Tabatha Shipley

INTRODUCING

TABATHA SHIPLEY

Hi Tabatha! I have a few questions for you. 

Answer as able!

1. You are a certified teacher. 

Are you currently teaching?

Subbing I’m writing and doing writing workshops for kids and teens full time. When I’m available, I’m subbing

Teens have some of the best writing ideas!

Question #2: Your first big writing success was in 5th grade. Did you continue writing, or leave it behind for a time?

I left it behind for a (long) while. Part of me never really considered writing as a career that was available to me, if that makes sense. It was a HUGE leap of faith for me to admit that I was writing and show people Breaking Eselda.

What gave you the inspiration to make that leap?

Breaking Eselda was a story that BEGGED to be written. I couldn't walk away from it. Once it was done, I felt like it needed to be shared. I turned to my sister, who is an avid YA reader but also a tough critic of mine. I fully expected her to tell me the book was terrible and that would be the end of the discussion. When she also loved it I knew I had to do something with this book to get it into the hands of other readers. Really, that book gave me the strength to take the leap and admit I was always a writer.

I'll bet that was a rush!

OK, last question:

How quickly can you solve a Rubik's cube?

I have never actually timed myself solving it

I mostly just solve them for fun. I did once solve one on the hallway while kids were changing classes so it must be less than three minutes.

That is some kind of superhero power, for sure!

Thank you, Tabatha, for participating!

THANK YOU!

STANDARD TWEEP TATTLER INTERVIEW:

1) Where do you live?

El Mirage, Arizona

2) What is the first thing you remember writing?

I remember writing a mystery story in fifth grade that won some kind of classroom award. My teacher had it comb bound and I got to go see the Principal to accept my award. I remember that being a little awkward only because the story was about a group of kids who find out the Principal is actually stealing from the school.

3) Why do you write?

I write because the stories in my head beg to be told. I write because I was a kid who enjoyed reading. I write the stories, the heroes, and the messages that teenage me needed. 

4) Have you published any of your work?

Four of my books are available now. You can find them over on my website

https://tabathashipleybooks.com/ or on Amazon amazon.com/author/tabathashipley

5) What are you currently writing?

I just finished the second draft of a young adult fantasy following three magical girls. I’m getting ready to dive back into the third book in my Kingdom of Fraun series as the beta feedback is starting to come in now.

6) Are you currently querying?

Nope. 

7) Finish this sentence (three lines or less):

IT WAS A DARK AND STORMY NIGHT… 

The kind of night where the noises in the backyard go unnoticed.

The perfect night for observing the couple as they sat on the sofa binge watching some show or another. Watching in darkness and silence, watching and not seen.

8) Which activities do you like to participate in, in the Twitter writing community (VSS365, etc.)?

#AuthorConfession and #SmoreWords are probably my favorite writing games. I do dabble in others from time to time and I’m always willing to try something new!

9) Do you have any formal training/education for writing?

I am a certified teacher. During my college work I took a few creative writing courses. Since graduating, I’ve taken a few more courses (including a Masterclass online) and a few courses to train me how to teach writing.  

10) Do the people in your life know that you write?

Did they always? No.

Do they now? Probably.

11) Tell me about the people in your life. Family? Pets?

I am married to my high school sweetheart and we are ridiculously happy. We have two amazing kids, one boy and one girl. We also have a really goofy dog who we rescued because my son insisted he needed a pup. We live less than a mile from my only sister and her family and within ten miles of my parents and my in-laws. We’re a very close family!

12) Where do you wish your writing to take you?

I’m just along for the ride, I think. I have no real expectations. I would, I suppose, like to get the Kingdom of Fraun series finished and available for fans. 

13) What did you expect when you joined the Twitter writing community? Did it turn out as expected?

I don’t think I really had expectations. I just wanted to talk about my writing and connect with people who understood the process. Twitter has been BETTER than I imagined. The amount of people I have found who talk about writing and understand the struggle is comforting. This can be a very isolating business and the #WritingCommunity certainly helps with that feeling!

14) Where do you write?

Usually at home. If the creative juices aren’t flowing or things just aren’t moving I will go to the library or a coffee shop. I’ve also been known to write outside during the right time of year. 

15) How much time do you dedicate to writing, weekly?

Specifically writing? Usually about fifteen hours. 

Editing, Marketing, and Reading all take up other chunks of time.

16) Do you have other talents?

Random, semi-useless talents include: Solving a Rubik’s cube, labeling all the world countries on a map, listing the US states in alphabetical order, and making chocolate chip cookies from scratch

17) CHOOSE ONE:

1. I do not mind when other writers ask for advice.

Not only do I not mind, I LOVE it.  

2. I’d rather keep to myself!
   
   Tabatha is the author of the Kingdom of Fraun series, Projection, and 30 Days Without Wings. She is an irrational perfectionist who loves baking and is happiest with a book in her hand. She lives with her amazing husband, two awesome children, and one quirky dog in Arizona.
   
   
   List of Publications:
   Breaking Eselda (2018, Lulu)
   Redeeming Jordyn (2019, Amazon KDP)
   30 Days Without Wings (2018, Amazon KDP)
   Projection (2019, Phoenix Manifest Publishing LLC)
   
   

   Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/tabathashipley 

   Website:   https://tabathashipleybooks.com/  
   

   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmKCHSW24yuk9HTm6vZA1eg