Welcome to The Creative Council, where I interview creatives about their lives and work and the ups and downs of being a creative soul.
Today’s interviewee is Pamela Hart!
Pamela is the author of Beauty from Ashes, Beauty from Embers, and City of a Thousand Tears. Raised on a steady diet of fantasy, science fiction and anime, she spent most of her childhood failing to acquire a Boston accent. Since then, she has slurped ramen in Ikebukuro, stampeded through flamenco lessons in Granada, and splashed her way across a fishpond for the Milkman Triathlon in Dexter. During her travels, she tends to overpack horrendously, but never regrets cramming her backpack full of books to devour along the way. She wanders the planet with Joe, the love of her life, Jacob, her sunshine baby, and her adorably maniacal Boston terriers, Willy and Marvin.
The Interview
Hi Pamela! I’m so glad you could make time for this! Are you ready to dive in?
· When did you start creating? Do you remember what pulled you in?
I attempted to write my first book in middle school. It was a chapter book about a girl and the dragon who went on a quest. But I never finished it. After that, I dabbled in fanfiction and finally started writing my own book around 2015.
As for what pulled me in, I’ve always loved reading. In some ways, it was a little intimidating to attempt to create a book. That seemed like almost hallowed work, but I felt like there were some stories I wanted to read that didn’t exist and that I could write for other readers like me.
· When did you start pursuing your current craft for real? As in, when did you begin to take yourself seriously as a creator?
I started taking myself seriously as a creator after I finished my first book and started sending off publishing inquiries. After my first book was published, I realized that writing was my passion and I wanted to pursue it full-time.
· How long did it take you to complete your first work?
It took seven years to finish my first full-length novel.
· How long does it generally take you to complete a work?
Oh, that’s a tough one, because it varies. I have been able to finish a novella about a year, but other projects take longer. I’ve been working on my current novel for a year and a half, and I’m hoping to have it ready for publication in November.
· Of all the milestones you’ve reached thus far, what has been your favourite?
Holding a physical copy of my first and second book have been incredible milestones.
Also completing NANOWRIMO last November. For anyone who doesn’t know, that’s National Novel Writing Month. It happens every November. You set a word count goal and try to complete the rough draft of a novel in one month. I was able to write 60,000 words last November. That was an incredible milestone and taught me I could push myself and write faster than I had ever dreamed.
· When was the last time you celebrated a creative milestone?
Last November after completing NANOWRIMO. Wow, that seems like a long time ago. It’s probably about time to celebrate something new.
· It’s high time, yes! So what do you struggle with most as a creative person?
My struggle is with the inner critic, second-guessing myself. And also editing. Self-editing can consume a lot of time because I want everything to be perfect.
· Have you always had that struggle or has it changed over time?
I think I’ve always struggled with those two things. It’s part of my personality. However, I am learning from my writing buddy, Krysta Maravilla, to be more gentle with myself when there are setbacks or things don’t go according to plan. It’s great to have a friend in your corner to help you through challenges like that.
· What advice would you give to creatives dealing with the same?
You can’t edit a page that isn’t written. Someone much wiser than me came up with that, but it definitely holds true. Rather than struggling with trying to get that perfect sentence, I’m learning to get a sentence down and then I can always work on it more later.
· What do you do to stay inspired?
I think sometimes the best thing to do is get out of my writing box and experience life. I don’t know if all writers struggle with this, but I can get really absorbed in my little world sometimes. It helps to go out, grab a cup of coffee, and people watch. Or take a walk with my dogs. Or talk through my plot with someone else.
Listening to music is also very inspiring to me. I make playlists for different projects and listen to them while driving or exercising. I’ve found this helps me generate lots of new ideas. I imagine lines of dialogue, scenes, and whole plot points while listening to my playlists.
· Ha, I do the same! Listening to music while driving has gotten me unstuck more times than I can count! What’s the best creative advice you ever received?
There’s a quote from William Faulkner, ‘I only write when I am inspired. Fortunately I am inspired every day at nine o’clock.’ This quote has helped me to be diligent in setting aside a regular time for writing.
I whole-heartedly believe in inspiration for writing, but I also believe that we can train ourselves to access our creativity through routine and ‘writing spaces’. I have a special area of my home, a writing space, and when I sit down there, I really try to turn off my inner critic and tune into my creativity. It isn’t a perfect process, and I do write in other spaces when the opportunity strikes, but I’ve found it helps. 😊
You can find and connect with Pamela on her website, Instagram, Facebook, Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub.
Pamela’s Kickstarter campaign for Beauty from Embers, book 2 of a science fantasy romance trilogy, goes life 16 July and will run until 1 August.
Beauty from Embers
How far would you go atone for your past?
Acadia’s life hangs on the edge of a knife. Torn between her new identity and the demons of her past, she battles increasing prejudice and her own insecurities.
When a series of mysterious disappearances threaten to ignite a devastating war, Acadia sees a chance for redemption and volunteers for a diplomatic mission to her homeland.
New allies are added to her number—a genius mechanic and a young combat prodigy—but the team struggles to work together as a cohesive unit.
As the web of deceptions draws tighter around Acadia, she is startled to discover an insidious enemy much closer to home.
Are you a creative and would you like to be interviewed next? E-mail me at marielle@mswordsmith.nl and we’ll make it happen!