Author Interview: SAMANTHA INMAN

I'm opening my week by chatting with an author and poet today! 

Check it out... 

Samantha Inman is the author of the mystery fiction Tea Time, and its soon-to-be-released sequel and is proud to present her first work of poetry, Thoughts (At Random). She is also an accomplished photographer and emerging artist. A proud degree holder in the Theatre Arts and avid traveler with her dog Lucky, she believes the written word can hold impact and potentially change viewpoints with the right thing said at the right moment.  ​

​Follow Samantha here! 

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Grab Samantha's books here! 

TEA TIME

THOUGHTS (AT RANDOM)

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The Interview...
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Who are you and what do you write?

I am Samantha Inman, creative person and I am not just an author, but a theatrically trained actor who also happens to be an aspiring photographer. I do a lot of different things that are not typically seen as being connected but they are. They are all different forms of storytelling and being a part of something more than myself. 


Where and when and how did the writing life begin for you?

I've always been a writer but never considered it seriously until about four or five years ago when I had the idea for Tea Time and I sort of just started to write then stopped for a few years and picked it back up and ran with it. The poetry has been a coping mechanism for me for years and shared with a friend who thought they were good. So I figured why not? As an actor I was trained to research and be prepared to have a nerve and be vulnerable on stage or in front of a camera, but nothing really prepares you for your inner most thoughts or words be out for all, so still getting used to that feeling. My publisher read Insanity, a poem in Thoughts (At Random) and texted me and just said wow 'the world is my hustler...' and to have my words quoted back at me was surreal.  


How has the journey to this point been? Can you give us a basic rundown?

My journey has probably been totally different than the vast majority of authors. I didn't query or send my manuscript out to hundreds of publishers, I got really lucky and connected with a publisher through a networking site. He's a private and small company but he's done a huge about of work. Its the best of both world as I have more control over my work, 100% royalties and global distribution, but I also have to do a lot of the promotion and marketing like you would with self-publication.


What's been the hardest part of your writing/publishing experience so far? And the most enjoyable?

The hardest has probably been building a following/ marketing and trying to get legitimate reviews for Tea Time and critiques for my poetry. The most enjoyable is is people coming back and saying they loved it are waiting for a sequel as well as the hugely supportive audience and friends and family who are supremely supportive.


Would you go back and change anything?

Yes, actually I would put Tea Time through another round of edits before publishing but I don't feel mortified anymore about it because I learned from that and it's still my first and I am very proud of it.


Where would you like to be in 5 years time? And 10? 

I would like to continue to write and photograph but I truly miss acting. I would like to be back on stage whether that's in LA, New York, or London, I'd like to give it another go. It's something that's been on my mind since I had to walk away. It was one of the hardest choices to make and I regret it a little as acting is really my first love. That feeling on stage I haven't felt anywhere else doing anything else. So, I'd like to be doing all three but I want to get back on stage while keeping photography and writing as ways to further my understanding of this world we live in and how to be a better actor by bringing those experiences and details to the stage. 


What's one piece of advice you'd give to new writers just starting out?

Do not give up. It's so easy to give in to your insecurities, I have done it. It's harder to go up against the nay-sayers and do it. Write. Get your story out. The first draft is just for you the author so it doesn't have to be perfect nor should it, but it's for your ideas to get out of your head. It's like a rehearsal for the publication ready manuscript. So does an actor know everything the character is going to say before given the script? No. So don't expect perfection your first go-around, go easy on yourself and go through the process, all the way through. If acting is your true one and only dream, do not let anyone stand in your way, and don't give up on it, there is no age limit for dreams and anyone who says so needs to go get a dream themselves.


And most importantly...

Ketchup or Mayo? Bar-b-que sauce
Night or Day? Depends on my mood but I'm a bit of both
Inside or Outside? Oooh, um, I guess I am more comfortable with air conditioning so inside I guess.
Dogs or Cats? I am an animal person but I have grown up with dogs and have the best little 4 year old Jack Russell terrier mutt who stole my heart.
Twitter or Facebook? Twitter definitely, I have a Facebook only for friends and family and I'm using it less and less as of late.
e-book or Paperback? Paperback, I love the smell of books and the feeling of pages and your can't sniff a kindle without looking weird.
Sun or Rain? Rain, but I do love a nice cool sunny day. The smell of rain, like just after a storm is one of my favourite things. 
Keyboard or Pencil & Notebook? This depends on where I am and what I am writing. I have used both. But I am typically with a keyboard via my iPhone or Laptop for manuscripts.
Comedy or Drama? This most definitely depends. Some of my favourite plays are both. So very much so depends as both are very much a part of life but they say laughter goes a long way and I would so much rather laugh or make someone laugh than cry.
Chips or Chocolate? Ooh chocolate for sure. Dark preferably. Milk chocolate is just too sweet for the most part.