Interview with Sara Walsh, Author of The Dark Light and Giveaway

Hi, Nicole! Thanks for inviting me over.

You're more than welcome, Sara! Please, share with us your latest news.

At the moment, news is all about The Dark Light and the build-up for release. Lots of interviews and guest posts and talking with lovely people. I’m having a blast!

That's great! When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’m still not sure I do consider myself a writer! I’ve always written stories, but I still think of myself as more of a reader than a writer. Maybe that will change. I’m not sure. I’d definitely have a book blog if I wasn’t writing!

Ah, I'm sure you'll consider yourself a writer soon. :) What inspired you to write The Dark Light?

I was on a road trip from Kansas City to Wyoming and was discussing a news events about a young boy who’d suddenly reappeared almost a decade after mysteriously vanishing. We were out on the plains, and the story got me thinking about all the ways a person could vanish in such wide open spaces. What might really be out there? That’s when I came up with the basic idea behind The Dark Light.

Oh, now that sounds intriguing! Do you have a specific writing style?

My style changes story to story.  Sometimes a story will pour out and I’m scrambling to get it down on the page. Other times, a story needs a little more care to ensure it stays on the right track. I do try to write every day, even if it’s just a little.

That sounds like me! How did you come up with the title? I love it!

The title The Dark Light evolved with the story. I was getting close to a finished draft when I started to think about what I could call it. There were lots of references in the story to dark and light, so I brainstormed a few combinations and decided on The Dark Light.

You mentioned your love of reading. What book are you reading now?

At the time of writing this, I was reading Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris, one of my fellow debut authors in the Apocalypsies. By the time you’re reading this, I’ll almost certainly have read several other books!

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

So many. It’s such a privilege to be a part of a debut group like the Apocalypsies, because you’re exposed to so many fantastic new writers. I haven’t yet read a novel from one of the group that I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed. You should check them out. All of them!

What are your current projects?

I’m always writing, so I do have a couple of projects on the go. Can’t give away too many details, though. Sorry!

We understand. :) Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

It’s all a challenge, but in a really good way. Writing a novel is a long process and there are lots of times when doubts creep in and you wonder if a story is worth pursuing. Writing through that and coming out on the other side with a completed novel is an essential part of being a writer.

Great answer! Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

I’ve loved Stephen King ever since I was a teenager. His characters are always amazing and his writing appears so effortless, you can’t help but be carried away by his stories. What strikes me most about his work is how he’s been able to consistently write fantastic stories over such a long period of time. Awe inspiring.

He is definitely one of the greats. How long does it take you to write a book?

It depends. The Dark Light took about five months to complete a full draft. I then let it sit for a while before working on revisions, so six or seven months all in. I do have stories that I’ve been working on for years, but stubbornly refuse to give up on!

And some "fun" questions: What paranormal creature would you be and why?

I think I’d like to be a mermaid, because then I could hang out at the beach and read all day!

Wouldn't that be awesome? What did you want to be when you were 10 years old?

A Jedi warrior. It’s true.

Now that made me laugh! That's awesome. What makes you laugh?

General lighthearted silliness. I love goofing off with friends.

Friends are awesome. :) If you could be any character in fiction, whom would you be?

Luna Lovegood!

Great choice! If you could be a superhero, what would you want your superpowers to be?

I’d want to be telepathic, because I’m really nosy.

LOL! If you had six months with no obligations or financial constraints, what would you do with the time?

I’d write, but on the QE2.

Nice. If you were a Star Wars character, which one would you be?

Chewbacca! Though at 5’2”, I’m more Ewok than Wookie!

At least you're taller than 5 foot. I'm 4'11 3/4.

Thanks for dropping by, Sara! What a fun interview!

The Dark Light Blurb

Mysterious lights have flickered above Crownsville for as long as Mia can remember. And as far as she's concerned, that's about the only interesting thing to happen in her small town.

That is, until Sol arrives. Mia's not one to fall for just any guy, but she can't get Sol--or the brilliant tattoo on his back--out of her mind.

Then Mia's brother goes missing, and Mia's convinced that Sol knows more than he's sharing. But getting closer to Sol means reevaluating everything Mia once believed to be true. Because Sol's not who Mia thought he was--and neither is she.

Bio

Sara Walsh is British, but happily lives in Annapolis, Maryland. She graduated college with a degree in psychology, but soon decided that telling stories was much more fun. When not writing, Sara is usually reading, drowning in tea, or frolicking around town with the world's cutest St. Bernard. The Dark Light is her first novel.

Links

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Contest

Want to win a signed hardcopy (North America only) or an ebook of The Dark Light? Just leave a comment on this blog. For an extra entry, follow Sara on twitter, add The Dark Light to your Goodreads shelf, or like Sara's facebook page. Good luck!