How did you become a writer? 

I've always loved language. I journaled throughout childhood and dabbled in some pretty terrible poetry in high school. Only in my late 20s did I begin to take writing more seriously, and I decided I wanted to try my hand at a long-form work of fiction. I enrolled in a few online writing classes and felt that I had tapped into something unfulfilled. I've been writing ever since!

Name your writing influences (writers, books, teachers, etc.)

I write historical fiction, and some of my earliest influences were Ken Follett, Philippa Gregory, and Elizabeth Kostova. On the mystery angle, I adore dense, intricate stories as told by Wilkie Collins. And on the thriller side, I think Ira Levin is a master - he wields few words but in a powerful way. 

When and where do you write?

Almost exclusively in the early morning; I do my best work from about 6-9 am, and it's all downhill from there. Of course, I often have no choice but to push through it, so I'll save edits or research for later in the day. I write at my desk in my home office, next to my bookcase with research material (I'm constantly reaching up to grab a resource or two.) I can't write at coffee shops; I have to have complete silence. 

What are you working on now?

I can't share much, but I can assure you that the things readers loved in The Lost Apothecary, they'll also find in future projects: atmospheric historical settings, rebellious women, cliffhangers and twists, and a speculative element or two.

Have you ever suffered from writer’s block?

I hate to say this, but it's true. I have never suffered from writer's block. I've never stared at a blank page for more than a few seconds. I always have a thought or idea, and I know it can be reworked later, so I just get it out.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

Related to the above: "you can't edit a blank page." Just start going – you don't even need a direction. Anything can (and will) be revised down the road. For now, just get the words down. Turn off the inner critic. 

What’s your advice to new writers?

You must love the work. If you want to write a book, ask yourself -- do you like the idea of having written a book? or do you truly want to write the damned thing? If it's the former, this gig isn't for you. You have to truly enjoy stringing words together to form a sentence, an idea, a scene. And you should write or edit *most* days. It's misery at times, but you should love the process more often than not. 

Sarah Penner is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of The Lost Apothecary (Park Row Books/HarperCollins), available now. The Lost Apothecary will be translated into nearly thirty languages worldwide. A graduate of the University of Kansas, Sarah spent thirteen years in corporate finance and now writes full-time. She and her husband live in St. Petersburg, Florida with their miniature dachshund, Zoe. To learn more, visit SarahPenner.com.