Hey there everyone.

Welcome to your regular dose of Monday fun.

Today I have had the pleasure of interviewing author Sierra Kummings about her debut romance novel, along with her passions, influences and inspirations.

Enjoy the show and have a great evening folks.

 

Hi there Sierra, thank you for being here today to discuss your writing passions, inspirations and endeavours.

Thank you for having me here, David. It is a pleasure and an honor to be doing this interview with you today.

Let’s start with your debut novel “Morrow’s Horizon (The Morrow Women Series Book 1)”. Congratulations on getting your first book published! Please tell us more about your protagonist Sara Morrow, what your book is fundamentally about at its core and how this mature military romance series took shape in the beginning to become the novel you have written today.

I think I’ll work my way backwards through this question, it that’s all right with you. When I first started writing, I didn’t start out researching. It began as something I did for fun, not something I thought I’d make a career out of, and as such, I simply wrote what I knew. Before I had my daughter, I worked in a bank as I made my way through my graduate program. So of course, the setting for Morrow’s Horizon became a bank in my hometown of San Diego, California, and Sara’s family centered around an exceptional little girl inspired by my very own daughter. From there, Morrow’s Horizon seemed to grow all on its own. My characters became louder, their stories crisper, and somehow it changed from something I did for fun in my spare time, to something I couldn’t seem to put down.

Sara Morrow is the type of woman I always wanted to be. She’s devoted to her family, she’s constantly looking for a way to help her community, and she has a soft spot in her heart for anyone who’s hurting. She has flaws, of course—she’s stubborn, afraid to trust, and doesn’t spend enough time taking care of herself, leaving her often burnt out and frustrated—but she’s open to growing. When hard times hit her, she doesn’t run from them, instead seeking help from the community she’s given so much of herself to.
Fundamentally, Morrow’s Horizon is two things. It’s a love story about redemption and forgiveness between Sara and Jacob, but it’s also a love story of family and of self. Sara’s familial bond is a theme throughout the entire novel, and Jacob’s story arc is one of him learning to love himself.

What are your favourite genres to read and which ones do you think directly affected the creation of your novel?

I absolutely love romance novels. I’ve had a love affair with reading ever since I was a child, but once I turned 14, I read all the romance novels my mom had stashed away. For a time, I thoroughly enjoyed horror books, too, and I devoured anything ever written by Stephen King. Unfortunately, though, that time didn’t last for me. Eventually I started developing nightmares over what I was reading and had to go back to my true love of romance. I do enjoy spreading out and reading mystery and suspense, too, but romance has always been my go-to. As such, I absolutely think my genre of choice affected what I wrote. I knew as soon as I started with the first sentence of Sara’s story that it would be a romance. It would also detail a family bond so strong that nothing could break it, but at its center would be the romance that Sara always longed for but never thought she’d find.

If your novel was to be made into a film (or even a TV series), who would you cast in the lead roles?

Oh, goodness. I’m not sure I’ve thought this far ahead and I’m not sure that I could even imagine that. She’s always been Sara to me and he’s always been Jacob. There’s both of their looks, of course, that would have to be met as that is a part of their character identity, but more than that is who they are as a person.

What do you find the most difficult thing about writing? And what do you find the easiest?

The beginning is always the easiest for me. When I first start a novel, my characters are screaming at me so loudly, the words seem to just fall onto the page. I rarely have to think through a scene because it’s usually fully formed by the time I give them a voice. The middle of a novel is where I find I struggle. I’m not sure if that’s because that’s typically where the story plateaus and there has to be the right amount of harmony, if it’s because all of the underlying story arcs have to start to come together there, or if my characters simply stop talking quite so loudly to me because they’re so involved with each other. Whatever it is, in the three novels I’ve written, the middle always seems to be the place where I struggle the most. As far as writing for publication, however, I would say writing is the easiest and editing/revisions are the hardest. I’m good with the big picture, but I have a tendency to get bogged down in the fine tuning of things.

Who are some of the authors and historical figures that inspire you?

There are so many. One of my all time favorite books, and one that I re-read every few years, is East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I can’t tell you what it is about that book that called to me so completely, I just know that it did. I feel like I learn something about myself and something about humanity every time I read it. Then, of course, there are my genre favorites: Nora Roberts, Lorelei James, Lisa Jackson, Suzanne Brockmann, Christine Feehan, and Patricia Cornwell.

What sort of research do you do to write your books?

It depends on the book. I’ve spent time reviewing Google Maps, trying to familiarize myself with parts of a city I’m writing about; and I’ve also spent time looking at military sites and PTSD sites for this book Morrow’s Horizon…It really does run the gamut. I’ve researched what certain foods taste like if they’re ones I can’t bring myself to try but my characters love them. I’ve researched homes in an effort to describe where my characters live in vivid detail. Honestly, I’m not sure that there is any aspect of my novel that I didn’t research.

Why do you write? What inspired you to become a writer?

Because reading became too expensive for me. Ha! I know that sounds funny, but it’s true. I used to read five books a week. After one too many fights with my husband over how much I was spending on books, I decided to try my hand at writing my own novel. Morrow’s Horizon is the result. I still read, of course, but now I get to enjoy the fun of creating my own worlds and it’s surprisingly just as intoxicating.

What keeps you motivated during creative slumps? How do you deal with Writers Block?

I surround myself with positive people in the book world. I cannot stress enough how important this is. At any given point there are at least a handful of people there to encourage me to keep going when doubt sets in. These same people are also great at letting me bounce ideas off of them when I’m unsure about the direction I want to take my novel in. These individuals have proven themselves invaluable to me time and time again.

You have access to a time machine. What advice would you give to your younger self?

Keep being you and know that one day you’ll find your calling. That day will be all the sweeter because of the hardships you’re facing now.

How do you spend your free time when you are not writing?

With my daughter. She is singlehandedly the best thing in my life. Her laughter is the best medicine and her smile motivates me to keep doing what I’m doing. Most times, we have impromptu dance parties or snuggle up in my chair.

Tell us more about your upcoming projects. Are you working on anything specific or have plans in the pipeline?

I’m currently working on a few. I’m in the process of writing the second book in The Morrow Women series, I’m writing the first in what will be a three-part erotic short series, I’m in the beginning stages of co-writing another erotic short that is looking to be an eight-part series, and I’m working on a super-secret project that I hope to have released in just a few short months’ time.

Finally, are there any nuggets of wisdom that you can impart to other aspiring writers?

Research the most effective ways to market your book—in general and then specific in your genre. Talk to other authors, both successful ones and ones that are struggling. Ask them what their process is. Do your own google research. Don’t just expect to make a post on Facebook or Twitter and think people will buy your work. That will happen, of course, but there’s so much more to it than that. People get disheartened when they see only one or two copies of their book selling each week or month, but while making sure you have a great product is key, so is your marketing strategy. After all, it doesn’t matter if you have a potential NYT best seller on your hands, if no-one sees your work, it will never get there, you know?

And that’s a wrap! It has been a pleasure, we can’t wait to get stuck into your book, thank you for spending some quality time with us 🙂

Thank you so much, David, for interviewing me. It’s been an honor!

Bio:-

Sierra Kummings is a writer of contemporary erotic romances. Her three loves are her family, writing, and chocolate, though not always in that order. She discovered creative writing in high school, but set her dream aside to pursue a master’s degree in professional counseling. She now puts her degree to good use strengthening characters that have been in her head since her teens. In addition to penning hot romances, she also proudly claims the title of mother to an incredible little girl who inspires her every day.

You can connect with Sierra on the following Social Media channels:-

Sign up to her newsletter:- Sierra Kummings & goings in love Newsletter
Facebook:- Sierra Kummings – Author (FB)
Goodreads:- Sierra Kummings (Goodreads Author)
Instagram:- @sierrakummingsauthor (Instagram)
Twitter:- @SierraKummings (Twitter)
Website:- The Website of Author Sierra Kummings

You can buy her book here:-

Buy Sierra Kumming’s books in Canada

Buy Sierra Kumming’s books in the UK/Europe

Buy Sierra Kumming’s books in the US/Rest of the World

If you too would like to be interviewed on my blog at TooFullToWrite and you have a book or a series of books that you would like us to chat about then fill out the Contact Me form here with your details and we can arrange a future interview slot.

Still want more? Well, since Sierra’s book is all about a strong romantic tale then how about some more articles on the theme of “Lovingly” which have been lovingly prepared for your reading pleasure 🙂

1. PANCAKES. – The Quiet Girl Blogger
2. Sons & Daughters – Wildgirl
3. The Invitation – Part 2 – Nan’s Farm-Inside Out
4. Key Notes for Lovers – Pauline Njah
5. Quite Extremely Random – Lovingly
6. Ad infinitum – Loving You
7. What really matters? SprinkleSparkle
8. Tales from Bohemia – Lovingly
9. A Terrible Lost – Keep On Moving
10. Babsje Heron – Beautiful Great Blue Heron Love for Valentines Day
11. Coffee and a Keyboard – Finding Your “It”
12. Ad infinitum – Work of Art
13. Putting My Feet in the Dirt – Brokenness Rescinded
14. A Man Named Dan – Partners For Life
15. Promise – The Icognito Writer
16. Surprise Marketing – What a lost earring taught me about copy writing
17. Le Drake Noir – All around or around all
18. Ad infinitum – Scars
19. Jackie – A Place for my thoughts
20. Matree – color zone.
21. Lovingly: The Broken Boned, 30 Day challenge–#1 – Shelby’s Starlit Crossing
22. It’s All in Finding the Right Words – Sometimes a Loving Kick?
23. Exquisite – honest rooster
24. River Of Tears – Sunken Thought
25. Unbearable – Word Adventures
26. Summer Retreat & Meeting Michael – Let The Light In ~ Reflections
27. What to Do When You Don’t Know What to Do… – Success Strategies
28. Lovingly in Retrospect – CROOKED LITTLE GIANT
29. My Personal Blog – What Keeps Us Alive
30. Success Inspirers World – When I Die
31. When I Die – atrangizindagieksafar
32. Punishment Pebble – Patches of Light, Pieces of Grace
33. Far North Fiction – Lovingly
34. The Call of Love – The Chaos Within
35. I wrote a book. Now what? – Influential Words
36. Brindology – 99. Miscarriage
37. Travel Much? – Royal Shenanigans
38. Standards – Studious Rumination
39. 6 Reasons to Love Yourself – Simple Tips for Healthy Living
40. The Everlasting Pirouette – Love it Now
41. My Superman – stitches and poems
42. Observations of The Urban Spaceman – Loving Touch
43. Puppy – Sketchy face
44. COFFEE BREAKS – stitches and poems
45. Mother and Child – stitches and poems
46. Taifun GS II Rebuildable Atomizer Clone – Vape Style Blog
47. The Zardoz – Leaking Ink
48. TapMak – Yours Lovingly, TapMak (Snr)
49. tuckedintoacorner – love + light
50. Giggles & Tales – The Daily Prompt – Lovingly!
51. Lunchbox of Love – Girl Writing
52. Timeandreflections – Grace
53. Betcha Didn’t Know! – The Story of Kitten part 7
54. Baby – Poetry On My Mind
55. Lovingly – Glimpses of my life
56. The Showers of Blessing – Solitude
57. His Touch – Leigha Robbins
58. Take this heart – Debbie Gravett
59. domestic diva – As parents knowing what Truly Matters
60. Lovingly. – DeepikasRamblings
61. Relax – Bungle in the jungle
62. What is a dad? – ALPHA BUTLER CHARLIE
63. The Haunting, Aching Echo of Wonder – Chapter 1: With a Gentle Hand
64. Lovingly Yours – Run and Travel
65. Without Me – A Short Conversation
66. Coffee and a Keyboard – Goals for 2017: A Progress Report
67. Perceptive Pot Clueless Kettle – Woodstock, Live
68. February 6 – My 365 Life
69. Coffee and a Keyboard – The Moment I Lie Down
70. Anniversary 18 – calliemm
71. A Caregiving Marriage – Shoulder Cat
72. MY ENDURING BONES – Forever Yours
73. Sounds of Music Boxes Everywhere. – kindergartenknowledge.com
74. Food & the ‘L’ Word – Tiffany Daily
75. Coffee and a Keyboard – Anxiety Banned
76. Coffee and a Keyboard – Down, Out and Numb
77. Lovingly Kept – Getting Better, Man
78. eatingwithsavages – 02-06-17
79. Lovingly unconditionally – thinkinkadia
80. Lovingly, lovingly, like a child. – Wadada
81. I Will Fight Site – Lovely!?
82. Passion – Because I love to Write
83. Crushing You Lovingly – Little Pieces Of Me
84. Frank Prem – a fine cabinetry
85. Living In Crimson – Visitor
86. Looking Through A Dirty Glass Window – Coffee and a Keyboard
87. Lovingly – Lyrallya
88. manvsloneliness – Day 214: The Man and the Daily Catch Daily Prompt; ‘Lovingly’
89. Write Now – The Right Direction
90. Joyously Hopeful – Art or Craft
91. Autism in Our Nest – The Tale of Declan and Sammie
92. A Real Messy Beautiful Twisted Sunshine – Lovingly, Me
93. Lovingly – American Woman, I Reckon So
94. Yuge Crowd Marches in Support of Trump – A lot from Lydia
95. wordsareallihavesite – Lovingly
96. Christine Composes – A Loving Proposal
97. The Message – thehouseofbailey
98. Uttered Lovingly – The peepal
99. Love – sparksbeforetheblaze
100. Eden of Knowledge – It’s not about hate….
101. she is full of fire – little junk drawer
102. DIY Pirate Treasure – Modern Day Wonderland
103. Laurel Grove loves… – Loving Lee one day at a time?
104. Mouse the Terrorist? – Sascha Darlington’s Microcosm Explored
105. Pleaser… – samanthaalexia
106. Musings of a Random Mind – Sometimes I Wonder
107. LOVINGLY DONE – THIS ANGELENA
108. Attuned Photography – Sky
109. The Gad About Town – Lovingly Spammed
110. Dark Clouds – Life at 17
111. During the interrogation, Possum speaks lovingly about his wife – CD-W, Author Flawed to Perfection
112. Author Mason Sabre – Lovingly The Poor Writer
113. Sensing tenderness – Your Guided Journal
114. Reflections; my writings of poetry, prose and fiction – Bobcat’s story
115. Feminine Vestige – Waking in Fog
116. STELLA CAROUSEL – Lovingly Awakened
117. Life in a Few Words – Say It!
118. Making it write – This is living
119. Live-Life.. – I’m not a perfect mom
120. Live-Life.. – 21 Random Facts about me #FridayReflections
121. Thugs and murderers share a mindset – Your Nibbled News – 2017 YNN
122. Live-Life.. – Thankful January
123. Covert Novelist – Lovingly
124. lifelessons – a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown – Loving Lee
125. War and Plea – Who I Was
126. Learn to Love Your Work – thepathtocreativity
127. Invisible Illnesses – Lovingly -Daily Prompt
128. Mirrors – Just me musing
129. Insach – With love.
130. Love Felt – Full-Time
131. Loving the hurdles – fades in…
132. LOVINGLY,EGOLESS…/Suzhalgal
133. Lovingly Cupped Soft Hands Not Pointing Fingers – Light in Colorado
134. Loving th hurdles – fades in…
135. 3am Bursts of Inspiration – Death
136. Frank Prem – singing broken heart at number 60
137. Frank Prem – one more chances
138. Lovingly (Daily Word Prompt is Lovingly) – My Loud Bipolar Whispers
139. The Romantic Quill – The Garden (04 min read)
140. Na’ama Yehuda – Above all, Love.
141. slideaways – Elaine
142. Lovingly – Vermont Book Works
143. The Tiger – Onto My Next 40 Years
144. Lovingly, my one and only one. – Allure Lively
145. A Bloke’s Life – 06. Walking Away, Lovingly
146. What Rhymes with Stanza? – quick note
147. INTP-section – Left in a lurch
148. Lovingly ~ Snow a Poem of Falling – Art, Poetry, Insight ~ K A M
149. If only… – Yuhu
150. Daily Writing Prompt: Lovingly Does It #motherhood – Kim Knight-Author
151. Little Things… – writealineblog
152. My Art & Me – Deathly Hallows
153. Patriots Day – Sup, Nerds!
154. Musings of a pseudo-writer – Lovingly Yours!
155. Am I a loving person? – As I was saying…
156. mylocalweb – her persona
157. Lovingly – Rhyme In Time
158. I CHOOSE TO LOVE – Rainbow
159. A Dream is but a Door Away – Redhead Reflections
160. Lovingly – WordPress Daily Prompt – My Companion
161. OH, SO LOVINGLY – rhymeagination
162. thelonerose – Lovingly remembered
163. There Are More Poets than Stars in the Firmament – listen with infinite gaze
164. Inside the Mind of Isadora – Lovingly Holding You
165. LOVINGLY OPENING THE WINDOW – ENIGMA
166. My Own Little Wars – Love Doesn’t Live Here Anymore
167. Friends – indisputably inconclusive
168. Lovingly: Acrostic – And so it starts…
169. New Year Dishes – Journeys of Len
170. Exploring the World around us – Dear Sky
171. The Cat Chronicles – Daily Feline Prompt: Loving Felines
172. Lovingly Acrostic – Mick E Talbot Poems
173. Remember that song? – Back On The Grid
174. YOU ARE MY HERO – Burshblog
175. B_ live – Your Kisses
176. Shrimp Pasta – A Long Distance Diary
177. in 25 words more or less – #cyw/daily post: promise
178. Love the loving lovingly – rupalislale
179. LadyLebz – BOB MARLEY LOST TAPES FOUND AND RESTORED
180. LadyLebz – KATY AND JEFF ARE SERIOUS #COUPLEGOALS!
181. LadyLebz – WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT DATING A YOUNGER GUY IN YOUR 20’S
182. Crusty Monkeys – Lovingly
183. The Language of Love, Dusty Style – I’m a Writer, Yes, I Am!
184. Please die, my dearest loving husband – Sarahs Crazy Mind
185. A Writer’s Broken Record…. – Poem – Thunder Poet
186. He lovingly – A Place to learn and grow together
187. Chronicles of an Anglo Swiss – Lovingly no longer works
188. andsoitisborn – Today Is All You Have
189. Zachary W Gilbert, Author – Lovingly, Lovingly, gently down the stream…
190. Kimberlee K. – Oreos & the Political Climate
191. Hope on the Seashore – a moment teller’s
192. juantetcts – Daily Post
193. Youth And Innocence – emotionsoflife2016
194. Lovingly Wrapped In Comfort – eddaz
195. MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO – Lovingly
196. A surrogates’ pain. – “Ananya, The Verbal Seduction.”
197. Get your greens protein smoothie bowl – art of being fabulous
198. La Tour Abolie – Golden Emperor
199. Year of the Rooster, Journey of the Sardine – I’m not China be funny but this place is Beijing me crazy…
200. Mystique – Angelic
201. Beauty. Marks. – 25more
202. Tanka: True Friends – whippetwisdom.com
203. Many farewells – Don’t hold your breath
204. The realm of Jacky Clothilde and her friends – How she touched him
205. fairytale spines – tinyfawns
206. Ladyleemanila – Lovingly ABCs
207. Lovingly – Poemsicles (& Other Literary Desserts)
208. I wanna break a heart – Poetic Bliss
209. Fighter (An Acrostic) – Emotional Spaces
210. I AM STILL A MOM – Grief Poetry
211. New Ideas And Inspirations – Lovely
212. Write Ally! Write! – Lovingly (Hurt them endlessly)
213. sonja benskin mesher – . his model shop.
214. The Scariest Words In the Swamp? – Realswampmonster
215. Carlos Cunha – Young Pigs in Love
216. Southern By Design – These Memories
217. When Jesus is Gay – Unlearning
218. Lovingly – The Mind of Nox
219. Don’t Yearn – Learn! – Beach Books Blog
220. Madeline Scribes – Southern Boy Charm
221. the15thday – oh what fresh hell is this
222. The Wandering Poet – Lovingly kissed
223. Devil Doll Musings – Heart and Soul
224. Designer Sophisticate – Bringing back memories.
225. Lovingly – crashcoursedummy
226. Haibun: Song For A New Day – whippetwisdom.com
227. Hot Dogs and Marmalade – Where the Wild Things Are
228. Journey – Let it be beautiful
229. Hot White Snow – Hello Silence, My Old Friend
230. Muse of the Day – Everyday Strange
231. Lovingly Letting Go – Eidos
232. An Old-Fashioned Word – Just Writing!
233. Lovingly – All About Writing and more
234. He Drew Us – Pete Gardner Psalms
235. The family you create – Passion & Insanity
236. ….on pets and prisoners….. – daily prompt: lovingly
237. Lovingly – Image & Word
238. Lantern Words – Lovingly With care
239. Scan Day – My Struggling Heart
240. Lost Property Repository – Desert Rescue: Small Mercies