Debbie Harpham
from author’s website
Sara Ackerman writes books about love and life, and all of their messy and beautiful imperfections. She believes that the light is just as important as the dark, and that the world is in need of uplifting and heartwarming stories. Born and raised in Hawaii, she studied journalism and later earned graduate degrees in psychology and Chinese medicine (read more). She blames Hawaii for her addiction to writing, and sees no end to its untapped stories.
A few of her favorite things, in no particular order – hiking, homemade PIZZA, a good thunderstorm, stargazing, BOOKS, craft beer, her wonderful BOYFRIEND, surfing, mountain streams, friends, and ANIMALS. In fact, animals inhabit all of her novels in some way, shape or form – dogs, donkeys, sea turtles, a featherless chicken, endangered Hawaiian crows, horses, and even a lion. When she’s not writing or teaching, you’ll find her in the mountains or in the ocean, which is where most of her inspiration happens.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO WRITING?
I have always written poetry, but one Wednesday in 2012, I sat down on my porch to write a novel. I had no idea how to write a book and no idea where it was going, but six months later I somehow managed to finish it. I told everyone, this may be the worst book ever written, but at least I wrote it! Fortunately, with a bit of constructive feedback from friends, a few key books on writing, and a couple of writers conferences (Santa Barbara Writers Conference, Mokule’ia Writers Retreat), I learned a few things. Not only that, but I kept at it (a post-it on my doorframe says Patience & Perseverance) and here I am today, many books later, loving what I do and enthralled by the magic of writing. I am a firm believer that stories write themselves, we just help them along – and of course revise and edit. Again and again and again.
WHY DO YOU WRITE?
I write because I love to write. Is there any other reason? I love playing with words and arranging them a certain way and finessing them into a story that will touch people and entertain them and move them. There are so many curious and beautiful and heartbreaking experiences in this life that are worth sharing, and those that might only be born of me. Every author knows what I’m talking about. We all have those burning stories inside us that we have to get out.
Writing also gives my life a wonderful sense of meaning and purpose. Being a nature fanatic, I want to inspire others to feel the same and perhaps feel moved enough to help protect their small corner of the world––or big corner. Someone once told me that the smaller a story is, the more universal it becomes. I believe this. We each have stories of our own place and people that can resonate around the globe. Some tragic, some hopeful, and others downright heartwarming. There is no one way to write a story, there are only our stories.
WHERE DO YOU WRITE?
On my porch, or somewhere with a window and a pretty view. Occasionally in my bed.
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS?
Too many to name, but off the top of my head I love Barbara Kingsolver, Alice Hoffman, Sue Monk Kidd, JK Rowling, and Liane Moriarty. My new favorite book is Where The Crawdads Sing.
WHAT BOOKS DID YOU LOVE AS A KID?
James and the Giant Peach, Chronicles of Narnia, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, A Wrinkle in Time, Watership Down, Nancy Drew (read them all several times).
WHAT BOOKS ON WRITING DO YOU RECOMMEND?
The usual suspects. On Writing, Stephen King. Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott. Stein on Writing, Sol Stein. Sin and Syntax, Constance Hale. Wired For Story, Lisa Cron.
DO YOU HAVE A PROCESS?
I usually start with a loose idea and go from there. I attempt to plot out the main story as much as possible, but know that it may well change. Great ideas and new characters often present themselves when I least expect it, which is always fun. I write 700-1,000 words a day and take a day off now and then if I need to. A first draft usually takes me four to six months. I spend A LOT of time revising and I LOVE working with critique partners and editors who help me take the book to the next level. I love feeding my own curiosity while I write, hence the historical and naturalist elements. One big thing for me is daydreaming. I need time to brainstorm about my work in progress as I walk my dog, swim, paddle, hike, drive or watch the sunset. It’s taken time for all this to evolve, but I feel like it works well for me. And lastly, I go to conferences when I can and keep on learning and connecting with other writers. See my 10 steps to Getting That Novel Written.
WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO?
Patience and perseverance.
ABOUT RED SKY OVER HAWAII:
Inspired by real places and events of WWII, Red Sky Over Hawaii immerses the reader in a time of American history full of suspicion and peril in this lush and poignant novel.
The attack on Pearl Harbor changes everything for Lana Hitchcock. Arriving home on the Big Island too late to reconcile with her estranged father, she is left alone to untangle the clues of his legacy, which lead to a secret property tucked away in the remote rain forest of Kilauea volcano. When the government starts taking away neighbors as suspected sympathizers, Lana shelters two young German girls, a Japanese fisherman and his son. As tensions escalate, they are forced into hiding—only to discover the hideaway house is not what they expected.
When a detainment camp is established nearby, Lana struggles to keep the secrets of those in her care. Trust, it seems, could have dangerous consequences. As their lives weave together, Lana begins to understand the true meaning of family and how the bonds of love carry us through even the worst times.
Purchase your copy of Red Sky Over Hawaii here.
AUTHOR VISITS:
Author visits with Sara Ackerman are available via staging.novelsandbox.com/our-authors/.