Interview with Sèphera Girón
Sèphera Girón is a multitalented artist with a background in stage, film, and music as well as writing. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fine Arts Studies with a minor in Psychology from York University and is the author of many books and short stories.
When Sèphera isn't writing, she's a professional tarot card reader. She also holds Certificates in Reiki and Touch for Health.
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When did you first start writing?
I was very young, likely before kindergarten. My first musings concerned squirrels and dogs being hit by cars and lying on the side of the road dead or dying. I guess I was cut out to be a horror writer.
What's the story behind your latest book?
I’m working on the “Taurus” book for my Witch Upon a Star series. This one concerns a horror anthology TV show that is shooting in the witch town of Hermana and wouldn’t you know it, the Taurus witch’s favorite crush from the show is right there in her town. She will meet him and share a broomstick ride with him. The story behind it is of course based on my own wishful thinking personal celebrity crushes. That’s the fun of being a writer!
If this is part of series, how did you come up with the idea for the series?
The Witch Upon a Star series combines my love of witchcraft, horror, mystery, romance and erotica. As an astrologer, it seemed like a cool idea to feature one astrological sign per book and explore the witch behind it. Each book is a complete story unto itself so you can pick up any book in the series and not feel like you missed anything.
What motivated you to become an indie author?
As publishing companies crash and burn or just plain shift, I decided to take some of my out of print books and stories and publish them on my own. I do it more to understand the process and see how it’s done. Certainly, I’m still old school and would prefer a publisher to deal with all the specifics of getting a book ready for publication; developmental editing, copy editing, line editing, proofreading, formatting, designing the cover and other book matter, and getting it out there. But it’s interesting to see how it all works.
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?
I love to entertain people, so it makes me happy when people read one of my books. I think my favorite part of the process is getting the final draft into shape as the hard writing has been done and now it’s just a matter of making sure it’s readable.
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If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Keep on writing. There’s no secret handshake or special formula, it’s all about tenacity.
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What is the one thing you want your readers to know about your books?
I write to entertain you, not to make you unlock weird language puzzles or spin your head with dry concepts. My books have a beginning, middle, and an end. My Witch Upon a Star series can be read in any order. You don’t know to read the series from the beginning. Each book stands on its own in the WUAS world.
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What drives you to keep on writing?
I’m not sure. There might be some kind of implant in me as it’s a difficult way to earn a living, yet I continue to do it.
Which other authors have most influenced or inspired your writing?
Stephen King
Clive Barker
Mary Shelly
Sylvia Plath
Emily Dickenson
Yes, my list looks like someone who grew up in the seventies!
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What is the first book that made you cry?
I don’t know what is the very first book that made me cry as I began reading at a very young age. However, I do remember that Beautiful Joe made me cry when I read it on a stormy day in Maine when I was very young, and it also was one of many books that inspired me to be a writer.
Describe your writing process
Each book or story uses a different process. However, I will say that I still use cue cards to keep track of “big picture” concepts and that I tend to write most first drafts with a pen and paper. I rarely write a story in order unless there’s a very short deadline. I use baby name books or baby name websites to pick character names.
Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?
I grew up in London, Ontario, and my parents are classical musicians. People say that my work often has a musical quality to it, and I attribute that to being a classically trained violinist in a house that always had (classical) music playing. Living in a small town (which London was in the seventies) I yearned for the Big City. I also spent summers in the woods in Maine as a kid as most of my mom’s side relatives were there. Summers in Maine were likely a huge influence towards me being a horror writer. There’s a reason King is a horror writer. If you’ve ever spent any time in the woods in Maine, you know what I mean!
What are you currently working on?
I just spent a couple of years focusing on the craft of the short story. I think I’m finished with that now and am ready to get back into writing novels, my real passion. I have several books to write for the Witch Upon a Star series. I’m also working on a couple of horror books and a science fiction novel.
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