Eric Woods, Author

Tanya Ross is the award-winning author of The Tranquility Series, a gripping young adult dystopian saga that dares to question control, conformity, and the cost of freedom. A California native and former middle school teacher with 32 years of experience, Tanya knows how to keep teens turning pages—and thinking deeply. Her work has earned multiple accolades, including back-to-back Indie Author Project wins for best YA in California, a first-place award from Writer’s Digest for self-published fiction, and
recognition from the Southern California Book Festival and American Writing Awards, among others. When she’s not dreaming up rebels, empaths, or futuristic tech gone wrong, Tanya can be found binge-watching a thriller series, spoon-deep in frozen yogurt, or walking her golden retriever with
a playlist full of ‘what-if’ ideas. She’s a born-again Christian, a fierce advocate for young
readers, and a firm believer that stories have the power to change hearts—and worlds.

Follow Tanya Ross!

WEBSITE:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tjross_author

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fictionauthor54

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tanyarossauthor

Questions:

1. Tell our readers a little about yourself and your writing (including publications).
   I am a former middle school teacher. I taught over thirty years and loved my career! As soon as I retired, I set out to write, as my dream was always to write a book. So, I did. The book is called Rising Up. But I didn’t stop there. I followed it with two sequels, with one more to write for the series. I’ve also dabbled in writing short stories and have won a couple of contests. I’ve also won multiple awards for my first and second novels, including one from Writer’s Digest.
   
2. What writing projects are you currently working on?
   I just completed a massive rewrite of my first novel, Rising Up and it was just released last week as a second edition. I am beginning to write the fourth novel in my series, yet unnamed.
   
3. Are you a daytime writer, a mid-day writer, a nighttime writer, or just someone who writes when the mood hits you?
   I write in the afternoons. I get all my “must do” projects done in the morning, like daily housecleaning, walking my dog, and exercising. Then I dive in after lunch.
   
4. Who is your favorite author and why?
   My favorite author is Hugh Howey. Hugh Howey is such an amazing master of dystopian worlds. His Silo series is gripping. Second to him would be Ken Follett, because I love historical novels and adored Pillars of the Earth. I love the worlds they both create, the way they immerse me in their stories, and the memorability of their characters.
   
5. Speaking of animals, do you have any pets?
   I do have a pet! I have an amazing dog named Teddy, a golden retriever, and the biggest snuggle bug in the world. He’s practically perfect, except for the shedding! Sweet, well-behaved, and smart.
   
6. When you are in a writing funk, how do you find your way out?
   Sometimes a funk happens when life gets in the way. When tough situations come along, I just have to put my writing on a back burner. I can’t concentrate when I’m emotional. But if it’s writers block, I usually reach out to my family for ideas and direction. They are always involved in the current manuscript. Sometimes if I play music, it will get me unstuck, especially if it’s songs with pertinent lyrics.
   
7. What advice would you give to someone who wants to be a writer?
   Get connected with other writers. Join a writers’ group where you can get support and feedback. There you can get encouragement and direction and make friends with others who like to write as well. It’s also a great idea to get connected with other authors on social media. You can find a wealth of information that helps in the author’s journey.