Ask the Author: Alicia Sanftleben
Answered Questions (5)
Alicia Sanftleben
When I started hammering out ideas for my first book, I knew that I wanted it to be a story about angels, because I saw that there was a niche in the market for that type of story. I also knew that I wanted it to be a little bit of a love story. When I started researching angels, the research led me to so many other topics, one after another, and before I knew it I was buried in research and I was confronted with a completely different story outline than the one I had intentionally laid out- not to mention a whole series to follow. In the end, it may sound silly, but I think the universe (fate) chose the story I've decided to tell.
Alicia Sanftleben
Despite all the opposition you may receive, don't give up. Remember why you decided to write in the first place. Maybe it was to give young readers hope, or to prove your mom wrong, or maybe it was because you were just drawn to writing. No matter the reason, hold onto that. The only person that can keep you from reaching your dreams is yourself. If you have the drive and the intention, no one can keep you from succeeding. So what, somebody told you that you'll never make it? What gives them the right to say that, just because they knew a friend that tried writing and never made it. That person isn't you. Only you can decide your own future. The only time someone else has the power to decide your future is when you let them do so by accepting what they say. My best advice: keep your head held high and know that everything will turn out just the way you want it to, because when you falter, that's when you give others the power to decide your fate simply by the demeaning words they touched you with. Keep strong and do it for you (or for mom, or the newest generation of readers, or whichever is right for you).
Alicia Sanftleben
The best part hands-down is the freedom to make my own schedule. If I need to take a sick day, cool. If I need to sleep in a couple hours because I stayed up too late the night before hammering out story details or researching, alright. If I need to help a friend get to work because her car won't start, no worries. If I decide I want to take a part time job or a one-time job, I can make the time. I can work my writing life around everything else in my life. Which is also why having the freedom to make my own schedule can at times also be one of the worst parts about being a writer. When all of your friends know that you can do what you want when you want, they tend to want you to do things with them more often, even during your usual work times. Those are the times when I'm glad that I have an intense drive to do what I love, because I can say no to them without worrying if it's the right decision. But I would still have to say that making my own schedule is the best thing about being a writer. Being able to work when I want and take my work with me anywhere I go is truly liberating. It is necessary, though, to have a drive that is rightly aligned with one's purpose, which I have mastered so far.
Alicia Sanftleben
I am currently writing the second book in the Hidden Secrets series, Convergence, which continues to follow Delinda after her arrival in the Himalayas where Exit Point left off. I don't want to give away too much yet, but I will say that Delinda and a few acquaintances will learn about Buddhism, enlightenment, Heart Yoga, and an ancient healing technique referred to as Reiki. In Convergence, Delinda will be responsible for assisting in the relocation of the Earth's Kundalini- something that a certain Dark society is very much against, causing turmoil for Delinda and everyone else involved. You'll also get a much more in-depth look at Cameron and how he came to meet the love of his life, Emily. Convergence wouldn't be complete, however, without the emotional pandemonium that Delinda goes through with her feelings for Cameron, her forced need to get over Adrian immediately, and the constant advances from a recent acquaintance. As of right now, I don't have an anticipated release date in mind, but do know that it will be in 2015 and I will do my best to inform everyone when I have a more specific date.
Alicia Sanftleben
Reading is my go-to cure for writer's block. Curling up with a good fiction novel really helps to get my creative juices flowing, and it especially helps to see how other writers get their ideas across to the reader. Another great cure for writer's block is just to start writing. About anything. It doesn't even have to be anything related to the book, as long as it gets me thinking and writing again. And from there it's usually a lot easier to get back into the flow of writing again. Sometimes, though, I just have to ride out the writer's block and take it as time to do other things like editing, marketing, or researching. I'm very into following the path the universe lays out for me, so if I can't get back to writing despite my efforts to get back on track, I take it as a sign that the universe has other plans for me at the time and I put my energy into other efforts.
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