IndieView with Penny Pearson, author of A Girl’s Guide to Time Travel

I hate to say I got lonely, but I think that happened. I wanted someone else in the industry to read my works and think they were good enough to take a chance on. Because it’s very easy to get lost in the sea of a million plus books available!

Penny Pearson – 2 October 2018

The Back Flap

Tricked by a god, Holland finds herself immersed in a game of life or death in ancient Greece. To win her freedom, she teams up with a wickedly handsome demigod. They must decipher the challenge set forth by Loki and resist the passion that burns between them.
Doran meets Holland on the eve of his forced wedding and finds her spirit and independence irresistible. He vows to help her win Loki’s challenge, but keep his honor intact. As the game grows more dangerous, Doran realizes he’s willing to do anything to keep her by his side.

About the book

When did you start writing the book?

I began writing A Girl’s Guide to Time Travel the beginning of 2017 and finished it in October of ‘17.

How long did it take you to write it?

It took almost a year to complete. I would try to work every day on it, but I do have a full-time job, husband, young daughter, horses, dogs, cats, health issues… the usual stuff, so sometimes it got overwhelming, but I kept plugging away at it.

Where did you get the idea from?

After writing about vampires, zombies, and warlocks for so long, I wanted to do something different, yet still unexplainable. So in my internal musings, I came up with a girl that gets tricked back into ancient Greece where it was common for demigods to walk around amongst mortals. I remember I was watering my horses and the idea hit me about a time traveling back to ancient Greece.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

The research of ancient Greece. It was very time consuming and then bringing it to a form that was easily accessible to my fingertips seemed like it took forever. I kept stumbling across things I needed to know: months of their calendar year, cuisine, architecture, horses, how slaves were treated, money, clothing, weather, natural surroundings, hairstyles. I kept finding more and more things I needed to research as I wrote.

What came easily?

The easy banter between Holland and Doran came very easy to me. In my mind, they instantly became compatible, even though they each knew it could never work out between them.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

For this book, they are entire fictitious. I do have some characters in past books that mirror people from my life, but this one completely came from my mind.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Gail Carriger, Jim Butcher, Laurell K. Hamilton. They all created worlds so similar to ours, but magic and the paranormal were the norm. I tend to gravitate to the writers that are action-oriented versus conversation heavy. I want characters that move around, get into trouble, and find a way out. There might be suffering, but they get past it.

Do you have a target reader?

My target reader would be anyone that likes to go a bit off the deep end when it comes to adventure. I don’t give you just a crazy fiancé. I give you a crazy fiancé that can turn people into trees. I want the impossible, and I want my characters to experience it.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I try to write something each day. My story plays out in my head like a movie, so I just run from scene to scene. I have been known to “write ahead” if I happen to have a scene that is just jumping out, I title it “EXTRA” and keep a running list of scenes and feed them in as I arrive upon the needed section. I keep pads of paper in my purse, my car, my desk at work in case inspiration hits me on a scene or a conversation.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I have started outlining for my newest books and I must say it’s a lifesaver for me. My first couple of books I didn’t, and, boy, did we go on grand adventures that made no sense. Now, I have a general story line page where I throw any necessary info inside to help me remember who is who. For the outline part, I am finding I am partial to Excel. I create a timeline and enter only the main parts. This way I can keep things fluid when I have multiple characters working at the same time.

This also comes in handy when I’m writing a synopsis because I admit: a year of writing, I tend to forget things that happen in the story. This is a great way to get a quick glance at all the major action that happened.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I wait to edit until I am finished writing the entire story. I tend to forget what is supposed to happen next, so, for me, I write, write, write, and then go back to flesh it out further.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Yes. I always listen to music when I write. It does help me get in the moods. I pick certain bands based on what I’m writing.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I submitted my work to one agent, before I found Stardust Romance.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I tried my hand at self publishing in the past, but realized I have no network. After 4 novels, I wanted to have someone else on my side with me. I hate to say I got lonely, but I think that happened. I wanted someone else in the industry to read my works and think they were good enough to take a chance on. Because it’s very easy to get lost in the sea of a million plus books available!

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

For the Time Travel cover, the cover was done professionally by my publisher. I knew instantly the cover was perfect when I looked at it for the first time and my heart gave a little flutter.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I don’t think I really have a marketing plan, other than try to find events to attend where my book will get a good reception. Because I have a now-extinct horse in my story, I take my book to horse shows and I’ve had pretty good luck.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

My advice would be to take the chance. There will never be a better time than now! I also am a victim of my own self-doubts. There’s always going to be someone that writes better, stronger, more interesting, and it took me a long time to recognize that it’s okay to not be on top. Maybe I’ll get there, maybe not – but I will always have my stories that I wrote for myself and for the people out there that just want something a little strange to happen to them.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in a tiny town called Berlin Heights in Northern Ohio (really close to Cedar Point).

Where do you live now?

I live in a tiny town in Southern Indiana (really close to Churchill Downs).

What would you like readers to know about you?

I always love to hear from my readers. I have a website, www.ParanormallyWeird.com that lists future events and happenings.

What are you working on now?

I am finishing a second book for a wizard series. I’m not sure how I will market it (self-publish or try another indie publisher). I am now in the editing part. After I’m done, I’ll send on to my husband for some (brutal) conversations about why I chose certain actions. If I survive that, it will go out for another round of editing.

Once done with that book, I will be working on the 3rd installment of the Girl’s Guide series. I’m tossing around in my mind different locations for the story to take place.

End of Interview;

Get your copy of A Girl’s Guide to Time Travel from Amazon US or Amazon UK.