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1. What made you want to become a writer?
When I was about six or seven years old, my older sister (who was about ten or
eleven) wrote a story called "What about Jaime?". I was so
amazed that she could create her own world and populate them with people who she
could make do or say anything she wanted. I copied her story and changed
it several times. Then I had the idea to write my own story. And I
did. And I still do because I love the process of creating people, places
and relationships and allowing them to run free.
2. Why romance?
Every story I've ever written involves a love story because I find love to be
one of the most complex emotions that we experience. Love pervades every
aspect and area of our lives and affects all of our other emotions, which causes
very interesting situations to unfold - which is a necessity for fiction
writing. The short answer is that I'm a romantic and I long for the
happily ever after ending.
3. Tell me a little bit about LOVE
UNDERCOVER?.
LOVE UNDERCOVER is based on the
healing power of love. Cary Riley is an undercover FBI agent, who has been
undercover for so long that he feels dead inside. Jessica Larson has
achieved significant professional success in the financial world but has come to
the realization that without someone to share it with - success means nothing.
Fate draws them together and a dangerous enemy from Cary's brings them
back together, but it is only when they realize that they are not whole without
each other will they stay together.
4. Besides writing what do you like to do?
I read romance novels and other general fiction. I also like to dance and
travel.
5. Are you a full-time writer?
No, I am a graduate student.
6. What's next for Tamara Sneed?
After the release of A ROYAL VOW, I have no idea
what will happen next in terms of writing. I am working on other stories
right now, and I hope that they will be published, but I have no concrete plans.
Ideally, I would like to continue to write and be published for the next
fifty or so years.
7. What would you say was the most difficult part of your
dream to be a writer?
Understanding that time is not the enemy. I have been sending manuscripts
to publishers since I was in high school, and when I read those manuscripts now
I cringe at how bad they are. I didn't understand then that I needed - and
still need - time to improve in all areas of my writing.
8. How did you feel when you got THE CALL?
First, I was excited - excited might be too understated to describe how I felt.
Then I became scared that I would receive a call from BET telling me that
there was a mistake and that my book would not be published. I don't think
I truly believe that this was actually happening until I saw my book on the
bookstore shelves this month.
9. Any special message for the aspiring author?
Write the story that you would like to read. Don't worry about writing for
a market or trying to tailor your style after a popular author, but write
something that you would pick up in a bookstore. Also, I know this is said
so often that it has lost its' power (and I am guilty of doing it too so this is
as much for me as anyone) but, here it is - show, don't tell. It cheats
the reader and the author when this sacred principle is violated.
ROMANCE IN COLOR wishes Ms. Sneed the greatest success.