Romance Sub-genre(s): Paranormal Romance
Steam Level: Minimal for the first three, higher later on.
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Describe yourself in three words.
Fried neurotic teacher
What are three fun facts about you?
I'm an amateur paleontologist. My first completed manuscript was the result of avoidance behavior for a graduate course. A good number of my books are inspired by my migraine meds.
What do you do for fun when you aren’t writing?
Teach 8th grade science.
How did you discover writing as a possible career?
I started in high school, but only really picked it up a few years ago. I don't know if I will ever write full time, but it would be nice.
Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
My migraine meds. I don't know what it is about Imitrex that spawns stories in my head.
What trope is your favorite to write?
Redemption
What is your favorite thing about being an author?
Getting my ideas out on screen, and finding out my students are my biggest cheerleaders.
What is your writing process?
Drink a load of caffeine, sit down, type until I can't see straight. I usually get a solid three hours this way.
What time of day are you most creative?
11pm-3am
What is your ideal writing environment?
Dark room, alone, listening to the critters in the woods.
As an author, what challenges do you face?
Just finding the time. I teach 8th grade, so that takes most of my time, and I have two little kids.
What is your least favorite part of being an author?
Not being able to write at will.
If there was one thing you could change about the writing/publishing industry, what would it be?
Have agents actually give you feedback instead of form rejections.
What advice would you give aspiring authors?
Just keep at it. You will find your place. Also, keep in mind that some smaller presses accept unagented submissions. That's what I did.
What is something you’d like to write, but haven’t yet?
Science fiction
Which parts of yourself are reflected in your characters?
My main female character comes across as a person who is 1000% done with everyone's crap, because the author is a middle school science teacher who is 1000% done with everyone's crap.
Which of your characters have special meaning to you?
In a different book, the character of the dog was modeled after one of our greyhounds. She sadly passed away very suddenly, and I haven't been able to bring myself to look at that manuscript since.
How do you come up with character names?
I'm not sure. I pick a name that seems to fit, if that makes sense.
What is something you love to hear from your readers?
How some part of my character connects with them, or someone seeing themselves in a character.
When you read, which authors are your go-to authors?
Neil Gaiman, Tolkien, Emma Bull
Where can readers find you online?
www.hilarysifling.com This has a link to my Facebook page.
I'm also on Threads as Hilarysiflingauthor
Any other thoughts you'd like to share?
If you contact me, I will reply. It might be at some unholy hour, but I will respond.