Samantha Evans

Northern California

Age 30

Romelia: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Samantha Evans: Since waking up with an idea and wanting to write it down.

Romelia: how long does it take you to write a book?

Samantha Evans: Took me a few months.

Romelia: where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

Samantha Evans: All the authors I have read have been an inspiration. I love works from C.S. Lewis, and J.R.R. Tolkien.

Romelia: what literary pilgrimages have you gone on?

Samantha Evans: None yet, but I hope so after this pandemic.

Romelia: what is the first book that made you cry?

Samantha Evans: The outsiders by S.E. Hinton.

Romelia: what is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?

Samantha Evans: When I think about it is when people pay money to have your book published.

Romelia: does writing energize or exhaust you?

Samantha Evans: It energizes me! When I have ideas I cannot stop writing!

Romelia: what are common traps for aspiring writers?

Samantha Evans: Saying that anything can be published. But look at self-publishing platforms, and see which one fits your fancy.

Romelia: does a big ego help or hurt writers?

Samantha Evans: It can hurt because when someone thinks that their book will be a hit! Then in the end it leads to it not making enough sales.

Romelia: what is your writing Kryptonite?

Samantha Evans: Too much to describe. When I watch a good show or movie focused on fantasy it gets the lightbulb in my head would go on.

Romelia: have you ever gotten reader’s block?

Samantha Evans: Honestly… nope!

Romelia: did you ever consider writing under a pseudonym?

Samantha Evans: No! I want writers to know who I am.

Romelia: do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

Samantha Evans: I want to be original.

Romelia: do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?

Samantha Evans: Anyone can be a writer if they have a story they want to tell.

Romelia: what other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

Samantha Evans: I am basically best friends with one indie author who has become my mentor. Who has helped me understand the writing world, and what to accept.

Romelia: do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?

Samantha Evans: My first set of books are all connected.

Romelia: if you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Samantha Evans: Creativity is everything!

Romelia: how did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

Samantha Evans: Knowing that it can be done on Amazon it was hard to believe. But made me realize I was meant to become a writer.

Romelia: what was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

Samantha Evans: Ads to promote my work.

Romelia: what authors did you dislike at first but grew into?

Samantha Evans: None, all authors I have read I never found anything negative about.

Romelia: what did you do with your first advance?

Samantha Evans: I am a self-published author so it depends on what money comes in a month. I keep on saving what I get.

Romelia: what was an early experience where you learned that language had power?

Samantha Evans: It shows emotion!

Romelia: what are the most important magazines for writers to subscribe to?

Samantha Evans: Not really magazines, but Facebook groups are interesting to learn tips, and how to be successful in writing.

Romelia: from where you get inspired with your first book?

Samantha Evans: After reading Lord of the Rings.

Romelia: describe yourself in a few sentences. Tell us something we do not know about you and something you hate about the world.

Samantha Evans: I love watching horror movies, and what I hate about the world is living in this country how it is so divided. How my children are confused about this.