Weโre at the end of the month; is everyone ready for Halloween/Samhain? If not, youโd better hurry โ after you read this interview!
Today we have a USA Today bestselling author dropping in to spend some time with us! So Iโm going to let her introduce herself!
USA Today and Amazon No1 Best-Seller. ๐
Dark Fantasy Fairytale Fanatic โจ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐๐ฎ
Avid Reader ๐
Witty Wordsmith ๐โ
Dragons and Villains are my forte ๐ช๐๐๐
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
From a very young age. I was always reading and loved fantasy books so it was inevitable really. I didnโt really stick with any writing project until 2013 though when my dark spell series came about.ย
What is your work schedule like when youโre writing?
I donโt have a set schedule perse. Some nights I may not get anything done at all simply because I am not feeling it or because other circumstance (tired/ chronic pain) others I may be going like a maniac until 3am. It depends really.ย
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
I was 25 when I wrote Her Dark Soul.ย
What do you like to do when youโre not writing?
When not writing, well thereโs a whole host of activities. Adult colouring, walking in nature, nature photography, watching Netflix / prime I am a binge watcher, jigsaw puzzles, reading, watching movies. Talking to cats, yes, really.
How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?
So far 12 books. Favourite is Kissing Darkness without a doubt. It was the most fun to write.
Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
There is no magical wand here other than keep writing. The more you write the more mistakes youโll make and thus learn from that experience. My biggest teacher is experience. Iโm practical. That is how I learn. ?
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
It energizes me. if it makes you feel crappy, youโre definitely doing something wrong.ย
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Falling for the scams, vanity publishing, paid reviews, digital marketers ie fiverr digital marketers etcโฆ Itโs very common nowadays especially in the big world of Facebook groups but these people prey on new authors because they wonโt have the experience to know itโs a dead end. itโs sad but what can you do? Itโs just one of those things, you live and learn.ย
Does a big ego help or hurt writers?
I think a big ego can be damaging for a lot of reasons. For example if someone publishes a book and it doesnโt do well. Ie there needs to be improvements but the writer is confident in their work and isnโt willing to make changes, well you canโt really do much with something like that. A lot of writers (again in Facebook groups) will also publish badly written and unedited work and they donโt really think that it needs tidying. I get that finances come into it but ultimately itโs your product, you need it to be the best it can be.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
My writing anti-kryptonite, is that a thing? Anyway, if you will is my ability to know the end of the book before I start it. This helps me to plan a lot more easily (outlines) and get things done so that the story is compelling and it doesnโt make some of those awkward boring middle bits as boring as they initially sound.ย
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
Iโd like them to stand on their own for sure but end of the day because itโs a series. Dark Spell series then itโs more probable that itโs going to be connected in that line of thinking but I like to think each story stands apart on its own.ย
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
The advice would be donโt listen to idiots who arenโt wanting you to succeed. Do what you want anyway because itโs not going to make any difference by what people say. Itโs what you do despite what people say that counts.
As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
Cat/ Dragon. Maleficent is a combination of the two. Sheโs both furry and fiery. Job done. ๐
What do you owe the real people upon whom you base your characters?
Hahaha, there are numerous individuals that have been inserted into my books over time but I wonโt say who they are ๐
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