Get ready to learn more about the book Her Moment in Time in this discussion with sapphic author Abigail Taylor.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Abigail Taylor about Her Moment in Time, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Science Fiction category in the 2025 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write Her Moment in Time?
I felt that queer science fiction is an underrepresented genre, and I wanted to branch out and give people stories where they could see themselves in them.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
I think my favorite character is Trista, the main protagonist, because she is complex and flawed, but she also grows and learns a lot about herself and the person she wants to be. I think we are all a little like that.
What inspired the idea for Her Moment in Time?
Well, this is the second book in the series, and the first book was about parallel universes, and I thought time travel would be a good place to go next.
What part of Her Moment in Time was the most fun to write?
I love the 90s, and that is where the majority of the book takes place, so that was fun for me.
If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?
The third book, Her Final Phase, is already with the beta reader, and I’m hoping to release it this year. It is a wrap-up of all the characters from Becoming Her and Her Moment in Time. Hopefully, it offers a satisfying conclusion with the happy ending everyone deserves.
What is your writing process like?
I always say I’m a pantser, but for this book, I did a little more plotting, only because if I allowed the characters creative control, it might have led to some major plotholes that I wouldn’t be able to fix!
Where do you usually write, and what do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
I write in my office, with my lights off and my computer set to dark mode. I have to have my blanket, no matter what time of year it is, and water. I also have a lot of little gifts people have given me, lining the base of my monitors, there are two, one 42 inches and one 36 inches.
What’s your favorite writing snack or drink?
My favorite drink is water, I try to drink at least 150 ounces a day, which also leads to many bathroom breaks HAHA. I would say my favorite snack is a protein shake, which I will have a couple of times a day while working, which is Orgain vegan protein powder mixed with almond milk.
Is there a particular genre you would love to write but only under a pseudonym?
LGBTQ+ children’s books. I want more young people to feel seen and included.
What are three words that describe your personality?
Hard working, because I never give up until I’m done; empathetic, because I always try to understand where people are coming from and make them feel seen and heard and understood; funny? I’m not sure if everyone would agree, but I love to laugh and I love to make people laugh, but I also know not everyone appreciates my sense of humor. HAHA
What has helped or hindered you most when writing a book?
Emotional distress is always the biggest hindrance when trying to be creative. I’m at my best when I’m at peace, so I think therapy is something that helps me the most, not just in writing, but in life.
What do you do to get inside your character’s heads?
I don’t do anything, they live inside my head rent-free HAHA
Have you ever cried when writing an emotional scene?
Oh yeah, I’m a big cryer, and I use a lot of my personal experience in books, and not only do I cry for how I felt, but I also cry for the characters. One of the hardest scenes for me to write was in I Need Her Love.
Have you ever hated one of your characters?
I don’t think I’ve ever hated a character–that’s such a strong word. But there were definitely characters that were villains, but I also had a few that sought redemption afterward, which I loved for them because I believe everyone can change if they put in the work to be better.
What type of books do you enjoy reading the most?
I’m a big reader now, but I read a lot of non-fiction recommended to me by my therapist. This is a newer genre for me, but it is where I am at in life at the moment.
What books did you grow up reading?
I actually didn’t enjoy reading as a kid, and maybe that is because I didn’t see a lot of myself in the characters. That alone shaped me to want to write books that I could see myself in.
Describe your favorite reading spot.
I used to love reading in my hammock with my baby curled up next to me, but since he passed, I haven’t been able to go back there because it just reminds me of him. So I currently just read in bed.
