In the world of contemporary literature, few authors manage to weave captivating narratives that resonate deeply with readers like Tanya Madsen. With a journey that began in childhood, inspired by a love for storytelling, Tanya has transformed her experiences into powerful tales that explore the intricacies of human emotion, trauma, and redemption. Her debut novel, A Daughter to Die For, captivated audiences with its raw authenticity and complexity, laying the groundwork for her ongoing series, The Somewhere Aching.
In this exclusive interview, we delve into the creative mind of Tanya Madsen, uncovering the inspiration behind her writing, her unique creative process, and the vital messages she hopes to convey through her work. Join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs of her literary journey, gaining insights that will inspire aspiring authors and avid readers alike.
But first, who is Tanya Madsen?
Tanya Madsen has a BA in English and a passion for emotional drama. When she’s not working her day job as a technical writer, she writes novels, plays computer games, cuddles with her fur babies, or relaxes in the mountains. She lives in Northern Utah with her husband and four grown children.
Tanya Madsen’s Books
- What first inspired you to start writing, and how did your journey as an author begin?
I have always devoured fiction voraciously, and by the time I was nine, I was writing stories. But for years, I sublimated my love for writing fiction into songwriting instead. When I finally had the opportunity to attend college, I decided to pursue my dream of studying English. I received encouraging feedback from my creative writing professors and won a major scholarship for my short fiction. Building on this momentum, I began to write seriously. After completing a dozen novels and short stories, I finally decided to start sharing my work. This has been a long journey for me. I had a rough childhood and received no support early on, which shaped the way I perceive myself. However, I have finally learned that sometimes you need to trust yourself to make things happen.
- What was the initial spark or idea that led to A Daughter to Die For?
The initial spark came from a dream, as is often the case with my stories. Book one is almost identical to that dream: the damaged young man who abducts a mother and the daughter who wants to redeem herself by saving her mom. But after finishing the book, I disliked the ending. I tore it apart and decided to follow a redemption arc for my male antagonist instead. This opened up a series where I can redeem my Crazy Casanova and my Rage Queen and eventually put both of them on a path to wholeness!
- Which character in the book was the most challenging—or the most rewarding—to write?
Justin was the most challenging. He starts out as a hero and Judith’s dream man, but his dark side emerges, which will be revealed as the story progresses. Nicolas was the most rewarding to write. His desperate search for love is, in a way, an allegory for my own dream of becoming an author. I identify with my alter ego and very much want to give him the happily ever after I hope to achieve for myself.
- Can you walk us through your typical writing routine or creative process?
I have a full-time job as a technical writing supervisor, so I don’t have the luxury of writing all day. Which means I write whenever I can. When I am in the zone of a new story, I write nonstop until I have a draft. During my lunch breaks at work, at three a.m. when I wake up with my story writing itself inside my head, and sometimes, I even take audio recordings of dialogue while driving. Despite my limited schedule, I still manage to finish novels in six to eight weeks because I am obsessive by nature and can’t stop until I’m finished! Once the first draft is complete, I walk away for about a week. Then I PDF the book and devour it like a story I just discovered. After that, the revision process begins.
- How do you develop your characters to make them feel so layered and realistic?
My characters are always based on people I’ve known, even briefly, and this first book feels very personal to me. I also put pieces of myself into every character, even my villains. I think that makes it easier to write from their perspective. In “A Daughter to Die For”, I even understand and relate to Justin’s growing obsession with Judith. So, yeah, being emotionally connected to all my characters is definitely the secret to creating my layered, realistic characters.
- Do you plan your stories extensively (outlining) or write more intuitively?
Other than the initial spark that usually comes from a dream or a burst of inspiration in the middle of the night, no. I don’t outline. I’ve tried, but I get discouraged by the limiting structure that stymies my creativity. I don’t want to know what happens beforehand. I am a very intuitive writer. I constantly surprise myself with twists in my plots and characters. That’s the best part of writing and makes reading my own novels a joy.
- What has been the most surprising thing about the publishing process for you?
How hard it is to define your message and condense your stories into just a few sentences. Because I have more than one main character and write from multiple POVs, it’s challenging to boil it all down to a blurb. Additionally, having not spent time on social media until now, I was pleased to discover that online promotion works well for those with an introverted nature. I can post, then walk away and not think about it again until I have the energy to do so. And finally, how exhausting and difficult it is to learn marketing. I now have a whole new respect for the industry!
- How has reader feedback shaped your work—or your perspective—since publishing?
I was surprised by how intense and emotional readers found A Daughter to Die For. I was worried the story might seem pretentious because I didn’t want to dwell too much on the past but instead focus on how past trauma shapes us. All the characters in this story carry some form of trauma. Nicolas and Judith both experienced childhood abuse. Justin lost his father at a young age. Martha was in a loveless marriage for years. Erik failed his son and can’t forgive himself. But the story is about how they deal with this trauma and let it shape them. That’s why there are four more books in the series. There is a lot to unpack and heal from!
- Without spoilers, what can readers expect next in The Somewhere Aching series?
In Book Two, A Lover to Love For, I explore how love can become toxic—manipulative, controlling, and obsessive. I also want to take readers on a path to wholeness for my characters. Nicolas is a mess, and it’s gonna be quite the journey to redeem him! Too often, fiction glosses over the challenge of overcoming trauma, and I feel it does a real disservice. I’ve woven catharsis into this love triangle between Judith, Justin, and Nicolas, making it rewarding on many levels. Expect unforgettable passion, self-destruction, and Brontë-level heartbreak!
- What advice would you give to aspiring authors who want to write emotionally intense stories like yours?
First, hands down, be authentic. Incorporate your own experiences and those of people you’ve known or met into your stories. If you don’t have that nugget of your soul somewhere buried within your words, I don’t think your work can stand the test of time.
Second. Just write. Write nonsense. Write gibberish. Write until it starts to make sense. The key is to keep your fingers moving. I learned this from creating music. I would sit at the piano and improvise for hours until finally, my fingers would find a groove, and I’d go with it. Writing is an exercise, a skill, and most importantly, hard work. It’s not something you’re simply born with. While you may be born with a passion and love for word craft, developing your process requires effort, much like training for a marathon. Don’t be afraid. Express yourself with confidence, and most of all, never, ever edit as you write!
Thank you, Tanya Madsen, for taking the time to share your insights and experiences with us. Your journey and dedication to storytelling are truly inspiring!
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