Hello, again. This is L.M. David. Today, I am interviewing an exceptional writer of YA books, Eileen Sharp. She is a self-published author of two books, Unspeller and Certainty, both available on Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble. You can also find them on her website, www.eileensharp.com. Not only does Eileen write, but her daughter, writer Alyssa Auch who is the author of Lunula, published by Malachite Quills, is following in her mother’s footsteps. That is truly inspirational and I wish both the best of luck!!
Okay, let’s get this started. Hello Eileen. Thanks for stopping by and sorry about the neck guard you are forced to wear when you entered the building. We have a bit of a vampyre problem and that is for your own safety. It’s one of the hazards I have to deal with when creating characters of the ‘undead’ variety.
Q. Let’s start with a little information regarding your background.
A. I’m from Delaware and California which is appropriate because I’m never in the middle of anything. It’s one extreme or the other. I loved California and I missed it for a long time but I love the East coast, too. If you take the coasts and fold them together you should get a sexy Californian and a savvy East coaster but you if don’t, you get Nebraska. Staid, solid and confused by wireless toasters.
Q. When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?
A. When I was a kid. Obviously as an adult I would know better, which is why most writers make this dumb decision before they are old enough to understand mortgages and rejection.
Q. You now have two books on the market, Unspeller and Certainty. Which is your favorite and why?
A. Neither, which isn’t really an evasion. To me they are so different I can’t compare them that way. I love one for the fantasy and the other for the realism.
Q. How do you get motivated to write?
A. I usually find some music or imagine myself working in a cubicle for the rest of my life.
Q. Let’s start with Unspeller. I’ve seen your trailer on YouTube and thought it was fantastic. As a side note, Eileen’s son’s band supplied the music! Okay, um, how about a brief synopsis of Unspeller.
A. It’s about a world where every living creature has magic except for one boy. Aesa hasn’t even the smallest spark, and it scares everyone because it had been foretold that magic would end, and they believe he might be the sign of the End.
Q. Who was your favorite character in Unspeller and why?
A, Well, I really like Aesa because he kind of represents all of us. At one point or another we all have that “outside looking in” feeling but he’s also just trying to make his way in the world the best he can.
Q. What was the hardest part to write in Unspeller and why?
A. I’m not going to lie. I don’t like writing traveling scenes. I don’t like to read them and I don’t particularly enjoy writing them unless the scenery eats you or something like that.
Q. If Unspeller were made into a movie, who would you want to play the lead roles?
A. Aesa would be someone we haven’t seen yet—he’s sixteen. Actually, I don’t know. I think seeing an actual person play the part might influence the way I see the character. I’m kind of glad I don’t have to deal with that.
Q. Will there be a sequel to Unspeller?
A. Yes, it’s titled The Unspeller and the Queen of the Dead.
Q. When you get that ready for publication, maybe you and I can chat about it, or I could interview you again. Okay, let’s give Certainty some loving attention. Give us a brief synopsis about it.
A. Certainty is the story of a young man who can see what people will be like in the future through ghosts, or what he calls Yurei. He discovers the ghost of the girl he’s going to fall in love with and that makes being at his new high school more complicated.
Q. Having read Certainty recently, in my review I recommend it for preteens and young adults. Is that age group difficult to write for? Explain.
A. Not really. I have enough teens and young adults in my life that it isn’t hard to think like them. Truthfully, there is definitely something wrong with me because it’s almost natural.
Q. The families in Certainty, with the exception of Kyle’s family, seemed very caring, as well as forgiving. Is family unity something you believe should be emphasized in books preteens and teens read?
A. Yes, I really would love to see more of it. I understand the appeal of angst in orphans and dysfunctional families but you’d be surprised how much a loving family resonates with other people. We all have people we love, and deep down we all want that.
Q. What was the hardest part of Certainty to write and why?
A. All of Certainty came easily. Maybe the end because I enjoyed writing it so much.
Q. What was your favorite part? I can tell you that I adored the ending. It seemed so appropriate, out of the norm but something that, not long ago, truly showed what love was all about.
A. Thank you! I loved the scenes with Derek. They have a special place in my heart.
Q. Like with Unspeller, if Certainty became a movie, who would you want to play Mackenzie and Ren?
A. Once again, no idea. I’m not sure it would be adaptable for a movie, but it might be fun.
Q. As a self-published author, what made you decide to forego traditional publishers?
A. Impatience. I just wanted to get them out there without waiting forever for someone to say yes. I don’t recommend it. It’s a difficult road.
Q. What advice do you have for those who are still unpublished and struggling to find their inspiration towards reaching their goal?
A. Be honest with yourself about your work, don’t give up and love what you do. If you love it then your readers will. Most of all, be confident.
lmdavid54 
Thanks for the great interview! I’m a big fan of Certainty. Keep writing ladies:)
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