IndieView with Tiffinie Helmer, author of IMPACT.

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And I have been known to threaten that if you bother me enough, you might find some attribute of yourself in my books. Writing is a form of therapy, after all.

Tiffinie Helmer 12 June 2012

The Back Flap

Alaska State Trooper Skip Ozhuwan has waited five years to reunite with Wren Terni, the woman he’s always loved.  Flying back home for his sister’s wedding with only him and Wren in a chartered bush plane guarantees he’ll have her undivided attention.

Ever since Skip arrested her five years earlier, Wren vowed never to lay eyes on him again.  She’s gotten sober and made a life for herself that she’s proud of.  Seeing Skip now throws her into a tailspin.

When the plane crashes, forcing them to battle a violent arctic storm, outwit predators, and dispose of a dead body, they must find a way to get past their differences if they are to survive to have a future together.

That is if they don’t kill each other first.

About the  book

What is the book about?

“In order to survive they’ll have to survive each other.”

When did you start writing the book?

I began IMPACT literally on a small plane being tossed about over the southwest part of Alaska.

 How long did it take you to write it?

Even though IMPACT is a short story, it took me about 6 months to write it. I was working on another book, finishing it up for my agent. Funny enough, I also finished IMPACT on an airplane. This time being bumped around over the Pacific headed to Hawaii.

 Where did you get the idea from?

My thought process went from what would happen if I put two people in a plane that’d been lovers but hadn’t seen each other since their disastrous break up. Then crash the plane in the wilderness, and make them depend on each other in order to survive.

My grandparents survived a small plane crash in 1989 on the island of Kodiak, Alaska. I actually dedicated the book to them.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?  

The biggest struggle was working on more than one book at the time.

What came easily?

The story basically wrote itself. As IMPACT is a prequel to another full-length novel, HOOKED, I knew my hero really well already.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

I have used Daniel Craig as inspiration before. And I have been known to threaten that if you bother me enough, you might find some attribute of yourself in my books. Writing is a form of therapy, after all.

 We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I’m an eclectic reader. I write romance with an edge and read anything from Mystery, to Sci/Fi, to Romance. Some of my favorites are Harlan Coben, Neil Gaiman, Linda Howard, Jennifer Crusie, and Karen Marie Moning. I love humor, danger, and characters that leapt off the page. Good dialogue is a must for me.

 Do you have a target reader?

Readers who are looking for an adventure and a bit of romance. Okay, sometimes a lot of romance. But always an adventure.  

 About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

My family calls me the Night Writer. Most of my creative writing is done from 10pm to 2am. I’m an insomniac.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just Chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

If I outline too much, it kills the story for me. I feel more or less like I’m an instrument for the characters. I just type. I’ve had to learn to outline, somewhat, for my agent so that she can submit proposals. The outline is rough and usually only dealing with the mystery aspect of the story.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I’ve done both. Depends on the story.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

I have to listen to music or I hear cars going by the house, or the cats tearing up the furniture. Music can put me in the story faster than anything. Fight scenes are rock, classical for emotion, new age for my latest story that deals with Alaskan legends.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

The amazing Christine Witthohn from Book Cents Literary Agency is my agent. I am so freaking lucky!

What made you decide to go Indie? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

My agent told me to get a short story up there while we wait on traditional publishing. So I did. It’s been an amazing experience.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did it you do it yourself?

Yes, I want to concentrate on the writing. I can’t imagine learning how to design a cover. My designer, Kelli Ann Morganof Inspire Creative Services, is very talented and works wonderfully with me. She’s very patient too.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

Oh, there is a plan. Remember who my agent is?

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

 Learn the craft. Get a few stories under your belt. Join a critique group or start one. Don’t depend on your mother and sisters. Then jump in the deep end.

About You

I am an Alaska Commercial fisherman, fishing on the Bering Sea of Alaska. I spend most of my summer living the lives of my characters. I can’t think all this stuff up myself. A lot of my stories come from personal experience.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska.

Where do you live now?

I’m landlocked part of the year in Utah (hubby’s got a pretty good job, dang it) and then my summers in Alaska (which keeps me somewhat sane).

What would you like readers to know about you?

I love my M&M’s heated and Hostess Cupcakes frozen.

What are you working on now?

My current work in progress is titled DREAMWEAVER. My hero is stuck in the afterlife and determined to break the bonds of death. He’s using the Northern Lights as a conduit back to earth, seducing the woman who was destined to be his, had he lived, into falling in love with him. It will be out in August of this year.

End of Interview:

For more you can visit Tiffinie’s website, become a fan on Goodreads, like her Facebook page, or follow her on twitter.

IMPACT can be found at Amazon US, Amazon UK, or Barnes & Noble.

39 thoughts on “IndieView with Tiffinie Helmer, author of IMPACT.”

  2. Tiffinie, I loved Impact and your new one, Moosed Up. Can’t wait for the next! Have a fun summer in Alaska. Did you pack your thermal underwear?

  3. I read this short story and really enjoyed it, but I have to say even more than this one I loved Ms. Helmer’s book “Moosed Up”. She is a terrific writer 🙂

  5. Thanks, Stanalei. Yes, I leave for the wilds of Alaska in TWO days. Out comes my inner wild woman. And by wild, I mean no makeup, hair in a ponytail, and clothes comfortable enough to sleep, fish, and run my butt off in.

  6. Thanks Wendy and Clancy. You make tears come to my eyes. Hard to do. It really means a lot how much you enjoyed my books. And yes, Wendy, thermals are packed.

  8. Ahh, thanks, LL. That really means a lot to me.

    Tam, I can’t wait for DREAMWEAVER to be out. If anyone wants to see a preview of the dreamy cover, check out my facebook page. I just posted it.

  10. Fun interview. Enjoyed the questions and answers. Impact was a wonderful read for me, but I too have read others and loved them the same. Looking forward to Dreamweaver. The cover is awesome! Fish fun this year, Tiff.

  14. Jewel, I think it comes down to having a grandfather who was a bush pilot and being in lots, and I mean lots, of small planes. You don’t get anywhere in Alaska without a bush plane. I do remember thinking while, I was writing, that I was slapping fate in the face with a red flag. 🙂

  15. Fascinating life, fascinating writer. You know, I think Night Writer sounds like a great title for a novel! 😉

    M

  16. Great interview, Tiffinie. I feel like I learned so much more about you and how you write. I loved the heated M&M’s and frozen Hostess cupcakes…too funny!

  17. I love your books! There’s something very real and compelling about the characters. The action makes my heart race. Living in Alaska stoked your mind with tales of adventure. I’ll never forget the picture you sent of the small plane bound together by Duct tape. It did make it home.

    Keep writing. Waiting for the next one.

  18. Wonderful interview, Tiffinie! Good luck fishing in Alaska. Loved Impact and Moosed Up. Wish I didn’t have to wait for Dream Weaver!

  19. Awesome interview, Tiff! I can’t believe that you’re leaving in just two days. I am totally envious of the beautiful landscapes and breathtaking vistas that await you. I loved summer in Alaska! We will miss you, but I know you’ll get plenty to come home and write about. Until then–bring on the experiences (for all of us!) Your covers are awesome!!! 😉

  20. Thanks to Tiffinie for doing this and for all the great comments. For authors looking for a cover designer, if you like Tiffinie’s covers, clicking on Kelli Ann’s name above should get you headed in the right direction to use the same designer as Tiffinie does. 🙂

  23. I love this story and the real life connection. Anything having to do with Alaska, I’m there. Fun interview, Tiff. Looking forward to Dreamweaver.

  24. Super stories. Way to write, Tiffinie. We are proud of you and are waiting for the next book.
    Love,
    Myra

    • Judy, and Joelene thanks for you comments and I’m glad you enjoyed the books.

      Lawna, good to meet you and I hope you enjoy IMPACT. It kinda makes an impact (sorry, I can’t help myself sometimes).

  26. Sandy, I love this! “There’s something very real and compelling about the characters. The action makes my heart race.” That is the best compliment a writer can have. Thanks you!

  28. Kelli Ann, your covers are awesome and I love how you work with me as I’m such a visual person and probably make you do extra steps. I know I make you do extra steps! You’re the best!

  31. I love romance, suspense and adventure! But, being tossed around in a plane doesn’t sound like the kind of adventure I’d want 🙂 I’ll have to pick up a copy of this story.

    Linda Howard is a favorite of mine, too.

    Best of luck,

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