Get ready to learn more about the book The Chase in this discussion with sapphic author Sabrina Blaum.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Sabrina Blaum about The Chase, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Single Parent Romance category in the 2024 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write The Chase?
This was my first real attempt of writing a romance. I’ve written a lot of fan fiction, but I always struggled with the idea of writing a romance. I was inspired by two characters from the show The Closer when I wrote The Chase, but it’s not really them, as they quickly became their own people. However, it helped me get into the mindset of writing a romance.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
Wow. That is hard. I really love them both for different reasons. I think I connect more with Bree, though I find Seren more appealing. I like how caring and outspoken Bree is, though she is also quite vulnerable and even a bit insecure when it comes to the idea of people loving her for who she is.
What inspired the idea for The Chase?
We had a bit of a run-in with our local HOA, and my sister-in-law then made a joke about an HOA being a front for the mafia, and how hilarious a story like that would be. That’s sort of how it started.
What part of The Chase was the most fun to write?
Hmm, I enjoyed quite a few sections there. I liked their adventure at a big grocery store they both seem to hate. There’s also a really neat scene at a bonfire I enjoyed writing. Then there’s a certain hotel room scene that starts with ‘drop the towel.’
How did you come up with the title for your book?
I honestly felt a bit dumb calling it The Chase, and my son was all like, that’s so basic and boring (thank you, dude!), but I don’t know. It just fit. It’s a chase around the country, a chase for freedom for both of them, and a chase for each other.
Is there a particular genre you would love to write but only under a pseudonym?
Honestly, I want to try writing some erotica shorts, and by erotica I mean something really, really smutty. I haven’t had the chance to do that yet, but if I do, it will be under a pseudonym. Why? Because I otherwise write under my real name, and I don’t want my family to have a chance to read such stories, lol.
What animal or object best represents you as an author or your writing style?
Whatever animal is impatient and struggles to focus on wherever they are at right now. I have the tendency to write a ton of future scenes as they keep popping into my head.
Have you ever hated one of your characters?
I’ve had characters I disliked and that I wanted readers to dislike or hate, but I am not sure that I hated the characters because I didn’t feel a connection with them. They are just there to fulfill a very specific purpose. No, they were never meant to redeem themselves, though I also have those who start out awful and then do redeem themselves.
Have you ever fallen in love with one of your characters?
No. I like most of my leads, or love them even, and they are definitely people I’d like to hang out with (some more so than others), but I can’t say I’ve ever fallen in love with a fictional character. Feeling drawn to them, yes. They mean a lot to me, yes. But not more than that.
Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?
I’ve wondered about that. I am not sure. Because I started writing and story telling when I was a child. I know I loved Enid Blyton, and the Little Vampire novels by Angela Sommer Bodenburg. But did they inspire me to write? I do not recall.
Describe your favorite reading spot.
Honestly, at night, lying down in bed. I prefer reading when I can lie down. Don’t know why. The problem with that is that it can also make me really tired, especially since I tend to do most of my reading at night.
