarah's background is as varied as her answers to the dreaded "where are you from" question. She's done everything from wildlife rehabilitation to data management, leaving notebooks filled with bad poetry in her wake.
Sarah resides in John's Creek, Ga with her brilliant husband Alex, two vibrant daughters, cranky old dog, and seemingly immortal snake. In addition to writing, Sarah loves craft beer, blues dancing, binging superhero Netflix shows, hobby jumping, Disney, and groove metal.
Connect with Sarah:
Website
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Goodreads
Buy DOUBLE-CROSSING THE BRIDGE on Amazon or through the publisher