Welcome to my writer’s website. I’m Pinar Tarhan, and I’m glad you’re here.
The short version:
I’m a novelist, screenwriter, freelance writer, and blogger.
My work has been featured on CNN, The Washington Post, The Billfold, and WOW! Women on Writing among others.
I’m the author of the romantic comedy novels Making A Difference (M.A.D.) and A Change Would Do You Good series. I also penned two guides on writing romance. I’m addicted to movies, gripping TV, rock music, traveling, dancing, and writing.
You can follow me on Twitter @zoeyclark. You can also subscribe to this blog for articles on writing and my books.
The long…and dare I say, the more interesting version:
I’ve always written in one form or another. I was writing stories in my head before I took it to pen and paper. I started with the imagined next episodes of my favorite cartoons and complex plots for my dolls.
Then in school, teachers assigned short stories as homework and as a way to bolster our language skills. I was hooked. Before long, I was opting to write and perform plays even when I didn’t have to. (Yes, I’m weird. Most writers are. In a good way.:))
My love for movies prompted me to learn how to write screenplays. Pre-fast Internet and without its abundant writing resources, I wasn’t sure I could write a novel. It took me a long time to realize I could. If you can write a feature screenplay, you can write a novel. And vice versa.
I kept my non-fiction game strong because college meant writing persuasive and engaging essays to get ahead. I also started blogging in 2009 because it seemed fun as I was learning how to write for a living. I also realized non-fiction could be just as fun, creative, and varied as fiction. (Fiction will always be my first love though.)
I published my first novel in 2018, and the second in 2021. I hope I can release my third faster, though the time in between also has non-fiction books, essays, op-eds, blog posts, and research. And pitching.
I have four novels in the works. They are all contending to be the next one (aka the third novel). I’ll update this page and the blog as soon as one of them takes the lead and becomes official.
Do you have questions about my novels? Or writing in general? Email me at pinartarhan at windowslive.com.
Interests, hobbies, & other fun stuff:
If you have read up until here, thanks. Let me get even more personal and well, me.
Writing. I love writing so much I do it for fun too. It’s just even more fun when people want to pay me for it.
Reading. I read a lot of romance (mainly contemporary and romcom) and thrillers. I will check out the occasional YA when the concept fascinates me. I read a lot of non-fiction, especially about all things writing, self-development, and psychology.
Dancing. I think I can dance, but my dance instructor doesn’t always agree with me. Oh well.
Do what makes you happy and not what makes you the coolest or the best dancer. I love dancing to the beat of my favorite songs, which are mostly rock songs and swing/lindy hop songs. For all this love of dancing, I can’t stand dance music or electronic music.
Rock music. It’s not just for dancing. I go to concerts whenever I can, collect the entire discography of my favorite bands, write to it…
I use it for all purposes including curing headaches and getting inspired while writing. I love catchy electric guitar riffs so most of those 80s/90s big hair bands have a special place in my heart. I also enjoy indie rock, hard rock, and to a degree, pop-rock.
Movies and TV. I’m a pretty decent binger, thank you, Netflix.
But my binging habits first started when I got my hands on the DVDs of my favorite series and some channels aired back-to-back episodes of popular TV series.
That’s how I got into 24!
I watch widely, with the exception of horror, extra depressing dramas, documentaries and reality shows. I can’t stand reality TV. I’m not big on epic fantasy either. (It’s good to have preferences. Otherwise, when would we write?)
Traveling. This is not just a typical “I love to travel line.” I don’t love all kinds of travel. Honestly, probably no one can love all kinds of travel.
I love beach vacations and traveling abroad. I’m not into camping or backpacking. I don’t think adventure travel would agree with me. (I have a travel blog named Overstuffed Suitcase, for crying out loud!)
Just drop me at a decent hotel in a city or a beach resort. It doesn’t have to be luxurious. Just clean, safe and functional.
Languages. I love learning and teaching languages; I just wish I was better at them. Still, I’m bilingual (I can speak two like a native) and know a little from like four others. I shall continue the struggle and hopefully speak them one day.
I’m currently working through Duolingo Norwegian. Wish me luck.
Swimming. It is just so much fun. I’m a water person through and through.
*
There is a ton of other stuff I want to learn, but writing and other life activities currently allow only so much. But you can bet these find their way into my writing one way or another.
*
Follow me on Goodreads to see my reading lists and updates on my writing projects.