Interview with Brynn Chapman

About the Author

Born and raised in western Pennsylvania, Brynn Chapman is the daughter of two teachers. Her writing reflects her passions: science, history and love--not necessarily in that order. In real life, the geek gene runs strong in her family, as does the Asperger's syndrome. Her writing reflects her experience as a pediatric therapist and her interactions with society's downtrodden. In fiction, she's a strong believer in underdogs and happily-ever-afters. Her ancestry tree claims she's a descendant of the House of Stuart.

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Interview

1. Whom or what inspired you to become an author?
My earliest recollection of creating a story was fan fiction, in my head. I was six. I remember being in love with a certain TV show, and wanting more of it—so I decided to create my own scenarios for the characters.

2. What does your writing process look like?
I’ve been writing a long time. My current process is to write the entire book straight through. When I have smaller blocks of time, I edit. Longer blocks are for creating story. Once it’s complete, I set it aside for a week or so, and then re-read and edit in earnest, usually a number of times, and look for plot holes and places I can expand on the scenes, deepening point of view etc. It’s taken a long time to find what works best for my brain!  Even then, agents and editors will make you edit again!!!
 
3. How much research goes into your books? Have you ever traveled for research?
I love research. I am always reading my favorite blogs, and I print out fragments of odd occurences and keep them in a binder. I have taken countless historical tours, because, for me, the best way to capture the setting is to walk, breath and see it first hand. I’ve toured in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, West Virginia and probably others I’m forgetting!
From the Gullah traditions and Spanish Moss of St. Simons Island to the Salem Witch Trials, each story and place is amazing, inspiring—there are everyday hidden heroes waiting for you to tell their tales. 

Here is a photo of Trans-allegheny Lunatic Asylum. It is the setting for Book 2 in the BONESEEKER CHRONICLES

4. What inspired the idea for Boneseeker?
After watching SHERLOCK, I was convinced Sherlock Holmes resembled a person with Asperger’s Syndrome. Add that to my anthropology minor, and Arabella Holmes entered my mind, a fully formed tempest of personality: walking, talking and wreaking havoc in every situation I placed her in.

5. What do you want readers to take away from reading Boneseeker?
I am a character writer. If you remember my people, find yourself thinking about them, wondering what will happen to them—well that’s the goal. As a copious reader myself, that was always my litmus test of the the writer’s worth.

6. When you are not writing, what other "hats" do you wear?
I work in medicine as a feeding therapist—as in children that won’t eat—and I am a mom.