18Q Tamia Dawn Osburn

Tamia Dawn Osburn (a.k.a. Lynette Springs)

1. Did you choose the writing profession or did it choose you?

I think it chose me. I’ve always had a great imagination but never really had time to write an actual story. One day, a friend of mine dared me to write my own book after seeing my huge book collection and I did.

2. What is your background? (education, work, etc.)

I never went to college because I wanted to follow my heart and got married too young. After three years I was divorced but later on remarried. I still had dreams of becoming a writer but never found the time until my children started school and I was stuck with a dead-end job. One day I had a story line stuck in my mind for days then my friend, Kimberly dared me to write a story and I did.

3. When did you ‘know’ you were a writer?

I’m not really sure when I knew that I became a writer. I guess it was when I got into a writer’s crit group and actually had a fan before I became published. Polly kept hounding me for the next chapter even when I wanted to stop writing my first story. Even today she’s my biggest fan VBG. After I received my first contract with Wings ePress, I guess that’s when I became a writer.

4. How would you describe your style of writing?

I’m not really sure how to describe my style of writing, I guess you can say it’s different and unique.

5. What is your writing process?

My writing process... I don’t do an outline, I prefer that my characters do what they want to do. It’s more fun that way.

6. What was your path to publication?

My path was shaky at first. I got a contract with this one publisher that I’m not going to name but she had disappeared for a year with no way to contact her. After the year was up and the book wasn’t published, the rights reverted back to me. I had already finished my second book then and searched for another publisher. I’ve kept my eye one two different publishers and wanted to make sure they were legit before sending anything to them. I’m glad I did because when I had got my second contract on that one story, the first publisher appeared again and wanted to publish that story. I told her no thanks. I was also with another publisher but didn’t like they way the owners were treating some of the authors including my. When I started asking questions about it, they terminated my contracts.

7. What is your favorite self-marketing idea?

My favorite self-marketing idea is a magnet that I made myself on the back of my car with my website addy attached to it. I don’t leave home without it VBG.

8. What are the biggest surprises you’ve encountered as a writer?

How my characters seem to take over my writing and do their own thing. It’s amazing what they come up with next LOL.

9. How do you inspire yourself? What are your sources of

creativity?

I’m going to answer the second question first, my children are my major source of creativity. They can come up with the weirdest stories I’ve ever heard. I think my oldest, Eddie, will be following in my footsteps. He even has a great story for a movie right now and wants to write but school comes first. He’s only thirteen right now so he still has some time to make his dreams come true. As for my inspiration, I have a demented mind, that’s enough for me VBG.

10. What is your proudest writer moment?

My proudest moment as a writer was when I got my first contract.

11. What’s the best advice you were given about writing?

Heehee, that one is a secret and I don’t feel like sharing it...VBG.

12. What is your most embarrassing writer moment?

The most embarrassing moment is when I’m writer two or three stories at the same and put my characters in the wrong story and didn’t catch it until my editor does.

13. What business challenges have you faced as a writer?

The biggest challenge was when I was with a particular publisher that I refuse to name. I wasn’t treated fairly with them and didn’t like the way they treated other authors as well as me. When I started asking question they terminated the two contracts I had with them. I’m glad I did.

14. What is your writer life philosophy?

Sometimes you have to take the bad as well as the best.

15. When you’re not writing what do you do for fun?

What I do for fun? What’s that? LOL. Spending time with my family, shopping, going to the park and have a picnic with my kids. Try to relax at home but with three kids...LOL.

16. Who do you like to read?

I really enjoy reading Dara Joy, Jayne Castle, Nina Bangs, C.J. Barry, Jade Fox, Caitlyn Willows, Angela V. and the list can go on and on like the energizer bunny. There are so many great authors out there to choose from that my favorite ones can fill an entire bookstore.I like to read almost anything that keeps me interested.

17. What’s your advice for new writers?

Never give up and keep writing. Keep a list of publishers on hand and make sue they are legit.

18. What are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on a sequel to my first book that will be coming out with Star Dust Press which I’m very proud of. I’m also working on two more books in a series that I do have with Star Dust, more like rewrites. VBG.

Tamia’s 18Q