Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up and I am still currently living just outside of Houston, Texas. I have a German Shepherd mix named Yoda (yes, I’m a major Star Wars nerd). I’ve always had a wild imagination (which I tended to get made fun of for by my classmates when I was younger), but I think that’s what helps me when it comes to writing my books. I primarily focus on fantasy and dystopian novels, but I also love to try and dabble in a little bit of everything whenever I can. I currently have five books out (three different series) and I’m working on releasing another.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My sixth book is coming out in late October. It is a new adult/adult fantasy novel and it’s the first of its series. The book is called “The Light We Lost” and the series is called “The Stardust Circle”. Here’s the synopsis:
“Blood, death, and gore as far as the eye could see… and a High Priestess Serena standing on top of it all.”Nadia, Jade, Spencer, and Priamos have spent the best part of their lives trying to keep a massive part of who they were a secret. They kept themselves as separated from the rest of their coven as possible, not telling anyone about who they were – not even Priamos’ brother, Tempest, until he discovered he was already one of them. The number one rule for the entire group is very simple: absolutely no one can know about what sets them apart from the rest of the town. However, when the reigning High Priestess begins to lose her control over Wolf’s Hollow and the Stardust Circle, they realize that there’s a grave danger in Wolf’s Hollow and that they might just be the only ones that can put a stop to it.
This book all started because I was once in my college U.S. history class and my professor was telling us the story about what happened with Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died and uttered the phrase “Jefferson still lives”. He told us that we couldn’t write a story about it because no one would believe it and my only response was “but can I try?” Then, a few months later, I started toying with the idea of a bunch of characters that had memories from significant historical events, and eventually, The Stardust Circle was born.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not that I can think of. I try not to have too many things that I absolutely HAVE to do when I can write. It makes it too hard for me to write otherwise.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My absolute favorite author is S.E. Hinton. I read “The Outsiders” when I was in eighth grade, extremely depressed, and contemplating suicide and I strongly credit that book for being one of the things that saved my life. I also took in a lot of her writing style as inspiration when I was trying to form my own writing style. So, she’s pretty influential to me I would say.
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on a trilogy that takes place in a kingdom that lives like they’re still in the Victorian era. It’s been on the back burner for almost a year, but I’m finally getting back to it.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I would say to stop worrying if someone will love your story. At the end of the day, always make sure that you’re writing for yourself and what you need (or what you needed when you were part of your target age group), then worry about publication later. If you’re truly passionate about your work, then someone else will be passionate about it, too.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“A short story must have a single mood and every word must build towards it.” I believe it’s from Edgar Allan Poe. I don’t even write short stories all that often, but I find it helps with my novels quite a bit, too.
What are you reading now?
“Home” by Julie Andrews!
What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing more books. I don’t think I’ll ever stop writing more books.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“The Outsiders” by S.E. Hinton, “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, “Go Set a Watchman” by Harper Lee, and “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens
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