Interview with T.L. Schaefer

Added September 2002

Sharyn: With her debut novel, The Summerland, new author T.L. Schaefer shatttered the traditional mystery mold. It's myriad twists and turns, edge-of-the-seat suspense, and non-traditional plot turned heads and made her an author to watch.

In your novel The Summerland, you blended Wiccan aspects wonderfully with the suspense. Was it hard to blend it into your story without portraying it as a Satanic religion like some people believe?

Terri: It wasn't that hard for me, probably because I try to look at all religion with an open mind--be it Wicca or Catholicism or Buddhism. I was also very lucky in my timing...the Internet has a ton of great Wiccan resources out there, so I was able to tap into a wealth of knowledge.

Sharyn: Will we be seeing any more novels set in Mariposa County with Sheriff Ashton?

Terri: Both yes and no. My current WIP, The Brotherhood, takes place in Mariposa and features Doug Brewster and Josie Galloway, with Bill and Arden in supporting roles. I'm hoping to finish out the Mariposa series with a story about Stumpy (James) Goltree and a mystery woman.

Sharyn: Why did you choose an electronic publisher?

Terri: Two reasons. First, because I would get the thrill of seeing it in "print" within my lifetime *g*. Second, I wanted to get reviews and sales numbers that would make me marketable to agents and print-pubs/editors. Oh hey, wait...there's even a third: Summerland is one of those weird cross-genre books that doesn't fall into a category you can shelve in Barnes and Noble or Waldenbooks, therefore it made sense to go with a medium that was just as hard to buttonhole.

Sharyn: What are your thoughts on electronic publishing?

Terri: We're getting there, slowly but surely. Print books will always be around, but e-books are a good alternative for folks who travel a bunch and for the kids who are coming through school now. I believe e-books will really take off when consumers can purchase a cheap, easy-to-use reader.

Sharyn: Where did the idea for The Summerland come from?

Terri: The Summerland is one of those tales borne out of a news release. My husband and I were leaving Jerome, AZ (one of the favored places here on earth), heading for a family reunion in San Diego, when a news report came on about a number of high-ranking Army officials who had been involved in a Wiccan Litha (midsummer) ceremony and the hubbub it had raised amongst the local Christian groups. I started thinking about all of the military women I knew (having worked for the DoD) and how they would react if thrust into the world and beliefs of Wicca. While not totally mirroring that instance, The Summerland does explore those differences.

Sharyn: Do you see yourself ever not writing?

Terri: No, I'll be one of those scary chicks who write forever, even if no one reads it!

Sharyn: What is the hardest part of being in the writing business for you?

Terri: Motivation...I'm great until about the 45,000 word mark, then I kind of peter out for awhile. I think part of it is the fact that I love to go back and rediscover the characters I've made and look at them with a fresh eye. Unfortunately, that makes my write time for each book about a year.

Sharyn: What do you feel makes your books unique or stand out from others in your genre?

Terri: Religion forms us, whether we are atheists or agnostics or fundamentalists. I like to think that my use of religion as a character building tool, and the fact that I don't espouse one ideal over any other, makes my work fresh. Also, I find myself writing stories where one event, be it big or small, becomes the catchpiece for the story. The storyline may veer wildly from that initial event, but it will all come back to it in the end.

Sharyn: How do you find your ideas?

Terri: A bit of everything...TV, newspapers, the radio, internet stories. Even songs can give me a visual video clip in my head.I've been outlining a concept I'm tentatively titling Duck and Run.I got the idea from the group Three Doors Down. I'm also rolling around and idea regarding a "chosen" child who comes up through the DHS system; that idea comes from my volunteer work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and the fact that I know so many DHS workers through it.

Sharyn: What books do you read? Do you read in genres that you currently don't write?

Terri: I read a bit of everything. I'm currently in a romantic suspense frame of mind, but I also love a well-written mystery, or even straight romance or sci fi.

Sharyn: Who are some of your favorite authors?

Terri: I want to be Lisa Gardner or Linda Howard when I grow up! Or Iris Johansen or Tami Hoag or Elizabeth Lowell. Hmmm, that pretty much encompasses who I'd love to rub elbows with at a cocktail party. I also love Stephen King, David Morrell, Linnea Sinclair and Robert Crais.

Sharyn: Do you have a superstitious thing you do when you write? You know do you have a favorite mug, or shirt you have to have when you write certain parts of your book?

Terri: Nothing really superstitious, but I seem to write best when my cat, April, is perched on the computer desk, and John Mellencamp is blasting from the speakers. I'm not sure why the music works, but it does. I'm convinced that April is my muse, though!

Sharyn: How does your family react to your writing novels? I know sometimes family can not be as supportive as they could be.

Terri: I'm VERY fortunate. My husband is my biggest enthusiast, the one who goes out and shouts from the rooftops, which is great, because I'm not very good at selling myself in person. Both my parents and my in-laws have been super supportive as well, so I've really got nothing to complain about!

Sharyn: What advice do you want to share with upcoming writers? What piece of advice did someone give you that made a difference for you?

Terri: Well, for starters I would have to say...just do it! Sit down and write. Then go back and look at what you wrote and rewrite it. Do this until you're happy with what you've written. Then, before you show it to anyone except your spouse and most trusted friend, run spellchecker/grammar checker. That's one of my pet peeves in critique groups,members who assume I have the time and inclination to catch their spelling/grammar mistakes. I know it sounds cranky, but I'm trying to carve out the time to write my own stuff...not edit yours to death. Lastly, if you love writing, just keep doing it--even if you're never published. Loving what you do, even as a hobby, should always be first and foremost. The best advice I've been given? Exactly what I said up top: Just do it!

Sharyn: How do you find the time to do all that you do to keep track with what's coming out, what's being released, and the editing needed?

Terri: Since I work full time, I've tried to compartmentalize my day a bit. I belong to a group of writers that has a rule: write three pages a day, five days a week, or you're off the loop until the next round starts (one round/month). That pretty much forces me to write at least a thousand words a day, which adds up pretty quickly. I'm trying (trying being the operative word) to do promotion one day per week, and I usually catch up with critiques, etc during my lunch hour at work. Whew...that sounds much busier than I actually feel!

Sharyn: Terri, thank you so much for taking a break from your busy day to speak with me. I've enjoyed it.

Terri: In closing, I just wanted to thank you for asking me for the interview...it made my day! I'd also like to invite folks to swing by my website if they get the time and inclination: www.tlschaefer.com

Sharyn: I encourage everyone to visit, Terri's site. Not only does it have information about The Summerland, it also has excerpts from some of her works-in-progress.

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