Interview with Author Sara Condrey
Author Sara Condrey is a Montessori teacher, gardener, and bee keeper, but writing has always been her passion. “While I have been writing in various forms since early childhood, I published my first novel, “The Good Shepherd” in 2017 and haven’t stopped since! I enjoy trying out different genres, probably because I enjoy reading different genres. So far, I have written books in the horror, thriller, children’s, young adult, historical fiction genres and just released my first light romance book! I enjoy the challenge and I’m always working on my next book!”, stated Author Sara Condrey in her introduction to this interview.
Tell me more about your latest book
My newest book, released October 2020, is called “Lucky” and is something different for me. This book is a light romance, or really, a romantic comedy. It’s different than all my other books because it’s humorous and light-hearted, just a fun story.
The main character is Howard Trent who leads a boring, routine-driven existence. He’s so mundane, he’s almost invisible to the rest of the world and he is resigned to this. Then he embraces an opportunity for change and goes on a hilarious journey that is completely out of his comfort-zone, but throughout his adventure, he learns a lot about himself and realizes that change isn’t all bad. It’s a very heart-warming story.
Did you ever have a rough patch in writing?
Not usually. There’s always a period of amorphous indecision after I finish a book and have to decide which story I’ll begin next. My solution is, I’ll write on a few different ones until I settle on one but I’m never not writing. Thankfully, I haven’t experienced the dreaded “writer’s block.” Yet. I hope I never do.
What is your normal procedure to get your books published?
I self-publish my books because that is the easiest, fastest, and least expensive method for me.
Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?
Writing is very important to me. Writing has always been a part of who I am. It’s more than a hobby, even more than a passion, it’s an integral part of myself; an essential part of my makeup. It’s almost a compulsion—I simply have to write. It’s as though my soul isn’t balanced unless I’m working on something and there’s always something to work on.
How many books have you written so far?
So far, I’ve written twelve books.
Lucky (light romance) published 2020
Stalked (Inspired by true events) published 2020
Perspective (Children’s book) published 2020
Bear and Bunny Go on a Picnic (Children’s book) published 2019
Judge Not published 2018
The Island and Other Stories (Short story compilation) published 2018
A Haunting published 2018
Warming the Pearls (Historical fiction) published 2018
Boots Published 2018
The Good Shepherd, (Book 1 in Cloverdale Series) published 2017 — Won honorable mention in 2018 Paris Book Festival
Preacher Man (Book 2 Cloverdale) published 2017
The Beginning (Book 3 Cloverdale) published 2017
What’s the best way to market your books?
Now that’s something I haven’t really figured out yet! I’m so busy writing, I haven’t really devoted time to marketing. I try to get the word out with my limited social media outreach, do interviews and book signings. I’ve created a website and a YouTube channel, but I’m definitely no marketing pro.
You don’t have to be a writer in order to be an author – how true is that?
I think you don’t have to be an author to be a writer. There are plenty of talented writers out there creating beautiful stories every day. Not all of them want to share them or know how to. Writing is something that lives in your soul, it’s a part of who you are, whether you share that piece with others or not.
What is your advice for aspiring writers?
For my fellow writers who are seeking ways to tell their stories, I want to encourage and applaud you. It can be difficult to pursue writing, whether you plan on sharing it or not, but it can also be helpful, healing, fun and satisfying. If you have stories inside you; write them and don’t let anything stop you.
READ! Reading can help inspire you.
Make time to write, that’s always the trickiest one for me, but I make time to write something every day, without fail. Even a few minutes can make a difference.
Visit Author Sara Condrey book links:-
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saracondrey/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarasbooks/
All of my books are available on Amazon and Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=sara+condrey+books&i=digital-text&ref=nb_sb_noss
My YouTube Channel is called Storytime with Sara Condrey: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv-WrN2kM7a7WmTd1GLYf-Q
I’ve read all her books and I love that there’s one for whatever genre I feel like reading at the moment. She is one of my favorite authors, hands down, and I always look forward to the next release!