I feel like it’s not often that a Sapphic Fiction author hails from Blyton-esque origins… but Sabrina Blaum does! I certainly agree with her statement that Malory Towers needs a sequel – explained in her interview below – and as soon as I read that, I knew we’d get on very well.
And we certainly did! Here goes – an interview with Sabrina Blaum.
Hey Sabrina! Firstly, tell us a little bit about you! Who are you and what do you do?
I am originally from Germany, but I've lived in the USA for almost twenty years now. I used to teach English composition at a local university, but since the end of 2021, I am writing full-time. I'm happily married, and we have two kids, 11 and 14. I met my wife on a Star Trek Voyager message board, of all places.
How did you become an author?
I've always written. I actually used to tell my grandmother bedtime stories. When I was in elementary school, I hated that Enid Blyton's Malory Towers ended, so I took it upon myself to write a sequel. I didn't think I could ever make a go of writing, though, until I met my late mentor and writing professor in 2012.
Who’s your favourite character that you’ve ever written?
Katharina von Berg. I haven't published the book with her story yet, but I hope to do so in November. I've been working on this one since 2012, and it has seen endless revisions.
Do you ever experience writer’s block? If so, how do you overcome it?
Yes and no. Not a total block, but trouble writing, yes. I go for a walk, listen to music, brainstorm with friends. Sometimes, I just force myself to write. Either I will do a free write, or I actually force myself to continue on my story. Sometimes it works, but other times, I end up deleting what I've written during such a session.
What do you consider to be the hardest part of writing?
I hate style revisions. They are so tedious and they almost have nothing to do with writing, really. It's almost mechanical and feels like you are tearing your writing apart.
And how about the most rewarding?
Getting to put all the stories in my head onto paper. Holding my published book in my hands and being filled with disbelief that I actually wrote this.
What is one piece of advice you wish you had listened to, either in life or with regards to being an author?
I wish I'd done a bit more research into marketing and how to best do that before I published my first book. As for life, perhaps the notion that people are different, and just because you would say something/act a certain way in a given situation, that doesn't mean that someone else will, and to expect that others will react like you do will only cause you grief.
Is there anyone you’d like to highlight, while you’re here?
All the people who've helped me with my writing, but they are, much like I am, kinda private, so I don't want to shout out their names. Of course, also my family since I couldn't do this without their support. I also want to say that I find the overall sapphic fiction community pretty awesome. There are so many kind and helpful authors and readers out there.
How can people connect with you?
@BlaumSabrina for X (Twitter), BlaumSabrina on IG, and my website: sabrinablaum.com. I am on other social media, too, but not that often.
Finally a light-hearted one. What ice cream flavours and toppings would you put together in your ultimate sundae?
Chocolate, yoghurt (German type), hazelnut as ice cream flavors, then strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and chocolate syrup as toppings.
If you enjoyed this interview, then make sure you’re following my social media accounts (@kblakemanwriter on Twitter and @katherineblakemanwriter on Instagram) to get all the latest updates! And if you want to support my own Sapphic Fiction journey while you’re here, The Summer We’ve Had is available now, and Love You However is coming on March 22nd!
