1.Please tell us a little about yourself.

I write whatever I think up. I’m not afraid to be challenged in my writing, in fact I welcome it as it helps me to grow as a writer. 

2. What do you write (genre, length)? 

I tend to write flash fiction and poetry as well as short stories. Eventually I’d like to write novels. I do not limit my genre, as I like to challenge myself and write—horror, mystery, comedy, fantasy, paranormal—whatever fits the story I’m telling.

3. What is/are your current project/s? Please give us some details. 

I’m currently working on an urban fantasy for the new adult audience. I call it my secret, not so secret, work in progress because I’ve told a few people about the story—most of which is still in my head—and they seem to like it. The main character is a young woman going to college who finds out that she is Fae and a princess. There’s a prophecy, a villain or two, a rescue and of course lots of magick. 

4. Who (author or otherwise) or what book inspired you to write?

I’ve been making up stories and telling them since I was a kid. I’m not sure about my first inspiration but I’ve been encouraged along the way by many people I’ve encountered throughout my life and the many books I’ve read. For example, I had a conversation with someone I stayed with when I went abroad when I was 19, and that person told me I should study a certain author (I can’t remember the name of the author or the book) because they were good and never used pronouns to start a paragraph. I’ve never forgotten that advice and to this day I try to follow that rule of never starting a paragraph with a pronoun. 

5. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Keep working on your craft. Writing isn’t something that you work toward and then say I’m a writer. If you write, you are a writer and you are constantly striving to write well. It is never ending—like doing housework—it never stops. Stories will come and go, characters will haunt your brain, be open to the possibilities and take the opportunities that you are given.  

6. What do you do for a living?

I’m a communications content manager for a state agency. 

7. Who is/are your favorite author(s)?

Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Stuart, Emily Dickenson, Jane Austin, Diana Gabaldon, Deborah Harkness, Jude Deveraux, Dorothy Gillman, JK Rowling, to name a few.    

8. What is/are your favorite book(s)?

The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax (and series), A Discovery of Witches (and the All Souls trilogy), The Crystal Cave (and series), Harry Potter (and series), Outlander (and series), Myth-Conceptions (and series), and much more.

9. What’s the best compliment someone can give you as an author?

Probably that not only did they like my story but that they understood it and that it made them feel something, that it resonated with them.

10. What is the strangest/most interesting/coolest/weirdest/scariest thing you’ve had to research for a book or short story?

Hmmm… probably names and their meanings, or poisonous house plants that could be mistaken for common spices? I’m not sure either of those is weird or cool but I found it interesting.

11. What is the most difficult part of writing for you? Why?

Writing anything longer than 10 pages or about 3,000 words. I tend to edit while I write, for one, which is something you’re told not to do. And whenever I try to write more than that on one story, I feel it gets bogged down and I want to use as little words as possible. This is probably because I started writing flash fiction and limiting myself to under 500 words. Economy is your friend when telling a story with a limited word count. 

12. What is your favorite genre to read? Why?

I’m eclectic—I like all different genres. It depends on my mood. I like when a book as multiple factors/genres such as a little mystery, some paranormal stuff, a hint of romance, some action and adventure, with time travel thrown in for fun—sounds like my kind of book.

13. What are some little known facts about you? Hobbies, talents, anything?

13. What are some little known facts about you? Hobbies, talents, anything?

I knit and sew—before you get too excited, I’m limited to linear things like scarfs, washcloths, and blankets for knit, and quilting for the sewing—and even that might be sketchy. I paint as well—again don’t get too excited, I’m drawn to color and abstract because my drawing skill is limited to stick figures. 

14. Do you like physical books, ebooks, or audiobooks better? Why?

Physical books. I like to hold them and be able to pull one off my shelf to read it or to give to someone. I think it is a tactile thing. I like to be able to put it down and pick it up when I’m ready to again. I like to make notes and I can’t do that with audio or ebooks. I’m looking at a computer screen all day and the last thing I want to do is look at a screen to read my book that I’m reading to escape reality for a little bit. Audio sounds fun and could be good on a long road trip in the car but the problem for me is that I don’t like headphones or earbuds and no one else wants to listen to the same books that I do, and I probably won’t be going on any long road trips by myself as I don’t like to drive. 

Find TC at the links below!

Website: http://www.TCGrassman.com

Facebook: TC Grassman Word Nerd

Twitter: @GrassmanTc