60 seconds with Sarah Bjork

Some stories begin with a spark of inspiration, while others emerge from the depths of our subconscious.

When an unsettling work-related nightmare jolted her awake, it planted a seed for thriller author, Sarah Bjork's, upcoming novel.

In 60 seconds, Sarah Bjork, takes us behind the scenes of her creative process and discusses how her job as a long-term care regulator turned into fiction.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I’m Sarah Bjork, author of twisty suspense novels with Gothic and psychological undertones.

I grew up in a very small, very quaint town in Vermont. I eventually made my way to just outside of Portland, Oregon, where I live now with my husband and two children.

When I’m not working, I am spending time with my husband, children, and my adult brother with medically complex needs and disabilities.

While they keep me on my toes, they are also my biggest cheerleaders, allowing me to squeeze in writing whenever I can.

What draws you to write thrillers?

I find myself drawn to the mystery, thriller, and Gothic horror genres because that’s what I love to read.

I grew up reading R.L. Stein and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.

I strive to tell stories about the parts of our world that might fall under the radar as well as stories from a unique perspective. I love learning about little known history, strange science, and unsolved mysteries, and the way they challenge our idea of life, possibility, and the human condition. I strive to pull this feeling into my writing as often as possible.

How did you discover your passion for writing?

My writing journey started when I was about nine years old. I used to staple paper together and then write and illustrate my own stories.

As I grew older, writing became more associated with tasks and responsibilities than fun and creativity. Writing college papers evolved into writing reports for my full-time job.

While I excelled at writing in a technical sense, deep down I always wanted to explore what I could do creatively. I gave it a try about two years ago, with my first book, Inherent, a young adult thriller with elements of mystery and fantasy. It references a real local legend in Vermont and follows a family staying in a quaint Vermont inn, previously used as a Tuberculosis sanatorium.

Are there any themes or messages that you aim to explore in your books?

I aim to challenge what we think we know to be true. It's so easy to take one glance and assume we have the entire picture. But life is far more complex than that, sometimes more so than our very understanding.

The world is full of secrets, mysteries, distortions, symbolism, and the uncanny.

Not only do I want to explore these elements, but I want to explore how sounds, spaces, objects, experiences, and our own minds influence the way we perceive and interact with the world.

Are there any elements in your novels that are based on real experiences?

The idea for my current manuscript, The Absentis, came to me after a disturbing dream about work.

I’ve worked as a long-term care regulator for the state government the last 12 years, inspecting and investigating long term care facilities, evaluating for compliance, and abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults.

My job involves traveling to facilities that provide care to vulnerable adults, and ensuring they provide quality care, treat residents with dignity and respect, and comply with legal standards. I often visit small, sometimes remote or isolated facilities. In my dream, I was assigned to an inspection in a remote, mountainous area, and, upon arrival, found the home eerie and in disrepair. The inhabitants were creepy and unwelcoming. I couldn't ignore the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

Without spoiling The Absentis, I'll say that things transpired in a way that terrified me. This made me wonder what I would do if such a situation actually arose. How would I respond? What if I couldn't get help, not only for myself but for those trapped in a dire situation?

As a long-term care inspector, I relate deeply to my main character's concern for those dependent on others for their care and safety. Many people don't realise that not every older person has a family or friends looking out for them. There are countless individuals in this world who have no one to notice if something is amiss in their lives. These people rely on the eyes of professionals—quite possibly the only ones checking in on them to ensure their safety and well-being. 

Tell us more about The Absentis?

The Absentis falls into the genre that I consider my sweet spot- it's a suspenseful mystery thriller with Gothic and psychological undertones.

It follows Araceli Mayer, a seasoned long-term care investigator who handles cases of elder abuse and neglect on the regular. But when she is assigned to investigate an allegedly unlicensed care home in the remote reaches of Washington state, what she encounters is unlike anything she’s experienced before. What she encounters feels an entirely different type of wrong. 

The century-old farmhouse is isolated, crumbling, filled with uncanny noises, a stench that seeps through the air like poison, and the lingering sensation of something intangible. Something dark. The inhabitants are gruff, peculiar, and guarded. The lone resident, Alice, shares a confusing revelation and speaks in cryptic phrases hinting at deeper, darker secrets.

Stacked with nods to Poe and new twists on traditional Gothic tropes like isolation, setting as a character, and a near-consistent feeling of dread, The Absentis is my pride and joy.

Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that you’re particularly excited about?

I’ve dedicated a substantial amount of time and effort into perfecting The Absentis with the goal of publishing traditionally. I’m currently in the querying phase and have been fortunate enough that my first response was a full request. I’m hopeful that this good luck and my dedication will bring this dream to fruition.

If you could tell your past self anything, what would it be?

Don’t get sucked into the routine to the point where that’s all you can see. Look over the top of the must-dos and imagine what you can do. Then trust in yourself, because you will do it.

About Sarah:

Sarah Bjork is an author whose debut novel, Inherent, was published on July 15, 2023. Her second novel, The Absentis, is currently being queried with literary agents. With a passion for exploring the mysteries and complexities of the human experience, Sarah's work is characterised by rich, atmospheric settings and Gothic and psychological undertones.

As a long-term care inspector, Sarah brings a unique perspective to her writing, drawing inspiration from her professional experiences. Through her storytelling, she aims to challenge perceptions and reveal the hidden depths and possibilities of the world around us.

Find Sarah here:

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