About April Tompkins:
April Tompkins grew up on the prairies of North Dakota and now lives in Minnesota with her husband and her cat Sasha. She is the mother of two strong men.
She is not only an author, but an accomplished songwriter and singer, whose independent albums have garnered thousands of plays on Spotify and are featured in music libraries. She is also the creator and editor of a digital music magazine and has been a music blogger since 2007.
In her writing universe, April’s characters are not as uncomplicated as they seem. Everyone has a story, but it may take some coaxing to get them to tell it.
What inspires you to write?
Ever since I was little I made up stories in my head (but didn't write them down), so I like imagining scenarios and how they might play out. I began blogging several years ago and I liked it. I realized I had a lot of stories to tell, so I set out to write a novel. I've since written eleven novels and novellas.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
I have eclectic tastes. I'm a sucker for an engrossing novel, but I also love true crime and history; biographies as well.
Tell us about your writing process.
I start with a setting. Setting plays a big part in my stories; they're almost a character in themselves. I like to write about small towns because I find the characters who live there unique and quirky, and their lives are more intertwined with others. Then I develop my main character and plop her into a new situation.
I'm a pantser (or discovery writer) all the way. I truly never know where my stories will lead, and they've led to some surprising places. Surprising myself is the most fun part of writing for me.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
I talk "as" my characters (in my head, of course).
What advice would you give other writers?
Learn as much as you can by joining a couple of writers’ forums. Offer (or at least read) writing critiques when other writers request them. You’ll be surprised how much you learn about your own writing that way. Learn about story structure and flow. And just keep writing. Hardly anyone writes a best seller on their first try, but the more you write, the better you’ll become.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
I'm an independent person who likes being in control of the entire process. I design my own covers and do my own editing. Obviously, I have to market my books myself, which is the most difficult part of being an independent author, but I'm beginning to enjoy that, too.
I would advise new authors to research, research, research. Bookmark helpful advice and refer back to it. Read other independent writers' experiences.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
I firmly believe that self-publishing will only grow more and more influential. It's already happening. The stigma has disappeared as more and more great books have hit the market.
What genres do you write?: I write women's fiction, which is often confused with romance, but women's fiction is more about a woman's journey. Romance can play a role in it, though!
What formats are your books in?: eBook
Website(s)
April Tompkins Home Page Link
Link To April Tompkins Page On Amazon
Your Social Media Links
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Instagram
All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
