Our SPFBOX interviews continue with Tar Atore, author of Soultaming the Serpent.
SPFBO (the Self-Published Fantasy Blog Off) is a free online contest run by author Mark Lawrence. 300 authors compete across ten judging teams to see who will be the winner! You can read more about the contest [HERE]].
INTERVIEW WITH TAR ATORE
Tell us a little about yourself and let our readers know which blog you’ve been assigned to for SPFBOX!
What inspired you to write this book?
Can you tell us a little bit about your writing or editing process? What’s most exciting to you about writing or editing?
I am a platster (or panty-liner, as I saw it once and stuck with me) where in I plan out the main beats of my story, but leave the details and specifics to flow naturally as I write and will adjust my outline as the story progresses.
My favourite part of the writing process is the initial plan – I like to just throw things around and see where they stick and then watch as things fall into place as the story progresses.
“I wanted to twist around the Chosen One trope, have an older character take the lead and not have her over-powered or competent at it, and turn the love triangle queer.”
Who or what have been your major literary influences?
What makes your SPFBOX book unique?
Do you have a favourite character from your SPFBOX entry? Tell us about them!
“I am a platster (or panty-liner, as I saw it once and stuck with me) where in I plan out the main beats of my story, but leave the details and specifics to flow naturally as I write and will adjust my outline as the story progresses.”
How does your work fit into (or challenge) its genre?
What do you hope readers take away from your SPFBOX entry?
What are you currently working on?
Soultaming the Serpent
Jun never knew adventure until she took her first step out of her village at age 60 and then found a young man, which only led her to more adventures and stories, some of which point to home.
—
The last dragon died half a century ago and Jun Weaver still dreams of the rain that hasn’t fallen since. Her mundane life takes a turn when she encounters Aurel, who she suspects may be the one that holds the key to restoring balance and is destined to find the elusive serpent from the prophecy.
Joined by Casey, Jun’s closest friend and the village brewer, the three embark on a journey to unravel the prophecy’s intricacies, figure out what the serpent’s role truly is, and why the dragon has to die, not knowing they are being watched.
Follow our trio as Jun discovers a love of adventure, Casey’s devotion takes an unexpected turn, Aurel spills his secrets like dust in the sand, and the three of them discover the true power of their bond.
Tar Atore is a pen name used by Konstance. Konstance is an avid reader from a young age, that got even more sucked into it when she first moved to Canada to help her learn the language – and the meaning of *rubber*.
When she applied to do an undergrad in Professional Writing, one of her parents asked her “and what will that look like as a job in the future?” Her answer: “I’m gonna sit around at home all day and read.”
And yes, that is what she is doing now! Along with writing and drawing, Konstance works with indie authors to create their covers, maps, and typeset their books. Her favourite procrastination technique is making epic spreadsheets.
Konstance is a fan of epics and queer romances, subverting tropes, and twists that actually surprise. In 2023, Konstance debuted (for the second time) under the pen name PM Hammond, which she then updated to her desired pen name Tar Atore (reach out if you get the joke of it).
