USA Today Bestselling Author, TF Walsh emigrated from Romania to Australia at the age of eight and now lives in a regional city south of Sydney with her husband. Growing up hearing dark fairytales, she's always had a passion for reading and writing horror, paranormal romance, urban fantasy and young adult stories. She balances all the dark with light fluffy stuff like baking and traveling.
Please give us an overview your work.
I grew up listening to bedtime Romanian stories that could only be compared to the Brothers Grimm tales, and ever since then folklore and mythology has always fascinated me. These influences have trickled into my stories. Now, when it comes to love, I’m a sucker for stories about two people from different worlds falling madly in love and fighting against the odds to stay together. Many of my stories have paranormal elements, from wolf-shifters to demon hunters to fairies, and each shows the conflict between a hero and heroine trying to sort out their own messed up lives while dealing with the overpowering attraction to each other.
How did you begin writing?
I’ve been dabbling in writing ever since I was young. I remember scribbling short stories on the inside flap of books, and then I signed them. I was practicing way back then it seemed. But it was only several years ago that I started to take writing seriously. My inspiration is greatly influenced by two things. One, my dad is a wonderful poet and author, who is very well known in Romania, and his passion for books and stories has obviously trickled down to me. Second, I have always loved horror movies, especially anything with monsters. And even today when I sit down and plot a novel, I can’t help but add dark elements and monsters in my stories.
What inspires you to write?
One of my favorite sources of inspiration for my writing is researching mythology. I currently run a semi-regular fortnightly post called Kick-Ass Mythology. In these posts, I research random mythological creatures and characters from a variety of cultures and societies. Whenever possible, I would try to select a subject that I either knew very little about or was familiar with but wanted to learn more about. This was a helpful way for me to develop my research skills, as well as learn about reliable information sites and gain ideas for future stories.
Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?
Network with other writers and authors. Join groups and listen to what works and doesn’t work for others.
What do you think is the biggest marketing challenge for new authors?
Time. There aren’t enough hours in a week to help me properly market my books, communicate with wonderful readers, liaise with other authors, and find time to write. It’s a fine balancing act, and I’m still working on this.
What methods of book marketing do you find the most effective?
Newsletter cross promotions with other authors in my genres.
How do you handle rejection as a writer?
Lots of chocolate.
How do you deal with isolation, as writing is an inherently private exercise?
I have no issues with it. My hubby says I’m a hermit and I’m going to say he’s spot on.
Find out more about T. F. Walsh’s work via her website, social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Amazon author page.
