Allow me to introduce the lovely, talented Darla Lark

With a new release set for tomorrow, Ms. Lark took time out of her busy schedule to answer a few questions about herself and her books. Be sure to check out her newest release here.

VP: What is your inspiration? What helps you get through writer’s block?

DL: My inspiration comes from some of the crime shows I watch. Since I’m a thriller writer, it helps me when I’m stuck on a scene. I get some ideas from those shows and learn a lot for future books. When I get writer’s block, I write in a journal to figure out why I have it. It helps more often than not and the best way to get to the bottom of the problem.

VP:  Do you listen to music when you write? Have a completely silent space?

DL: I listen to the music on my phone, which I use as an iPod. I’m only glad that I don’t have to fuss over multiple devices. There is this site for writers called SoundFuel. It has a lot of various kinds of music directed for whatever you write (sci-fi, horror, thriller/mystery, etc.) l use this quite a bit when I’m writing something dark. It’s awesome and I highly recommend it for other writers.

VP:  Who inspires you? What authors do you look up to? Why?

DL: My inspiration comes from my grandpa. When I was little, he and I would make up stories together which I regret not writing them down. This inspired my love of writing. I began to write poetry when I was in 6^th grade. Then there’s my husband and mother-in-law who encourage me to keep writing in the times that I feel like giving up. They are amazing.

I look up to Nicholas Sparks because he had gone through a lot growing up and came out stronger. I’ve read Three Weeks With My Brother and felt more of a connection with his books and understand why he writes what he does.

VP: When did you first start writing? What genre do you prefer?

DL: I started writing poetry when I was 7 or 8. Again, this was because of my grandpa. He became my writing buddy, so to speak. Genre wise, I read anything I can get my hands on. When I was in college, I started a YA novel, but as time went on, I became a thriller writer. It was one of those things where I started writing on thing and it turned into another.

VP:  If you had to choose another genre to write, what would it be? Why?

DL: Let’s see. I think I would like to write a horror novel. I love being scared and the unexpected in these type of novels. I enjoy the darkness within these types of books.

VP: What is your favorite book (or who is your favorite author) and why?

DL: To be honest, I don’t have favorite author. I read so many different kinds of books. There is so much talent out there. Everything that I’ve read is amazing so far. I especially love to read self-published authors. They are amazing and I love to show support for them.

VP: Do you have a job and if so what is it?

DL: Yes. I work full-time in a warehouse building pumps and pump accessories. I love what I do. Though I wish I could write full-time. I’m sure that all self-published authors with full-time jobs wish this as well.

VP: Tell about your first book and how long it took you to write the first draft.

DL: My first book is A Life Worth Living. It’s my YA novel. It’s about a girl who’s in her first semester of college when she experiences a lot of hardships. I based it around my grandparents and their personalities. Though it’s not a true story, I wanted to portray the grandparents much like the ones I grew up with. It was a lot of fun to write. It took me 4 years to write it because I was caring for my grandma and great-grandma while working a full-time job.

VP: List all of your titles with a one sentence synopsis of each.

DL: A Life Worth Living: Star is a young woman who is in her first semester of college when she experiences the loss of friends, a sick grandfather, and a tumultuous relationship with her mother.

Lucy’s Suspicions: Lucy is a woman whose husband died in a tragic car accident, but she soon finds out it wasn’t simply a car accident and does a little digging to find the truth.

The Psychopath’s Prisoner: Cheyenne is a woman who went through a divorce from her cheating ex and then she has bad things start happening her: including her car getting set on fire and apartment broken into amongst other things.

VP: Who is your favorite character? Why?

DL: Cheyenne Harrington because she is resilient despite all that has happened to her. She does everything she can to protect her sister and friends for love.

VP: Which character is your least favorite character? Why?

DL: Cheyenne’s new neighbor, Daniel Schindler. He is a creepy jerk. I hate him for being who he is. That’s all I can say without giving away the story plot.

VP: Which character was most difficult to write?

DL: I would say Daniel because I absolutely hated him, but he had to be in it since he was an integral part of the story.

VP: What scenes are most difficult to write?

DL: The crime scenes. I say this because I try to come up with one that is original and nothing like other thrillers. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the crimes scenes. They are so much fun to write.

VP: Do you see yourself in any of your characters?

DL: I see a little of myself in all my characters, both good and evil. I think that all of us authors put a little of ourselves in each of their characters whether they realize it or not. It’s a great thing, though. You get to know things about yourself that you never knew before.

VP: Indie pub or trade pub?

DL: Right now Indie pub. I want to see what I can do on my own. Perhaps someday I can go traditional, but for the time being I’ll enjoy doing the indie thing. There’s so much we can do on our own and it’s rather enjoyable.

VP: What is your favorite scene? Why?

DL: My favorite scene is when Cheyenne fights back against her captor and escapes. Like I mentioned before, she is resilient and determined. My goal is to show how resilient we, as women, can be no matter what challenge is put in front of us in fiction form.

VP: Give a one sentence summary of your new release.

DL: The Psychopath’s Prisoner is a thriller that will keep you guessing until the end as to who did it and why.

VP: If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?

DL: I would love to meet Elvis Presley in person. He had an amazing voice and I’m jealous that my grandpa got to meet him when they served in the army.

VP: If you could take the place of one of your characters, which on would you choose and why?

DL: I would either be Lucy from Lucy’s Suspicions or Cheyenne Harrington. They are strong women who don’t give up. They keep pushing onward and aren’t afraid to face the obstacles in front of them and are very intelligent.

VP: If you could vacation anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do?

DL: I would love to go to Italy and try their food and wines. Especially their wine. Nothing better. Of course, I would love to go to Rome and see the Sistine Chapel and the colosseum.

VP: What is your favorite T.V. show/movie from your childhood? What is it now?

DL: When I was little, I loved to watch My Little Ponies and Care Bears. Now I love Sleepy Hollow, which I have to get caught up on this season as of yet.


Make sure you grab a copy of The Psychopath's Prisoner starting tomorrow (just click the title and you are there)!!

Contact info:
Email: darlalarkauthor@yahoo.com
Blog: darlalarkauthor.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/darlalarkauthor
Twitter: twitter.com/darlalark
Website:darlalarkauthor.wix.com