Tell us your name and then a bit about yourself.
Hello Twinsie Girls! Siera London here. After 23 years in the United States Navy, I retired and started writing my first romance novel.
I loved my career as a nurse practitioner and serving my country, but I don’t miss that life.
My kids are grown, the grandkids are a blast, and my cat is my favorite writing partner. Since the release of my debut novel, Chasing Ava on March 30, 2015, I’ve written forty books.
When you are writing a book, which is harder? The first book in the series or the others after it?
Setting up the first book in a series is by far the hardest. For me, crafting each character so they resonate with book lovers is key to the success of the first release and each book that follows.
Of course, I want readers to love the protagonist, but it’s equally important to feel a bit of intrigue for the other characters, too.
When writing a series how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
Huh, this is an interesting question. Like the people in our lives, characters are nuanced, their stories are unique to them, and their past experiences shape their perspective.
As a writer, each story is a challenge to share a universal journey in a creative and relevant way. In my latest Lunchtime Chronicles release, Peaches and Cream, the heroine is on the run, but she works as a migrant worker to stay under her pursuer radar.
Again, giving Empress a familiar backstory (damsel in distress) but, a non-conventional job (migrant worker) twists an old trope in a new direction.
Writing can be an emotionally draining and stressful pursuit. Any tips for aspiring writers?
Take a break when YOU need it! I know the currency of today’s writers is to write every day, but I don’t. And that’s okay.
Honestly, I give myself permission to manage my writing day my way. Accept your process as the best process. It may change; that’s fine, too. Storytellers must let their imaginations run free to devour great content and excellent media. It’s essential to fill your creative well. To do this, we need rest, relaxation, exercise, and to consume good stories on the regular.
So, binge-watch television, and listen to audiobooks when you feel like cracking a book open. In other words, getting the words out of her head is the right way… the best way for you. Different is okay.
On a typical day, how much time do you spend writing?
Three to four hours. That’s enough to get 2000-5000 words on the page and allow my body time to recover.
If any of your books were to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it? What book and who?
Oh, I would love to see the Men of Endurance on the big screen. To start on want Brad Pitt, Sam Elliott, Dwayne Johnson, Angela Bassett, Regina King, and Eva Marcille on the set.
What is your definition of success?
A growing catalog of stories that appeal to a growing number of readers who share and review my books. I want connect with readers who want to know me in addition to enjoying my books. Success to about building a career where the my readers share the journey with me.
What are your social links?
Follow me on TikTok, BookBub, and Amazon.
Siera on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorsieralondon
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/siera-london
Amazon Author page: http://amzn.to/1Oce1Ht
What are your buy links? (Provide links to your Amazon/iBook’s/Koko/etc Author Home Page if you have quite a few. Also include audible links if applicable.)
Siera’s Amazon Author page: http://amzn.to/1Oce1Ht
Want tickets to Writers on the River #2023?
They are available starting November 4th at Writersontheriver.com
$45 VIP sell out quickly – 12-1 VIP hour, 1-4 General Admission time. You get a filled VIP bag and admission to the after party is included.
$25 Early Access – 12-1 VIP house, 1-4 General Admission time. You also get a filled VIP bag but NO admission to the after party.
$10 General Admission – 1-4 General Admission time. You can purchase a bag but it is not filled with VIP swag. There is no admission to the after party included.
$35 After party – 7-11 After Party with food and cash bar. Dj with a photobooth is also included in the fun.