Spotlight On AdC's Ms March Tamalyn Scott
Spotlight On Ester Lopez
Ester has been writing sci-fi and paranormal adventure romances for over 33 years but has been published for ten years this year. She lives in the Smoky Mountains with her husband, Jerry, their dog, Chewie, and two mini horses, Pepper and Bucky.
Ester began her writing career after her close encounter with a UFO, September, 1989. This event got her thinking about “what if?” scenarios for a couple years until she was able to put it down on paper. Once she started her writing journey, it took her through several stages of writing: 1) for children and teenagers, 2) a journey with RWA (Romance Writers of America), where she learned the most about her craft, and 3) how to publish her own work and start a publishing business. She currently has 17 books published.
In 2026, Ester will be hosting her first writing convention, Smoky Mountain Writers Expo and Book Soirée in Pigeon Forge, TN, April 23-26, at the Black Fox Lodge.
Do you have a new book or series?
My latest series is The Vaedra Saga in The Vaedra Chronicles Series and the latest book is Redemption.
If you were transported to the setting of the book you're currently reading or writing, where would you be?
My current WIP takes place in Miami.
How do you name your characters?
Sometimes the names just come to me, other times, I choose them because they mean something.
What part of the book was the most fun to write?
My current book, “Guardian Investigations” takes place in Miami. I’m starting with characters that I’ve used in other stories, but I’m introducing some new characters. This is the first time I’m using an ensemble cast, as well as one of my readers who is a character in the story. This will make the story more challenging to write.
How much fun do you have coming up with names for your characters and how do you find them?
I try to use unusual names since these stories are either sci-fi or paranormal. In my children’s books, I used the name of the pet as the real name, but in my middle school stories which will come out later, I may use my siblings’ names since they are the people I’m drawing the characters from.
Where and when would you travel to if you were given a time machine?
First, I would travel to the past in Ireland, Czechoslovakia, Spain, Costa Rica, and Puerto Rico. The time would be in 1799 so I could learn the history of each of my families and see how they lived before coming to America.
What do you do when you can’t quite get into writing mode?
I will find the most boring work, like folding clothes, washing dishes, pulling weeds, cleaning house, so that my mind is free to wander and work out story problems or ideas.
What traditions do you believe should be brought back?
I believe saying grace before meals and eating together as a family was important for me growing up. I had my children follow the same tradition, but now, I don’t think any of them do that in their own families. But eating together gives you a time to socialize with each other-find out how their day went, what are they doing now, etc.
What do you like to do when it’s time to kick back?
I enjoy doing crafts, sewing, watching movies when I can, taking pictures of wildlife or landscapes, gardening in the spring and summer, or going to the beach.
Is there something you’ve always wanted to learn to do?
I’ve always wanted to learn to play an instrument. I’ve tried guitar and piano, but I don’t have enough time to keep at it. I’m working on learning Spanish and Gaelic. If I had my 40 year old body, I would like to learn kickboxing for the exercise.
Will you be attending any book signings or conventions?
Yes,
March 1st is the Rose Glen Literary Festival in Sevierville, TN
March 21st-23rd is the MidSouthCon-40 in Ocean Springs, MS
July 24th-25th is the Greenbrier Mountain Festival in Pittman Center, TN
September 5th-7th is the Happily Ever After Convention in Sevierville, TN at the Convention Center
October 16th-19th is Tropicon, Pensacola Beach, FL
Please give us the following contact information:
Personal web page www.esterlopez.com
Twitter www.twitter.com@esterlopez1
Facebook www.facebook.com/EsterLopezAuthor
...43 ...
