Interview with author Tammy Bird

I know you have a tale to tell about your twisty path to publication. Doesn’t everyone? 

I am certain everyone does! For me, my love for putting words together for the consumption of others didn’t start until I was in college, and I wasn’t in college until my thirties. I was a bit of a wild child and took some—well, let’s just say, less than stellar turns before I found my way back to school. I took a literature course in my second semester of community college. The instructor wore the craziest neon colors, and her hair was everywhere hair that she held semi in place with a bandana. She swept in and out like a psychedelic dream every day, and I wanted to be her. I hung on her every word. I read everything she gave us to read. I analyzed and wrote and studied like a fiend. And what I discovered was I loved every minute of it. From there, my love for words grew. By the time I was working on my next degree, I was also writing for academic anthologies and conferences. Then came short stories, and finally a novel.

 

The Book of Promises is your second thriller. Where did the idea for the book come from?

This idea stemmed from a conversation a group of students had in my class a couple of years ago. We were reading a piece of literature that was about coming out as a lesbian. An older woman commented about how good the younger generation has it now, how they just come out and, “POOF,” everyone is cool with it. A younger person countered, saying that she did not have that experience at all, and in fact she was still trying to rebuild some of her family relationships. Someone else said that her best friend’s mom kicked her out and some of their friends were bullying her. The conversation was intense. As an older lesbian, I am ashamed to say, I thought similarly to the woman who made the first comment. After that day, the ideas swirled in my head for some time. Eventually I started researching. And a year later I started writing The Book of Promises. 

 

What kind of research did you do for the novel?

I had to research The Choking Game, for one thing. That was tough. I talked to several teens who have either been involved with this or knew someone who had been. I also did a lot of research on young sociopaths. What I found would truly scare you. I barely touched the tip of the iceberg. We often think of men as sociopaths, but there are a lot of examples of women who fit under this umbrella, as well, and they were once manipulative teens and children. I did some fun research, too. I had to find out what young people on the LGBTQAI spectrum were reading and discussing and how they are treated in the worlds they inhabit. That was awesome. It was fun to compare my coming out to theirs. 

 

They say all writers should have an elevator pitch for their novels. What’s your elevator pitch for The Book of Promises?

This is a tough one. I am still trying to perfect this. I had a reader make a comment about the book that kind of stuck. I revised it a tiny bit. It goes like this: The Book of Promises is a YA coming out and coming of age novel about learning the difference between a caring friendship and manipulation, between a loving relationship and a toxic one, and about learning to hold one’s own self-worth above the noise of the world.

 

Were there any surprises for you as you wrote The Book of Promises? Character developments or plot twists that you didn’t expect?

Yes! I don’t want to say too much for fear of slipping in spoilers, but one person who I thought was going to be good, ended up not so good. I couldn’t help it. The character bucked at almost every one of my suggestions and attempts at control. LOL

 

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

I went through the GCLS Writing Academy. I was leery about putting out that much money on a dream, but I was determined to give this writing gig a go. I have been living in this surreal dream-world ever since. I have met so many wonderful readers and writers from putting myself in a position to be surrounded by readers and writers! It is amazing. 

 

If I came to your home and looked in your refrigerator, what would I find?

Well, we are quarantined now, and we want to stay as well stocked as possible, so we just got a delivery. There is some fresh spinach, carrots, and bell peppers in the crisper, I know, and I think there is orange juice, skim milk, yogurt and picante sauce on the top shelf. My wife likely has a few beers in there, too, and we always have cheese—lots of cheese!  

 

Last question. What’s your favorite material object that you already own?

My Note 10 cell phone. It has a pen. I use it to take notes constantly. When I don’t have pen and paper, but I have an idea, there it is, attached to my hand. It doesn’t get any better than that!

 

Okay. One more. Where can readers find you and your books?

I would love to connect on any of the following platforms: https://www.Instagram.com/tammybirdauthor 

https://twitter.com/tammy_bird 

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/tammy-bird 

https://www.facebook.com/tammybirdauthor/ 

https://pintrest.com/tammybirdauthor 

https://www.goodreads.com/tammybirdauthor 

https://tammybird.com

And both of my novels are on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B07MFG1YP1 

And on Bella Books here: https://www.bellabooks.com/category/author-tammy-bird/

 

Review of the Book of Promises by Tammy Bird

 

Thrillers of any kind always pull me in but when I heard that Tammy Bird had a new book, The Book of Promises, coming out I was ecstatic. Her first book Sandman was one of the best I have ever read. I couldn’t wait to get started.

 

Here is a short blurb about the book:

Spencer Price is living her best life in Denver Colorado.

 

But when Jordan Rohan kisses her, and her best friend writes it in their shared book of promises, she suddenly finds herself in a struggle between duty and independence, allegiance and betrayal.

 

Soon, two things become clear: There is far more to the kiss than Spencer first believed, and the person to whom she is most connected is hiding secrets far deeper and more dangerous than Spencer ever suspected. To uncover the secrets, Spencer must question the promises of the past. But doing so could bring death, not only to herself but to those who are her future.

 

It isn’t very often that I find I book that leaves me truly in awe but The Book of Promises did just that. Tammy Bird does not disappoint. I was drawn into Spencer’s life as she fought to discover the difference between love and manipulation. Spencer just wanted the love she gave Molly to be given in return only to be manipulated and used.

Molly is a disturbing character. There were parts of the book that were so intense that I needed to set the book down and walk away. But for me, that is what made this book so great. It kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what would happen next and that Spencer would be okay.

 

The Book of Promises is not for everyone. It depicts emotional, mental, and physical abuse. There is also a section in which an animal is injured.

 

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes psychological thrillers.

 

 

The Book of Promises is available on Amazon by clicking here.

 

Interview with debut author Tammy Bird

Who or what inspired Sandman?

Sandman was inspired by a trip to the outer banks (OBX) in October. The majority of tourists were gone, and we had much of the beach and sound to ourselves. One afternoon, my wife and I stepped into one of the few local businesses that were still open: an ice cream shop. The owner was playing on his phone. I think we startled him when we entered. As we ate our ice cream cones (sprinkles for me, chocolate and peanut butter for my wife) we chatted with the owner about the end of tourist season and the quiet that settles over the sand.

He said, “Yep. Quiet enough around here in the off-season to bury a body in the dunes and never get caught.”

Just like that, Sandman was born.

Who or what inspired you to start writing?

As a kid, I worshipped my dad. He loved words. He often challenged me to look things up in the encyclopedias that were housed on my shelf in my room. Then we would talk about it over dinner. He would ask me questions like, “What do you think the children in Chile are having for dinner? Are they quiet or loud? What are their parents like?” We would build an entire story around their meal. I suspect this was the catalyst.

I also am a high school dropout who fell in love with a local community college instructor who used to come into my restaurant and ask me to read and discuss things to keep her company. At first it was weird, but I found myself looking forward to being challenged in that way. She eventually talked me into getting my GED and going back to school to earn an English degree. So, she took up the challenge where my dad left off, and I am forever thankful.

Who is your favorite character from your books and why?

This is a tough one. I am going to go with Paige. She trains cadaver dogs and gives them names like Derrida and Nietzsche. It is her and one of her “little nose artists,” as she calls them, that uncovers the secret burial ground of Buxton. If that isn’t cool enough, she is the character who tells the main character, Katia, like it is. No BS. Throughout the novel we witness a growing respect and friendship between the two women.

How do you approach writing a new storyline?

I am somewhere between a planner and a pantser. I like to have a rough outline of where a storyline is going, and I typically have the ending in mind when I start, but I also allow the characters to take me on a new journey if what I have planned doesn’t suit them. At the end of the process, I always compare what I intended to what happened. In the editing process I often have to rein a character or two in a little.

Where do your inspirations for characters and their lives come from?

Everywhere. I am sure you hear this a lot from writers. I can be sitting in a meeting at my day job, and someone will say something in a particular way, and I think, “Oh man. That is the voice of a character.” Or, I will see a mom in a bookstore trying to read, and a small child crawling all over her. The mom keeps reading like the child isn’t even there. I think, “What if the child really wasn’t there? What is she is a child lost to another world who wants to be seen. What if whoever actually feels the child will be deemed the mother?” It goes on and on. LOL

Where is your favorite place to write?

A coffee shop. I don’t listen to music. I know, weird. I prefer words whistling by, settling on my table, rattling in the air. I don’t want to interact with them. I just want to know they are there. The people are just the vehicle for the words. It is this introverts way of being with others.

And there is coffee. Lots of coffee.

What is your writing process?

I have a calendar reminder set for everyday at the same time. When it reminds me, I treat it like any other meeting. Sometimes I write new words. Sometimes I edit words that are already there. Sometimes I journal new ideas or write character sketches. The idea is to treat writing like a job. To be successful, you have to show up. If my boss puts something over the time-slot, I honor that, of course, and sometimes a grandkid wants to play, and I honor that, too. Otherwise, I show up and I write.

How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?

I don’t know that it changed my process. I taught me a ton. That’s for sure. Writing the first draft of a book, writing “THE END,” for the first time, is an amazing experience. It is also where the real work begins. I had no idea the work that goes into editing, negotiations, marketing, readings, etc. Going into book two I am better equipped to know what works and what doesn’t. I know the word “had” is a word I overuse and I need to search for it in my document and revise. I know that adverbs are often a weak tool and that I use them too often in my first draft. Stuff like that.

What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?

Two things come to mind. (1) Money spent on other books. Stephen King said something to the effect of, “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the tools to write.” I totally agree. Not only do I read, but I study books by the masters. (2) The GCLS writing academy. I’m not sure if you want to include plugs for awesome writing academies, but this one was phenomenal. It is a year-long program where new writers learn the trade from well-established writers in the lesbian community. I actually finished the first draft of Sandman in this program.

What is something memorable you have heard from your readers/fans?

I am dedicated to inclusion in my writing. As such, when someone writes a review like the one below, I am blown away:

“One of my favorite things about the characters is how three-dimensional they are. Even fairly minor characters are so realistic and believable. The amount of detail used in descriptions of the Katia’s brother, who is on the autism spectrum, is incredible. It is clear that the author is either familiar with autistic children or did a great deal of research on the subject.”

What book that you have read has most influenced your life?

I was a literature major in college, so I am in love with American literature. It influenced me as a whole. Words have to taste good on my tongue for me to turn the page. Reading and dissecting the works of greats, including, but not limited to, Burroughs, Faulkner, Perkins-Gilman, Morrison, Walker, Hawthorne, Hurston, and Frost taught me that there is always a message. Regardless of what I write, I want a well-crafted message.

Do you have any new books coming out? If so, what are they about?

I am nearing completion on my second novel, tentatively titled, “Book of Promises.” It is a coming out story with a twist. Best friends, Katie and Tess, held hands in fourth grade and promised one another that they would never be apart. Now in high school, one of them will stop at nothing to make sure this promise is kept.

I also have an outline for the sequel to Sandman. Stay tuned for more on that.

How do you take your coffee?

Sweet and light. Iced or hot.

 

Review of Sandman by Tammy Bird

As most of you know I’m a huge fan of thrillers. When I was given the opportunity to read Sandman by Tammy Bird I jumped at the chance. I mean who doesn’t love a strong group of lesbians fighting against time to bring a serial killer to justice.

 

Here is a short blurb about the book:

Katia Billings, EMT with the Emergency Medical Services of Buxton Beach, NC, is one of the first to respond after a hurricane rips through the small island community. As she helps search for survivors, she and her fellow responders discover a secret that will haunt Katia the rest of her life.

 

Lurking beneath the sand dunes is an evil that no one suspected.

 

A sandy grave not connected to the storm leads investigators to uncover the tomb of a serial killer, literally beneath their feet, hidden for years from the residents of the tight community.

 

For Katia, it’s personal because she knows one of the killer’s victims. She enlists help from K-9 search expert Paige, and Katia’s on-and-off lover, Zahra, in her determination to find the killer, dubbed Sandman, and stop him from killing again.

 

What small-town secrets will they unearth in their pursuit of the truth? Will the three women survive the physical, emotional, and psychological attack being waged against their small slice of sand? Or will they become the next victims of Sandman?  

 

I was drawn into Sandman from the very start. Katia is everything I love in a main character. She is cool in the face of danger and willing to do anything to help protect the ones she loves. When a hurricane rips through the Outer Banks of North Carolina Katia’s life changes forever. The woman who was like a mother to her growing up was found dead in the dunes with her throat slashed. This gruesome discovery leads the team of investigators to find several more bodies and the discovery that there was a serial killer in their small town.

 

Zahra is an investigator on the case of the Sandman serial killer. She is also Katia love interest. Before the story starts, they had fooled around a little bit but nothing serious. The case brings them closer together. I liked that the romance element didn’t overpower the thriller aspects of the book.

 

The book uses points of view from all of the characters involved. For me, this really made the book interesting. It really transformed the story into something spectacular. Marco was one of my favorite points of view. Marco is Katia’s brother and is non-verbal autistic. Marco knows who the killer is, but he struggles to communicate who the killer is.

 

What really made this book standout is that you never truly know who the Sandman is until the very end of the book. When I found out who the Sandman truly was my jaw dropped. It was such an amazing twist. It is by far my favorite book of the year so far.

 

 

I would recommend Sandman to anyone who likes mysteries and thrillers.

 

You can purchase a copy of Sandman by clicking here.