A particular favorite group of mythologies to delve into for me encompasses the culturally rich islands of the North Sea, where Celtic lore blends with Scandinavian and legends abound about the mer folk and the selkie.
My guest today has written a dark fantasy tale that pulls you into this mystical, watery environment and weaves it in with the lore of the Vikings and the magical aspects of shapeshifting.
This story literally transports you to an entirely other world – one full of magic, possibilities, and lots of jaw dropping moments.
Divia is a fantastic and gritty storyteller with a keen eye for heart wrenching build up. She did an extraordinary job at taking a deep dive into what someone is willing to do for the ones they love – even if it’s at the expense of their own identity.
It’s safe to say I cried and that’s when you know it was done right.
This is a must read for anyone who loves dark fantasy with thematic influence of Norse Mythology and Celtic origins. And I myself am a massive fan of the era!!
C. D. McKenna
I picked this review because it encompasses all of the captivating aspects of this story. Let’s meet the author.
J.k Divia is a Dark Fantasy and Thriller writer from the US. She has spent most of her life traveling. She is a Spoonie and has learned the importance of rest while pursuing her writing dreams. As a child she was often found playing in the woods or reading about world mythology, folklore and ghost stories which have influenced her writing. She has always loved creative writing and once she decided to take it beyond flash fiction writing contests, she found a writing coach and editor to help her achieve her goal of writing a page turning novel. A Sea of Blood and Tears is her debut novel.
Some of her favorite books include Jane Eyre, Little Women, Dracula, The Hobbit, Outlander, Girl on the Train
When not writing, you can find her spending time with her family, chasing after her kids and searching for faeries and dragons in the woods with them.
I’ve been looking forward so much to diving with you into the world of the selkie and all the themes and elements of your novel. Thank you for joining me, Jaymee!
I imagine this project was as immersive for you as a writer as your story is for your readers. My first question is what was it like finishing your epic novel and getting it out into the world?
JKD. It was really an amazing and emotional adventure. This story actually started as a collection of backstories for what will now be the second book. There was definitely a challenge in figuring out how much to put in and where to stop with this particular story knowing that it was ultimately not the original story I intended to tell. There is also the anxiety part of publishing that I think all authors go through you know. The uncertainty of how your story will be received once it’s out in the world.
I love to learn how indie authors build their team. Do you have an editor or readers who helped you finalize your manuscript?Was self-publishing part of your plan, or the best means to share your story? Have you explored traditional publishing?
JKD. I looked for and found an amazing writing coach who helped me immensely on my author journey. From doing my development edit to helping me with crafting, working with a writing coach was a great experience. I also had won an indie author giveaway on Instagram and it included a beta read and publishing help, again these were immensely helpful given that I had no experience in trying to publish a book.
Indie ended up being the best option for me though I did query. I am terrible at querying and didn’t have the patience for it, sending my queries off before the book was even finished. In the end I wanted my story to be my story, for better or worse, and for this story Indie was the best path.
DLL. Awesome! Thanks for sharing, including a key reason to go Indie… Control… over content and time.
I was happy to read at the end of your amazing story that the second novel, Be Careful Where you Wander, is set for mid 2024. Can you give us a glimpse into what we can expect from Naia’s tale?
JKD. Be Careful Where you Wander is actually the main story I had intended to write funny enough. It takes place many years after the events in A Sea of Blood and Tears. It follows Naia’s journey in deciding her place in the uncertain world we last left her in and the aftermath of being chosen to become a Hamingja.
Ionna, Bjorn and Einar also return for this story. There is sure to be more blood and tears in this story before we get to the end.
There is a teaser for book two at the end of A Sea of Blood and Tears and I hope it won’t disappoint!
For our readers who might be unfamiliar with the selkie, can you tell us about the mythology? And what inspired you to bring Vikings into your story?Same question for the shapeshifters.
JKD. I first fell in love with Selkies as a kid watching the movie The Secret of Roan Innish. In celtic mythology, selkies are seal people. Men and women who live as seals but have the ability to shed their seal skin and turn into humans. If you capture their seal skin, or coat, then they could not return to the sea and were trapped.
It’s funny, I’m not really sure where the idea came from to add selkies to my story. The story is based on a short story I wrote called Becoming Hamingja, which is a play on the Norse Hamingja (which is luck). As I began to write the backstories of the key players and catalysts for the events in Be Careful Where You Wander, it all just sort of came together.
Mikladalur, Faroe Islands, Kalsoy – July, 2021: Kópakonann – selkies, mythological beings capable of therianthropy, changing from seal to human form by shedding their skin. Kingdom of denmark. Europe – PhotographerNowaczyk
DLL. As you know, I wrote a short story about a selkie and a lighthouse keeper set in a dystopian world where the fated lovers come up with an extraordinary solution to survival. It’s available in Song of the Siren, an anthology by Dragon Soul Press. I acquired this stunning image from Shutterstock (described above) for inspiration while I was writing it.
You mention in your bio that you love fantasy and mythology. Are there other genres, or sub genres of fantasy you plan to explore?
JKD. was that kid that would check out all the world mythology and folklore books available at the library. It was always an interest of mine.
I also love a good mystery and Thriller. I am actually working on a mystery/thriller called We Need to Talk About Grandma that I hope to release in the next two years.
DLL. Great title! All sorts of scary things are going through my mind!
Have you traveled to any of the North Sea islands? What is your favorite travel destination?
JKD. I think Ireland, Scotland and Norway have been my favorite places to travel so far. My trip to Norway is what inspired my short story, Becoming Hamingja. I hope to visit the Orkney Islands and Isle of Skye one day, as well as travel back to Norway.
DLL. All places on my bucket list. I was all geared up before Covid to do a craft knitting cruise around all those fabulous locations… Someday…
Who or what was your biggest influence? Do you have a top three list of favorite authors or books you’d like to share?
JKD. I always say that A Sea of Blood and Tears is The Secret of Roan Innish meets Eaters of the Dead.
Jane Eyre will always be one of my first literary loves, along with The Hobbit. I also thought the first Outlander book was amazing.
DLL. All fantastic reads. I’m including a link above to Michael Chricton’s amazing Eaters of the Dead. Great shelf comparison for your story!
Where is your favorite place to write? Do you have a daily writing schedule? And do you like to set goals or deadlines?
JKD. As a mom of two young kids, I write where and when I can lol. I know that is an excuse and there are plenty of parents who are able to set a schedule. I’m just not very good with schedules to begin with.
I try to set deadlines and goals but I’m not great at sticking to them. I actually set a deadline to publish A Sea of Blood and Tears and stuck to it which I think ended up hurting my story in the long run. The great thing about Indie is you can control your timeline and I’m definitely going to use that to my advantage going forward.
DLL. I am taking this to heart, Jaymee. I’ve been pressuring myself to finish my third book in my series, and I know deep in my gut, which I’ve been ignoring, that it will only hurt the story. I want it to be the best wrap up to the series it can be. If it takes another year to achieve that status, I should allow myself that because like you say, having no deadline is a benefit and a luxury for self-published authors. I need to quiet that publisher voice! Thanks!
What are your favorite tips or techniques to stay organized and productive, or to get in the mindset to write?
JKD. I am so unorganized. I write a lot of scenes in notebooks when developing my stories and then try to organize and link together later. The read aloud function in word has probably been my best writing friend.
DLL. I tell people about read aloud all the time. The new and improved voices are amazing and it’s so helpful for punctuation, word usage, tone, and on and on. Can’t live without it. Google has improved on the computer voice with it’s Audio book program. I’ve been testing running my novels there and hoping to publish Ursus Borealis as an audio book soon!
I’m always inspired when my guests stick with their passion to create despite life’s challenges, including health issues. You mention you’re a Spoonie. Would you like to talk about what that means?
JKD. I first heard of spoon theory from a friend after I had just been diagnosed with fibromyalgia and RA. She also has fibromyalgia and had been diagnosed many years prior to me. She sent me an article that was written by Christine Miserandino using the analogy of having a limited amount of spoons to describe living with a chronic or invisible illness. I highly recommend that everyone read the article if they are or know someone who is dealing with an illness. Being recently diagnosed, it helped me a lot.
DLL. Thank you for dropping by, Jaymee! This has been an awesome journey into your writer’s life!
You can follow J. K. Divia on Instagram and Goodreads.Feel free to leave any questions or comments!
The latin above is better known as “time flies.” That’s an overused idiom, but it gets truer every year. I used to hear all the time from old people (that’s me now) that it goes faster the older you get. I hear the same revelation from every age group these days.
Of course, we know time doesn’t speed up, but it definitely feels like it. And an entire year has flown by since I started interviewing creatives. That’s a crazy fact.
Despite the speediness, so much can happen in a single year when you spend your time creating and producing works. In this blog you will have that point driven home by four of my first guests as they share their updates on the exciting things that have happened for them in the last year.
I was thrilled to check back in with sword and sorcery fantasy author Douglas W. T. Smith and see how life is going in New South Wales. Same for fantasy/horror author E. B. Hunter and his crazy busy year in Alberta, Canada. High Fantasy/Horror author Lucky E. Noma has branched out into all sorts of creative endeavors from his home in Nigeria, and he and I have spent loads of time over the last year sharing our writing adventures and brainstorming ideas.
We will also peek into the world of lifestyle adventure photography with Joey MacLennan. Last year Joey told us about his photographic journey in the Pacific Northwest and his recent engagement. It was hard to pin him down between mountaintops then, and even harder now, but I managed it!
Read on for a few words from these bold and creative people on the happy surprises life has sprung over the last year. And feel free to share your own highlights with us in the comments.
DLL. Thank you, Douglas, for dropping by with some exciting updates. I know what a whirlwind year you’ve had. Tell us what’s going on.
DWTS. Wow, a year has passed, Darci. If your readers haven’t read the last post, or are unsure of who I am. I am Douglas W. T. Smith and a self-published author.
My first novella, Shadow of the Wicked, ranked in the Amazon Top 5 List in Dark Fantasy and Sword and Sorcery eBooks in 2021. In 2022, I released the Audiobook which was a finalist for the WriteHive Indie Ink Award 2022.
Since the release, things have been slow. My debut novel To Wield the Stars, originally to be published by Of Metal and Magic Publishing, has suffered many pushbacks, but alas, the book is getting ready for publication. In its final stage of editing (I’ve said it before, but this is serious now).
To Wield the Stars, published by OMAM Publishing in the CORE Series with authors Richie Billing, JM Williams, and EA Robins, has been scheduled to release late 2023.
Since the last time we spoke, I had only one child but now I have two ––and that makes writing hard. To be honest, since having my daughter in September 2022, my writing has been quiet. I suffered from serious writing burn out. Instead, I focused a lot of my time with the family. As the children are getting older, I have slowly gained some time for my hobbies.
One that I am especially proud to release on the 10th of September… I am starting a podcast, Epic Tales & Enchanted Tomes which follows our Dungeons & Dragons campaign, with me as their Dungeon Master.
Also, when not engrossed in the realms of fantasy, I have found a new passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It has given me consistent and structured exercise while managing two children under the age of 3.
Now that the children are settling into a nice sleeping/school routine, and To Wield the Stars is due for publication, I am wielding my literary magic, writing a new book in the same world as Shadow of the Wicked.
DLL. What a beautiful family. I’m really happy to hear your novel is set for publication, and what a great group of writers to be involved with! Glad your writing is picking back up and you’re finding awesome outlets to balance a writer’s life. Good luck on the release, your new novel, and your podcast!
Thanks for having me back after a year! There have been a lot of great things I have had the chance to do, and I appreciate the opportunity to reflect.
Last we talked, I had 3 short stories published by Dragon Soul Press, but my published works list has grown since (with more on the way soon if I’m lucky).
Here is the full list of what I was fortunate enough to have picked up!
Dragon Soul Press:
Graveyard Shift (A down on his luck cashier makes an unwitting deal with a supernatural being)
Everglades (A mother does all she can to save her son after a home intrusion sends him to the ER) and
As you Wish… (A man is possessed by a djinn and granted wishes that he didn’t make)
Kjell of Vittra: Rising Smoke (Kjell faces his first monster, squaring off against the dragon that took his sister)
Pink Lights (The last earthling must come to terms with the loss of his planet as he learns to love again aboard the F.S. Okanis)
I have a story published with Starlite Press:
Luck featured in Starlite Pulp Review #2 (A man blacks out after an encounter with a stranger. He wakes to find he’s been made a pawn in a game between two Irish deities)
I have been fortunate enough to find some success on the website Vocal Media as well, with Graveyard Shift and As You Wish… being awarded Top Story status on the site. If you want to read these stories, visit me on Vocal Media.
Eric has so many stories on Vocal Media I couldn’t fit them on one screen.
Along with my interview last year with you, I have been asked to be on several other author websites and blogs. I was featured on Willow Croft’s Spooky Six blog with Horror Tree (such an honor) and was even asked to be a panelist for WriteHive 2023!
I’ve continued working on my urban fantasy novel Into the Grey, and have sent it out for what I am hoping is a final Beta read before querying literary agents. With having some time between edits, I’ve started on a new project about an alternate reality 1874 Wyoming. This book follows a man who is looking for revenge against the reformed confederate army (the Green Coats) for slaughtering his family. He works with a rogue demon (not bound to a summoner) to take down this force for evil.
DLL. What an amazing list, Eric! Your stories on Vocal Media are awesome! I enjoy following you there and it’s a great place to share stories. And congratulations on being a panelest for WriteHive! I’m excited to say I’m one of your beta readers for Into the Grey and enjoying it like crazy, and after getting the scoop on your alternate Civil War horror project, I am hooked! I can’t wait to see where you’re at next August. All the best to you!
DLL. Just like last year, I had to pin you down to chat before you went aloft on that next mountaintop. You and my niece have many interests, and I love seeing how you fit so much into your lives. This has been a big year. What are the latest highlights, Joey?
JM. When we chatted last year, I was preparing with my fiancé for our wedding. As you know, we’re now married and we managed to travel to Kauai for our honeymoon. We got out for some of the best hikes on the island and snorkeled above some incredible reefs.
Instead of grabbing me between climbs this summer, you’re catching us before our big move back to our home state of California, like this week! But I think I can fit in a few highlights before hitting the road.
I did shoot a few rolls of film for the trip and look forward to getting the photos developed. I will definitely send some favorites over when I get those back. For now please enjoy some photos I took on my iPhone while on the trip. I’ve been really enjoying the freedom of the small phone and editing on the Lightroom app.
Other than that, I’ve become obsessed with rock climbing and have been climbing all over Washington. The move back to California is extremely exciting, as there are some of the most beautiful and classic crags in the world at our disposal. I think a climbing photobook is in the future!
Thanks for having me back for an update, Aunt Darci. Who knows, maybe next year we’ll have more big news.
DLL. Thank you so much for joining me in the middle of a hectic week, Joey, and supporting my Spotlight Interviews. Wow! A rock climbing photobook is an exciting prospect. I’ve seen some of those stunning images!
To see them for yourself, follow Joey on Instagram and visit his gorgeous website. Of course, as the Auntie, I have to include a photo of one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever been to. The location, because I know you will ask, is Siskiyou County, California.
DLL. So glad you could join me again, Lucky! I will start off by saying it has been an absolute blast chatting with you over the last year and sharing stories, ideas, and artwork. I’ve learned so much. It’s proof how valuable having a writing community can be. What are your highlights since last August?
LN. As you know Darci, it’s been a busy year writing, laboring over copious amounts of editing, and producing videos for my YouTube channel. I have really enjoyed experimenting with digital art for my stories. And I’ve also enjoyed our brainstorming sessions and covering so many crazy topics.
We even got to collaborate on an anthology project and promote it together on Instagram — inspired by your story Hellbound Hiatus. I’m two up on you. You need to catch up!
DLL.😂 I’ve got another story in my head that needs to get out, but it’s hard to keep up with you, Lucky. As a teaser, here is my digital concept with the help of Photoleap.
by D. L. Lewellynby D. L. Lewellynby D. L. Lewellyn
You’re working on some major epic high fantasy tales. I’ve enjoyed reading them and your short stories. The launch of your novella,African Horror Story, did so well on Amazon ranking at the top of African fiction. That was an exciting day. Thirty: XXXis an equally dark and compelling story. The cover is stunning.
LN. Thank you. That was an exciting day. It was great getting these published in the midst of working hard on my bigger pieces.
DLL. You also made a super clever video to go with Hellbound Hiatus. It will be fabulous when we can put these stories together with video and narration and publish them on YouTube, which is our big goal, in addition to an eBook. Your contributions are Takeshima, Dance of the Gods, and what I decided to call Hell of a Deception, but that’s only a working title and maybe my favorite of the three stories–if I had to choose.
Ah. So many plans. But like the theme of this post, time flies and it is precious. We’ll just have to keep producing a little each day despite life’s big interruptions.I’ll say it again, it’s been a lot of fun hashing out ideas! And if that’s all we get to do, I’ll be happy with that.
Here’s a little more on our digital concepts for Hellbound Hiatus.
by Lucky Nomaby D. L. Lewellyn and Lucky Nomaby Lucky Noma
I really appreciate you showing me the ropes on the amazing AI applications out there. And your digital art is really gorgeous. Your videos are each eerier than the next and stunning as well.
I did a little tech punk portrait of you that I thought I would wedge between your wonderful pieces. What do you think?
by Lucky Nomaby D. L. Lewellynby Lucky Noma
LN. That was a fun day shooting our digital creations back and forth and I loved my superhero portraits! Thanks for having me back, Darci.
DLL. Thanks so much for stopping by, Lucky!
For more amazing interviews, see my Gallery of Guests 2022 and 2023.
Thank you for visiting with us today. Feel free to leave comments and questions below and sign up for my newsletter to stay posted on news and future interviews.
One of my highlights in the writing community is catching up on a regular basis with this amazing indie author. Michael Lajoie has three books out that you’ll want to read. His latest is Street Signs & Shaded Goodbyes. You can get signed copies on his website. Here is a snippet of what one reader says about Michael’s writing:
While this story takes place in a post-war Maine in 1950, it really could’ve taken place during any time or any where (that is something Michael does an incredible job at – painting a picture of a world that could be yesterday, today or tomorrow.)
Lexi Kruse
The most delightful part about meeting Michael was finding an old soul in a young heart and seeing how that comes through as a writer. You can get a sense of it when you visit his Instagram and when he says in his bio that he’s a “faithful coffee drinker, jazz listener, and local history lover,” you get a good idea of what to expect when you stop by for a visit.
I’m super happy to have Michael drop by my Spotlight, so he can share more of his chill vibes and inspiration.
So good to have you here, Michael! You’ve written and published three amazing books since 2020 starting with The Summit by the Sea. I’ve only dipped into the beginning and I’m already captivated by Abilene. I’m including the following excerpt from one of your many reviews because it captures what I sensed right from the beginning. (I love the lessons drawn from the traveling snail). For a novella, it seems to be theme rich. Is that your preferred style, reflections on life and self-discovery? Can you tell us about the book and what inspired the story?
There are gifts given between these pages, the ones passed from generation to generation: the lessons learned by suffering and shared in hopes of its prevention.
Gillian dowell
ML. Thanks so much for that introduction! And for that quote from Gillian. She’s an excellent writer herself. My stories are definitely theme rich. For me, storytelling is a way of spreading a message and encouraging people to think about it. It’s about raising questions and yeah, like you said, reflecting. It’s about connecting, too. It’s a super cool thing.
The Summit by the Sea explores an unexpected friendship between a Native American girl and a colonial Christian outcast. It takes place in colonial New England, in the woods and in the mountains and along the sea. It delves a lot into the power of open-mindedness and how important that is, regardless of the time period. It’s full of symbolism, meaningful dialogue, and many double entendres. Think The Alchemist or The Little Prince. It almost reads like a fable, but there’s so much more to it.
Abilene, the main character, is one of my favorite characters to date. It’s probably because she’s the first character I wrote, but she’s journey-driven and determined. I’ll always smile about that.
One of the first lines I ever wrote was a description of her: “She was the sea in all of its nuances. In times of strife, she stormed. In times of peace, she mellowed. But she was always moving. For the ocean, even in its calmest moments, is never still.”
DLL. It’s easy to see how Abilene still resonates in you and what a beautiful description. Thank you!
How about A Way Leads Onto Way? I love this title. One reviewer calls it “atmospheric.” Can you tell us about this story and what readers will find?
ML. As Way Leads onto Way is my Covid story. I wrote it during lockdown. The title comes from a line from that famous Robert Frost poem about taking the path less traveled by. It takes place during the Great Depression and showcases the power of resilience and optimism in hard times. It follows a college student, Silas, as he searches for peace in a snowy mountain valley. It’s the shortest story I’ve written, but hopefully it’s just as meaningful. It’s full of just as much symbolism as The Summit by the Sea.
DLL. I love hearing about the positive outcomes many creatives experienced during a difficult period. I’m happy you found a story for yourself while offering a peaceful and meaningful escape for your readers.
Since we are still wading through the changes brought about by Covid, much like our country did for so long after the Depression, pick up a copy of Michael’s book and find that moment to escape into peace and optimism.
You incorporate settings you know and love, and I can relate to that with my writing. Even as a fantasy writer, my preference is to mingle my fantasy worlds with contemporary settings, mostly rural or small towns. The benefit is drawing from familiarity, which is a lot of fun when working on scenes; a way to put a little of myself into the story. Do you find that to be the case for you? What other enjoyment do you get from immersing your stories in the environments that surround you?
ML. New England is central to all three of my stories—especially in terms of its connection to nature and history. There are countless forests to explore, mountains to hike, and shores to ramble alongside. It’s an outdoor-lover’s paradise. The White Mountains serve as the backdrop for my first two books. I was raised on the New Hampshire coast, so the Atlantic Ocean shows up quite a bit, too. Nature has a healing, grounding quality to it—and my characters tend to find peace there. That’s a pretty consistent theme, through all my stories.
DLL. It sounds absolutely lovely and what a gift to have all of those things seep into your stories to add to your writer’s voice.
As a historical fiction writer, how important is the history in your stories? Is it a matter of having an interesting backdrop to pluck from the past, or are you a history buff who creates stories so you can spend time walking around in earlier times? I’ve talked to many people who tell me they were born in the wrong era. Would that include you?
ML. History’s always been something that fascinates the heck out of me. In the context of storytelling, it’s great because the time period that a story takes place in can have larger implications for the plot. It doesn’t have to, but it can. For my stories, it usually does. For example, As Way Leads onto Way takes place during the Great Depression. That works to the story’s advantage because of the parallels I was trying to draw between how depressing the world was back then and how depressing it was when I was writing. Or sometimes it’s a matter of aesthetics. Street Signs & Shaded Goodbyes is a melancholy story, and the 1950s can have a vintage melancholy feel. It’s all a matter of taking a time period and telling a story within it that has present-day relevance.
DLL. From your reviews, I think you are achieving that relevance.
What set you on your path to being a writer? Along with that question, what or who was your biggest inspiration?
ML. I started seriously writing in 2018, following a conversation I had with a good friend. We had been driving along the New Hampshire coast, talking about our lives and our futures and our dreams. My friend asked me what I would do for the rest of my life, if I could do one thing and only one thing. Immediately, writing was the answer that came to mind. I had wanted to be a writer for a while, but I had never pursued it because I knew I wouldn’t be able to do it full-time. I deferred my dream to pursue something more conventional—but I was unhappy, and eventually I couldn’t ignore it anymore. I allowed myself to focus fully on my writing, and it’s the best decision I ever made.
I don’t write full-time—but I am writing, and that makes me happy. I cook five days a week at a restaurant and write my stories on the side. I write with hopes that my stories will make people feel spoken to and heard. I write for the purpose of writing, and for the purpose of connecting with readers. Having the opportunity to do both is an extremely humbling thing.
DLL. Thank you for sharing that, Michael. You’ve given us a wonderful glimpse into the possibilities.
As an indie author, can you tell us about your journey into self-publishing, or hybrid publishing, which I believe you employ? What are the benefits of a hybrid method? Have you considered going fully traditional? Do you have any other tips to share or lessons learned regarding publishing?
ML. Hybrid publishing is great because you get the resources of traditional publishing with the benefits of self-publishing. There’s a lot that goes into publishing a story, so it’s nice to not have to do it alone. There’s a lot of learning involved, but that’s part of the process. I’m grateful for it, every step of the way.
I’ve thought about going fully traditional, but I think it all comes down to what you want from your writing journey and how you define your success. I’m trying to tell stories that make people feel spoken to. I don’t want to chase trends or sell myself out. It’s about the writing for me. That’s what it really comes down to.
DLL. A very good reminder for us all. I look forward to checking back with you in a year and seeing how it’s all working.
I’m so impressed with your Instagram aesthetics. Same with your website. I think they are a great reflection of you and your stories, and inspired marketing. Do you have marketing in your background, web design? If not, how did you go about creating your brand and imagery? Do you have people on your team, or do you handle everything yourself?
ML. I appreciate that! I don’t have a background in marketing or web design. I kind of just wing it. I feel like a lot of people do. I have a lot of friends who write and wing it, too. That definitely helps.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Phitted Media as I’ve worked on building my brand. They do photography, videography, you name it. I’ve been extremely pleased with how they’ve taken my vision and captured it with a camera. They’ve done my branding photos, promotional videos, everything. They’re freaking awesome. Definitely check them out.
DLL. Fantastic recommendation. Thank you and well done!
Three novellas in three years is a great pace. Do you have a project in the works? What are your goals as a writer?
ML. Yeah, thanks! It’s been so freaking cool. No plans on stopping, either. I’m in it for the long haul.
Street Signs & Shaded Goodbyes came out this past March, so right now I’m still working on promoting that. As far as what I’m working on right now, there’s always something. It’d be cool if that something was a novel, but we’ll see. I’ve only written novellas. Maybe this next one will be something longer.
My main goal as a writer is to connect with the people who experience my work. If I can write a story that makes someone feel heard and seen and spoken to, then I’ve done what I set out to do. Getting feedback from readers is one of the most rewarding parts of being an author. The strength of that reader-writer connection is intimate and international. The fact that a reader from Europe or Australia can be just as impacted by my stories as a reader from New England is absolutely mind-boggling to me. It’s an extremely humbling thing.
DLL. So many great points here. First, I wish you well on Street Signs and I’m excited to see what you come up with next! And I love the idea of being both intimate and international when reaching readers. What a quote! Congratulations on crossing the oceans with your stories.
I find the different writing techniques authors employ to get the words flowing fascinating to compare. You enjoy writing by hand and using notebooks and journals. Is that a purposeful method to stimulate your reflective writing style? How else does putting pen to paper benefit your life as a writer, or life in general?
ML. Yeah, so I write all my drafts out by hand. There’s something so organic about putting pen to paper, and the freedom that comes with being able to scribble and scrawl and cross things out. I’ve always sort of done it that way. I write in spiral notebooks or honestly, on looseleaf paper. The ideas just flow better that way. Usually, there’s a cup of coffee nearby and some jazz playing. That’s if I’m at my desk. If I’m not, then there’s still probably coffee nearby. I’m kind of addicted.
The pen to paper part is more peaceful to me than the typing stage. Once my drafts are finished, I’ll type them up and go from there. But writing, the physical act of writing, helps my stories flow.
DLL. Awesome. I hope this might inspire others to try it out. I’ve found a lot of variations to this, from your end of the spectrum to those who might type up a manuscript but handwrite all their notes or outlines. I jot notes in my vast collection of notebooks, but my story must flow through my fingers onto the keyboard, which to me is also a tactile connection that primes my imagination.
Once you get things down on paper, what are your next steps? For instance, what are your editing techniques and steps to prepare a manuscript for publishing?
ML. After my drafts are finished, I type them up and start revising. The revision stage lasts the longest for me. I’m very deliberate with my writing, so getting the words right and the scenes right and the dialogue right are all very important to me. I’ll revise until I feel like I’ve gotten my point across. There’s no telling how long that’ll take. Then there’s editing and more revision, usually with help. The formatting part typically comes last. From there to the actual publishing, there’s a lot more revision in store. A whole lot of revision…
DLL. This is great. Thank you, Michael.
To those of you out there who think this sounds like a lot of work, that might be true but it’s also where a lot of joy and satisfaction can be found in the writing process. Here’s to all the hard working writers that double the workload with meticulous editing!
I can picture you in cafes with your coffee and notebook (thanks in large part to your amazing posts). Other than getting out on the town to write, do you have a favorite place where you have things around you that get your creativity flowing? How about favorite tools or techniques?
ML. If I’m not out at cafes, I’m usually at my desk. I’ve written pretty much all of my stories at that desk. It’s not old or handsome or anything, but it’s always done the job. Its drawers are full of my notebooks and papers and spare pens. I’m pretty organized but there’s usually something spread out on top that I’ve been working on. There’s a lamp and a little owl statue that watches me work.
While I write, I usually drink coffee or water. Wine is great but it can make things foggy. I drank peppermint tea while I wrote The Summit by the Sea. Coffee and water are best.
More times than not, I listen to jazz. Silence is nice, too, but jazz gets my creativity flowing. I like John Coltrane and Bill Evans and Frank Sinatra and Chet Baker. I listen to their records or put them over my speaker from my phone. They have some really great stuff.
DLL. I love it. Thanks, Michael!
Along with favorite workspace tips, do you have favorite resources you can share?
ML. There’s a lot you can find around where you live. I’m a big fan of writing at restaurants and cafes, or out in nature. I guess the best creative resources are the ones right at home.
DLL. I totally find that to be true.
Do you have local writing communities in addition to online communities that you tap into? How would you advise writers just starting out about community engagement?
ML. The Instagram community has been great and so supportive. As far as starting out, it’s really about making connections. Look into people and see how their work speaks to you. Pick up on their creative vibe. Reach out! You never know how you could connect. That’s how artist networks are built.
DLL. And I for one appreciate how you reach out. It’s inspiring and encouraging. Thank you, Michael.
This has been so fun! Thank you again for visiting, Michael. Do you have any parting words of advice for those who seek the writer’s life?
ML. Thanks so much for having me!
Write on and read on. The rest will fall into place.
DLL. Awesome!
Feel free to leave any questions for Michael in the comments and don’t forget to check out his Instagram, which is where all these amazing images came from.
DLLewellyn using PhotoleapDLLewellyn using PhotoleapDLLewellyn using Photoleap
I had some creative fun with Photoleap using Michael’s evocative photo below. Of course, nothing compares to these real café vibes.
Michael LajoieGigi MeierJ. K. DiviaM. J. JamesG. M. Chmilar
What a fantastic group so far this year! See my Gallery of Guests 2023 for these inspiring conversations.
Madeline DavisIsa OttoniSevannah StormJorma KansanenWriting Battle, Max and TeonaGraham StreeterDustin A. FruehNicolas LemieuxJessica Jayne WebbMichael C. CarrollLucy A. McLarenJ. V. HilliardTracy Foote
I love to feature all creators, and this month I’m excited to delve into the music industry. Come meet my friend Tracy Foote as we get behind the scenes of a busy musician touring with his bandmates all through the foothills of California… and beyond.
Rock and blues guitar is a passion of mine, and Tracy had the talent from the beginning. I was not surprised when he made it a career. Check out these schedules…
Lucy A. McLaren is a fantasy author and professional counsellor, passionate about writing stories that include a realistic representation and exploration of mental health issues. She is a lifelong fan of fantasy stories, and enjoys reading, writing, watching and playing them. McLaren’s debut novel, Awakening: The Commune’s Curse Book 1, released from Santa Fe Writers Project in May 2022. She also has a fantasy short story featured in the Reign of Fire anthology which was released from Dragon Soul Press in January 2023.
Fantasy has always been Lucy’s genre of choice, though she loves a good horror, psychological thriller or murder mystery on occasion.
Lucy launched her series last year, and Book One, Awakening, is taking off! You can follow her blog and find her stories at Lucy A McLaren Author where she tells us that for as long as she can remember, she was drawn to the magic of storytelling, whether via books, video games, TV shows or films.
I’m stoked you were able to stop by and visit with me, Lucy. I have so much I’ve been wanting to chat about. How’s your June going so far?
LAM. Thanks so much for having me, Darci! It’s great to chat. My June has been good so far. It’s just starting to get really hot in the UK, so my husband and I are trying to make the most of that with our toddler (aka trying to burn up some of his ample amounts of energy so he sleeps at night). In terms of writing, I’ve been feeling fairly productive lately with consistent writing for the first time in a while. Saying that, I did realise I needed to take a little break over the last week because I was pushing myself to write every day. It’s a piece of advice I’ve seen a lot as a writer, but actually rest is a valuable part of the process too. Pushing yourself to keep writing regardless of anything else can be really counterproductive in the long term. I’ve seen that from personal experience. How about you, how’s the start of your June been?
DLL. Awesome, Lucy, and good luck with that sleep schedule. We’ve been enjoying a cooler, wet spring, which is unusual for our high desert country, and I’m loving it!. This first week, I also took time out to enjoy my first real break in writing. We traveled to stay with family and attend my niece’s beautiful wedding.
I’m always fascinated when an author starts out by launching a book that is destined for an epic series.Though I envy writers who can churn out standalone novels, which means they can finish a story and move on to a new one, there’s something so satisfying about creating a big multipart story and a big world that a writer can live in for an extended period of time.
To get us started, let’s jump right into your exciting young adult fantasy series, The Commune’s Curse.
Q. Did you set out to write a series? Or did it grow as the story unfolded?
LAM. I think back on this and I can’t recall The Commune’s Curse being anything but a series in my mind. Because I grew up reading fantasy series such as The Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce, J.V. Jones’s Sword of Shadows series, and His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman, I wonder if part of my brain just thought writing fantasy meant writing a series! But, saying that, it works as a trilogy. I’ll give the blurb for anyone unfamiliar with Awakening:
The Kingdom of Septima is ruled in all but name by the Commune, a ruthless cult that seeks control of an ancient power that has taken root in unsuspecting children in Septima. To maintain their hold on the kingdom, the Commune will stop at nothing to capture children who show signs of this power, to be weaponised or eliminated.
18-year-old Evelyn Folksman is in hiding. Taken in by a tavern-owner, she is haunted by the horrific events that drove her from her home years before. Evelyn is forced to face her past when two wayward children, Raif and Rose Huntsman, arrive at the tavern, pursued by Commune soldiers.
The children fall under Evelyn’s reluctant care as the trio narrowly escape a raid. Relentlessly hunted by Commander Jonah Sulemon and Commune agent Lord Eirik Torrant, Evelyn and Raif cannot fathom why they pose such a threat to the Commune, until six-year-old Rose unwittingly reveals a terrible secret: she possesses powers more fearsome than any the Commune has unearthed in decades.
There are only two options: to be captured and imprisoned, or to run for the rest of their lives.
The Commune’s Curse
It’s a story that grows with each book, I think. For example, book one takes place in Septima and is centralised around a few key locations in the kingdom (Castleton, the Veritas camp, Lord Torrant’s house). Book two expands on the story and takes the reader to new places, both in Septima and beyond.
DLL. Wow! This is a fantastic glimpse. I’m sure everyone wants to know what options might not be listed. I know I do. 😄 You can start the journey by clicking here.
Q. I love a good quest story with a compelling, reluctant heroine who faces challenges, including personal ones, while struggling to reach a destination with her charges. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Can you give us a series synopsis and some hints on what we can look forward to in the next installment?
LAM. That certainly is just the tip of the iceberg!
A series synopsis, oof that’s a good question. As mentioned in the blurb above, this is a story set in a kingdom ruled in all but name by a ruthless, cult-like government. The ultimate aim is to see them taken down. How we get there will be anything but simple. The overarching theme is about fighting against the oppression of the Commune. Of learning that we can be blinded by our own experiences and beliefs. Of being open to change, being open to forgiving ourselves and those who treat us badly. The four main characters–Evelyn, Raif, Hector and Commander Jonah Sulemon–are each put through some trials. They are led to question themselves. They make mistakes.
That sounds very generalised and I suppose it is. Ultimately, this is a series that I wanted to be very human at its core–because that’s what I find interesting in the stories I read, the characters, their flaws and struggles and how they ultimately overcome them. Or not, in some cases. We can’t all get a happy ending. That will certainly be the case in this series. That’s not so much a synopsis as a ramble, so I hope it makes sense!
In terms of what’s in store: in book two, we get to learn about Hector’s home, Nook Town, and the religious beliefs they hold that are outside of the Commune’s sway. We also discover more of Commander Jonah Sulemon’s home, the Noman Islands–the place where the powers first appeared. I want to keep readers guessing, not 100% sure where things could go–and I think book two will come with some surprises. At least I hope so, anyway.
DLL. Thank you so much, Lucy! Getting into your writer’s thoughts on your story themes is a real treat.
Q. One of the most intriguing aspects of your series is how the MC copes with trauma. As a mental health professional, what is it like to blend your work experience with writing fantasy fiction? Were there challenges merging your professional world with writing? Was it imperative for you to create a flawed character when you set out to write fiction? Or was The Commune’s Curse a story waiting to happen, an inevitable, natural element in your storytelling?
LAM. Thank you, yes it was something I felt I certainly wanted to explore within my storytelling. Weirdly, I don’t remember intentionally going into it thinking “this character will have trauma, I will explore this mental health issue”, but as it emerged that Evelyn had past trauma–all of the characters do actually, to some extent–Raif has grief to process, Sulemon is in a toxic relationship, Hector is… well, he’s just Hector haha. But they all have their struggles. I think the main challenge for this is ensuring I wrote these issues sensitively. As a counsellor, I’m aware of the mental health theory I can utilise to understand characters and why they are how they are, but that doesn’t mean I’m impervious to misunderstanding mental health issues. I used both personal experiences, case studies I’ve read in my professional work, and research around trauma in order to write my characters. And I hope I’ve done those issues justice.
To me (as I’ve already mentioned), flawed characters are the most interesting to read. We are all flawed. We all have struggles. I want readers to connect with the characters I write, to see themselves mirrored or to be able to understand different mental health issues through these characters. That is important to me and something I am very passionate about. So yeah, I believe it was imperative. 🙂
You know, you asking that–whether The Commune’s Curse was a story waiting to happen–makes me think. When I was training to become a counsellor, I found my way back to my love for writing. I hadn’t done it for many years because of anxiety and self-doubt. I was keeping a journal during my training and remember writing, “I’m going to write a book.” And Awakening was the first book I wrote. The story came out in stages. I realised I wanted to include aspects of real-life issues (victim-blaming, mental health, Brexit, oppression). So perhaps some part of me always intended to write a story including those things. Maybe that’s why it was so easy to write that first book.
DLL. Thank you for taking another deep dive! I really appreciate this aspect of your journey.
Q. Awakening has received some amazing reviews and two things stand out besides the “clear-eyed portraits of trauma in its characters” – Your “exquisite prose” and fast-paced story telling. How did you develop your writing style?
LAM. Thank you, yeah it has received some really lovely praise. Which is wonderful for me as a writer who often experiences strong bouts of self-doubt! I think my beta readers and editor had a lot to do with helping me hone my writing style. You always hear about finding your “voice” as a writer. It’s one of those elusive things that are hard to know how to nail down. Ultimately, I think if you’re writing what you’re passionate about, your voice will come through. That’s what I’ve aimed for, anyway. I do also believe writers are always honing their voice. Book two of The Commune’s Curse is better than book one, in my opinion. And I’m working on a standalone dark fantasy too. My aim is basically: keep writing, keep improving my style, keep finding my voice. That’s all anyone can do, right?!
DLL. Exactly. And I can relate, and it’s so encouraging to hear how you adapt and deal with growing as a writer.I’m not sure if it was the smartest thing to do, but I went back and applied my (in the process of being) honed writer skills to my series and am republishing books one and two this summer. I wish I could have just left my original story intact, but I couldn’t help refining it, which led to a couple new chapters and fleshing out secondary characters that carry over into the next book. But I need to just get them back up on Amazon and stop all the tweaking. 😊
Q. We connected through the Fantasy Sci Fi Writers Alliance, a great group of writers who support each other in a variety of ways, and I’ve enjoyed hearing through that group how you make time to write while balancing your professional and family life. Can you share your tips on staying on track? What are your favorite things to do during downtime?
LAM. Oh yes I LOVE the FSF Alliance. It’s so wonderful connecting with fellow authors. It can be very lonely writing a book. I highly recommend joining to anyone who is writing an SFF book at the moment (see more below).
You know, staying on track can be tough sometimes. A big thing I’ve learnt recently is it’s okay NOT to stay on track sometimes. Be gentle with yourself. If you need a rest and break from writing, take one. While I’m doing that, I tend to find little ideas popping into my head which I jot down for later.
When I am in the headspace for writing, for me as the mum of a toddler, it’s about utilising the time I do have. Nap time! I’ve stopped keeping a daily word count expectation as that brings its own pressure. Basically, on the days you do write–any amount of words is fantastic, whether it be 100 or 1,000 (or more, GO YOU). Be proud of any progress you make.
Outside of writing, I love spending time with my toddler (he needs A LOT of attention right now) and husband, playing video games (I’m currently playing Tears of the Kingdom and have just started a cosy game called Potion Permit), reading (fantasy, horror and crime thrillers), and going for walks to find old castle ruins for photographing. I find them to be inspirational for my stories!
DLL. I totally dig this! I enjoy those “meandering” photos of yours too. I loved exploring the U.K. on a long visit back in 1990, and so wish I had castles to explore out my back door. I’ll have to stick with forests and lakes. Awesome! Click the logo for more on the Alliance.
Q. This is where we can chat about your nifty word processor! I enjoy your posts about your FreeWrite Traveler and all the words you bang out in a session thanks to not being distracted with editing as you write. I started my career as a word processor in 1982, so I love retro tech stuff. Give us the scoop. Are you still loving it?
LAM. Oh my, yes, I LOVE word processors. So I started with an AlphaSmart which was a 20-something year old word processor. It was about £50 on eBay so I thought why not give it a try to see if it helps. I’d been feeling really stuck creatively for a long time and needed something to give me a boost. And WOW did it work. I hadn’t realised how much the distractions on my laptop impacted upon me. Suddenly, I could sit and write without having text messages, emails and social media notifications popping up every few minutes.
The success with the AlphaSmart led me to invest in a Freewrite Traveler. They are certainly a more expensive option, largely because they’re new! They have wifi backup and are generally more modern looking/feeling. I am in love with my Traveler. The upward spike in my productiveness has seriously blown me away. I recommend this tool for any writer who can afford it and who has struggled to keep focused. You won’t be disappointed.
DLL. Oooh. I so want to get one! You can follow Lucy on Instagram to learn more about her love for her FreeWrite Traveler and her works in progress. Click here to check out the device directly.
Q. What are some of your other favorite tools or methods to help with productivity?
LAM. Definitely notebooks. I am a sucker for a good notebook. I probably (definitely) have too many and I will always be tempted to buy another if I see them in a shop. My husband has to drag me away, ha. They’re handy for jotting down notes, ideas, interesting names and lyrics, all of which I find inspiring. I also find utilising the notes section on my phone a fantastic tool. I don’t always have a notebook close by, but I do have my phone with me basically all day. So when my brain decides to throw a random story/scene idea out at 1.37am, I can pick it up, blearily write it on my phone and know I won’t forget it.
DLL. Fantastic! I’m a stationary fiend and love collecting notebooks. I don’t even use them all. And just this morning, I was selling my husband on the idea of using his Notes on his phone. Such a handy feature.
Q. Who or what was your biggest influence in becoming a writer?
LAM. Ooh, good question. I feel like a lot of things converged at around the same age for me which had a massive impact on my passion for fantasy stories: Lord of the Rings films, I read Tamora Pierce’s Song of the Lioness Quartet and Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, I was played Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time/Majora’s Mask and Final Fantasy VIII/IX/X. They caused me to fall in love with character-focused adventures with interesting people and places. So becoming a writer felt like a natural part of wanting to create my own stories and, in some part, to recreate the magical feeling the ones I loved left me with. More recently, I discovered writers like Robin Hobb and Joe Abercombie whose books I absolutely adore and whose amazing writing skills I will always aspire to.
DLL. Here are links besides the ones above to get you started on what influenced Lucy. Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice, and Joe Abercrombie’s The Blade Itself (debut series).
Q. What are your top three favorite books or authors?
LAM. Robin Hobb is definitely my favourite author. I adore all of the books of hers I’ve read (I still have many to read. They’re on my TBR but I think I’m almost scared to get to them and not having any more Robin Hobb stories waiting for me. That’s my excuse, anyway.
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman is my favourite book series. Highly recommend to anyone who hasn’t read it. The characters, worldbuilding and themes are second to none.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon is definitely up there as one of my favourite books. It’s epic and gorgeously written.
DLL. Awesome. Thanks for sharing more from your list, Lucy!
Q. Another topic I have been excited to cover with you is your participation on panels at writers conventions and other venues. Can you share how you got started and was it a hard thing to do? What are your favorite highlights? How can a writer get involved or be invited to sit on a panel? Do you recommend it?
LAM. Absolutely! So I started when I saw an open call for QuaranCon in 2022. It was an online convention, which became a lot more popular because of the pandemic of course cancelling in person events. With a young child to work around, this became a very convenient option for me. It was (and still is) hard putting myself out there and talking in front of people, but it definitely is getting easier. Tell my 15-year-old self I’m doing this; she’d be astounded.
My biggest highlight is definitely attending EasterCon in person in April this year. As much as the online conventions are convenient and I love taking part in them, going to an in-person convention is fantastic. I met loads of lovely people, connected with social media friends and was on a panel with Garth Nix, whose books I read when I was like… 10. So that was surreal.
To get involved in conventions and panels, I’d say search what is available in your country/area. See what conventions have online options (I’ve partaken in American-based ones such as WisCon because they have an online part to the convention). They will generally have an open call for authors to sign up and advise they’re interested in being on panels. Some also offer the option of making suggestions for panel ideas. Basically, keep your eyes peeled.
And I 100% recommend it. It’s the opportunity to meet new people, speak about topics you’re passionate about, and promote your work as an author. All invaluable parts of being a writer. Also, if you’re introverted (like me) and worried about it–you can do it! Everyone is always so friendly, in my experience. Plus it’ll build your confidence the more you do it; believe me, I know.
DLL. Fantastic. So encouraging! And I look forward to hearing more about your experiences. Follow the links in the text to learn more about these amazing conventions.
Q. Along with conventions, what is the writing community like in the U.K.? Do you have other ways you get involved locally to promote your stories?
LAM. I am part of a local writing Discord group but, to my shame, have barely taken part in it. I do know another North-East based writer (Trudie Skies) and we plan to meet up soon, which will be nice. I’ve also had the opportunity to meet fellow authors and good friends who have come over the UK, like Cindy van Wilder and Courtney Denelle. I also need to find local places to promote my stories. Basically, Darci… I’m still working that out lol.
DLL. You’re doing much better than I am.😊 It is hard to stay involved while keeping productive. And any bit is a good thing.
Q. I’m self-published and after two years of absorbing how other writers market their books, whether traditionally published or independent, it seems to me it’s an uphill climb either way with such a saturated market, and I’m still unclear about the advantages of one over the other. What are your observations?
LAM. I completely agree. It’s very much an uphill struggle. I think the advantages, for me at least–and why I wanted to go down the traditional publishing route–are that you have a publisher behind you to give aforementioned advice and support. I know as a debut author I would have felt overwhelmed publishing a book without that. Perhaps self-publishing is the way to publish quicker because trad publishing certainly takes more time. But it also costs the author more. But they get all the royalties. But they don’t have a publisher behind them for support.
All that being said: ultimately, I say do what is best for you! Just make sure you put the best version of your book out there, either way.
DLL. Helpful insights. Can you cover a little about how you sought your publisher and developed your relationship?
LAM. Of course! So I was querying for agents in 2019 and saw that Santa Fe Writers Project (SFWP) had an open call for SFF novels. I thought why not submit and went for it. A few months later, I got a response which was a “No, but…” which was amazing! They gave lots of helpful feedback and pointers as to ways to build upon and improve my book. I implemented those, resubmitted a few months later and waited. In May 2020, I was offered a publishing contract and was absolutely thrilled! It’s still surreal to me now, honestly.
Q. How do you work in conjunction with your publisher to market your books? What does your publisher do to promote you?
LAM. My publisher gives me a lot of tips/advice around marketing. Marketing is one of those things I definitely wasn’t fully prepared for as a debut author, so I’m glad to have a publisher like SFWP who are able to support me in it!
Q. You also enjoy interviewing authors and creators. How did you get started with that and how long have you been at it?
LAM. Oh I love it! I’ve been doing it in one form or another for a few years now. As much as social media can be a challenge and brings a level of anxiety, I have met so many wonderful people through it. I think I started out interviewing a good friend, Cindy van Wilder, who I met on Twitter back when I joined in 2018. They are a supportive, amazing person who has helped me so much in my writing and publishing journey. I love getting to know other authors, how their writing is going, their writing influences, all that kind of stuff. I’ve recently been doing a series of interviews on writing and video games, considering how the latter has had an impact on people’s love of stories and the way they create their own worlds/characters. It’s been very interesting–and a great excuse to have a nostalgia-trip discussing video games!
DLL. Awesome! You can visit Lucy’s interviews here.
Q. What are your favorite aspects of sharing a writer’s story on your blog?
LAM. I find it quite fun just writing about it, to be honest. It’s quite cathartic! I tend to do more sharing on my newsletter than blog, thinking about it. I try to give advice or share news and hope that it helps others to find new events/things to try in their writing. If just one person reads it and takes something from it, I’m happy.
Q. You have other stories published. Where can we find your works, and can you share what projects you’re working on in addition to your series?
LAM. I have a short story called The Dragon Harvester’s Daughter published in the Reign of Fire anthology which released in January. It’s a fantastic series of short stories worth checking out if you love dragons! I also have other short stories available on my website, if you fancy some quick fantasy reads.
In addition to working on The Commune’s Curse series, I’m writing a standalone dark fantasy, working title The Etherstone Project. It’s one I’m really excited about. Based in a Victorian London-inspired city which is being stalked by a vicious killer, it is about two young women from different ends of society who must come together to uncover the truth about the murders and the mysterious EtherGods who control their city.
DLL. Ooh. That sounds amazing!! I can’t wait for that to come out.
Follow the links throughout to find all these great stories and keep posted on Lucy’s progress. Reign of Fire is published by Dragon Soul Press. I love their anthologies and have a story about a selkie and lighthouse keeper in one called Song of the Siren. Check them out if you have a story to submit.
Q. Where do you see yourself in five years as a writer?
LAM. I’d like to have Etherstone finished and out in the world, if not with a publisher ready to be released. The Commune’s Curse series finished and in the world. And on to my next fantasy book/series… Just the thought makes me very excited and anxious haha.
DLL. Awe. Fantastic. I totally get that!
This has been a lot of fun, Lucy! Thank you so much for joining me this week. Do you have any parting words of advice for those who want to pursue their passion?
LAM. Thanks so much Darci, it’s been lovely chatting.
Parting advice: write your first draft without editing it. Get it out of your brain and onto the screen/paper. Edits come later. That is the best thing I’ve taken on board from other writers and it works.
Post your comments or questions and Lucy and I will follow up.
Jessica Jayne Webb is a Writer from New Zealand. Jessie published a fantasy novel we’ll get into below. She writes poetry as well, and is working on a variety of projects. Jessie says writing her book was monumental for herself and her family as both her sons have learning challenges. She is also working on her degree, while enjoying family life, fishing and foraging, with her partner and two high functioning boys.
I’ve been looking forward to our chat so much, Jessie. Your book The Secrets of Wilderfort Castle is packed with fabulous elements. There is a castle. Score 1. Then, you have a reluctant heiress facing an unexpected change. Score 2. It harks back to my favorite genre in the 70s. The gothic romance, but maybe this is more dark fantasy. Score 3. Then, there is a whole hidden fantasy world. Score 5. And finally (well not even finally because there’s more) you have romance. Score 6.
I’d like to start by asking how you came up with your story, which I think of as a story within a story. Did you set out to write such an epic multilayered tale?
Hey, thanks for having me here, I appreciate you adding me in and wanting to talk about my journey.
I started this more as an assignment about 10 years ago now, for my English paper at university. My lecturer liked it so much she asked me if I could write more. I wrote about 4 chapters before life jumped in. Then about 3 years ago, I had a back injury. Instead of going loopy from being stuck on my back about a year into being almost bedridden, I ‘found’ my book again and decided to write. It was hard at first to get back into it but once I opened the door in my mind again, I was able to pull the whole thing apart and rewrote it in about 2 months. I think similar to my life, I am multilayered, so writing my book like that seemed like a natural way to go about doing it.
D. So sorry that you suffered through such a terrible injury. But I’m glad you found a creative outlet to help you cope with it. I’ve had several people tell me creative pursuits like writing and art have helped them survive life’s debilitating curve-balls. Good for you.
That leads us to the question about your process. Are you a panster or plotter? Do you like to sit at the keyboard and let the story come, or do you plan ahead with an outline or other favorite technique(s)?
I think I’m a bit of both or perhaps something else entirely heh. I started off by just writing what played out, but then decided to organise myself a bit and wrote one or two lines for each chapter or like for some chapters, I listed 4 to 6 words I wanted to ‘hit’ when writing the chapters. But for the most part, I felt I was a narrator. The characters were all playing it out in my head, like a movie and I was playing catchup trying to keep up with them. I don’t sleep much, so I didn’t find it odd when I mentally argued with the characters. Much like I messaged you, as I’m finishing off my Bachelors I have had to take a step back for a few months and put them all in a metaphorical ‘draw.’ It does leak out though, so studying becomes a bit challenging, along with having children, a couple of jobs, and whatnot.
D. Ah, conjuring scenes instead of sleeping! I can relate. And after talking to so many of our fellow writers, I’ve learned that malady afflicts a lot of us.
Do you have a designated place to write, a place that is ready with the things around you that get you into the zone? What does that look like? What are your favorite methods, tips?
Nah, I’m not that organised, I go where there is silence, a decent seat and a big table. I do like to have my coffee with me; almond flat white with an extra shot. I’m a major coffee addict. Near a food source also. I like the local library on occasion. But quiet is the main part, as the noise from the characters make it quite hard to concentrate. Tips! Everyone is different. Putting all my gear into a backpack and exploring the area is a great way to find a niche place. Everyone has their quirks, and preferred ways of writing. Mine may look completely different to yours and everyone else’s so really it’s looking for what you feel will work that day.
D. Thanks for sharing that. I enjoy envisioning writers’ environments as they settle in to write. Lifting my coffee cup to you!
Is fantasy your preferred genre, and what subgenre(s)? Discovering my niche market is something I’m delving into, since I could technically gear my books towards several, so I’ve been polling writers to learn how they determine where their books fit on a book store shelf. Where do you see your book if you were to walk into a traditional book store? What books would you find next to it?
I think so, to your first question. I would say on the bestsellers shelf is my best aim heh! Unfortunately, my book is really expensive so it is mainly online. I would love my books to be near Terry Practchett’s Discworld Novels. That would be my dream. Epic fantasy for my next series. I am finding The Secrets of Wilderfort Castle is going dark. With more relationships popping up I’m feeling its getting into darker fantasy, not quite mind benders but looking at scenes involving death, I mean if you checked out the first book you would have seen some areas where the characters show a taste of the twisted things they are capable of. It’s very twisty-turny and you need to keep up. Definitely pay attention to the details or you may miss something. The characters are also showing some areas of LGB relationships which back then (Victorian era) was frowned upon and done behind closed doors, but didn’t mean they weren’t happening. So in other words, you will have to read the book.
D. Wow. Even more elements to add to the ones in our introduction. It sounds like a totally fun story to write.
At what stage in the process did you find your publisher? Can you talk about the process of getting a book deal? Did you consider self-publishing? If so, what convinced you to go traditional?
I want to go traditional. I know it’s a hefty percentage cut going that way but they have the connections and can market the book. I’m terrible at marketing and prefer to hide while writing or go walking in the literal sense. It helps me organise whats happening in the book, within my brain. It took a while to get this contract, as I really had to hunt around. I didn’t know what I was doing. Now that I’m in the book scene, I have found many more areas of interest. This first book deal was a hybrid contract. I didn’t know what I was getting into but I definitely DON’T recommend it. I was offered four hybrid contracts from different publishers and went with this company as my friend had published through them. I am looking, and they know I’m looking for another company. I am quite open with that. I need someone who can keep up with me and my different forms of writing.
D. I look forward to hearing how you progress with those goals. I can appreciate finding the right representative who can advocate for different types of writing, since you write poetry and quite a variety of other things, which we will get into in a little bit.
Can you share your insight and tips for balancing homelife and family with your writer’s life?
No tips, I’m terrible at it, apart from having the ability to take my boys swimming where I can write for two hours. Finding a place that can entertain kids and give you wifi is a great way to go. Keeps everyone happy. I sometimes ‘book’ in time for when I’m going to write. It’s like I’m mentally organising myself in preparation.
D. I like that tip. I’m a planner junkie. Writing down a schedule even if it’s booking time with yourself can be really effective.
Who and/or what were your biggest influences in becoming a writer?
Becoming a writer, it was more like, I quite enjoy this, I’m going to see where this takes me. My dad has always been in my court when an idea came up. I have actually had a few businesses in the past one being an art business, and he was always one to encourage any kind of creative flare in myself and my siblings.
What are your top 3 favorite books, or if you prefer, top 3 favorite writers, and why?
Terry Pratchett. Definitely. Cynthia Voigt’s A Solitary Blue was a very emotional book for me. I read it in college and it was the first book that changed my life, I really struggled in college. I’m loving a lot of indie authors at present, too hard to pinpoint but they are all amazing writers, I have gained a lot of insight from the bookish community on Instagram. I am part of a couple of awesome groups, and I’m really thankful.
I was delighted to find you have poetry I could listen to on Spotify. Wow! To have your words read so movingly. How did that collaboration come about? Will there be more?
I was a bit cheeky actually. Attai lily was talking about it online and I DM’D her saying if she needed anything, I would love to be included. She said she was still setting up so when she was ready, she posted up for potential authors and I jumped on board. Attai Lily is amazing to work with and has really begun to take off.
D. Enjoy right here, Jessie’s poems “Life Explained” and “The Rhyming Muscles” read by Attai Lily, In Lines and Verses on Spotify.
We met through our writer’s alliance, which I think is awesome because it brings writers from around the world together to support each other. What can you share about your experiences in the writer’s community? What other online groups can you recommend?
The bookish community is brilliant. There are some really helpful authors out there all wanting the best for you, I have learnt so much and will continue to learn from them. It’s very supportive. I have looked into NaNoWriMo. I did sign up for a writing competition with them, but the timing didn’t fit in with my schedule, I will enjoy looking at that more in depth over Christmas.
D. I do love participating in NaNoWriMo challenges. It’s a great way to focus on a project over a month. I hope to see you there.
Have you found any local communities or helpful ways to share your books at home in New Zealand?
Funnily enough no. New Zealand can be a really hard place to jump into. There are so many creatives in New Zealand. I have this fabulous man, William Yip. He is the forerunner for the Collective, a local community hub, and he is a supportive man for any he knows needs to market. I am working with him at the moment to get my book out to the local community. I managed a newspaper article and that helped, but to get anywhere you need a constant influence in the national community, plus anything overseas. I will be looking into more international influence next year.
D. Awesome. Thanks for that. The community hub with Mr. Yip sounds like a great local feature.
Now for a favorite question of mine. I understand you have projects in the works. Can you give us a glimpse into what we might see next and when?
Oh gosh. Where do I start? Well, Wilderfort is one of five books I have planned. Then there is The Last Tribe of Terraway. That is a three-book series about a small community of varying-aged trolls on the run. I haven’t quite settled on a name for my horror. I was thinking The Puppet Creator. But I’m still working on the name. That is one I am really looking forward to writing, I won’t give too many details except I am going to the local morgue at the end of the year to learn about embalming haha. I also have a ghost possession type story, and I’m excited about writing that one. I also have a children’s book with a first draft. I think this one will be about 10 books in total but I need to find an illustrator to join me on the journey. Plus my poetry book. This, I actually wrote in my twenties but as you know, a couple have been put up on spotify. I’m not sure where I will go with that one. I also have a couple articles I want to write based on Education as my study ( I’m in my final year) to become a teacher.
D. I love these ideas, and I can’t wait to see more. You can follow Jessie on Instagram and Goodreads.
Thank you so much for visiting my Spotlight, Jessie! Any parting words of advice about following our creative passions?
Don’t give up. Listen to yourself, not what others say. I was told in college, after asking an English teacher for help, not to bother. I would never get anywhere. Research. Make sure you understand what you are writing. Don’t go on blind faith. Be open to learning curves. Everything we do helps us to improve. We are always learning. Be open to it, and be humble.
Be kind, don’t be a Karen! Unless you’re copying my second mum.
D. Fantastic!
AI Art by D. L. LewellynAI Art by D. L. LewellynAI Art by D. L. Lewellyn
Can’t wait to share my conversation with my next guest, Michael C. Carroll!
Born and raised in Massachusetts’ Merrimack Valley, Michael C. Carroll has always loved storytelling. After graduating from Boston College, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he teaches and lectures on the epic poetry that inspires his writing. It was not until his master’s program through the Bread Loaf School of English brought him to Oxford University, that Michael knew he had found the story he would spend the rest of his life telling.
In Professor Francis Leneghan’s tea-scented office, Michael began studying the Old English manuscript of Beowulf. That literary exploration led to his thesis that addresses the allegorical significance of the dragon fight that concludes the Anglo-Saxon epic poem. Not long after earning his Master’s degree, Michael began writing Beyond the Fall of Kings, the incredible true story of the war behind the poem of Beowulf.
Currently, Michael lives in Atlanta, Georgia where—when he is not giving lectures on Beowulf—he can be found making dinner for his wife and daughter, coaching his school’s football and swimming teams, and working through his own translation of the Old English Beowulf Manuscript.
By D. L. Lewellyn 