An Exclusive Interview With French Alsabrooks
French Alsabrooks is an indie author of Christian fiction and urban fiction. She chose this path, she says, because of “the freedom that comes with it. I love being able to explore new book ideas without having to run it by a publisher.”
French started performing spoken word poetry in 2014 and began her writing career in 2017. She also has a YouTube channel where she reviews books.
Confessions of an Indie Author: What made you want to tell your most recent story?
French: I love writing books about characters and their unique walks and pathways that they took to getting closer to God. Some of my characters do a 180 turn, while others go downhill entirely.
Confessions of an Indie Author: In what way did your book significantly change since the first draft?
French: Some of the characters got the chopping block a lot later in the book than I initially intended for them to.
Confessions of an Indie Author: How long did it take you to write this book?
French: Nearly three years. This story took some time for me to bring it to light. Other books, I’ve been able to complete in a few weeks.
Confessions of an Indie Author: How long have you been writing or when did you start?
French: I have been writing since I was a child. I published my first two books of poetry in 2017 and have been writing since.
Confessions of an Indie Author: How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
French: I have written [more than] 30 books now. All of them hold such a special place in my heart, but I think Loving A Memphis Man may be my favorite now.
Confessions of an Indie Author: Would anyone in your family disapprove of anything you’ve written?
French: Absolutely. LOL. Some of my characters are wilder than others. Some of the characters can be hard to find likeable as well. Luckily, my family still supports my career as an author.
Confessions of an Indie Author: Have any of your scenes came from your life?
French: Not really. Most of my scenes are brainstormed in the shower or while I am driving. I run to write down ideas several times a day.
Confessions of an Indie Author: Was there a moment in any of your books where you had to confront something you hadn’t faced before?
French: In my earlier books, yes. There are some scenes in which trauma and abuse are discussed.
Confessions of an Indie Author: Which character is most similar to you and how?
French: Latin may be the most similar to me. She is a strong-willed young lady that pursues her desires without letting fear stop her along the way.
Confessions of an Indie Author: What is your schedule like when you’re writing a book?
French: My schedule is all over the place, but at minimum, I write at least 400 words a day.
Confessions of an Indie Author: What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
French: Sitting still and editing. Reading through the book and finding errors can be humbling.
Confessions of an Indie Author: How do you develop your plot and characters?
French: I am a very big advocate of using an outline. I wouldn’t be able to finish a book without it.
Confessions of an Indie Author: What do you do to get inside your character’s heads?
French: I allow my characters to “speak” to me throughout the day. When they are silent, I may not write as much as I would like to.
Confessions of an Indie Author: Can you tell us about a time when you had to revise a piece of writing multiple times? How did you handle it?
French: I’ve revised my work many times. I just accept now that it is a part of the writing process. I truly like for my work to be as close to perfect as possible.
Confessions of an Indie Author: Do you see writing as a kind of spiritual or therapeutic practice?
French: Not necessarily, but it does make me feel happy once the book is completed.
Confessions of an Indie Author: Does writing energize or exhaust you? Or both?
French: Both. While it can be fun, I have to admit that there are times that I walk away with a migraine. Blue-light glasses are a must now.
Confessions of an Indie Author: If you encountered a major plot hole in a novel you were writing, how would you address it?
French: I would go back to the outline to try to figure out how I missed it in the first place. I edit my books several times over the course of six months before it comes out. I typically catch things that I might’ve missed by letting the projects rest for a while.
Confessions of an Indie Author: What’s the trickiest thing about writing characters of the opposite gender?
French: Trying to make the MMC sound like a gentleman with a sense of humor, while also not causing him to sound corny and inauthentic.
Confessions of an Indie Author: Do you play music while you write — and, if so, what’s your favorite?
French: I love to play music while I am writing. I mainly listen to instrumentals.
Confessions of an Indie Author: How many plot ideas are just waiting to be written? Can you tell us about one?
French: Way too many to count. I have book ideas that I started back in 2021 that still need to be brought to light.
Confessions of an Indie Author: What’s your favorite and least favorite part of publishing?
French: I love seeing the book go live. My least favorite part is worrying about when and how the book reviews will come in.
Confessions of an Indie Author: What are common traps for new authors?
French: Obsessing over the charts and wanting to be a bestseller overnight. It takes time. Give yourself grace.
Confessions of an Indie Author: How important are book reviews?
French: I think they are pretty important, but I try not to read them too often. I might peek and look at them occasionally throughout the year though.
Confessions of an Indie Author: What do you like to do when you are not writing?
French: I love to read! Any novella that is under 150 pages is the sweet spot for me.
Confessions of an Indie Author: What books did you grow up reading?
French: I loved reading books by Ellen Hopkins and Junie B Jones
You can learn more about French on her website, YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. Her books can be purchased on Amazon.
Behind every book is an author with a unique story waiting to be told. Authors, your voice deserves a spotlight. This series explores the journeys, inspirations, and challenges behind writing. If you have a passion for words and a story to share, this is your moment to shine. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting your career, I want to hear from you.