Author Q&A: Tilly Tiason

Today we're interviewing author Tilly Tiason.

Tiason, who writes adult fantasy, is recently separated from the US Army. She loves collecting teapots and has a celebrity crush on Keanu Reeves.

SADYE: How did you come to see yourself as a writer, and what inspired you to seek publication?

TILLY: I couldn't pass the first grade. I was struggling really hard keeping up with my classes.

In fourth grade, they sent me to Read 180 for kids who had trouble reading and understanding literature.

In sixth grade, I was still struggling with school, but I got out of the Read 180 program. I progressed, but I still wasn’t where I should be.

I had an assignment where I had to read a book on my own. Was I ready? No, but it had to be done. So I picked The Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan.

I read it and finished it in one night. That never happened before. I was bad at reading. I went back to the library and grabbed all twelve books and read it.

The teacher then asked us to write a book. I am sitting at my desk asking why? It was crazy enough I had to push boundaries to read, but now they want me to write?

These psychopaths had the audacity, but I did it. I loved it so much. Darren Shan’s work helped me finish my assignment.

He also helped me read. He helped by making writing enjoyable. He helped me so much that I read every day. Then I tested myself and took AP psychology.

I tested myself further, wrote a book, and published it. And I published again, and I am about to publish my third book. Nothing was possible without him.

SADYE: Tell us something about your writing process that’s unusual or that you haven’t revealed before.

TILLY: I plan the entire book to the T. Waste so much paper. (Sorry trees.)

I draw out the characters; I have stacks of notebooks of characters and the world I build.

When I start writing it, I take off the training wheels (my notes and plans) and wing it to give it a more realistic drama and conflict.

Instead of writing a planned book, myself and the character are both shocked about what we find out through the journey when I wing it. And their reactions are as real as mine.

SADYE: Which of your characters would you most and least like to become romantically involved with?

TILLY: Funny you ask this. In my book Faction of Time, my ex-boyfriend was a representation of Joseph, the hybrid. And I played Angelic, the nightmare.

They are romantically involved with each other in the book. Joseph is the last character I would be romantically involved with because I do not like my ex anymore.

If I had to choose someone in my book I would mostly likely be involved with it would be my main character, Grumbled.

I find nerdy, cheesy guys with low self-esteem attractive. I don’t know why. Maybe I have this inner self desire to fix people.

SADYE: What have been the most surprising, rewarding, and challenging parts of your writing career?

TILLY: This moment right here, interviewing with you, is the most surprising and rewarding thing that’s happened to me.

I didn’t know a fan would even consider wanting a Q&A with me. I am no one special yet, but this interview really made me reconsider it.

The challenging part of my writing career is separating reality from fantasy, and knowing when to go to that place in my head.

Sometimes I get lost in my thoughts, and I am really there for a while. I have had dangerous situations where I did not pay attention to my surroundings, and it got me in trouble.

Sadly the true challenge is leaving the writing at home where it needs to stay.

SADYE: What advice, as relates to your writing career, would you give your younger self?

TILLY: “You have to start with the easy stuff before you can get to the hard stuff.”-- The Other Sister, me and my mother’s favorite movie of all time.

We relay this phrase to each other when things get rough.

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Learn more about Tilly Tiason on her website, where her books can also be purchased; like her on Facebook; and follow her on Twitter and Instagram. 

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