KRISTEN TABER
Authors tend to be a solitary bunch. What can I say? We like to talk to people in our heads. But those of us on the self-publishing journey also recognize that we work in tandem with so many people outside the worlds we create. We source editors and artists, work closely with beta readers and bloggers, and rely on friends and family to help with the publishing process or get through the initial writing stages. When I finish my books, I make sure to acknowledge those who helped my manuscripts become novels, but the biggest thank you belongs to my husband, Joe. He does a lot that goes without proper recognition and since interviews generally focus on authors, I thought it would be fun to change that and get his bookish take on the world.
- What types of books do you like to read? What book are you currently reading?
I typically read non-fiction books, on business, self-improvement, or technology topics. Currently, I am reading The Challenger Customer by Brent Adamson, a fascinating book about positioning a sale within a complex organization.
Do you prefer eBooks or physical books and why?
I love eBooks! The ability to move across devices –from my PC in order to follow examples in a tech book, to my iPad for reading on a plane, to my phone for a quick reference lookup, to my old school Kindle I have by the bed—is awesome. eBooks just fit my life better than the physical books… also, I have a habit of leaving physical books in the seat pockets of planes!
- What is the hardest part about being married to a writer?
Writing is an amazing talent that sends the author through a range of emotions—from high points, like when my wife captures just the right scene on paper, to low points, like the all night writer’s block moments when a pivotal scene is right on the top of her fingers, but she can’t seem to make the leap. The hardest part about being married to her is not knowing what side of the pendulum her book is at before asking how her writing is coming. Answers and body language vary greatly!
- What do you like best about being married to a writer?
Seeing that moment, after all the edits, after all the papers strewn across the living room, when she looks at me and says, “It’s done; time to open a very nice bottle of wine and get this out there!”
5.Who is your favorite character in the Æerenden series? Why?
Cal is my guy, hands down. He is the watcher, the protector, and can distill one hell of a moonshine. I think of Cal as the father and friend I aspire to be, always there and always willing to lend a hand to those who need it.
- Do you have a favorite book in the Aerenden series? What do you like best about it?
The Child Returns is still my favorite in the series. For me, it’s more about my wife taking the leap of faith and putting her work out there for the world to see, read, and comment on. It was the most courageous event of her life and I am forever in awe of her success.
- Does Kristen share spoilers with you or do you have to wait for the books to be finished to read them?
I have a rule in the house, no spoilers before I receive the final copy for eBook conversion. I find that the book really takes so many forms before it get to that stage. I’d be totally lost if I started earlier.
- What do you do for fun?
In my spare time, I love going for long drives, hiking in the mountains, or catching some sun at the beach. I’m a big outdoors person and I love bringing my family along for the adventure.
- What do you do for work?
My work involves helping clients deliver their messages in different languages around the globe. Most of the time, I’m building a plan to launch a website, or working to tap into a new source of content for translation. It’s always fun and challenging.
- Any secrets you’d like to share with the readers about your wife?
Kristen has a one of a kind “Keep Calm and Write On” sign in her office printed on old dictionary pages. It is an original and thoughtful gift from her editor, Jess.
- Do you help Kristen with her writing or publishing? If so, what do you do?
My role is really to try to keep the kids at bay while Kristen is writing on the weekends and to convert her Word Version into the various formats for e-distribution. After three books, we have developed a good system to get them out quickly. The first one was a bear though!
- If you could convince Kristen to write any book in the world, no genre restrictions, what would it be?
If I could ever pull Kristen out of her magical worlds, I would love to see her write about her passion for food and drink. She used to have a blog dedicated to it and it was always fascinating. Plus, it would be a blast to travel the world with her while she researched.
I want to extend a special thanks to my Joe for humoring me with this assignment. I must admit that some of his answers surprised me and others made me nervous, but I appreciate his take on the rollercoaster ride.
Who in your life would you interview if you could?
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