Friday , March 29 2024
"True success is being able to do what you love when you want to do it, and for me part of that success is sharing my work with others."

Interview: Cheryl K. Tardif, Author of Submerged

Please welcome my special guest, international bestselling Canadian author Cheryl Kaye Tardif.

Cheryl is best known for Submerged, a psychological thriller that has had over 49,000 downloads on Amazon alone in March 2013, Children of the Fog, a supernatural suspense thriller that has sold over 50,000 copies and has made Amazon’s Top 100 bestsellers list (overall list) multiple times, and Whale Song, a much-loved, inspiring family tale with a hint of mystery, now available in its third edition — plus a school edition with a discussion guide.

Learn more about Cheryl Kaye Tardif at http://www.cherylktardif.com and follow her on Twitter

Enter Cheryl’s March Giveaway – 60 Prizes! http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com

It’s great to have you here, Cheryl! Congratulations on the release of your latest book, Submerged. What was your inspiration for it?

I was inspired by a high-school friend who became addicted to painkillers while working as a paramedic. With such a high stress job and seeing the things he must have witnessed, I wanted to explore a character with a similar life. And I wanted to show that even though a person may make some wrong decisions in his or her life, it is never too late to turn a life around or find redemption.

Tell us something about your protagonist that my readers won’t be able to resist.

Marcus is a very flawed man who has suffered some very traumatic losses in his life, but he is searching for forgiveness and for a reason to truly live again.

How was your creative process like during the writing of this book and how long did it take you to complete it? Did you face any bumps along the way?

The story for Submerged and its characters were in my head for a couple of years. I started writing it two years ago but had to set it aside while I got another business off the ground. I’d worked on it for about a month by that point. When I finally got back into the story, it took me two intense weeks to finish it, making it the fastest novel I’ve written — not quite two months.

How do you keep your narrative exciting throughout the creation of a novel?

While writing each chapter I ask myself: what’s the worst thing that could happen to this character now? That helps me keep things fresh and exciting.

What is your writing schedule like and how do you balance it with your other work and family time?

I write full-time, as well as run Imajin Books, a publishing company based in Edmonton, Canada. I have specific times when I do IB stuff, and times when I write. Since I’m the boss, I can make changes as needed. And now that my daughter is grown and about to be married, it’s only my husband and I at home. I make sure we always have time together when he’s not working.

How do you define success?

True success is being able to do what you love when you want to do it, and for me part of that success is sharing my work with others. It’s not just about making a paycheck, but in making a difference in someone’s life — even if it’s only through a book.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers whose spouses or partners don’t support their dreams of becoming an author?

That’s a tough one to answer since I’ve been blessed with a husband who has always supported me. I think you do have to be realistic in your goals. This may not be the time for you to quit your job and write full time. At the same time, this is your one life. If writing is your passion, write! Just don’t sacrifice everything else for it. It’s all about balance and setting realistic goals.

Anything else you’d like to tell my readers?

Pick up your copy of Submerged today. Please join me on my Submerged Blog Tour. You’ll learn more about me, Submerged and the characters in this story. And check out my 60-prize March Giveaway. And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter.

About Mayra Calvani

Mayra Calvani writes fiction and nonfiction for children and adults and has authored over a dozen books, some of which have won awards. Her stories, reviews, interviews and articles have appeared on numerous publications such as The Writer, Writer’s Journal, Multicultural Review, and Bloomsbury Review, among many others. Represented by Serendipity Literary.

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