An Interview with Pamela Palmer
Interview conducted c. early 2010s
Introduction
Pamela Palmer is a New York Times bestselling author best known for her paranormal and fantasy fiction, including the Feral Warriors and Vamp City series. Her work blends supernatural elements with strong emotional arcs, emphasizing character transformation, high stakes, and immersive worldbuilding.
This interview was conducted during a period when Palmer was reflecting on storytelling as a learned craft rather than an innate talent. The conversation explores her transition from engineering to fiction, her analytical approach to plot and structure, and the methods she uses to sustain long-form genre storytelling across multiple series.
Palmer’s responses reveal a writer who combines imaginative freedom with technical precision. Her process emphasizes preparation, layered drafting, and a belief that storytelling skills can be deliberately acquired through study and practice.
This interview is preserved as part of the Better Storytelling Archive, documenting the voices and working methods of contemporary genre creators.
PamelaPalmer_Interview
The Interview
Life as a Writer
How did you get into writing?
I didn’t grow up wanting to be a writer. I originally dreamed of being an astronaut, then earned an engineering degree and worked at IBM. I was always a reader and a daydreamer, and eventually one of those daydreams became too complex to keep in my head. I started typing it out and discovered I enjoyed writing, even though I had no idea what I was doing.
Around that time, a new library opened near my home. As I explored its writing section, I realized that storytelling was a craft that could be learned, not simply a talent you either have or don’t. I loved the process and found a new career through it.
When did you first realize that you have what it takes to be a writer?
After finishing my first book, I entered contests for unpublished writers and did surprisingly well. The encouragement from anonymous judges sustained me while I waited for an editor to take a chance.
Premise
Where do you get your ideas from?
Everywhere. Everything I see, hear, read, or watch goes into what I think of as a black box in my head. I tend to think through my fingers, so brainstorming often happens while I’m typing.
How do you develop your ideas into a story?
I brainstorm extensively on my laptop—exploring characters, story paths, and possibilities—until I have enough material to begin writing. I’ve sometimes written the equivalent of an entire novel in notes before drafting the first page.
Genre
What kind of stories do you enjoy working with?
I love all things paranormal and fantasy—vampires, shape-shifters, witches, fairies.
What genres would you like to explore in the future?
I’m happy where I am. Paranormal fiction offers limitless freedom. If I can imagine it, I can write it.
Structure
Do you work from an outline?
Yes and no. I develop a strong skeletal structure for the story, but many specifics emerge during the writing itself.
Plot
How do you build your story?
Before I write, I need to know my characters deeply, understand the ending, and identify key turning points. Tools like beat sheets help me confirm that the story’s structure is sound before drafting.
Character
For you, what makes a great hero?
A character who faces overwhelming internal and external challenges and ultimately confronts their greatest fears.
If one of your characters were to describe you, what would they say?
That I put them through hell—but that they’re better off once they survive it.
Setting
How much time do you spend researching the setting for your stories?
Most of my stories take place near where I live, so I often research by walking or driving through locations. For historical or alternate versions of real places, I research extensively to understand how those settings evolved.
What settings would you like to explore in the future?
Fantasy worlds. While my stories are rooted in the real world, I enjoy weaving in imagined realms whenever possible.
Theme
Do you like to know the purpose of your story before you sit down to write it?
Usually theme emerges as I work through the story. Once I understand what lesson the main character needs to learn, the theme becomes clear.
Dialogue
Do you have any favorite lines from your stories?
Dialogue often arrives fully formed in my head, especially for certain characters. I simply type what I hear.
Writing Process
Do you have a routine?
My routine shifts depending on the phase of the project. During heavy drafting, I start early and work most of the day. I write at home in various locations and usually listen to instrumental music.
How do you deal with writer’s block?
I don’t really experience it. If I get stuck, it usually means there’s a structural problem. I take the story apart, diagnose the issue, and rebuild it.
Story Development
How do you go about fixing a story?
I analyze character arcs, turning points, and emotional layers to determine what’s missing. Often revision involves deepening emotion and sensory detail rather than large structural changes.
How do you know when to stop?
When the book is due. Otherwise, I could revise forever.
Words of Advice
What words of advice would you give to new writers?
Understand that genre writers are storytellers first. Learn the craft. Write constantly. Expect long hours and hard work—and never give up.
Final Thoughts
What’s the best thing you’ve ever written?
The right words at the right moment. A note I once wrote mattered more than any book.
What are you working on now?
Continuing work on the Vamp City series and additional novels in the Feral Warriors series.
Closing
This interview captures Pamela Palmer’s view of storytelling as a discipline shaped by curiosity, analysis, and emotional precision. Her reflections emphasize that imaginative freedom thrives when paired with structural understanding and sustained effort.
Presented here as part of the Better Storytelling Archive, this conversation preserves a perspective grounded in both technical rigor and heartfelt human connection.