Author interview with Teri Polen, writer of horror, science fiction, and fantasy

My guest author today is another Louisville Book Festival participant. Meet Teri Polen!

Q: When did you first catch the writing bug? What drove you to persist?
A: I started writing around 2013. I’d always been an avid reader, but writing wasn’t something I’d planned. I was at my son’s soccer practice, and a story just dropped into my head, beginning to end. I wrote it—and it was terrible. It will never see the light of day, and no one other than I will be exposed to its horrors. After that I took writing classes, attended writing retreats, read books on the craft (Stephen King’s On Writing is one of my favorites), and participated in numerous webinars and workshops. I kept writing because the ideas kept coming. After putting in the work, I was better equipped to craft a story.

Q: What is your favorite genre to read? Do you write in that genre?
A: I mostly read horror, science fiction, and fantasy, which is also what I write. Mystery/thrillers would probably fall next on the list. I’ll occasionally read a rom-com or historical fiction but they’re a much smaller sliver of my reading pie chart.

Q: How do you select names for your characters?
A: First names aren’t usually a problem for me. Sometimes I’ll hear a name I like and make a note of it. Other times the characters introduce themselves. Last names are usually more difficult. I’ll take them from actors, musicians, or characters I like. A few I’ve “borrowed” are Reeves (Keanu Reeves), Quill (Chris Pratt’s character in Guardians of the Galaxy), and Teller (Jax Teller from Sons of Anarchy).

Q: Do you read your book reviews? How do you handle those reviews, whether good or bad?
A: I read my reviews, both good and bad. There are plenty of trolls on Goodreads who arguably even read the books and for whatever lame reason want to trash writers’ work, but there are also honest reviewers who point out things I could improve on. Those I take to heart and make a conscious effort to work on in the next novel.

Q: How long (on average) does it take you to write a book?
A: I consider myself a slow writer and only work on one project at a time. After turning in a book to my publisher, I generally take a months’ long break. My ideas also tend to develop slower, and the characters let me know when they’re ready to begin. Once I start, it’s around a year before it’s ready to submit to my editor.

Q: What did you enjoy most about writing your most recent book?
A: I fell in love with the Teller family. As with most sibling relationships, the brothers argue, annoy, and ignore each other, but at the end of the day they’ll do anything to protect their family. Especially their six-year-old sister, Harper. Two of the characters, oldest brother Gid and his boyfriend Aiden, weren’t finished with me at the end of the novel and had more to say. They’re the featured characters in my short story in a free anthology, All the Promises We Cannot Keep. It’s set seven years after the end of The Power of Three, and I felt privileged that they allowed me a glimpse into their future.

Connect with the author

• Author website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• The social media platform formerly known as Twitter
• Buy Teri Polen books on Amazon today!

Now available in print and on Kindle!