Tonya Penrose Interview
As an author, Tonya’s moved by the effect humor and narratives have on readers. That observation illuminates why her stories often convey messages inviting personal exploration. She is enthusiastic about crafting stories with beguiling characters, adding dashes of snappy humor, and engaging dialogue that leaves her fingerprint on each page.
When Tonya relocated to the mountains, she found fresh writing ideas waiting. From her favorite porch chair gazing at a tranquil lake, the nudge to scribe her first novel came calling. From her beach chair, she got the idea for a cozy series, Shell Isle Mysteries. Tonya confesses new respect for a chair’s ability to motivate her. She chases her writing joy from the mountains to the seashore.
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What motivates you to write and how did you get started?
I get a nudge and a story idea pops into my head. It usually happens when I’m out for a walk or a hike. As I’ve shared before, I wrote my first book when I was around six or seven. I made it out construction paper complete with awful illustrations. My parent’s seemed to take to my simple story, but my art left them struggling to find something positive to say. That clued me early to stick with words and leave the crayons in their box.
What’s most rewarding about writing?
What feeds my spirit is when a reader shares how the story brought them lots of smiles, some personal insights, and the surprise of joy. It’s why I sit in my writing chair.
What’s your favorite genre and why?
I mostly write multi-genre because I couldn’t remain loyal to just one. I hang out with romcom, mystery, inspiration, magical realism, spiritual, and a dash of timeslip. See? I’m all over the place.
Where do your characters come from?
What an interesting question. They just show up on those walks and introduce themselves. When my next novel taps me to write, I will be sure and ask them that question. Now, I’m curious.
Who is an author who inspires you and why?
Mostly, I gravitate toward authors who write to inspire us to evolve and become a better version of ourselves. Eckhard Tolle is who I’d pick for today. I promise you that tomorrow it will be someone else. The other day I was all a flutter about how Rex Stout wrote such snappy dialogue.
What do you look for in other people’s books?
I look to be hooked early and want to take the ride with them. A great blurb can snap me right up.
Tell us about your newest book or what you’re writing now.
Welcome to Charm just released with World Castle Publishing. It’s a book that I feel a strong connection to. When I finished writing the story, I didn’t want to leave the town of Charm or the characters. It’s a rom/com but with splashes of inspiration and some interesting discoveries. I swear if I could find the place on a map, I’d be there pronto. The story’s message is timely.
I’m super jazzed because Welcome to Charm is being optioned for a movie. Any savvy producers out there, please give a squint at Charm and contact my publisher for a pitch package.
Also, my third cozy mystery in the Shell Isle Series is releasing in July. Cozy Cat Press takes good care of those books. The title as of yesterday is Murder by Numbers. Our two cousin sleuths are back with another fun romp and more of Betsy’s recipes.
What kind of book would you like to be known for?
The books I enjoy penning most are the ones that invite the reader to take a discovery journey with the character. When they read the last page, I always hope they feel inspired and with a renewed sense of purpose and joy. The smiles and laughs are the cherry on top.
What has writing taught you about yourself?
It’s a simple answer but it’s my truth. The joy is in the journey.
How has your life experience influenced your writing?
I’ve learned that those who have no expectations tend to have a happier time in the writing chair. So, when I sit down to begin a novel, I go into neutral. I let the story come without me coloring it. My life experience sits in another nearby chair should I need to draw on it.
What encouraging advice can you offer new writers?
I would say honor your path and the stories that are given to you to write. I don’t believe there’s one template to apply to how to write. Each author has a unique style. I would invite a new writer to honor it. Leave the edit and critic out of your writing day until you type The End.
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Books by Tonya Penrose (pen name):
SHELL ISLE MYSTERY SERIES
The characters of Page and Betsy keep chattering to Tonya, so expect future stories in this collection.
OLD MOUNTAIN CASSIE: THE THREE LESSONS
VENETIAN RHAPSODY (Expected 2023)
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Tonya’s fiction and non-fiction stories are published in numerous anthologies, e-magazines, local press, and literary magazines. Find Tonya listed in the Poets and Writers Directory.
Please consider this your invitation to visit:
Tonya’s Website
Tonya’s Twitter page.
You can also visit Tonya’s books on her Amazon author page.