Issaquah author shares insights | Arts & Culture

If Sarah Gerdes hadn’t gotten pregnant in her late 30’s, the Issaquah author doubts if she would have ever pursued her second career, “I don’t think anything but forced bed rest through much of my pregnancy could have diverted me from my business career.”

But these days, the self-described “seven year overnight success” is in the midst of a maelstrom of success that includes her five-ebook, series titled “Chambers” that has been optioned by Lucas Foster of Warp Entertainment LLC to be developed into films.

She will be at in-store events held Friday through Sunday at Fry’s Electronics in Renton and the Micorosoft Store in Bellevue Square to promote her new book. See our previous story.  

Gerdes observed of her husband Roger Gerdes, 19-year-old Conor, five-year-old Porsche Ann and 18-month-old Mercedes Sophia, “I am very blessed with these children late in life and to be at home. Writing takes a backseat.”

Still, the former business woman evidences the focus of a laser beam and the patience of Job in that she often works in 10-minute intervals. Gerdes explained that she writes early before the kids get up, at naptime and in the evening. On weekends “Daddy time” allows the prolific writer to work several hours at a time on her fiction for the 18 to 25 age group, which combines time travel, history and action.

The author of a number of books, including “The Kim Sisters,” Gerdes encourages new writers to use the time they do have to write down a few sentences and paragraphs, “Before you know it you’ve got pages and chapters and books.”

Most importantly, believe in yourself,” said Gerdes. “It seems overwhelming but the biggest value of the first book is that it shows you can do it.”

Another tip Gerdes said she learned when working on her first book, “Catacombs and the Lava Bed Forest,” “Read aloud. It will help you hear your words.”