We’re at the end of the month; is everyone ready for Halloween/Samhain? If not, you’d better hurry – after you read this interview!
Today we have a USA Today bestselling author dropping in to spend some time with us! So I’m going to let her introduce herself!
USA Today and Amazon No1 Best-Seller. 😍
Dark Fantasy Fairytale Fanatic ✨🦄🐲🎃🔮
Avid Reader 📚
Witty Wordsmith 😆✏
Dragons and Villains are my forte 💪🙌👌😎
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 didn’t really stick with any writing project until 2013 though when my dark spell series came about.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
I don’t 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.
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
I was 25 when I wrote Her Dark Soul.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
When not writing, well there’s 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 you’ll make and thus learn from that experience. My biggest teacher is experience. I’m practical. That is how I learn. ?
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
It energizes me. if it makes you feel crappy, you’re definitely doing something wrong.
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Falling for the scams, vanity publishing, paid reviews, digital marketers ie fiverr digital marketers etc… It’s very common nowadays especially in the big world of Facebook groups but these people prey on new authors because they won’t have the experience to know it’s a dead end. it’s sad but what can you do? It’s just one of those things, you live and learn.
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 doesn’t do well. Ie there needs to be improvements but the writer is confident in their work and isn’t willing to make changes, well you can’t 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 don’t really think that it needs tidying. I get that finances come into it but ultimately it’s 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 doesn’t make some of those awkward boring middle bits as boring as they initially sound.
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?
I’d like them to stand on their own for sure but end of the day because it’s a series. Dark Spell series then it’s more probable that it’s going to be connected in that line of thinking but I like to think each story stands apart on its own.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
The advice would be don’t listen to idiots who aren’t wanting you to succeed. Do what you want anyway because it’s not going to make any difference by what people say. It’s 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. She’s both furry and fiery. Job done. 😀
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 won’t say who they are 😉
