Author Interview: Theresa Oliver

Welcome to my blog Theresa, tell everyone a bit about yourself.  


Thank you, Theresa, for having me. My name is Theresa Oliver, I am the mother of three glorious boys (I’m not a bit proud !) ages 16, 10, and 6. Although I would love to make writing my full-time career, I am a teacher by day and I love it!. I’ve taught Language Arts and Reading to middle school students and 4th graders. This year, I will be teaching second grade! I’m very excited! 


Has writing always been a passion of yours, or did you discover it at a later age?


Writing has always been a passion of mine. I wrote my first short story when I was fourteen and was hooked! In high school, I wrote short stories, poetry—virtually anything I could think of! And I’ve been writing off and on my whole life. I always wanted to write, but could never find the time. Sound familiar? Then one summer I made the time, writing my first book, Cambria. Shortly after, I found the Stephanie Meyer fan site on Facebook and began entering their weekly contests. I won or placed in several, which encouraged me to write. The encouragement I received from admins Nikki Shay, Nicole, and Michelle, along with the fans on that site encouraged me to make writing a career. I created my short story page shortly after, Theresa Oliver’s Short Story Page, and am currently writing three novels. What I am most excited about now is the publication of my first book, Cambria, with Firefly and Wisp Publishers, which will be released September 2012. 


Do you outline or write as you go?


I have a mental plan of how I want the novel to go, and enjoy unexpected twists and turns along the way. So, I guess you could say that I’m both. I plan, but stay true to my characters, letting them guide the way, all the while shaping the plot, guiding my characters toward its focus. I usually love to write, spend time with my children, and become bored easily unless faced with a challenge! 


What inspires you?


Inspiration is all around if you are open to it. I am inspired by people, settings, and things, looking around me with a writer’s eye. There is a plethora of things to inspire me in my daily life! You just have to keep your eyes open and look!Yes! I always knew I wanted to write, but never really knew which genre. Stephenie Meyer first introduced me to Young Adult novels, and inspired me to write. Since then, I primarily read and write Young Adult books. My mother also inspired me to write, always encouraging me, wanting to hear my stories. She passed away last year of lymphoma, but her inspiration will last a lifetime. 


What element inspires you? 
I am most inspired by water, probably because I'm a water sign(Cancer)


Do you listen to music or multitask while writing?


I don’t listen to music, but listen to my children’s kid’s shows while I write! I also multitask, but love it when I can put the kids to bed and just write for hours at night or early in the morning, enjoying quiet time! 


What is your favorite genre, and least favorite?


I love all genres, but my favorite would have to be paranormal romance. I love it when my favorite vamps fall in love! I also love horror, but not too off the wall, and romance, but again, not too off the wall. I really don’t have a least favorite, as I have found novels in every genre that I love. 


Who are among your favorite authors?


Stephenie Meyers, Christopher Pike, Jude Deveraux, and Alexandre Adornetto (among many others) 


What is your favorite piece you’ve written, and what is it about?


I have two: 
The first is Cambria, about Seth Roberts, a normal teenage boy who is raised by his mother, Victoria, and does not know who is father is. And Victoria is no help, as she has never told Seth much about him. But everything changes when his mother asks him to visit his Great Uncle Herman in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada. He discovers that his uncle is a wizard, in fact, the son of Merlin himself. Herman asks Seth if he would like to go on an adventure. He agrees. With the help of a strange medallion, Herman sends Seth back in time to Cambria, a village founded by one of the knights of Author’s round table. In Cambria, Seth discovers his true potential, family secrets, and love. He soon finds himself in an adventure of a lifetime as he races to save Briana, his love and the future queen of Cambria, and Cambria itself.


The second is Star, about a kick ass (can I say that?) vamp from the Revolutionary War era who is a CIA agent in a covert ops group that, according to the CIA, doesn’t exist. She is asked to become a body guard to an 18-year-old high school student, the son of her boss. She falls in love with Zac, her charge, and discovers that a rogue vamp wants to kidnap Zac, she thinks, to get to hi sfather. But what she doesn’t know, is a vamp from her past really wants her and is using Zac to get to her. Star is a vamp shapeshifter and her blood holds the key to her transformations. She soon finds herself in one of her most challenging adventures ever, trying to protect Zac, her friends, and herself. 


Let’s change things up:


What is a hidden talent of yours?
Ones I can talk about? Okay, I love to draw and paint! I have many paintings and charcoals adorning the walls of my house! (Or, at least, I think they do!) I am also a hell of a cook, if I say so myself! And I’m a great mom, but not necessarily in that order.  


Do you have any animals?
Yes! A cat named Bella. We were looking for a cat at the pet store and, hearing her name was Bella, I took her home then and there! She is a member of the family now. 


Favorites:


TV shows: 
Vampire Diaries! Hands down!


Movies: 
The Twilight Saga, (definitely!) and Somewhere in Time, an old one starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a definite must see! Also, While You Were Sleeping is one of my favs, as well. 


Authors: 
Stephenie Meyer, Christopher Pike, Jude Deveraux, Alexandra Adornetto, and many more. 


Books: 
Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, all by Stephenie Meyer; Halo, by Alexandra Adornetto; the Thirst series, by Christopher Pike. Also, an older one of my favs is A Knight in shining Armor, by Jude Deveraux. 


Animal: 
cats and horses


Color:
 Purple! I’ve always been a purple nut! :) 






Contact information. 
Theresa Oliver of Theresa Oliver’s Short Story Page: 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Theresa-Olivers-Short-Story-Page/250600114957301