S.A. Borders-Shoemaker
Author Interview - S.A. Borders-Shoemaker
Author of Waiting for Scotland
Waiting for Scotland is a poetry collection about reconciling the past with hopes for the future. Within these pages is the direct confrontation between youthful expectations and sobering realities. Born from the labors of deep soul work, it is all at once a comprehensive story and a series of meditations on identity. This collection acknowledges what has come before and how the past contends with a very real and powerful present. Borders-Shoemaker’s words declare a hope for a different future, rooted in honesty and compassion.
Author Interview - S.A. Borders-Shoemaker
Author I draw inspiration from:
Kahlil Gibran endlessly inspires me both as an author and poet. The wisdom of his words mingled with simplicity of language makes for such a rich experience. I was first exposed to his work while living in the Middle East, and haven’t been able to get enough of him ever since. And I own his works in both English and Arabic. We have a loose connection as well, with a large portion of his artwork being stored at the Telfair Art Museum in Savannah, GA, where I spent many years as a child. While I have read and enjoyed all of Gibran’s works, my favorite books of his remain Jesus, Son of Man and The Prophet.
Author Interview - S.A. Borders-Shoemaker | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
On my couch, in comfy clothes, wrapped up in a blanket. It’s really hard for me to read a physical book in any other setting. I love this particular creature comfort.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
Jane Eyre. At first, I’d be in awe, but would get over myself and start a conversation. We’d probably have a great in-depth conversation while we waited for the elevator to be fixed- discussing all things from language to philosophy to morality. Then, we’d probably go on about our days and start a correspondence.
Author Interview - S.A. Borders-Shoemaker | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
I can’t remember a time that I didn’t want to be an author. I have written stories and poems since I was able to write. But what I would say sealed the deal was when I read Lord of the Rings. It was this series that challenged me to take my stories seriously and write a book. By the age of twelve, I’d written three full-length fantasy manuscripts (still unpublished to this day). That got people’s attention, for sure. And by sixteen, I’d written five manuscripts. By then, I knew I was born to write.
Fast forward to the present day, I have 15 publications, including 4 books, multiple anthology contributions, and a number of op-eds and academic articles.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
I love and prefer a good hardback, but often find myself purchasing paperback for ease of access. Ebooks don’t really work for me, as I read them all like I’m still in my PhD program. I used a lot of ebooks for research. But recently, as a side effect of the PhD, I fall asleep when reading a physical book. So, I’ve turned to audiobooks in the meantime so I can still be reading while going about the rest of my life’s tasks. This is working well for me.
The last book I read:
The last book I read was The Pale Blue Eye by Louis Bayard. I’m a big fan of Edgar Allan Poe, and this historical fiction about him was all at once fascinating and delightful for me to read. A strange way to put it, I know. It felt like a sort of comfort read, being in a world that I found interesting and following characters that were complex and unpredictable. I simply couldn’t stop listening to it, and would find ways to listen in while I worked and did pasture building at my farm. Engrossed is an understatement.
Author Interview - S.A. Borders-Shoemaker | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
I’m afraid to say that I am highly digital when it comes to writing. When I was younger, I used notebooks to start the process. But as I got older and busier, notebooks became hard to carry around, and I caved into the digital age and began utilizing my phone more. Now look at me.
It all begins on my phone in the Notes app. I have scores of notes that comprise a word or phrase with a rough outline of what it means. I’ll let it sit there for a while, sometimes I’ll tinker with the word itself. But once I’m ready to write, I copy and paste the concepts into a Word document and write like mad. I very much am a pre-writer, and my process is quite chaotic. By the time I’ve committed to the Word document on my computer, I’ve chewed on the idea enough to write the piece as it will likely stay. Once written on the computer, there are few poems I go back and mess with. Won’t recommend it for others, but it works for me.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
Without a doubt, Claire Fraser from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon would be my best friend. Between our mutual grit and lack of patience for stupidity, plus our interests in Scotland, nature, and history, I really think we’d be close. Compassion and healing are also common things we share. Also, we both have a mouth on us, so to speak.
Author Interview - S.A. Borders-Shoemaker | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
I actually already do my alternative dream job: I breed horses! My husband and I are starting a conservation herd of Choctaw Indian Ponies, and we love it. I’ve been a lifelong lover of horses, and ride endurance as well as fox/trail hunt. We’re expecting our first foal late spring 2024. We were inspired to get into conservation breeding through our volunteer work with Mill Swamp Indian Horses and through working with specific Choctaw Indian Pony breeders. They’re incredible horses, and honestly what I think every child dreams of when they wish for a pony: smart, loyal, loving, and beautiful.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
1920s without a doubt. Between the opulent designs and the creative cuts for clothing, I love Roaring Twenties fashion from all parts of the world.
Place I’d most like to travel:
I’ve traveled to over 21 countries/disputed territories, so my list just gets longer. If it’s a place I haven’t been yet, I’m really itching to go to Lebanon or Syria. Both hold significance for me personally; and while I understand I may be unable to go for sometime, I’ll wait. I’m a patient woman.
If it’s a place I’ve been before, I can’t wait to get back to Scotland! I’ve been a number of times in my early teens, but never in my adult life. I’d love to see more of the country and to revisit places I know with fresh eyes.
My signature drink:
An Old Fashioned or a French 75 are my favorites. I love a sophisticated, classic drink that’s not too sweet. And frankly, a glass of bourbon on the rocks is good enough for me.
Favorite artist:
If you know me, you know my favorite musician is Sting. Without contest. From an early age, I’ve been drawn to his music and lyrics in a profound way. I credit him with helping develop my abiding love for language and sparking my interest in the finer facets of poetic construction. And he also influences my personal style.
My favorite artist is probably Dante Gabriel Rossetti or John William Waterhouse. I love the Pre-Raphaelite movement, and could just stare at their artwork all day. Between the color choice and the romanticism of the subject matter and painting method, I can’t get enough of their work.
Number one on my bucket list:
My number one bucket list item would be to do the annual Border Ride along the England-Scotland border. Because my husband and I ride endurance, I’d love to participate in this tradition and get to see the countryside from horseback. It sounds absolutely breathtaking, not to mention the trip of a lifetime, seeing so much history first hand. I’m told it’s really worth all the effort and is quite unforgettable.
Anything else you'd like to add:
I love getting to know readers and hearing their thoughts about Waiting for Scotland. Please feel free to reach out via social media and check out all that’s going on with my writing and the horses. I’ll see you there!
Find more from the author:
https://www.instagram.com/sabordersshoemakerauthor/
www.sabordersshoemaker.com
https://m.facebook.com/AuthorSABordersShoemaker
Author Bio:
S.A. Borders-Shoemaker is an author, poet, and PhD in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. Some influences on her writing include her work in conflict resolution and suicide prevention, as well as her extensive travels abroad. She has over fifteen publications in both national and international outlets, including Frankenstein & the Phoenix, Rooted in Time, The Conscious Objection, and numerous op-eds and anthology contributions. Waiting for Scotland is her second full-length poetry collection. She shares life with her husband, Tim, and their corgis, Edmund and Lillibette. Borders-Shoemaker is also an avid equestrian and can often be found riding her mustang, Rosa.
