Ask the Author: Sarah N. Ham
Answered Questions (5)
Sarah N. Ham
Start... I know that sounds so simplistic, but you can't be a writer if you never start to write. It's so easy I think to fall trap in the mindset of "Will anyone read it?", "Will people like it?", "I'm not a professional or educated writer", etc., but those will trap you from writing. Not everything you write will be gold.
I've had my fair share of cringing over past drafts and stories, but I'm still glad I wrote them because it gives me a timeline to see how I've grown and where I can continue to grow from there. Also, try to find a goal for writing other than wanting fame or acclaim. While it's not wrong per se to want those things, they won't likely bring you lifelong fulfillment.
I write because it brings me joy, and I hope my message reaches someone in a way that makes them feel something, whether that's hope or just empathy in the characters. I may never be a best-seller or in every household shelf, but that's okay, because I know that's not why I started writing. So maybe consider doing the same.
I've had my fair share of cringing over past drafts and stories, but I'm still glad I wrote them because it gives me a timeline to see how I've grown and where I can continue to grow from there. Also, try to find a goal for writing other than wanting fame or acclaim. While it's not wrong per se to want those things, they won't likely bring you lifelong fulfillment.
I write because it brings me joy, and I hope my message reaches someone in a way that makes them feel something, whether that's hope or just empathy in the characters. I may never be a best-seller or in every household shelf, but that's okay, because I know that's not why I started writing. So maybe consider doing the same.
Sarah N. Ham
My most recent published book, The College Girl's Coiffetta, started literally as a stupid pun. I don't recall why but I thought the word "Coiff" sounded funny and thought that combined with the word "vendetta" it would make for a bizarre title.
Originally, I wanted it to do with a character wanting to work in the cosmetology field (Either a makeup artist or a hairstylist), but ultimately, I decided to tackle a story about studying fashion abroad.
The inspiration for Gatsby was obviously The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, but the idea to make the character blind stemmed from wanting to research more about the Blind community (since I have a background and experience learning about the Deaf community). Hopefully, overall, I did justice of all the elements in this story.
Originally, I wanted it to do with a character wanting to work in the cosmetology field (Either a makeup artist or a hairstylist), but ultimately, I decided to tackle a story about studying fashion abroad.
The inspiration for Gatsby was obviously The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, but the idea to make the character blind stemmed from wanting to research more about the Blind community (since I have a background and experience learning about the Deaf community). Hopefully, overall, I did justice of all the elements in this story.
Sarah N. Ham
I'm currently re-writing a novel I wrote back in 2010 where a US soldier, Major Kirsten "Kris" Reed, PTD, is forced into medical retirement from the Army after suffering a dual amputation and losing her fiance in the attack. When she returns to the US, she discovers that her parents moved and their home was sold to her fiance's foster brother, Benjamin "Ben" Harper. In trying to get back on her feet, he allows her to stay with him and his three children.
The story revolves around her trying to deal with PTSD, working through her loss/grief over her fiance, and her slowly growing to relate/love Ben as they both deal with grief together (him at the loss of both his foster brother and his deceased wife years prior).
When I originally wrote it, I was in high school, and so much was stressed on the male character's grief and loss, rather than the main character. Additionally, the PTSD was majorly underplayed to the point of being unrealistic. So I want to rewrite it both for myself as well as hopefully giving a tasteful, Christian story revolving around such themes.
The story revolves around her trying to deal with PTSD, working through her loss/grief over her fiance, and her slowly growing to relate/love Ben as they both deal with grief together (him at the loss of both his foster brother and his deceased wife years prior).
When I originally wrote it, I was in high school, and so much was stressed on the male character's grief and loss, rather than the main character. Additionally, the PTSD was majorly underplayed to the point of being unrealistic. So I want to rewrite it both for myself as well as hopefully giving a tasteful, Christian story revolving around such themes.
Sarah N. Ham
For me, it's a huge stress reliever, and it helps me to get concepts and thoughts, both good and bad out of my head. It helps me to take a simple concept and create a whole world around it, and even if it's not great, it's something I can look back on.
Sarah N. Ham
I tend to bring my stories with me everywhere (I used to handwrite out my stories in a notebook, but now I have a more portable laptop). If it's with me, I can write wherever I am, and it can help me through writer's block.
Another thing I've done in the past is to look at the story's overall picture, asking what is the main theme and concepts, so do these ideas I've been writing fit with that? If not, then I backtrack until I get to a point where I can find that theme again.
Another thing I've done in the past is to look at the story's overall picture, asking what is the main theme and concepts, so do these ideas I've been writing fit with that? If not, then I backtrack until I get to a point where I can find that theme again.
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