Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Grantham.
Hi Tamara, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born in a small Texas town. Growing up in a place where there’s not much to do, I spent a lot of time outdoors. Riding horses and helping my grandma in her garden were some of my favorite activities. I started coming up with stories at a very young age. Some I wrote down. Most I didn’t. When I finally attempted to write a novel, I got a few chapters in and quit. The story never went how I’d imagined. I got frustrated, felt like I wasn’t a very talented writer, or maybe writing just wasn’t my “calling” and so I stopped. This happened for years. I wrote a few short stories, one that got praised by my uncle Larry, who was an author, and his advice stayed with me. He told me to write a novel. I thought he was crazy.
After graduating from high school, I went to college at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas where I studied English. It was also where I met my husband, David. He was a fellow sci-fi/fantasy lover. He says that on our first date–when he realized I loved Star Wars as much as him–was the moment he knew he wanted to marry me. I, however, was super insecure and didn’t know if he’d ever ask me out for a second date. He’d told me he was moving to Reno to go to college with his sister. I thought he was cute and funny and pretty much perfect, but I didn’t think we had a future together. The night before he left for Reno, he asked me to wait for him. I did.
Years later, after marrying and becoming a mother to three children, I realized a needed a creative outlet. That’s when my uncle Larry’s words started nagging me again. Write a book. Finish a book. Another motivating factor happened when I read Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George. I loved the book and thought it was creative and entertaining, but at the end of the book, the author said she wrote the novel while raising two young kids. How? I couldn’t even check my email with my kids wanting my attention. How did she do it? And if she could, could I do it, too?
I’d had so many stories floating around in my head, one, in particular, I wanted to write, but before I even started, I knew I had to have a detailed outline. I couldn’t do it the way I’d tried before. My story would never get where I wanted it to go; I would get frustrated and give up. On September 1, 2010, I wrote an 11-page outline for a story I called The Great American Fairytale. A month later, I finally fulfilled my promise to my now-deceased Uncle Larry. I finished a book.
The Great American Fairytale, later named Forbidden, never got published. Neither did its sequel, Forgotten, or even the third book in the trilogy, Forgiven. But those books taught me so much, way more than I could ever include here. My husband was also a huge supporter of my writing. Every Christmas, he bought me “How-to” books on writing. At first, I scoffed at the idea. I’d already written a book–why did I need a book on how to write one? But writing a novel goes way beyond grammar and typos–things like voice, point-of-view, adverbs, and passive voice. Modifiers. Things that most readers don’t think about, but every author should know.
In 2011, I started a book I’d been thinking about for a long time. I was still writing my Forbidden trilogy, but this new book just kept nagging me. And these lines…”I don’t believe in karma…”
While visiting family in Tennessee, I sat down at my laptop and wrote those words. That book became Dreamthief. As I’m writing this today, Dreamthief has won several awards, including first place for fantasy in Foreword Review’s INDIEFAB awards, and received a RONE award for best New Adult Romance.
My journey isn’t over. What I didn’t mention is that I’ve suffered with depression throughout my life. When I started writing, it gave me something to focus on. It helped me overcome what had become a dark place in my life. When people ask me, “How do you write while raising five kids?” My answer, “I don’t know how I would raise five kids without writing.”
I still have a long way to go. Some days I get frustrated because my books just aren’t selling well enough, or I get a bad review, or I can’t figure out this social media marketing thing, but I’ve already decided I will never give up. The moment I quit is the moment I fail. I also hope my story can help inspire others.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
While I’m engaged in writing is when the road feels smooth. I love my characters and the worlds I’ve created. But there are rough patches down the road, too. Marketing has been the trickiest pothole to navigate around, although I suspect most authors feel the same way about marketing.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’ve been an author for the past eleven years. In that time, I’ve written 22 novels. I’m known for creating breathtaking fantasy worlds, and I’m also known for surprising readers with twisty endings. I’m humbled to have won numerous first-place awards, including a first-place Rone award, and a first-place award in Indiefab’s book of the year awards. My engrossing stories and down-to-earth characters set me apart. I like to write about real people in fantastical settings, and I like to write for a wide audience, from children to adults.
How do you define success?
“The journey is the reward.” -Steve Jobs. This is a quote I’ve taken to heart, especially with a career in writing fiction. There are endless rungs on the ladder to success, and very few ever reach what we would call “the top.” I’ve had to be patient with myself and my successes. Yes, I’ve won many awards, and many of my books have hit #1 in the bestseller lists. Even so, it can still be a struggle every day to realize what progress I’ve made. During those times, I’ve had to take a deep breath, and just enjoy the writing process and all the rewards it brings.
Pricing:
- (Free) Dreamthief- Fairy World MD, Book One
- (Free) The Witch’s Tower- Twisted Ever After, Book One
- 99 cents- Never Call Me Vampire- Book One, Legends of Crimson Hollow
- 99 cents- The 7th Lie- Book One, Chronicles of Ithical
- 99 cents- Spellweaver- Book Two, Fairy World MD Book Two
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tamaragrantham.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authortamaragrantham
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamaraclairegrantham
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/tamaragrantham
