WORKING TITLE: Everdal
GENRE: YA/NA Fantasy
Status: First Draft Complete
Days in current Status: To Many
Days of actual writing: 25
Current Word Count: 64,223
Current Chapter Count Complete: 19
NEXT STEPS: Re-writes - Estimated completion date: unknown
The 1st draft is FINALLY done!
Well, its done.
I’m not going to lie, its an ugly first draft, but its done.
I think the story has great bones and the characters are fun… relatable… and likeable, for the most part. wink-wink…
I can’t wait to dig in and get started on the re-writes.
Bestselling author Candace Havens has published more than 25 books. Her novels have received nominations for the RITA’s, Holt Medallion, Write Touch Reader Awards and National Reader’s Choice Awards.
Check out our interview on YouTube:
Check out HER LATEST book below!
(Click on the cover images to order your copy)
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.)
It’s Christmas in Sweet River, Texas, and the whole town is feeling festive apart from Ainsley McGregor. Ainsley has never enjoyed the holidays and would rather ignore them, but with her shop Bless Your Art busier than ever and filled with happy shoppers, even she’s feeling some Christmas spirit. That is, until her Great Dane, George Clooney, sniffs out a dead body in the Santa House at the Christmas Festival.
When one of her favorite crafters becomes the prime suspect, Ainsley is determined to prove his innocence. The case is full of so many twists and turns that even Ainsley begins to fear the truth. Is she protecting a killer?
With help from her friends and some extremely nosey townsfolk, Ainsley and her dog hurry to find the truth––as long as they can outwit and outrun the killer first. Otherwise, this Christmas might just be her last.
Let’s start by finding out a little bit about you…
What is your name and do you write under a pen name?
My name is Luv Lubker. (I go by Luvy on Facebook)
Where do you call home?
I live in Central Texas.
Obviously, we know you are an author, but some writers have other jobs as well. Do you have another occupation? Do you believe you’re any good at it? Do you like what you do?
I am a Raw Food chef (for my own family) and am teaching myself German so I can translate books.
Do you have any hobbies, other than writing? What do you enjoy doing?
I always loved animals. As a child, I researched all sorts of animals and had many pets. I also love reading, Raw Food preparation, bicycling (I learned to unicycle when I was 7 but only learned to bike when I was about to turn 25).
Not to pry too much, but do you remember your first love?
I haven’t had one.
What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?
My parents and friends always said “You should write a book” since I started my historical research, but I always said I didn’t know how to describe things. Reading Clare McHugh’s book A Most English Princess inspired me to start writing my own interpretation of Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter Vicky’s story.
What was your dream growing up? Did you achieve that dream? If so, in what ways was it not what you expected? If you never achieved the dream, why not?
I always imagined I would like to do something about animals as a child. I had many pets as I said, but when I was 12 my chickens got massacred by dogs. I stopped getting the huge bags of animal books from the library that I had always gotten. I just couldn’t read them anymore.
Who is your role model?
I have many.
What is your greatest fear?
Being alone I think.
Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks, hard-covers or audio-books?
I like them all for different reasons. I like ebooks for when I want to be able to get something immediately, but I like getting the physical books of books I want lots of book marks in, and also I like them because I can resell them. Audio is great too, I love the really good readers, and music when audio has that. It is fun to listen while doing other things. I also get more out of some books listening than reading, and also often hear more at a time than I read so I get more in context.
Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?
Lots! I read or listen to my favorites over and over again. I researched Charlotte Bronte for a few years and read or listened to Jane Eyre and Villette a dozen time each (literally) within 3 years. They were so good I could read them that many times that close together and always find new meaning.
What is your opinion of novellas?
I don’t really have one.
Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?
Not that I can think of.
What is your favorite film based on a book?
I don’t usually like movies based on books much. The books are usually so much better! I like the Thornfield part of Jane Eyre with Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson.
What is your favorite book genre at the moment?
Biography and memoirs and letters.
What books have made it onto your wish list recently? And why?
Becoming Queen Mary by Kori Roff Lawrence, because I am interviewing other Victorian era authors and researchers and reading their books if I haven’t already.
What book are you reading at the moment? And in what format?
I am reading Dearest Mama, the second volume of Queen Victoria’s letters with her eldest daughter, Vicky, for research for my next book. Also, Tagebucher 1848-66, a German book of the diary of Friedrich III (Vicky’s husband) – “Fritz”, the father of Kaiser Wilhelm II. These are book hardback books I’ve bought.
I am listening to Rilla of Ingleside, the last book of the Anne of Green Gables series, and The Mysterious Benedict Society.
If you could invite any four (4) celebrities (alive or dead) to your dinner party, who would you invite and why?
Queen Victoria, Friedrich “Fritz” III, Charlotte Bronte, Brian Jacques. They are people and authors I greatly admire.
Let’s shift somewhat and talk about your latest story.
What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or fewer words, what would you say?
Under His Spell. A lonely young man visits the first World’s Fair – the Great Exhibition of 1851 – and meets a family who changes his life forever.
Is the above book part of a series?
I am planning a series – The Rival Courts.
How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)?
I was making a design for Facebook posts and banners and liked the color scheme. I designed my own cover.
Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)?
Only You from the movie The Young Victoria makes me think of things Fritz wrote to Vicky.
How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?
My Mom and I were talking about my book and she thought of it. I had just written a part the night before where a character says “I was under his spell”, and I thought it was perfect. When I was almost done writing, I was finishing translating the part of Fritz’s diary from the last year my first book covers. I didn’t do it all in order, I had already done the end of the year, I was just in the middle, but the last page I translated mentioned a poem Vicky quoted on the anniversary of their engagement which translates as “I love you as one under a spell” – it just seemed like confirmation that it was the perfect title.
Do you have a book trailer? If so, where can we watch it?
I read the prologue here. I might come across a little nervous.
In your latest novel, who is the lead character and can you tell us a little about him/her?
Queen Victoria’s eldest daughter, Vicky, and her husband, Fritz, later Friedrich III, German Emperor and King of Prussia. They are the parents of Kaiser Wilhelm II.
What is your character’s greatest strengths?
Fritz’s strengths I would say were his kindness and humanity in the midst of a very difficult, dysfunctional family and negative environment. Vicky (and Fritz too) were able to stand an incredible amount of difficulties (and difficulties is underestimating) and she still kept her comical point of view (she makes lots of puns in her letters and makes light of her difficulties a lot of the time) and her sweet expression.
And what are his/her greatest weaknesses?
Fritz was easily depressed – but that wasn’t surprising with all he went through. Vicky often didn’t tell him or her mother about bad things that happened which they might of protected her from because she didn’t want them to worry about her. Vicky could also be a bit too honest in her opinions – either hurting people’s feelings or getting herself or her family into trouble.
What’s a positive quality that your character is unaware that he or she has?
Fritz was extremely modest – was often bullied as a child and as an adult – and didn’t think much of his talents. Vicky was very pretty I think, but she was often critical of her appearance. She was a wonderful writer, her letters are fascinating, but she said she didn’t like her own writing style.
Will readers like or dislike this character, and why?
I think they are very likable, and I have written much about their good qualities.
What first gave you the idea for your latest book?
I have read about Queen Victoria’s family for over 7 years, and always go back to Vicky and the Queen’s letters when I get to the end of another line of research. Now that I am reading Fritz’s diaries, I am learning more new information which I don’t often see in English books. I have my own perspectives on the Prussian Royals which I wanted to share. I also wanted to tell the story more from Fritz’s point of view, which I haven’t seen done before.
Let’s talk now about your writing process.
What is your writing style like? Are you a pantster or a plotter?
I am writing a story that is already there, just making my own version of it. I write out my table of contents and let the story “download” itself as I write.
Have you come across any specific challenges in writing or publishing? What would you do differently the next time?
Promoting without a publisher.
Are you a self-published/Indie author or did you publish through a traditional publishing company?
Self-Published Indie.
If you’re a self-published/Indie author what made you go that route instead of the traditional publishing route?
I wanted to get it out there.
How do you get out of writing block?
A few times when I got stuck or felt critical of my work when I reread it, I started reading it but imagining it in the voice of one of my favorite audiobook readers. That helped me get “out of myself”, and I kept going.
Where can your readers follow you? Please list links to any applicable websites and/or social media accounts.
https://therivalcourts.com – my book (and some author interviews) is available here, and is on sale during May 2021.
An Interview with Nancy Thorne, author of The Somewhere I See You Again!
DO YOU EVER WISH YOU WERE SOMEONE ELSE?
When I was younger I never wished to be someone else, but always wanted to be a better version of how I saw myself, whether it was my appearance or how much I knew. Now that I’m older, I sometimes think it would be a great thing to go back in time to my younger self to tell her she’s fine just the way she is.
WHAT PART OF THE WRITING PROCESS DO YOU DREAD?
I consider myself to be a slow, calculating type of writer. The beginning is the most difficult for me. As I continue, the characters evolve into their unique selves and the writing becomes easier.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING?
The short answer is since grade school. The longer answer is I’ve seriously been writing for eight years. I spent decades trying to convince myself that just because I thought in my heart that I was a writer, it didn’t necessarily mean I was one. Through many years I listened to people say that they wanted to write a book, but none of them did. So, I kept dismissing my own yearnings. But they were like itches I could never scratch away.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A NEW WRITER STARTING OUT?
To not give up. To know going in that it takes time to hone your writing skills. Learn from other writers who have the experience you still need, whether by joining a writers’ group, attending lectures, or researching the Internet. If you can, get some feedback from others who aren’t in your family. There are editors who may be starting out who can give you feedback and critique your work. Be patient, keep writing and know you will feel less than others, especially at the beginning of your writing journey. Don’t compare yourself to anyone but who you were last week, or the week before, as you learn. All writers have to go through these times.
HAVE YOU EVER HAD AN IMAGINARY FRIEND?
When I was in grade school I felt comforted by small porcelain figures that I’d take to school hidden in a pocket. Throughout the day, I’d comfort the tiny figurine, which was actually comforting myself. I’d tell the cat or rabbit or dog that it was only a few minutes until recess or lunchtime. I made sure they knew they were cared for.
DO YOU HAVE ANY PHOBIAS?
I don’t like taxidermy heads of animals, so I try and pretend they don’t exist if I happen to be in a restaurant that has stuffed moose heads, etc. on the walls.
DO YOU EVER READ YOUR STORIES OUT LOUD?
I can honestly say that I don’t though I’ve heard that it’s a good idea. I don’t read my stories out loud because it wouldn’t sound like my character – and it doesn’t seem right for me to give a character my voice when they already have their own.
TELL US ABOUT YOU MAIN CHARACTER AND WHO INSPIRED HIM/HER
When I was a teenager many things and many friends inspired me. A vital part of me seemed to remain in the past. So, my main characters’ personalities bubble to the surface easily, as most of my characters do. They inspire me because I’ve never truly discarded them in my mind.
ANY WEIRD THINGS YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE ALONE?
I talk to my dog in weird ways. Sometimes my voice is high-pitched; sometimes I growl at him and call him silly nicknames like he’s a baby. Like I said, it’s weird.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE QUOTE AND WHY?
My favorite quote is: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul”, from the poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley. William was only in his twenties in 1875 when he wrote the poem. He was in the hospital with severe health problems, yet he showed tremendous courage in his poems.
WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE AUTHOR AND WHY?
I have to say Ernest Hemingway, only because the first adult book I ever read was “The Old Man and the Sea.” I was quite young and the book affected me in an emotional way. I also have to say that in the past few years I’ve fallen in love with Anton Chekhov, the famous 19th century author. My husband doesn’t seem too concerned.
WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF GOOD WRITING?
There are technical aspects and there are emotional elements. The most important element for me is the reactions of my characters. I try to make sure they act in an honest manner, true to their personalities and emotions.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM FLAVOUR?
Chocolate. Or maybe butterscotch swirl. Or maybe orange sherbet.
WHICH MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURE DO YOU LIKE BEST?
Easy. Pegasus. I’ve been a horse lover forever. Going horseback riding as a pre-teen and teenager was my favorite activity. I thought for sure I’d own my own horse one day. Didn’t happen.
HOW DO YOU DEVELOP YOUR PLOT AND CHARACTERS?
The characters and their situations come to me quickly. The story usually involves some aspect of my own life experiences. The plot comes after I mull around different scenarios.
DESCRIBE YOUR WRITING SPACE
I have a writing room on the second floor of my home. It’s a small room, but perfect to write in. The uncanny thing is that my family and I moved into this house twenty years ago, when I was still stuffing down my feelings of being a writer. But this particular room was already decorated with wallpaper consisting of rows upon rows of realistic looking books along one wall. It was like the universe was trying to tell me to finally “get in here and get writing!”
WHAT ARE THINGS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
My two sons, my husband, my dogs, food and water.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TELEVISION SHOW?
I prefer to read, but I’d have to say my favorite shows are streamed. I don’t like waiting for commercials to finish.
WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR BEST IDEAS?
Sometimes ideas come to me when I’m in bed trying to get to sleep. Others I’ve held in my brain for a long time, especially things that bothered me when I was growing up.
IF WE WERE TO COME TO YOUR HOUSE FOR A MEAL, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I should say pasta because I’m half Italian, but it would probably be something my husband barbecued, with different salads made by me. We would sit in my backyard and talk. I love to hear about others’ lives. Everyone has a story.
WHAT WOULD WE FIND UNDER YOUR BED?
Dust and dog fur, probably. I’m afraid to look.
WHAT WAS THE SCARIEST MOMENT OF YOUR LIFE?
When I was fourteen, I was almost snatched off the street by a couple of guys. They stopped at the curb, jumped out of their car, and tried to grab me. My girlfriend was too frightened to do anything, so I plunged my body to the sidewalk, kicking and screaming. I guess they decided I was too difficult to deal with because they got back in their car and took off.
WHAT GROUP DID YOU HANG OUT WITH IN HIGH SCHOOL?
Mostly I hung out with my “gang” of six guys and six girls. We reconnected recently after decades apart.
WHAT ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT THESE DAYS?
I’m passionate about my family. I’m passionate about what’s going on in the world. I’m passionate about my writing. I’m passionate about each person who picks up my book and reads it.
IF YOU HAD TO DO YOUR JOURNEY TO GETTING PUBLISHED AGAIN, WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY?
I would try to not feel so heartbroken at each rejection.
IF YOU COULD HAVE ONE PARANORMAL ABILITY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
To travel back in time. I’d love to see my dad again, and again, and again.
WHAT IS ONE THING YOUR READERS WOULD BE MOST SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU?
My age. I started writing after my boys were grown, so I’m older than many young adult authors. But the good thing is, a vital part of me never moved on from my teenage years. I’ve always been aware of this.
WHEN WRITING DESCRIPTIONS OF YOUR HEROINE, WHAT FEATURE DO YOU START WITH?
I start with his or her attitude. How badass or passive are they? How confident or vulnerable? How persuasive or gullible? How serious or funny? How damaged?
ARE YOU A PLOTTER OR A PANSTER?
Hmmm. Both at times. I start with the characters and some sort of plot then let the characters evolve. Sometimes they decide to change an aspect of the plot or take the story in a different direction although my general vision remains.
IF YOU COULD APOLIGIZE TO SOMEONE IN YOUR PAST, WHO WOULD IT BE?
One of my best friends when I was a teenager. I hitchhiked with her across Canada. Eventually, I totally chose my boyfriend’s wishes and hopes over hers. It was an awful thing to do.
IF YOU COULD KEEP A PARANORMAL CREATURE AS A PET, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
A creature small enough to fit into my pocket. I’d take it everywhere with me, as long as it didn’t bite.
HOW DO YOU KEEP YOUR WRITING DIFFERENT FROM ALL THE OTHERS THAT WRITE IN THIS PARTICULAR GENRE?
I think because I’m older than a lot of YA authors, my writing naturally comes out in a unique way. I’ve had different experiences in different time spans.
ARE THE EXPERIENCES IN THIS BOOK BASED ON SOMEONE YOU KNOW, OR EVENTS IN YOUR OWN LIFE?
I’m not the kind of author who can make up entire worlds and inhabitants like a fantasy writer. In everything I write, my experiences in my own life are interwoven somewhere in the story.
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As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Elexis Bell writes gritty and emotional novels. Born and raised in the midwestern United States, she dreams of a cabin in the woods rather than a house surrounded by cornfields.
She loves writing well-developed characters facing real problems in vibrant, magical worlds. Armed with a degree in psychology and a rollercoaster past, she sprinkles gut-wrenching emotions over high fantasy romance, science fiction, and the occasional thriller.
Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Allmother Rising? There are four main characters, so in order of appearance: Veliana is the Priestess Rising of Kin territory, but Rising to lead her people makes her nervous. And with the new king of Jun threatening to invade, the stakes have never been higher. Shy and struggling to recover from the betrayal of her former love, she carries a lot of burdens into battle.
Tyrvahn is the deposed prince of Jun. Once conceited and wasteful, a near-death experience brought him to the Allmother’s door. She showed him a better way to live. He just has to escape the assassins his uncle sent after him, deal with the recent deaths of his parents, and get his throne back to lead them according to the Allmother’s ways. Garle hates the new king and his nephew. After they led the invasion of her homeland more than a decade ago, killing her parents and running everyone out of their homes, she vowed revenge. Having lived undercover in Jun ever since, working her way into an… acquaintanceship with the royal family in the name of gathering information, her opportunity to kill them and the evil god that twists the hearts of Jun residents has finally arrived. Kivala thinks she’s moved on. Her brothers died in the invasion of her homeland, but it’s been years. She’s safe and sound in Kin with her parents, best friends with the Priestess Rising, and always has a brightside or a joke. But when war comes to her doorstep again, the thought of losing another home and more family pushes her to the front lines.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book? It’s hard to pick, honestly. I’m not sure how to choose between the characters, the world, or the animal companions.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Who designed your book covers? I actually do my own covers. I really enjoy graphic design, and once I get started, it absorbs hours of my life. Of course, I always get feedback from other authors, artists, and readers before finalizing a design.
Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book? I did end up going down a rabbit hole researching how bears show affection. The book has animal companions, and I have no experience with bears… so my google search history took a surprisingly wholesome turn compared to some of the other things I’ve researched for books.
How did you come up with name of this book? The Allmother is the primary god in the world within the book, and she desperately wants to reach the rest of her people. Aia (her son and thus a lesser god) holds them beyond her reach in a kingdom without the trees that connect the mortal realm to her realm. In Kin, the person in line to lead the territory is called the Priest or Priestess Rising. So, since the Allmother is reaching out to lead the rest of her people home, I combined the two terms and got Allmother Rising.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination? Nope. I don’t base any of my characters off people I know. They pop into my head, and they quickly become their own people, making decisions and thinking things all on their own.
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write? Most of them come to me as I write. I always have at least two of the main characters before I start writing, but the rest fill in as I go.
What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book? None. I start writing and figure everything out as I go. If that means stopping to research how bears show affection for half an hour, then so be it. (I actually did that while writing this book.)
Do you see writing as a career? First and foremost, it’s something I love. Whether it eventually pays the bills or not, the joy of writing is enough to continue. But in the future, I’d like to make enough money from my books to be able to quit my day job and write even more books.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre? Of course. I’ve actually turned one of the spare bedrooms at my house into my own personal library. I read fantasy and sci-fi, always with romance. The darker, the better, and I prefer character driven books.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why? I can write regardless of what’s going on around me, but I prefer music. I make playlists for every book, adding to them every time I hear a song that reminds me of one of the characters, a scene, or just the book as a whole. That’s my preferred soundtrack while writing, but I’ll write regardless.
Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time? I usually have multiple projects going at a time, but only one in the writing stage. At the moment, I’m writing a sci-fi series, editing a dark romantic fantasy and a thriller romance, and releasing Allmother Rising. I just can’t write two books side by side. I get too excited about the characters and worlds, too consumed. And inevitably, one sucks me in, leaving the other project on the backburner until the first is done.
Pen or type writer or computer? Honestly, whatever I have on hand. I’ll type on my phone or my laptop. I’ll write in a notebook or on loose scraps of paper. Sometimes, I come home from work with my entire forearm covered in scenes and conversations that I thought up throughout the day. I work in a factory, and my machine tracks my progress to the tenth of a second, so I don’t have time to dig out paper and write out every detail in my head. Instead, I just jot down the barest bones of what I come up with on my arm, just enough to make sure I remember everything when I get home to type it up.
Any advice for new authors? I have a few pieces of advice that I will always, always, always tell any new writer that asks for advice.
1. As long as the first draft is written, it’s a perfect first draft. Don’t stress over what others will think or whether it’s good enough or whether it’s original or too long or too short. A first draft is perfect as long as it’s written.
2. Writer for yourself. Edit for your readers.
3. NEVER PUBLISH WITH A VANITY PRESS. They’re legal scams. Please, save yourself millions of headaches, infinite heartache, bullying, and thousands of dollars. If a publisher approaches you, unless you’re famous, it’s probably a vanity press. If they call themselves a subsidy press, they’re a vanity press. If a publisher expects you to pay them, it’s a vanity press. (Ingramspark is the exception in that they charge $25-$49 to list your book in their massive wholesale database.)
Please, research every publisher you consider. Ask other authors and check out Writer Beware to see if they list a publisher that seems even the slightest bit suspicious. I was taken in by a vanity press when I first published nearly a decade ago, and it very nearly destroyed my faith in publishing altogether. Spare yourself that trouble.
Describe your writing style. Gritty, lyrical, character-driven, and punchy. My characters drive the plot, and I don’t waste time with unnecessary details. I use a lot of sentence fragments, a lot of dependent clauses and paragraph breaks, all in the name of flow. And I never shy away from the tough subjects my plots demand.
What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first? What are common traps for aspiring writers? I’m what’s known in writing communities as a pantser/discovery writer. Some people prefer discovery writer because it sounds more serious. I prefer pantser because it sounds more fun and writing is supposed to be fun. But regardless of what you call it, I write by the seat of my pants. No outlines. No story bible. No character profiles. I get an idea, and I start writing. Beyond that, I do a lot of things that are commonly preached against in writing circles. Many people say not to edit as you go because it might trap you in a cycle of rewriting/fixing rather than writing the rest of the book. But I edit as I go, and it works for me.
A lot of people say to write every day, but I work 12 hour shifts at least two days a week. I don’t usually get to write on those days.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want? I just let the story be what it needs to be. There’s an audience out there for any book. It’s just a matter of finding them. Yes, writing this way rather than writing to market means that marketing will inevitably be more difficult, but the integrity of the characters and the story means more to me than saving myself a little difficulty in advertising.
How long on average does it take you to write a book? I write somewhat quickly. Despite working full time and maintaining a semblance of a social life, I can usually finish a first draft in about four months. Some books take a little longer, depending on how much overtime I end up with during that time.
Allmother Rising took one day less than four months. The writing started out slow thanks to work, but then Covid happened, and the factory I work at got shut down for two months. So, I still got it done in four months.
However, my current project, The Regonia Chronicles, is an exception. It’s a series that I didn’t know would be a series until I was about 90,000 words in with no end in sight. (Most sci-fi/fantasy novels are between 70,000 and 120,000 words, for reference.) And then, when I started writing what I thought would be book two, I had to go back and add several chapters to book one, which changed the point at which book one ended. Then, book three meant more additions to book one.
So, for this project, I honestly have no idea how long each book is taking because they’re all under construction up until the completion of the whole series. Not to mention the fact that I’ve stopped to write unrelated books a few times, and since I’m making up a complete language for one of the races in the book, I occasionally have to stop writing to fill out their dictionary. But usually, I can stick to an average of four months per first draft.
What can we expect from you in the future? I always have a lot of projects going on at one time, so in addition to releasing Allmother Rising, I’m also editing and writing. All my books are intensely character focused, so their internal struggles are always in the forefront.
My current projects in editing: Second to None, a dark thriller romance with murder, an abusive relationship, star-crossed lovers (not the abusive relationship), and ghost stories. A Blessed Darkness, a dark romantic fantasy featuring a fated couple, blood magic, power that makes even the gods wary, and the dangers of losing yourself in love.
My current writing project: The Regonia Chronicles, a dark romantic sci-fi series full of unethical experiments, genocide, aliens, alcoholism, and a very close look at the ways that families break apart (and break the people within them). Books 1-3 and one of the prequels are written. I’m currently writing book four and the other prequel.
After all that, I have an idea for a second standalone novel in the universe of my last release, a dark paranormal fantasy romance called A Heart of Salt and Silver, as well as several ideas in new worlds.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Celaine Charles lives in the Pacific Northwest where she teaches elementary school, writes fiction and poetry, and blogs about her writing journey on Steps In Between.
Her YA Fantasy, Seam Keepers, debuted May 12, 2021 (The Wild Rose Press). Always busy, Celaine is currently drafting the sequel, Dream Keepers, along with a brand-new YA Contemporary Fantasy, Life Song.
Her poetry book, Colors Collected, debuted in August 2019. This book stemmed from her online poetry series, Colors, hosted on Channillo, and awarded Best Continuing Series, Best New Series, and Best Poetry Series for the 2018 Channillo Awards. In addition, she has poetry published with other various presses.
When Celaine isn’t writing, she is usually with family and friends, or hiking among the trees and the flowers in her beautiful evergreen state.
The inspiration for my story, Seam Keepers, evolved from a literal dream and a challenge. I woke up one morning thinking about dreams and if there could actually be different worlds inside dreams. If so, what might they be like? What would their purpose be? How would someone from Earth get to that dream-place? Why would they want to go?
I dove in, drafting my story without any direction or know how. I was soaring on the famous quote to write the story you’ve always wanted to read. I had a human character, a hidden dream world, and a pretty clever dream creature. Then I wrote linearly until I found myself stuck, stuck, stuck. I had no idea how to really plot or develop a book of that scale. I simply grasped ideas and themes I wanted to glean. It was time to do some more reading. What were other authors doing to make their books work?
A couple years later, after almost giving up, I said a little prayer and gave the idea to the stars. Two weeks after that, I met a woman who changed my life. I had discovered she was an author and shared with her my want-to-be-writer secret. She shook her head and said if that’s how I felt, then I already was a writer. She challenged me to start over with a new story idea and write a whole new book without stopping to revise or edit. Her rules were simple, don’t look back, just finish. Her initial thought was that I would complete something, even if it was trash, then be able to go back and finish my original story. There’s a lot of motivation that comes from finishing, I know this firsthand now. But what really happened for me…the new story I wrote became the story I published…Seam Keepers!
Okay, I fibbed a bit. My friend challenged me to write a whole new story, nothing I’d ever written before. But I couldn’t quite bring myself to leave that dreamy setting I had created. So, instead of continuing my original story inside the dream world, I wrote about new characters outside, or what is now the seam surrounding the Dream Realm. I am smiling because now I get to write the sequel, Dream Keepers, picking up with some of my original story ideas from all those years ago.
A literal dream and a writing challenge—that’s how Seam Keepers came to be.
What can we expect from you in the future?
My writing future is glittering in tiny firefly lights. After bringing Seam Keepers to life, I can’t possibly stop creating. I have book two, Dream Keepers, in process now. I have also began plotting a beautiful YA Fantasy, Life Song. Not to mention, I have a fairytale I’m working on with two incredible characters I can’t get out of my head! They will see the light one day. In addition, prompted by a fun challenge from my writing critique group, I wrote a Christmas Paranormal Romance for a holiday themed series with my publisher, The Wild Rose Press. It hasn’t been accepted yet, so I am crossing my fingers. If it’s a big fat rejection, then maybe I will query it somewhere else. Or maybe I will just share it with my followers. It was an absolute delight to write! As always, writing begets more writing…
Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
I have learned immense amounts through the process of writing this book. For one, I am a recovering pantser. Unfortunately, Seam Keepers was created linearly, and most certainly, by the seat of my pants! I started at the beginning and wrote until the end. But then the journey really began. I spent hours re-writing the beginning, re-organizing the middle, changing the ending, re-writing the beginning again, deleting and tightening parts in the middle and end, only to do it all again. There was a total of three re-writes with this book.
Honestly, it’s because I had no idea what I was doing. I trusted I had a story to tell, and like an energizer bunny, I worked my heinie off to write it. Since then, I have learned that plotting (at least for the big scenes) isn’t such a bad idea. I’ve slowed down to take writing classes and trusted in the need for beta readers. Most importantly, I’ve learned to save up money to pay a developing editor so in the end, I can query a polished manuscript.
I find it humorous because I had been told some of these important parts about writing before. I guess I had to struggle to realize them for myself. I remember thinking that my original story didn’t need to follow a plot chart. My book could be that really unique story that breaks the mold. Snicker-snicker! Maybe somebody will do that one day. But for now, little ole me is happy to follow the scenes that work in a story because…I want to share my story. I want to write more books. It is a bit of a game to play, to get your story out there. So, if it means I must organize myself a little more than I used to, so be it!
Let’s just say plotting is my goal, although I have at least one foot in my pants at all times.
Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?
As much as I try plotting my book…being a recovering pantser and all…there are times when my characters need to take the reigns and show me the way. They are the ones living the story, so they know best. I find when I try to coerce them in a direction I think they should go, I am usually—mostly—always wrong. Once my characters start to develop into their own beings, I have to trust them. We do a pretty nice job of working together, especially after all our conversations over coffee and during nature walks. Thankfully, they are kind in their tugs to venture down new paths.
Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.
How can I convince you to read my book, Seam Keepers? If you are looking for a fantastical escape…a contemporary coming of age tale with a new version of good versus evil…a natural (and unforced) friendship-to-love relationship…a story with incredible family dynamics, layered beyond what you could ever imagine…bound to otherworldly realms you’ve never read before…filled with dreams, destinies, demons, danger, and dedicated character growth…where the two main POV arcs actually cross over…and with the pacing needed to keep you reading through to the touch-your-heart, girl-has-found-her-power, boy-claims-his-truth ending…then this is the book for you!
If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?
If Seam Keepers was a scent, it would be evergreen. The story starts with a dream leading my characters into the woods of the pacific northwest. There’s hemlock and fir, cedar and pine, and with their adventures between realms, these tall beauties were all constant.
Is there a writer which brain you would love to pick for advice? Who would that be and why?
Maggie Stiefvater is an author I would love to sit down and chat with. Her books tend to carve out a little spot in my chest. She is the master of characterization. Her characters are always original and unique, yet I feel like I might run into them on the street somewhere because they are so real. Her story lines are whimsical and creative, but with layers of reality to ground you. I adore getting lost in her worlds.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing since high school (way back when), but I never told a soul. It wasn’t until 2017 that I came out publicly as a writer. My joys have been poetry and fantasy fiction (however during my younger years, when my own children were small, I wrote a few picture books…I’ve yet to do anything with). I hope to keep writing until the end of my days. It feels like such a privilege to do so.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
I read every day and love to read fantasy! It’s my favorite genre. I enjoy both contemporary and epic fantasy. And although I read other genres sometimes too, whatever I read, must have some level of magic so that I can escape reality. That’s why I read…to escape the world as we know it. Well, and as an author, I read to improve my own writing.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
I write in silence and with music, both. It depends on what stage of writing I’m in…and how distracted I am. If there is a lot of noise going on around me, then I play wordless background music—usually movie scores, like The Last Airbender, How to Train Your Dragon, The Mortal Instruments, Harry Potter, and many others. If there are no distractions coming from my outside life, then I usually write to the tune of my own voice whispering back the lines I’m drafting or to the computer voice in Word reading back my pages. If I’m at a critical point in my story line, then there’s nothing but silence until I squeal in delight or slump to cry. Again, it all depends on where I am in my writing process.
Pen or type writer or computer?
I pen story ideas in colorful, paper-filled journals, but always I draft on a computer. I love the sound of my fingers pressing keys, and I like to edit as I write, so typing is quicker. Whenever I handwrite, I usually slop my thoughts down in illegible cursive, or doodle flowers and trees, distractedly, so typing is usually the most efficient way for me to create.
Advice they would give new authors?
My advice to new authors: Read books. Write…even when you don’t want to. Take classes. Join writing groups. Go to conferences. Read more books. Immerse yourself in the world of writing. Call yourself a writer. Persevere through rejections and obstacles. Accept that you have room to grow…a lot of room to grow. Keep reading more books. Keep writing. Find a critique group. Create a writing space for yourself. Be kind to yourself. Read even more books! And never—ever—ever—stop writing!
What are they currently reading?
I’ve recently finished reading the Shadow and Bone series from Leigh Bardugo, and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, by V. E. Schwab, and loved them. I am currently in the middle of Laini Taylor’s book, Daughter of Smoke and Bone. My TBR pile is enormous but makes me smile!
Would you like a chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card? Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
I am happy to be one of many tour hosts sharing information about author Celaine Charles.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Love on the Line(Women at Work Book 1) by Kirsten Fullmer ~ Genre: Women’s Fiction, Romance
In this epic and unique love story set in the wild mountains of West Virginia, a young woman and her unlikely friends find their way through multiple job hazards and terrible working conditions to achieve the unexpected.
Andrea never thought she’d live in a camp trailer or work outdoors in inhospitable climates; but eager to leave the stress and tedium of grad-school behind, she sets off with her estranged grandpa, Buck, to build a pipeline through the rugged mountains of West Virginia. She’s determined to understand the man and the family divide that drove him away. Once the job starts, she forms an unlikely friendship with Nick, the rough and tumble foreman of the bending crew. Most of the guys aren’t willing to accept her, and Rooster, the handsome, cocky, tie-in foreman, is determined that she’s a ridiculous distraction.
But building a pipeline is fraught with danger, fatigue, and confrontation as egos collide. Caught up in the all-male social microcosm, Andrea can’t help but understand the pecking order, and she’s at the bottom. Being a woman makes it even more unlikely she’ll be accepted. Buck proves to be a taskmaster, but a kindhearted teddy-bear of a man under a gruff exterior, and Andrea comes to love him, opening herself up to the pain of his past.
Rooster and Andrea are drawn to each other, yet they know an on-the-job romance will only cause problems. Rooster is tormented by his own past, and determined to prove himself to Buck, a pipeline ledged. Messing with the old man’s granddaughter is a line Rooster refuses to cross. But as Andrea shows herself to be a hard worker and a valuable member of the crew, she earns Rooster’s respect and he can’t keep his distance. It seems the couple can’t go back, they can’t move forward, and they can’t let go. Both will have to make sacrifices and take a chance on ruining their credibility in order to be together.
Kirsten is a writer with a love of art and design. She worked in the engineering field, taught college, and consulted free lance. Due to health problems, she retired in 2012 to travel with her husband. They live and work full time in a 40′ travel trailer with their little dog Bingo. Besides writing romance novels, she enjoys selling art on Etsy and spoiling their three grandchildren.
As a writer, Kirsten’s goal is to create strong female characters who face challenging, painful, and sometimes comical situations. She believes that the best way to deal with struggle, is through friendship and women helping women. She knows good stories are based on interesting and relatable characters.
Would you like a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card? Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
My latest book, Love on the Line, is the story of Andy, a woman who chooses to work building a pipeline in the rugged mountains of West Virginia. Why did I write about this? I wrote it partly because I was inspired by the experiences of my own daughter who entertained me with many of her personal experiences as a pipeliner. But I also wrote it because I too chose to work in a male dominated field back in the day. Some of the struggles of women in these fields are upsetting, but many are inspiring and funny, thus perfect material for the kind of books I love to write. Just because not many women choose to do it, doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done, right?
More than any time in recorded history, women are choosing to work in male dominated fields. Every day you come across a woman truck driver, firefighter, or pharmacist. And even though it’s become commonplace, many fields stick with their traditional titles such as policeman, draftsman, and even garbage man. Given this plus the infamous glass ceiling, why would a woman choose to spend their entire career fighting an uphill battle? There are a million reasons, but overwhelmingly, the answer I find is “because I want to” or “because the job appealed to me,” or “My dad and grandpa did it, why shouldn’t I?”
When was the idea planted for women to take the jobs they wanted, even if they were traditionally considered only suitable for men? Some would say with Eve, but both folklore and history are filled with women who not only worked at the jobs they pleased, they ruled societies: Joan of Ark and Cleopatra, to name a few. In Victorian times, women who wrote were forced to use a male pen name or work without recognition. But the women of my grandmother’s generation were forced to work at jobs considered appropriate only for men during world war II. They worked everywhere from factories to the fields. Sadly, after a taste of the liberation a paycheck affords a person, these women were expected to quietly step back into the kitchen once the men came home.
My mother’s generation, were blessed with not only their mother’s experiences, but all manner of modern conveniences which allowed them to clean and cook and generally care for their families in a fraction of the time it took their mothers. Many of these women took it upon themselves to “have it all” and step out into the working world, and not just as nurses and schoolteachers. Their bravery gave the women of my generation the encouragement and conviction that we too could plan a career. However, we quickly learned that we couldn’t be super mom and have a demanding and time consuming career without a shift in attitude, and this shift had to come from the men. The change had to happen not just because of the aforesaid glass ceiling on the job, but because we needed help at home.
Do I think only women who work have value, and somehow women who don’t work away from home are lesser somehow? Of course not! In my lifetime I have been a stay at home mom, a sick in bed mom, a full time student mom, an employed full time mom, and a retired mom. All of those words we put on women are pointless when you realize that we are in this together, and we should be supportive and understanding, no matter what roll you chose.
So, take a moment this summer to grab a copy of Love on the Line. Then curl up in a corner with a cup of coffee and prepare yourself for a heartwarming story filled with feminine strength, challenge, bravery, friendship, and romance.
Laurelle Lewis is an Australian author, mother of three and home schooler. She has life experience with Autism, Special Needs and Learning Disabilities, through her study and care for her children.
Her aim is to create stories that will inspire children to always live their best life and know that no matter where they are born or who they are, everyone is important.
Check out our interview on YouTube:
Check out HER book below!
(Click on the cover image to order your copy)
(As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.)
Tragic Flower: When Fleur meets the strange and exciting Jeffrey-the new kid in town- something tells Fleur she should stay away from him. Before she knows it, she is drawn into his world, but what tragic secret is he hiding?
Emmanuel M. Arriaga grew up in the inner city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. From a young age, he was obsessed with fantasy and science fiction. Breaking the shackles of a low-income life, Emmanuel developed an interest in science, technology and engineering. He went on to graduate from Pennsylvania State University with a Master’s in Information Science.
For almost a decade, Emmanuel has sought to share his vivid imagination with the world, learning the art of story crafting and eventually becoming an award-winning author. With a love for travel, gadgets and volunteering, Emmanuel is enjoying life and helping others.
Do you read yourself and if so, what is your favorite genre?
I’m an avid reader, I think it’s hard to be a good author if you aren’t. I love science fiction and fantasy, although I have historically biased more toward fantasy than science fiction. I grew up reading epic fantasy novels and that influenced much of my early writing. I love the intersection of magic and technology, it’s an area that is hard to write without falling into the trope of technology until we need to do something impossible and then magic to save the day. I love the novels that build strict rules into their magic that fit nicely into a sci-fi world based on science. In these instances, magic moves away from being this deus ex machina and instead complements the story because you know the limitations of what is possible. The old Star Wars expanded universe is a great example of this.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
This depends on what type of writing I’m doing. If I’m creating a new story or a new chapter, I write best with music. I have tailored pandora radio stations specifically for writing. Certain kinds of music really get my creative energies flowing and I fall into a trance like state that allows me to do my best work.
If I’m editing, I need silence, this is mainly due a habit I have of reading things aloud to make sure it flows wells. I view creating something from scratch as fun, editing as work. Don’t get me wrong, I love editing, but I also view it as work and don’t attempt to tackle it unless I have a higher level of energy than I typically need for writing.
Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?
I focus my attention on a single book until I’ve completed that specific draft (i.e. 1st draft, 3rd draft, etc.) and then I’ll switch to another novel to be able to come back to the prior novel with fresh eyes. This usually means I have multiple novels in different stages (e.g. 1st draft complete of novel a, 3rd draft in progress for novel b, 5th draft ready for final review of novel c, etc.)
I try and do a minimum of 5 or 6 drafts before I’m ready to move something to the publication stage with a professional editor. Usually with each draft, I have different goals in mind, so subsequent drafts are typically handled much quicker, requiring less edits.
If you could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you choose?
This is a hard question to answer. I think the only answer I can give is for shared creative universes, things such as Forgotten realms, Blizzard entertainment, Star Wars, etc. It would have been cool to be tasked with creating the war of the ancients in the world of warcraft universe. We all had a rough idea of what happened during that time, but the novels really did a great job defining the details and building up a narrative for the events leading up to destruction of the well of eternity. Having some set event that you’re responsible for building up to and being given the creative freedom to define the events surrounding what happened would be an interesting experience. It would be a bit hard for me because nothing in my writing is sacrosanct, so I could change a major plot point or story idea because I come up with something better. Having this restriction would be a new experience.
I do plan to play around with this concept in prequal novels within my Foundra Universe, major events have already been established in my current novels, so going back and writing about those events will force me to do this.
Pen or typewriter or computer?
Computer hands down. I’ve been using a computer for most of my life and was an early internet user back in the 90s so my typing speed surpasses anything I could do with pen or typewriter. I grew up having debates on AOL instant messenger which trains you to type fast and accurately.
Tell us about a favorite character from a book.
One of my favorite characters in the book is a side character named Marcus Henson. He’s this big genetically enhanced super soldier who is a tempest on the battlefield and incredibly powerful. He’s also super friendly and like a big teddy bear off the battlefield which endears him to many of the main characters. I’ve had a lot of different plans for Marcus but his primary story arc ultimately plays out in Pride of Ashna. I’ll be honest and say it wasn’t originally what I had planned for him when I dreamed up his character back during the creation of the first novel, but I think fans will understand why I decided to take his character in this direction. This is an example of where the character spoke to me through the writing process and ultimately made a decision that was different from what I had in mind and I just went with it.
What made you want to become an author, and do you feel it was the right decision?
Funny enough, becoming an author was never a dream of mine growing up. It was never a career path that I considered or something that I intended to work toward. I went to college, got a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in a completely different profession that I still enjoy to this day. What ultimately led to me writing goes back to a conversation I had on a school bus in my senior year in high school.
I had a friend who I rode the bus with who was as much into fantasy and sci-fi as I was. We used to talk all the time about different books we were reading or things that interested us (we were also into yu-gi-oh cards which was the style at the time). One of the final days before the end of the school year, I started sharing with my friend this sci-fi universe that I had been daydreaming about since I was younger. I went into detail, outlining the major characters, this futuristic society, and the history of this galaxy. It was the first time I had ever shared my private imagination with another human being, and it filled me with excitement. He was hooked on every word I was saying, and I started drawing attention from other students on the bus. I didn’t realize it at the time but many years later after the rush of college was over and I was a working professional in the career I had chosen, that moment came back to me with crystal clarity.
I realized that I was a storyteller and that my imagination was meant to be shared with others. I immediately started writing down that universe and years later, it culminated in what became my first book, Foundra. I also started writing down every dream I had, every moment of inspiration and instance where my mind started crafting unique stories or situations. Writing things down enabled me to retain the moments of inspiration so I could come back later and do something with them. Looking back, I also give lots of credit to my creative writing teacher in high school. That was the most enjoyable class I had in high school which should have been a sign to me at the time! It was in that class that I learned the process of taking creative inspiration and putting it into words. I don’t remember her name, but I wish I could chat with her today and share what her teaching enabled in my life.
A day in the life of the author?
My day is complicated, I have two young boys who are bundles of energy that constantly crave attention. I also hold board positions for non-profits and have a full-time job in the technology industry that demands a lot of my time. Being an author usually fills just a couple hours (if I’m lucky) of my day. The only rule I have is write every day, whether that’s 30 minutes or 4 hours is up to the random nature of my days!
Advice they would give new authors?
Two main things, one for authors who have yet to finish their novel. Finish that novel, get it over the hill. Sometimes people get stuck on chapters and let that stop them from finishing their novel. I think in those moments, you need to write something down, even if it doesn’t fully capture what you’re trying to accomplish and make a note to yourself to come back to it. It’s more important to get to the end of the novel and officially notch off your first draft than it is to leave it in an uncompleted state. Editing is always easier for improving something than working with nothing.
For the new published author, welcome to the world of marketing. You’ll need to get good at this to be successful. I’m so sorry. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that what you wrote will immediately draw readers and make you successful. This is rarely ever the case. You must get good at selling, which is hard if you’ve never sold anything in your life. It’s even harder to sell your own work for some reason, I think this has to do with rejection and us personally feeling rejected when people aren’t interested in something we’ve poured our hearts and souls into. You must get over that and move on, they aren’t rejecting you, that specific book just may not be for them and that’s okay.
Describe your writing style.
Editorial reviewers have commented that my writing has deep thematic threads woven into my prose that is commonly lacking in sci-fi. This is probably due to the way my brain works, everything is interconnected for me and I’m a natural systems thinker. It’s how I remember things and I’m not surprised that this comes through in my writing. Those reviewers have also mentioned that my writing is “smart and clean, with expositional elements slowly introduced throughout the prose, rather than the author subjecting readers to lengthy passages of procedural information,” which I interpreted as I don’t have the bad habit of dumping information on people to “catch them up” so I can continue telling a story. I hate it when authors do that in books, and I usually don’t retain all of whatever it was they just tried to dump on me.
Personally, I just try to relay the movie that’s playing in my head as I write, and I focus on improving the prose more and more until it flows as naturally as I envisioned it. I’m constantly looking at ways to improve my writing and love working with experienced editors who are just as passionate about my books as I am.
What makes a good story?
A good story is one that makes you feel something. You can have the most interesting characters, the most impressive plot, or the most technically proficient writing in the world. But if your story doesn’t elicit an emotional response, it’s forgettable. I have teared up at certain scenes that I’ve written in my books and even gotten angry at characters as situations have unfolded. I put emotion into my stories, and I care about what happens. It’s not just a narrative, it’s a view into another world with characters who have their own lives with motivations, desires, and fears. I think the best storytellers are ones who make you forget that it’s not real.
What are they currently reading?
Right now, I’m reading The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson. It’s been on my list for awhile as I was a huge fan of the Mistborn series and his other works Elantris and Warbreaker. I’m also on a quest to read as much classic sci-fi as I can and just recently finished I, Robot by Isaac Asimov.
Emmanuel is the author of the Science Fiction, Space Opera Series: Foundra!
The Huzien Empire has existed for 80 millennia and a powerful invisible force known as the enesmic permeates every aspect of the Twin Galaxy.
Neven is an engineer working for the pinnacle of scientific achievement known as the MinSci on the Huzien homeworld of Thae. His genius draws the attention of one of the immortal Founders and he finds himself drafted into the military as part of an elite group of special forces known as the Founder’s Elites. Not given much time to adjust, his team is called to investigate stories of otherworldly creatures attacking fringe colony worlds.
Soahc is the most powerful wielder of the enesmic in the Twin Galaxy, he’s also incredibly cocky. That is until he senses a powerful shifting in the enesmic that he can’t explain. Terrified that something is horribly wrong, Soahc leaves his comfortable planet and hitches a ride with Neven and the Founder’s Elites as they investigate the carnage on the fringes of the empire.
Neven, Soahc and their allies discover something ancient from another plane of existence. Something that exposes the fragility of their galactic empire as they fight to survive annihilation from enesmic beings.
In the Outer Rim, a lawless region of space filled with violence, a young girl vows vengeance against the marauding pirate bands who brutally murdered her family.
After enlisting with the zealous matriarchal Ashna Maidens who attempt to police the Outer Rim, Serah’Elax quickly becomes a powerful weapon.
Meanwhile, a ruthless pirate band has taken over a cruise ship deep within Alliance space. They run into unexpected trouble when they encounter a few members of the highly trained force of military specialists known as the Founder’s Elites, who happened to be vacationing on the vessel. Disturbed by the boldness of the pirates, the Alliance tasks the rest of the Founder’s Elites with dealing a powerful blow to the marauders, who normally operate in the Outer Rim, once and for all. However, they quickly discover that things in the Outer Rim are not as expected.
The young warrior and Founder’s Elites must come together to face an extradimensional threat left over from the Rift War that seeks to turn the last bastion of safety in the Outer Rim into something that could threaten the entire Twin Galaxies. Will the new allies have the cunning necessary to defeat this insidious threat or will it tear the Ashna Maidens apart from the inside?
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. That means, when you purchase a book using an Amazon link on this site, I earn an affiliate commission. All commission earnings go back into funding my books; editing, cover design, etc.
Lillian and her husband Dave are the team behind Brummet Media Group, high-fiving cheerfully as they pass each other on the way from checking off one item or other from their long to-do list.
Their business includes Dave’s music studio and percussion accessory products and graphic design work as well as numerous award-winning non-fiction books and popular blogs. Today we help them celebrate their latest book release – From One Small Garden, offering over 300 delicious, nutritious recipes!
Obviously, we know you are an author, but some writers have other jobs as well. Do you have another occupation?
Here at Brummet Media Group Dave and I wear many hats. Dave is a drum teacher, hosting workshops and private lessons in the Angle Hill Studio located in the lower half of our home. He also designs drum and percussion accessories (watch for our new online store later this year) and he offers drum repairs. When we have enough excess supplies he tours as many school music rooms as he can, volunteering his services to improve their percussion situations. Dave is also involved in a couple of small bands, one provides rock tunes for parties and the other provides background percussive music for smaller and quieter gatherings and events.
I assist Dave where I can in his endeavors and I manage our 2 blogs, deal with members of the media and manage our social media as well. I take care of appointments, greeting new students, cleaning common use areas before and after every appointment/meeting/jam. I am a passionate gardener and sell some of my excess seeds, plants and preserves (jams, jelly, syrup, dried herbs, relish, etc.) in the corner gift shop we set up in the studio or via online FB groups for local gardeners. I’m also a homemaker, managing almost all the household duties – Dave does his fair share of repairs, manly maintenance, walks the dogs, vehicle and appliance maintenance, all that kind of manly stuff. I used to be so much more energetic and once ran online talk radio shows, and did reviews professionally, but now-a-days I have slowed down to a pace I can easily manage.
What is your family like?
I have 2 older brothers who each bore 2 sons and I have one Aunt from my mothers’ side and her family. Larry is a business owner, installing kitchens in high-rise buildings in the Vancouver area (BC, Canada). My other brother works in pest management. My aunt is a retired nurse, actually she taught other nurses. They are all people I admire, for different reasons. Larry is very proactive and motivated about running a business and being a great father. Gary is the brain of the family, knows a lot of languages is constantly involved in some form of education and has travelled a great deal. My aunt was very accomplished in her career and I really admire how high she climbed, how professional she is, how supportive she has been in our lives. We all live very far apart and so FaceBook messaging and emails are pretty much our level of communications. I’m pretty hard to get ahold of by phone because I don’t answer it when I’m involved in something and I’m often involved in something. lol
If it doesn’t bother you, can you let us know what your childhood home looked like?
My mother kept us fed and clothed, she hid our poverty from us – but it was a difficult upbringing. She married 4 times, but found happiness in her 4th marriage. All us kids were on our own too young, 14-16 years old, and we all have had to deal with various damage due to traumas we experienced in our youth. I think we’ve turned out ok though. 🙂
Do you have any hobbies, other than writing? What do you enjoy doing?
I love to read – too much. That’s why my eyes are fading on me. ugh. Therefore, I’ve turned to audio books for the most part via YouTube mainly and have thoroughly enjoyed this variation of experiencing books.
I spend a lot of time gardening, preparing for garden season, dreaming about gardening and dealing with garden harvests. My dogs are the love of my life (besides my handsome hubby of course)… and kitty Korma too.
My favorite activity is simply being in the yard, or on the deck, listening to the world and watching the busy bees.
What kind of person do you wish you could be? What is stopping you?
I suppose if I was to change anything about myself it would be my impatience with others and my impulsive desire to accomplish something constructive. It is hard for me to relax. In fact, relaxing is very hard work… unless it is a summer day and I have a cold drink in hand. I’d also erase the Anxiety Disorder I suffer from.
What or who inspired you to start writing? And how long have you been writing?
I had been encouraged by teachers, friends, family, but never took it seriously until 1999 when I started to look at writing as a real career that I could actually participate in. It took a lot of courage to submit work, at first, but over time I came to know what I could offer, where I shone, and focused on that.
What is your greatest fear?
The thought that my husband will die or become chronically ill is so terrifying. We both dealt with caregiving for our parents and watched them suffer. My mother committed suicide over her chronic illness and depression. I came to depend on my husband more and more as time passed – I can’t imagine life without him. I’ve had a few friends pass away recently, leaving the other spouse behind and it brought such dramatic changes to their lives – including selling their home and belongings and relocation. Yeah, that is my greatest fear.
Have you ever read a book more than once? And if so what was it?
This question actually made me laugh out loud and now my dogs are looking at me like “What? Crazy lady!” I guess I interrupted their nap. They are being so good, letting me work on this without interruption. Yes, I have 3 bookshelves filled with books I have read more than once, some of them a dozen times. Tolkien’s series, of course… I’ve worn out several copies – they started to fall apart and so were replaced… a few times. Startide Rising, Ovum Factor, Troll Hunters… I’ve read these at least a half dozen times.
Have you ever read a book just based on its cover?
No. I never have chosen a book based on the cover, or by reveiws for that matter. I found most reviews are not unbiased, those seen online are often friends or family or paid reviewer services. That’s not to say there are not legitimate reader reviews out there – of course there are as we have pages and pages of reviews on our site showing this. However, even if a review is legit – it is only an opinion. Books, like art, are so very personal. I’ll give any book a chance as long as it is not romance, erotica, political, racist, is well written, and if it holds my attention beyond the first chapter then I’ll finish it.
What is your favorite film based on a book?
African Queen is my favorite movie -based on a book – Rat Race is my favorite comedy though. There’s a great book made into a movie staring John Travolta: Battlefield Earth. Also I loved the movie: Enemy Mine.
Let’s shift somewhat and talk about your latest book release and your writing process.
Tell us about your most recent book release.
Thank you for asking this. From One Small Garden – Over 300 Delicious Nutritious Recipes is loaded with interesting historical and nutritional information, this is more than just a recipe book – it is a way of treating yourself to the healthy delicious rewards of one small garden. It also encourages purchasing locally produced foods, visiting farmers markets, reduces food waste and helps people save money too.
How did you come up with the cover? Who designed the cover of your book(s)?
Dave is our book cover designer – he also creates our ads, audio, manages the website, comes up with imagery for our blogs and for the media, and for all our publicity from bookmarks and flyers to magazine photos.
The way Dave explains it: “The significance of the book is to guide others on how to cook some great food with fresh wholesome ingredients that you could potentially grow yourself or get from a local market or farm gate. I intentionally designed he cover to catch the eye of gardeners and portray the journey from harvest to plate.From One Small Garden’s cover was a process that evolved over the years. By the time the final title was decided on the concept of what we wanted to portray was clear – How to cook with fresh produce. If you look at the front cover closely, in the background is an image of our actual garden ghosted out with dishes of prepared food in the foreground – from the garden to plate in a sense. The back cover concept is similar but with images of our freshly harvested produce in place of the food dishes. All from one small garden – is what we have lived for the past 30+ years as a life style and a health choice and we know it saves a bunch of money while having you eat like royalty. “
Did you listen to any particular songs while writing your book(s)?
I tend to listen to music that will not distract me – so no rock, no lyrics, nothing too sleepy either. Sometimes I’ll put on a fireplace track from YouTube or Netflix and just let that run in the background.
How did you come up with the title for your book(s)?
Towards Understanding came from the journey of moving past the trauma of a difficult childhood and learning my life could have value, that I could contribute something valuable in this world. Rhythm and Rhyme came from our experimentation with creating rhytmic poetry. Trash Talk came from the fact the series deals with helping people realize the value of their waste, and how to manage it and save a heck of a lot of money. Purple Snowflake Marketing came from the concept of making your business marketing efforts stand out like a purple snowflake in a snowstorm of others who have the same aim as you. And From One Small Garden was chosen for our collection of recipes because it is based on the harvests we have gotten from our garden space.
What is your writing style like? Are you a pantster or a plotter?
I think I use a little of both methods. I tend to rush out my ideas on paper and then organize it. I’ll think about choosing a writing style based on who I’ve determined the reader will likely be and then plot and plan where to go from there. I never write to the reader, talk above them, talk at them, lecture them… I try to come across as if we are visiting and just having a great conversation… but that takes knowing your audience.
Have you come across any specific challenges in writing or publishing?
The greatest challenges for me come from a slight dyslexia issue. I write sentences backwards, sometimes a bit Shakespearean, and I have trouble spelling words when I am in a hurry – I’ll write them how they sound. So I have to be very careful, slow down, re-read, read out loud and then have hubby proof what I’ve written. It takes longer, and can be frustrating as I can lose patience with myself… but it has not been a roadblock.
Are you a self-published/Indie author or did you publish through a traditional publishing company?
Both. Originally, back in early 2000, we went with traditional publishers, then small publishers, and today we are self-published through Amazon. Authors have to be flexible in this ever-changing career. They also need to be proactive in learning their craft and the business activities it involves. It isn’t always advisable to go out pn your own as a new author, having a publisher that walks you through the process is beneficial. However now that we have been in the world of writing for 22 years, and have worked as members of the media as well, we feel we have a good handle on the situation and can manage our work ourselves.
What’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing?
My eldest brother (Larry Towne) gave me great business advice when we were first starting out, and in one of our conversations he said something along the lines of: “figure out how you can stand out like a purple snowflake in a snowstorm of others who are trying to reach the same goals as you are”. Perhaps my approximation of what he said is not an exact quote, but it was the best advice I ever heard. The best marketing plans will include the answers to: What makes you different, special, worth listening to, worthy of their time, and how can you become memorable to them? Anyway, that advice led to the title of our Purple Snowflake Marketingwriter’s advice book. It is in fact a compilation of all the business and media experiences, all the best information we gleaned from numerous courses, conversations, interviews and individual research for over 2.5 decades… all in one book. While the last release was back in 2012, it is still relevant today – in fact it is the guide I follow for every new book, service or product we release.
What advice would you give someone who wants to start writing?
Never make anyone work for anything. Know what the next stage is, what you need to prepare, have it ready before going on to the next step. Have everything you do link back to your blog, website, social media, etc. Treat your writing as a business, keep books for the taxes and learn about the various write-offs you may be able to take advantage of.
Where can your readers follow you? Please list links to any applicable websites and/or social media accounts.
Visit the Brummets via any of the following links:
Nina Soden 