Tammy Tate Interview Published on: 15, Jun 2017
What was it like being born and raised in Hollywood, Florida? How does life differ there from your life in Texas?
Hollywood Florida is the place to be if you love the sun, white sandy beaches and blue water. I truly loved it! Texas is huge. There is a climate for everyone. I have always lived on the Gulf side and honestly the weather is a lot like living in Florida only the wind blows harder.
What's the best memory you have of being a Communications Officer? What's the best memory you have ever?The best memory I have of being a Communications Officer is helping people! Not to mention I met some awesome people along the way. My best memory ever was meeting my husband 37 years ago. He has been super supportive in all my endeavors.
When you found out you had made it onto Amazon's Best Seller list, who was the first person you told and how did you celebrate?I told my best friend who is also my husband. I have been blessed, in my world everyday is a celebration.
What was your favourite book to write?All of my stories are my favorite. But, if I had to choose, my favorite book to write would be The Homecoming. It’s part one of my Bayou Shifters series and I have already started on part two.
How did you and your husband meet? Was it love at first sight?Oh my! I did what mothers tell their children not to do. I met my husband at a small bar outside of Orlando, FL. It was love at first sight for both of us :-)
Was there any particular scene or character that was hard to write? Why?For me, it’s never hard to create characters. They all start out the same. Black and white. Flat on their back. As I write they become 3-D and lift up from the pages to tell their story. It’s my job to get it down. They say there are two types of authors. Planners and Pansters. Planners outline their story before writing. Pansters write by the seat of their pants. I’m a panster. I know the story I want to tell and the main characters that I want to tell it. Then, I create an opening scene that will draw the reader in. My imagination takes over from there. One scene spills into the next and I add characters as I see fit. I don’t have to worry about forcing a scene or character because it’s in an outline. This method works for me and lets everything flow. :-)
Describe the ideal vacation, according to you.The ideal vacation was the day my husband texted me from work and asked me if I wanted to go to Hawaii for nine gorgeous days for our anniversary. He’s such a fun date!
Who is one of your all-time favourite authors? What is your favourite book?I have several favorite authors. Janelle Taylor is my all-time favorite because after reading her Ecstasy series it inspired me to write.
If you had to choose a well-known proverb or mantra to describe your life, what would you choose and why?A saying that describes my life to the fullest has to be the tagline I use often which is, “Anything is possible in my world…” My mother always told me growing up, I could be anything that I wanted to be as long as I believed in myself. Thanks to her, I reach for the stars and if I fall short I’m still a winner.
If you breathe life into any one of your book characters, who would it be and why?I breathe life into all my characters. It makes them authentic. Life like. I’ve been told my stories make you believe anything is possible and they can relate to my characters. :-)
Where and how do you find the inspiration for your stories?I write Romance sprinkled with mystery, action and suspense. My husband is my inspiration. It’s easy to write romance when you live it everyday :-) I generally have country music playing in the background when I write because it’s relaxing and puts me in the right mindset.
What would you do if you had only one more day to live?If I had only one more day to live I would spend every amazing second with my husband.
What is one thing you wish you could tell your past self?I don’t regret the career paths chosen before becoming a published author. After all, they made me who I am today. I love computers so being a computer consultant/tech was fun. Working in law enforcement as a Communications Officer was challenging. It certainly taught me to multi-task and think outside the box. If I could change anything, I would have continued to write fiction in my spare time instead of putting it on hold. :-)
What is one question you get tired of answering? What is one question you wish people would ask more and what would be your answer?I never get tired of answering questions. I’m a people person. I like to help. Knowledge is power. If I have the answers they seek, I gladly share them. If I don’t have the answers, I normally know where to find them :-)
What's the hardest part about promoting your books? How has your experience with AllAuthor been so far? Do you enjoy it and would you suggest it to your other author friends?The hardest part about promoting my books is finding the time to do it. I love to write. Even when I’m not writing, I’m thinking about writing. :-) AllAuthor has been amazing. I love the exposure I’ve gotten with them. They reached out to people that I might not have reached on my own. They send tweets on my behalf! How awesome it that? I would and have suggested them to fellow authors.
