Debbie Harpham
ABOUT SARA ACKERMAN:
from her website:
SARA 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). Prior to practicing acupuncture, she worked as a high school counselor and teacher on the famed north shore of Oahu. She is the author of historical novel Island of Sweet Pies and Soldiers and forthcoming The Lieutenant’s Nurse, with several more in the works. 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, her 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.
AUTHOR VISITS:
Sara is available to meet with your book club. View her calendar of availability and schedule a video chat or in-person visit here.