Tasha
is a full-time author of steamy fantasy-adventure novels. She began her career with an award-winning
poem at age five and wrote her first screenplay when she was seven. Somewhere along the way, she became an
attorney but didn’t find technical legal writing that thrilling. Now she writes romantic fiction from her home
(or the beach) on Maui and enjoys bringing her imagination to life for her
readers.
You
can also join Tasha on:
Mahalo nui loa Tasha! Pomaika’i, Aloha!
Please
share some of the best memories of your childhood
When I was eight, I moved from the California suburbs to a farm in
rural Washington. My family turned an old
alfalfa field into vineyards and we planted the grapes ourselves. My little brother and I hoed the fields for
eight hours a day during the summers. I also
became the tractor driver when I turned nine.
It built a lot of character!
About
your education
After I graduated from high school, I moved to Alaska and studied
pre-med at the University of Alaska in Anchorage, Juneau and Fairbanks. But somehow, I ended up with a law degree!
What
career did you plan during your education days?
From the time I was very little, I wanted to be a writer. But my parents discouraged me from pursuing
it as a real career because they said all artists were “starving.” So I decided instead to become a bush pilot
in rural Alaska. The closest I came was riding
in a tiny plane when I went to work at a remote cannery during the summer. At least I drove a forklift and didn’t have
to clean salmon!
What
is your biggest source of inspiration in life?
That would definitely be my son.
His brilliance, cleverness, creativity, kind loving soul and wisdom far
beyond his years inspire and motivate me to immeasurable heights. I admire him greatly and would do anything
for him.
If
you had to live a day of your life as one of the living or dead personality,
who would it be and why?
This is a fascinating question.
If I could choose an imaginary character, it would be Xena, Warrior
Princess because of her exciting adventures and battle abilities (and let’s
face it, Aries as a love interest wouldn’t be bad either).
For a real figure, I would really enjoy being Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
for a day. I have admired Mahatma Gandhi
since I first studied him as a schoolgirl.
I would love to experience his inner peace and empowerment, to feel the
strength of someone able to transform the world through such a vibrant spirit.
What
is your favorite genre and why?
That would probably be science fiction. I was inspired by sci-fi books as a child and
I especially like “B” cult movies. In my
writing, I love to create new worlds without the constraints of reality,
allowing my visions to roam freely. I
enjoy all aspects of sci-fi, whether advanced or regressed technology, space
travel, alien races, new civilizations or space operas. When romance is added, I think the
combination is truly explosive!
When
did you start writing? What is the
purpose of your writing?
I have written screenplays, essays, poems and short stories since I
can first remember but I began to write full-length novels for a living after I
moved to Maui. The land here is
inspiring and overflowing with color which encourages my creativity.
I suppose my writing serves primarily to entertain but I like to
think it also allows my readers to become fully engrossed in my stories, to dream
and imagine lives filled with fantasy, adventure … and hot sex. What
could be better? :)
Which
of your work has been published so far?
I have published five full-length novels and two novellas. My novels are all edgy, steamy and exciting with
a bit of darkness. They span a variety
of genres, such as vampire, historical, pirate, time travel, paranormal, BDSM, horror
and contemporary.
What
are your forthcoming writings?
I am writing a series now based on a book I have previously
written. I think this might be the first
time I’ve been so open about my upcoming work!
What
are your future plans?
I plan to continue to write romantic fiction and I have several intriguing
novels in mind. Eventually, I would love
to pen some fictional works outside of romance.
What
four top most things you take care of while writing a book?
1. The characters, both major
and minor, must be interesting, engaging and funny when appropriate.
2. The plot should be suspenseful,
exciting and often gritty.
3. The writing must be
simple and clean.
4. All romantic storylines must
be sizzling, intense and above all, realistic.
Your
dream destination on Earth?
Even though I live on Maui, a lovely paradise, and I am from Alaska
with its abundance of nature, I don’t really have a dream destination on
Earth. I think every country is incredibly
beautiful in its own way.
Your
favorite time of the day?
The early morning when it is still dark and quiet. I love to make myself espresso and then write
until the sun comes up.
Your
zodiac/ sunsign?
I am a Taurus, the stubborn bull, for whatever that is worth. Thankfully, I am instead very easy-going and
flexible.
Your
favorite color and why?
I love all colors but I suppose my favorite is blue. Blue for the ocean, blue for the sky, blue
for my eyes. Every shade of blue is
mystical to me, from indigo to cerulean.
Your
favorite celebrity and why?
Renee O'Connor who played Gabrielle on Xena, Warrior Princess. She was small, but an amazing mixture of strength,
will and wit. Not to mention, she made
rock-solid abs and toned upper arms look amazing before they were trendy for
women.
Your
favorite food?
Chocolate or espresso. Or
both. Maybe both together! I make my own raw chocolate and I eat a lot
of it. :)
Some
quickies: Sun or Moon, Laughter or
Smile, Morning or Evening, Coffee or Tea, Mountain or Sea, Long Drive or Short
Drive, Silence or Conversation, Water or Fire, Air or Earth, Mars or Jupiter,
Moon or Sun, Tulip or Rose, Red or Blue, Left or Right, Glance or Stare
Moon, Laughter, Morning, Coffee, Mountain, Long Drive,
Conversation, Water, Earth, Jupiter, Sun (Hooray, I get to choose both), Rose, Red,
Left, Glance.
State
your signature line/ tagline
Tasha Temple … Escape to Romance, Adventure and Fantasy!
The
last line of your autobiography would be…
And I am off again to uncharted territories!
Thank you so much, Jaideep, for inviting me to your blog and for
your gracious and enjoyable interview. I
appreciate you and your lovely readers!
A hui hou kakao. Mahalo na'au wahine.
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