About Sara Olds:Sara V. Olds has been telling stories for as long as she can remember. One of her favorite memories is of unfolding a tale for friends while they were all bundled in sleeping bags watching a comet shower in the Uintah Mountains.
Mother of three: Large, Medium and Small, she welcomes her newest role, that of mother-in-law.
Life has taken her from thither to yon and back again—she's moved 22 times during her marriage. She breathes to travel. Longs to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning a horse. Is an addictive reader. Enjoys swimming, skiing, violin and movies. Wonders if she'll ever get to SCUBA dive again. And has found a calling that fulfills her in ways she never could have imagined—teaching history to—wait for it—8th Graders.
Her stories consume her. There's nothing she'd rather do than spend all day, all night and the next day conversing with her latest set of characters. History, adventure, action, romance, humor.Adults, YA and kids. Yep, she does it all. Looking for something to enjoy on a quiet rainy afternoon? Or wanting a pulse-pounding, stay up all night turning pages adventure? Or a you've-GOT-to-be-kidding romp? You'll find them in her pages.
Sara’s social media links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/saravolds
Website: http://www.saravolds.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaraVOlds
--How did you get the idea for the story? I actually worked
for the Youth Conservation Corps (the US Forest Service) when I was 17. It was
easy to take it from there.
--Which character would you
most/least like to have dinner with?
Hmmm….so many men, so little
time. Norm, Dan, Conor, Matt.One things for sure--not the twins, and absolutely not James. But you see the problem?
So many to choose from. I think Dan. He’s a meat dude and I’ve always wanted to
try elk.
--Do you have any other works in progress? Any teasers or
release dates?
I’m in final drafts for a new YA fantasy entitled “The
Slumbering Heir.” Illyria, who has magic in a place where magic is illegal and
Cynwrig, nothing more than a lackey in the castle stables are thrown together
into a race for their lives, for honor and the very existence of everything
they’ve ever known. And while it’s a
classic fantasy, the characters have a modern feel to it, which I’ve been told
makes it very readable—it also has a dragon in it who tries to steal the stage
every time he shows up. I’m also expanding a Magical Holiday Comedy Romance
which is nearly ready for submission “Knot Before Christmas”—what’s fun about
it is I’ve tried to include nearly every reference to Santa Claus out in
popular culture—and Rudolph is it in.
Not to mention re-writing one of my Her Finest Hour books “Her Warring
Heart” and I’ve started a new YA contemporary comedy a spoof on all the
vampire-crazed stories.
--What are some of your favorite
books? Do you still have much time to read?
I have five books that growing up
made me want to become a writer. Not in any particular order: King of the
Wind-Marguerite Henry, Banner In the Sky-Ramsey Ullman?, Son of Tarzan-Edgar
Rice Burroughs, Deerslayer-James Fennmore Cooper (Read my Lately of England to
see how much). Island Stallion by Walter Farley.These books (mostly adventure
based) grabbed me so hard I used to make up stories with the characters.
Basically, fanfic. That’s what made me want to start writing. And no, I’m not “allowed” to read except
during school breaks because I’m such an addict, once I start, I won’t do
anything BUT read.
--If a fairy godmother told you could be put into the world of your favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?Son of Tarzan.Action, adventure, romance, gorgeous rebellious guy.Nuff said.
--Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)? Are there any songs on your playlist- songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote? It’s weird, but I can’t remember listening to songs while writing this. I usually find a style and use it a lot, but this book gushed out of me. I wrote every spare second night and day and I even stole moments when I shouldn’t have. I was staying up until 1 or 1:30 and getting up at 5 to write for an hour and a half before I had to go to school (to teach).Mostly, because I had students who were meeting me at the school door demanding the next pages. Talk about performance pressure! Chuckle.
--Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time? Travel! But in short bursts of time, I’m a bit of a TV addict. I watch everything from Dr. Who to Arrow and everything inbetween including Cupcake Wars—which has made me a self-proclaimed cupcake aficionado.
--If a fairy godmother told you could be put into the world of your favorite book for 24 hours, which book would you pick and why?Son of Tarzan.Action, adventure, romance, gorgeous rebellious guy.Nuff said.
--Do you need anything to write (music, coffee, etc)? Are there any songs on your playlist- songs that inspired you or that were playing while you wrote? It’s weird, but I can’t remember listening to songs while writing this. I usually find a style and use it a lot, but this book gushed out of me. I wrote every spare second night and day and I even stole moments when I shouldn’t have. I was staying up until 1 or 1:30 and getting up at 5 to write for an hour and a half before I had to go to school (to teach).Mostly, because I had students who were meeting me at the school door demanding the next pages. Talk about performance pressure! Chuckle.
--Besides writing, what do you like to do in your free time? Travel! But in short bursts of time, I’m a bit of a TV addict. I watch everything from Dr. Who to Arrow and everything inbetween including Cupcake Wars—which has made me a self-proclaimed cupcake aficionado.
--What is one thing you would tell your 15 year old self?First,
don’t convince the drama teacher to do “Finian’s Rainbow.”Here’s the
explanation: I moved to a different high school as a junior and I had done “Finian’s
Rainbow” in my first school. I convinced my teacher at the new school to do”Finian’s”
because I wanted to be the lead. Well, I
wasn’t cast as the lead and afterwards my teacher told me that he was going to
cast me as Molly in “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” but changed his mind when I
begged and begged and then couldn’t find the right guy to match me, so I wasn’t
the lead. Argh! Smacking hand on head!
Secondly, stay away from the pickup truck. (You’ll have to read “My Life as a
Lumberjack” to get that reference.) Third, take the hint from Mark. Sheesh,
girl! (That’s one of those ships in the night situations.)
--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers? If what you’re looking for is a fast, fun read, you’ll find it with Benz in “Lumberjack.” If you’re wantingangsty, dark and gut wrenching—you’ll hate this book. Just beware of drinking while reading because you may end up spraying fluid across whatever device you’re using…and I would enjoy knowing if that happens because that sort of response is exactly what I’m hoping for. I believe we need more laughter in the world, and I hope you’ll find it with Benz. Thanks for the chance to be introduced!
--Is there anything else you want to add or say to your readers? If what you’re looking for is a fast, fun read, you’ll find it with Benz in “Lumberjack.” If you’re wantingangsty, dark and gut wrenching—you’ll hate this book. Just beware of drinking while reading because you may end up spraying fluid across whatever device you’re using…and I would enjoy knowing if that happens because that sort of response is exactly what I’m hoping for. I believe we need more laughter in the world, and I hope you’ll find it with Benz. Thanks for the chance to be introduced!
Oh and here’s a top ten
list:
10 Activities in High School
1.
Singing – Madrigals Group
2.
Theater
3.
Violin – in and out of school
4.
Hanging out eating Chinese Food at the Mandarin
Restaurant which a friend’s family owned
5.
Swimming
6.
Reading – zillions of books
7.
Watching Movies
8.
YCC (Youth Conservation Corps) – my favorite
summer job
9.
One mad crush after another
10. Moving
to a new high school my Junior Year
Buy links for LUMBERJACK:
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/my-life-as-a-lumberjack-or-how-i-fell-for-the-wrong-guy-sara-v-olds/1115454537?ean=2940016705811
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Good interview! Love watching Doctor Who as well. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm such a fan of the fairy-godmother question ;) I really love what she said about this not being an angsty read but one that would have you spewing your drink. So great! Love the interview :D Thank you so much for sharing. Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.
ReplyDeleteYay another Whovian..so cool! I must admit I do like cupcake wars too! Great interview and the book sounds delightful!
ReplyDeleteGreat post :) I think the author gave some great and funny answers!
ReplyDeleteJanina @ Synchronized Reading
Oh I love the cover, it sounds like a nice book. thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI still need to get into Dr. Who. Don't know why I haven't!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds cute. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!
Ooh, "The Slumbering Heir" sounds right up my alley! And this lumberjack book sounds super cute, too!
ReplyDeleteOh I haven't heard of this one but it seems like a great idea! :) Great interview! :)
ReplyDeleteSome great questions and answers. Great cover, I so like those boots.
ReplyDeleteI really like the sound of her YA book, The Slumbering Heir, and this sounds like such a fun read as well! Thanks for sharing :-)
ReplyDeleteI love mountains! I live in gently rolling Oklahoma and whenever I go somewhere with mountains, I am awestruck! I'm not sure how they inspire me but they definitely make me happier!
ReplyDelete