Thank you so much for having me on your blog! I really appreciate this exciting opportunity. Writing during high school was so fun but at times it was a challenge! I became an author through a series of random events. My first book grew from a short story I’d penned. I’d written the story for a micro fiction contest, but it hadn’t won. Believe it or not, I’m actually glad I hadn’t succeeded in that event. If I’d won, that story would have never become a book and then a whole series!
It just shows that though something is unpleasant at the time, an even better opportunity may be down the road! By the time I was writing the whole book, I was highly considering turning my plot into a series, but it all came from a short story that was under 1,000 words.
How long did it take you to write your first book? How many rewrites did you do on it?
I penned the first chapter of my debut in September of 2017, back when I only intended for it to be a short story. However, I didn’t start writing it as a book until January of the following year. I published my finished book in May, so it took about four months of time! If I recall correctly, my debut went through five drafts.
Are you active in any critique groups?
I’m not in any official critique groups, but I do have a few people read my book before publication and give me feedback. It helps if they notice any plot holes and occasional mistakes overlooked by my editor. Extra pairs of fresh eyes bring great peace of mind!
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Occasionally, I hit a slump of exhaustion and writers block halfway through my book, which is difficult to navigate through. However, the prospect of writing the climax usually motivates me to press on. Also, sentence structure/flow is something I’ve struggled with more in the past, but I feel like I’m becoming much more comfortable with it!
What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
To put it simply, people really encourage me. I’m astounded by how kind so many of them have been to me. Whether I’m talking to everyone at events, or getting messages online, it just really brightens my day and motivates me to never give up!
What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing? What frustrated you the most?
As said above, I’m pleasantly surprised at how supportive people are to me! However, one thing that has frustrated me is that because I published young, I think some people didn’t take me seriously at first. I do understand why they’d think that though, since I was only fourteen. At the same time, we shouldn’t let someone’s age limit them. Although I’m still a teen, but I’m out of high school now, I think people see my career more as my job and less as my hobby, which is fantastic!
How long did it take you to write your first book? How many rewrites did you do on it?
I penned the first chapter of my debut in September of 2017, back when I only intended for it to be a short story. However, I didn’t start writing it as a book until January of the following year. I published my finished book in May, so it took about four months of time! If I recall correctly, my debut went through five drafts.
Are you active in any critique groups?
I’m not in any official critique groups, but I do have a few people read my book before publication and give me feedback. It helps if they notice any plot holes and occasional mistakes overlooked by my editor. Extra pairs of fresh eyes bring great peace of mind!
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
Occasionally, I hit a slump of exhaustion and writers block halfway through my book, which is difficult to navigate through. However, the prospect of writing the climax usually motivates me to press on. Also, sentence structure/flow is something I’ve struggled with more in the past, but I feel like I’m becoming much more comfortable with it!
What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
To put it simply, people really encourage me. I’m astounded by how kind so many of them have been to me. Whether I’m talking to everyone at events, or getting messages online, it just really brightens my day and motivates me to never give up!
What has surprised you the most in writing/publishing? What frustrated you the most?
As said above, I’m pleasantly surprised at how supportive people are to me! However, one thing that has frustrated me is that because I published young, I think some people didn’t take me seriously at first. I do understand why they’d think that though, since I was only fourteen. At the same time, we shouldn’t let someone’s age limit them. Although I’m still a teen, but I’m out of high school now, I think people see my career more as my job and less as my hobby, which is fantastic!
I wish I’d proofread even more than I did when I first started out. Now I try to proofread twice before I send in my work to an editor. Reading my work twice helps me catch a lot of mistakes ahead of time, which makes everything smoother! It also gives me a chance to work extra hard on my sentence structure!
What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give?
Here are three that are total game changers for me. Vary your sentence openers. Use your five senses to paint a picture of your scene in your reader’s mind. Avoid using the same word in two back‐to‐back sentences. Synonyms are amazing!
Are there any other points about writing you would like to add?
Don’t overthink your first draft. Just get those words down and proofread later! Also, try to have at least a very basic, overall idea of your plot. You don’t have to map out everything, but knowing some key points will help you not hit writer’s block.
What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
Although I usually publish mystery books and fantasy books, I’m planning to release a standalone Christian fiction titled, Never a Fairy Tale. Fifteen‐year‐old Parker Everson is an atheist who’s just moved across America after his parents’ divorce. At his new school, he meets Grace, a cheerful girl who has a deep assurance in God. While Parker’s been convinced that belief in a divine Creator is belief in a fairy tale, his new friend makes him contemplate further about religion. As Parker finds himself longing to have Grace’s joy, she wants him to share her faith.
Do you have an eBook you’d like to give to one reader who comments on your interview?
I would love to give away a free copy of my latest release, ! If you love medieval fantasy set at sea, this book might be just for you! When Soltaria’s life‐threatening secret is revealed, she flees her country, boarding a ship set for a new land—one she isn’t even convinced exists. What’s she hiding? It’s what’s keeps her alive, and it’s something every reader will relate to…
Don’t overthink your first draft. Just get those words down and proofread later! Also, try to have at least a very basic, overall idea of your plot. You don’t have to map out everything, but knowing some key points will help you not hit writer’s block.
What is the next book coming out? Can you give me a short synopsis?
Although I usually publish mystery books and fantasy books, I’m planning to release a standalone Christian fiction titled, Never a Fairy Tale. Fifteen‐year‐old Parker Everson is an atheist who’s just moved across America after his parents’ divorce. At his new school, he meets Grace, a cheerful girl who has a deep assurance in God. While Parker’s been convinced that belief in a divine Creator is belief in a fairy tale, his new friend makes him contemplate further about religion. As Parker finds himself longing to have Grace’s joy, she wants him to share her faith.
Do you have an eBook you’d like to give to one reader who comments on your interview?
I would love to give away a free copy of my latest release, ! If you love medieval fantasy set at sea, this book might be just for you! When Soltaria’s life‐threatening secret is revealed, she flees her country, boarding a ship set for a new land—one she isn’t even convinced exists. What’s she hiding? It’s what’s keeps her alive, and it’s something every reader will relate to…
That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to win her eBook, go to her Facebook page and leave a comment saying you'd like to win a copy of her eBook. The winner will be announced on her Facebook page next Tuesday, March 14
If you'd like to learn more about her books and writing updates, check out the sources below.
Wow, nice interview!! Very interesting!❤️
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your kind words! ♥️
DeleteWow! Starting at 14! I can't imagine where you will go starting so young. I published my first book at 63. Now 10 years later, I still honing the craft of writing. I would love to win one of your fantasy ebooks! Thanks for the offer.
ReplyDeleteYour are so uplifting! Thank you so much for your kind, motivating words to me. :D How nice to meet fellow authors!
DeleteI did my first writing in high school with skits for our senior review, but I didn't return to creative writing until years later. Hope you'll stick with your writing, Danielle.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much! Making skits sounds like it'd be a blast. I appreciate your kindness, and also for featuring me on here!
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