Beauty and the Armageddon: Author Interview with Sarah Elle Emm, Author of "Prismatic"

Who or what inspired you to start writing?

I’m not sure of the moment I was first inspired, but I have so many memories of watching my mother write on her typewriter or on yellow, legal pads, and I recall having an intense desire to create my own story. I was probably around seven years old when Mom loaded up her typewriter with paper and let me have my chance. I didn’t get very far on that first story, but soon after, I wrote a few poems and then started journal writing until I finally wrote my first novel in my twenties. Another inspiration was listening to Mom tell stories. She has the gift of storytelling, whether she’s entertaining the people gathered around her dinner table or whether she’s writing words on paper. Sometimes, Mom would tell us about the storytellers in our family, including my great grandfather, who had written down his memories of spending time with Mom and her siblings in journals. In my twenties, I finally got to see those journals when they resurfaced in an attic. It was really inspiring to see words my great grandfather, a man I never even knew, had written from so long ago. Mom’s father, Grandpa Lloyd, was a writer also, and though he mostly wrote about politics and history, he wrote poetry as well, and he was a big inspiration for me. I’m thankful to all of the storytellers in my family who’ve encouraged me to follow my heart and write.

Do you have a routine when it comes to writing?

I like to get started first thing in the morning, right after I have exercised and taken the kids to school. During the school year, I’ll write most of the day, right up until I have to pick the girls up from elementary school. This past school year was the first time I’ve had so much time to write since my youngest daughter started kindergarten. When the kids were younger, I’d write during nap time and after they went to bed. These days, I go back to writing after they’ve gone to sleep also, but when my kids are around, I try to give them as much attention as possible. I do homework with them, play games, read stories, and play outside. I want them to look back on these years and remember me being involved. I’d hate for them to think I ever put my writing before them. So basically, my routine revolves around them. When I am really involved with a story and trying to finish it, I don’t take time to exercise or do any real relaxing. During those times, I use every moment I’m alone to write, occasionally breaking for more coffee and snacks or to take my dog outside for a walk.

What is your favorite snack when writing?

When I get absorbed in a story, I have a difficult time pulling myself away from the computer. I’ll set a cup of hot coffee down on my desk, start writing, and the next thing you know, five hours have passed, and I haven’t even taken a sip of the coffee. When I forget the world around me and lose myself in my writing like that, it’s the best feeling ever. Unfortunately, it doesn’t happen very often. On normal writing days, I’ll get up for coffee and food every few hours, and I don’t have a favorite snack. I’m vegan, so when I’m writing I prepare batches of beans and grains in advance, so I can just hop up, heat something up, and get right back to work. I make a lot of smoothies and fresh juices, too. Sometimes, I’ll prepare a few things in the morning, so when I want something, I can just grab it out of the fridge and keep writing. Besides the foods and drinks I’ve prepared in advance, you might see me grab a handful of vegan chocolate chips, Doctor Kracker Seedlander crispbreads, or hummus and pita chips.

Who are your books marketed to? Have you ever had a reader that surprised you (for instance, someone that you never dreamed would read your book)?

The Harmony Run Series is marketed to young adult and teen readers, however, I’ve felt strongly from the start that this series is one adults could read as well. Fortunately, adults are reading a lot of YA books these days, so I’ve received some pretty interesting emails from adult readers around the globe. I love it that people from age twelve and up are reading this genre. The biggest compliment I think I’ve received to date, which was certainly a surprise, was my sixth grade reading teacher, Mrs. Carver, read my books. She sent me the nicest email, and I had no idea she even knew I was writing. She was my favorite sixth grade teacher, and I never forgot her. My high school choir teacher, Ms. Miller, read my books as well, which was also very flattering!

What are you currently reading?

Well, I am getting ready to begin Braxton Cosby’s Protostar, the first book in a young adult series called The Star-Crossed Saga. I just finished reading Corrie Ten Boom’s In My Father’s House, which I absolutely loved!

About the author:

Sarah Elle Emm is the author of the HARMONY RUN SERIES, a young-adult fantasy and dystopian series, released in May 2012 by Winter Goose Publishing. (PRISMATIC, May 2012, OPALESCENT, February 2013, CHATOYANT set for release August 2014, NACREOUS release TBD) Her debut fiction novel, MARRYING MISSY, an Amazon Best Seller in marriage, was published by Bird Brain Publishing in October 2011. Sarah is a graduate of The University of Evansville, she has lived and worked in Mexico, Germany, England, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and has traveled extensively beyond. Her love of journal writing, travel, and multicultural experience have all influenced her novels. Sarah lives in Naples, Florida with her family. When she’s not walking the plank of her daughters’ imaginary pirate ship or snapping photos of Southwest Florida scenery, she is writing.

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