Author Interview with LFA Turppa
- helendeakinauthor
- Jan 29, 2017
- 3 min read
LFA Turppa is an amazing fiction writer of Fantasy and Sci-Fi with an impressive collection of works.
Having been obsessed with words (and The Arts in general) since the time she picked up an issue of Captain America as a child, Turppa has not been able to stop reading or writing. She has been published in several magazines and has a written a number of novels. She currently resides in Washington.
Connect with LFA Turppa:
LFA Turppa wrote one of the best fantasy books I've ever read, so naturally when I decided to do my very first interview with a fellow author, she was the first writer to come to mind. I asked her the following questions:
What are you working on now and what is the story about?
Mercenary’s Edge. It’s a story of vengeance and redemption, and about standing up for what’s right, despite the odds.
What ideas do you have for your next project?
I will actually be reworking a series of books that involve Vampires solving cases in order to protect both Vampire- and Humankind: The Cardiff Vampires. I’ve decided that there is a lot more that I can give to each story and have decided to focus the next few months on it.
What is your favourite story out of the books you have written?
I tend to say that my personal favourite is the series, The Cardiff Vampires. Second would be the unintended duology (which I will probably be reworking as well) of The Legend of the Crystal Dragons, which was inspired by one of my good friends.
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Both. My brain feels alive and I feel so fulfilled when I’m writing. However, once I’m at it for a time, especially if I’m editing, I feel like my eyeballs might fall out.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
I had to think long and hard on this one, but I would have to say that creating villains would be my writing Kryptonite. I have a hard time making them do the things that they should be doing as a villain, or writing the things they want to do. It’s known that characters sometimes take possession of the pen.
Do you try to be more original or give the readers what they want?
I absolutely strive for originality- I don’t always give my characters last names (though I probably should!), and I try not to write too many love scenes.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
To just sit down and make myself write the way I was supposed to. That it isn’t as hard as I once thought- in fact, I’m finding it a pleasant challenge to write the way traditional publishers require.
Do you ever slip characters or references from one of your stories into another one that isn’t a sequel or related to that story in any way? (Like Stephen King does.)
Once. In the first book of The Cardiff Vampires, I referenced characters from another of my series, The Hunter Archives.
What is your favourite under-appreciated novel?
I don’t know if it’s under-appreciated as much as it is unknown, but that would be Swan Song, by Robert R McCammon.
If you had a mascot/avatar/spirit animal to represent you and your writing, what would it be?
A crow, or a raven, I think. I’ve always felt a special affinity to them.
What is the most difficult thing about writing characters for your books?
Allowing them to get hurt or… die.
How much time each day do you spend writing, editing etc.?
With Mercenary’s Edge, I have been trying to work on at least three chapters a day, which comes out to about eight hours of work, give or take. I also procrastinate and become easily distracted.
Do you hide secrets in your books only you or a few people would know about?
If I told you that, it wouldn’t be a secret…
What are your favourite childhood book and your favourite book now?
The Giving Tree was always my favorite childhood story. As an adult, I would have to say that Swan Song, by Robert R McCammon has always been at the top of my list, though I enjoy reading genres and authors of all kinds.
I would like to say a huge thank you to LFA Turppa for taking the time to answer these questions. Be sure to catch up with her on Facebook and Twitter and check out her website.
Comments