Tabatha: I'm not really sure what inspired me to start writing. It's just something that I've always done. My earliest memory of writing is when I was in second grade. I wrote a short story about my family.
Laney: How did you get the inspiration for Wicked Fate?
 
Tabatha: The story came to me when I was fourteen. I was always doing "weird" things...nothing as extreme as what Mage does, but I would see and feel things that other people couldn't. (Yes, I'm aware of how crazy that sounds) Anyway, my grandmother used to tell me that I was "special" like that. So, my imagination ran wild. Next thing you know, I was thinking..."What if there was this girl who could do this? Or that?" And that was the beginning of Mage.
Laney: Why did you decide to choose the non-traditional route of self publishing? Do you plan to try traditional publishing in the future?
 
Tabatha: Traditional publishing was originally my goal. I sent out a few query letters and all that jazz, but the simple fact is...the product I was trying to sell at that time wasn't good. Wicked Fate wasn't no where near ready to be published at that point. Then I started running into self published authors and I started researching it. It just made sense for me. I'm too much of a control freak to completely hand over the reigns to anyone. However, I'm not taking traditional publishing off the table completely. If the opportunity ever presented itself, I'd consider it.
Laney: You have a little girl, Ashlynn. Does she ever inspire you're writing? Do you think she may grow up to become a writer like you?
 
Tabatha: Ashlynn is the inspiration for everything that I do, especially when it comes to writing. My child has a wonderful imagination, so yes, she does help me with my writing from time to time. I definitely think she will be a writer when she's older. She's a writer now! I have several little handwritten books that are stapled or taped together. I keep them in a little box of collectibles for her. When she gets older she can cherish them the way I cherish my old notebooks.
Laney: Are there any other projects you have planned for the future?
 
Tabatha: Oh geez! Do you have all day? I absolutely have other projects planned for the future. I have a laptop full of them. I'm excited to get them all done and put out there. You guys are going to love them!
Laney: Tell me about your main character, Mage.
 
Tabatha: Mage is the most normal, supernatural girl you'll ever meet. While she's amazing with her rare talents, she's the loner girl we all went to high school with...some of us may have even been that loner girl. She stays on the outside of everything for the protection of the people around her, while secretly wishing she knew what it felt like to be a insider. Even without the gifts that Mage has, we have all been in the place she's in. She's a very relatable character.
Laney: Is Mage different from the typical MCs found in YA books, especially paranormal ones?
 
Tabatha: She's unique, but I think the most "different" thing about her is that fact that while she's pretty darn amazing, she's kind of...not.
Laney: Tell me about the gorgeous, Adam?
 
Tabatha: Oh, Adam...*big dreamy sigh* What can I say about him? He's hot and he knows it! He's that guy at school. You know, the quiet guy that has friends, but mostly sticks to himself. The sexy, mysterious guy that all the girls want to know and all the guys want to be. Except, he doesn't take advantage of that fact. He could care less about what anyone else thinks, which of course only adds to his appeal. He doesn't really let anyone in, except Mage and his mom. He's a hardworking guy who loves hard. He's a take charge and take care of everything kind of guy. I could seriously talk about Adam all night. I just love him!
Laney: Was there anyone who inspired Mage or Adam?
 
Tabatha: I think secretly Mage is the girl I used to be. At least the girl I always felt I was inside. I've always been a social butterfly, always laughing and trying to make others laugh, but the me inside has always been a loner. I never really let anyone in. My husband is the inspiration behind Adam. I was nineteen when I met Matthew and he was all things that I listed above about Adam. Now, eleven years later, he still has his sexy, mysterious moments.
Laney: Why did you choose paranormal?
 
Tabatha: I didn't honestly, it kind of chose me. I had never even read a paranormal anything when I started this book. I'm a historical romance kind of girl.
Laney: I've read another work of yours, On The Plus Side. Do you plan to promote that next?
 
Tabatha:Yes, I do! On the Plus Side owns a special place in my heart. As a girl who's always struggled with her weight, writing Lilly (the main character) was good for me...mentally. I've been doing edits on it when I can, but now that Wicked Fate is done, I fully plan on finishing OTPS and publishing it before I move forward with the Wicked Trilogy. No worries...I write super fast!
Laney: What are your goals with your writing?
 
Tabatha: I just want to write. Obviously, I want people to read it and love it as much as I do. If I didn't I wouldn't put it out there, but nothing could compare to sitting in front of my laptop while the rest of the house is asleep and writing until my heart's content. I really love it.
Laney: I originally met you on Inkpop. Both of your stories made Top 5. Did that help you to continue writing when you realized how much people enjoyed your work?
 
Tabatha: The readers on Inkpop are the reason I finished my first book. They kept begging for more chapters and so I kept writing them. I loved every minute of my time on Inkpop. I miss it! I'm sure if it still existed I'd have at least five more complete novels at this point.
Laney: Any tips or advice to other aspiring writers?
 
Tabatha: If I had any advice for aspiring writers, it would be to be patient. This whole experience has taught me that patience is so important. Nothing happens over night, especially things like writing an entire novel, but if you're patient and keep at it then you'll get there. If you rush it then you'll end up with garbage, a work of art takes time.
 
Don't forget to order a copy of WICKED FATE, available on November 30th, 2012.