Please tell us a bit about yourself
People often ask me about my name, Sahara. Many call me Sara and might think that “Sahara” is a typo.
My parents spent time in Africa and the Sahara Desert. After returning to the United States, an ultrasound revealed my mother was pregnant with a baby girl. My father, also an adventurous traveler, preferred a name like Paris, Roma, or Lisbon for his daughter. My mother loved the name Sahara. Since I had no say in the matter, my parents decided my name by a simple coin toss. Dad lost. I like the name Sahara – it reminds me of the sand gliding and playfully dancing in the wind.
I am an author, traveler, photographer, and amateur philosopher. In short, I am a lifelong student of life who loves observing the comings and goings of people, places, things, and sharing them with the world and people of all places, times, dimensions, and more.
What were your adventures growing up with such adventurous parents?
My understanding of the world and its people wasn’t learned from a textbook. I traveled with my parents across Australia, Europe, Asia, and Africa—as well as within America. Both of my parents loved history, diversity, and the curiosity and empathy of people everywhere. I grew up believing that people are spiritual beings in human form and often spoke to my “other self” in the mirror. Seeking adventure was a way of life for us.
Can you tell us how you came to write Sophie’s Wildflowers and what led you to DeLand, Florida?
Deland is a charming town that honors and protects its history. There, I felt traces of a lively past woven into personal stories that cross time and place. Sophie’s Wildflowers is both a murder mystery and a tribute to creativity and resilience. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
