Make-Believe Monday with Tarra Blaize

This morning on Make-Believe Mondays I'd like to welcome Tarra Blaize.

Ray Bradbury said, “We are cups, constantly being filled. The trick is, knowing how to tip ourselves over and let the beautiful stuff out.” How do you keep your creative cup filled?

Tarra:  By reading what has poured out of other writers’ cups. Nothing motivates me more than reading a fantastic book. I love being pulled into another story where I can forget everything in my world because I am so intent on another one. When I reluctantly have to leave that haven, it makes me even more determined to try to create my own version for other readers.

Debra:   Is there a point when your characters begin to come alive and you can see and hear them?

Tarra:  Once my characters hit their first barrier, the way they react ends up defining them more than any hypothetical thinking on my part. I really try to let the characters write themselves, because whatever flows in my writing will hopefully translate best with readers when they read it. Failure is not about falling, but failing to get back up. The strongest method to bring a character to life is to throw his or her worst nightmare into their path… and make them find something inside of themselves to overcome the odds.

Debra:  For some writers, dreams play a role in creating fiction. Has this been true for you? Have you ever dreamed a scene or an image that later wound up in one of your books?

Tarra:  I laughed when I read this. I had total writers’ block with this novella, until I had an incredibly vivid dream that, with some reshaping and editing, turned into the first few scenes of the Break. In the dream, I got to be an undercover spy who was experiencing agony at being forced to betray a demon who had captivated emotions in ways that should have never happened. This character, of course, became my heroine Layla, and the demon became Gethin. I should note that this rarely ever happens to me, but I’m so grateful that it did!

Debra:  It's a wonderful thing when it does happen.  :-)  Imagination can be so strong and fully present in our dreams.

As a child did any particular book or author pull you into their imaginary world?

Tarra:  I was a total bookworm even as a child, and always had at least three books on hand: one that I was currently reading, another for when I finished my current one, and the third should I finish the second one as well! One of the books that shaped me early on to love romance is Gail Carson Levine’s Ella Enchanted, a retelling of Cinderella. If you haven’t read it you should – it’s for all ages, just like any brilliant young adult novel!

Debra:  I'll have to add that one to my list!

 Is there anything else you would like to add about the role of imagination, and dreams in creating fiction? Any other message for our readers?

Tarra:  I cannot imagine fiction without imagination or dreams. Let alone the author, but for readers, is this not integral to your reading experience? As a writer, my job is complete if you can walk away after reading my story, but not walk away from the story. I hope that whatever I’ve written entertained you so well, that your imagination keeps working even after the last word, and you dream the “what if…” of putting yourself in my characters’ shoes. My goal is to provide an alternate reality, and I cannot do that successfully if I fail to stimulate your creative side and sense of wonder as well.

Debra:  Tarra, that is so true.  Thank you for joining us here on this Make-believe Monday to share a little bit of the magic of writing with our readers.

To learn more about Tarra and her books visit Tarra's website www.tarablaze.com
st Samhain
or Amazon Angels and Demons

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Debra's News/Debra is watching:

Currently I am researching for the Scottish hstorical romance I'll soon be writing.  It will be set in the 12th century.  I was able to see the new Robin Hood movie last week (which was wonderful) and I believe that counts as research too.  :-)  Such pretty gowns made me want to start sewing and the archery made me anxious to get out my new bow and learn to use it.  Perhaps this weekend.


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