Interview with Pepper D. Basham #2

About the Author

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of 5 great kids, speech-pathologist to about fifty more, lover of chocolate, jazz, and Jesus, and proud AlleyCat over at a group writing blog, The Writer’s Alley. Her debut historical romance novel, The Thorn Bearer, released in May 2015, with the second arriving in February 2016. Her first contemporary romance debuts in spring 2016

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Pepper Basham Author Promo from Dan Phillips on Vimeo.

The Interview

1. How did you get started as an author?  What or whom inspired you?
I've always created stories for as long as I can remember, but my grandmother saw the gift in me. She called me a 'writer' for the first time when I was ten. My parents would celebrate over my little stories...and now my big ones, and my middle school English teacher really fed the passion. I think God has always placed people in my life to water this dream He planted in my heart.

2. How many books have you written and in what genres?
Well, I've written more than I've had published. My debut novel (historical romance) arrived in May 2015 but it's the first of a 3 book series (2nd in Feb 2016 and 3rd in October 2016). I have a contemporary romance coming out in December 2015, and I hope to have more in the future.

3. What writing projects are you currently working on?  What can you tell us about these projects?
I have another contemporary romance series in the works as well two other historical series. One set in WW1-era Appalachia and the other in Victorian London during the time of Jack the Ripper

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4. What does your writing process look like?
Snatches of time, is the best way I can describe it. I work full-time as a speech-language pathologist, am a mom of five, and wife to a music minister, so life is pretty full. I write late in the evenings, usually, and make wise use of my iPhone's audio recording abilities other times.

5. Where is your favorite place to write?
In a comfy chair in my living room - but that only happens after everyone else is in bed. Usually, I'm at my desk in our family's study.

6. How important are the names in your novels? How do you choose names for your characters?
Do you have any name resources you would suggest? This may sound rather superficial, but I care about the way the name 'sounds' and if it 'fits' the character. I do have a few 'name' books, though - and I love names with meanings that either support the character or contradict the character's personality.

7. What authors/novels that you enjoy would you recommend?
Anything by Laura Frantz or Siri Mitchell for historicals, or Deeanne Gist. I love Janice Thompson and Becky Wade for contemporary romance.

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8. Where is your favorite place to read and why?
Same spot as writing...unless the weather is fine for going outdoors to read. :-)

9. What period of history interests you the most?
Right now? World War 1. I Love the changes going on at that time.

10. If you could choose someone famous to star in one of your books made to a movie, who would you choose and for which character?
Amy Adams as my heroine in my contemporary romance novel, Just the Way You Are.

11. What inspired the idea for The Thorn Bearer?
I was creating a character driven story at the same time I discovered a book about The Lusitania at a yard sale. I'd never looked into the Edwardian era much, and this discovery started a passion for the era. A good friend of mine told me her story of abuse and all of these pieces came together to finalize this novel.

12. What other hobbies do you enjoy when you are not writing?
Well, I keep pretty busy with life, but I do enjoy singing and songwriting, playing amateur tennis, hiking in my lovely Blue Ridge Mountains, and hanging out with my family.

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Check out my reviews for
THE THORN BEARER
THE THORN KEEPER