Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with JT Tenera
Book Title: Secrets of the Sealed Forest
Released: 12/14/21
Genre: YA Fantasy/Action/Adventure
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Secrets of the Sealed Forest”?
Tenera: My biggest inspiration for Erift's Journeys came from video games such as Final Fantasy. I always loved the introduction of characters and watching as the stories of each character came into play and resolved at the end. That, combined with the adventures I always pretended to take as a kid really helped bring Erift's Journeys into words and Secrets of The Sealed Forest is simply the first book of the series. There's much more to come!
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Tenera: Some of the names for characters came from friends I had growing up. Being the series was planned when I was a teenager, it felt right to name a lot of the main cast after those friends. However, many of the names were simply made up. I never knew a mysterious girl who spoke to me in my dreams, nor did I know a coffee addicted professor. Kinda wish I did, though!
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Tenera: The biggest thing I want readers to experience in my series, is to simply never stop seeking new adventures. Take opportunities as they come and live life to the fullest. Adventure is always waiting. As far as my writing process, it's nothing too special. I never force my writing. I simply write when the mood hits. If I'm not having fun writing the story, how can I expect readers to have fun while reading it?
If "Secrets of the Sealed Forest" was adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Tenera: I've never given too much thought into the roles of characters such as Joseph Erift or Eric Castis. However, I always pictured the role of Professor Benjamin Thessit being filled by Robin Williams. He was the biggest source of inspiration for the character, and I would have loved to see him portray the man.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Tenera: I'm a very slow writer. Whenever writer's block hits, I simply walk away from the story. I've found that, if I force the words, they won't be good, which means I'll just have to fix them later. However, music is a BIG help for writing. It helps me set the scenes in my head better.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Tenera: My biggest tip to ANY writer is to do what works for YOU as an individual. Social media can be an overwhelming place and I know a lot of starting writers tend to latch onto it for their primary source of information and support. With that in mind, if you wish to succeed, always seek HONEST feedback on your work. You can't fix what isn't acknowledged. Otherwise, if you're just in it to write a story for the fun of it, then go wild and have fun!
What are you working on next?
Tenera: Book two in the series, Erift's Journeys: The Dark Messengers, is currently with my editor. I plan to have it released early 2023. I'm about halfway through writing book three, and I'm also revising a horror novel titled "Within An Echo" at the same time!
Learn More About the Author and Secret of the Sealed Forest here:
https://eriftsjourneys.com/
https://twitter.com/PickledAuthor
https://t.co/fA7CmiOOEf
Interested in checking out the book for yourself?
Find it for purchase here or on Kindle Unlimited
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