Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an indie author and I just published my first book back in July of this year (2019). I’m a homeschooling mother of 5 who’s been married for 15 short years that escapes the hassles of everyday life by obsessively reading anything I can get my hands on and writing anything that pops into my head. Occasionally foul-mouthed and unapologetic about it, some of my “bad” habits show up in my writing, but I think they just give a splash of color to a black and white page in the end. Fantasy and mystery are probably my favorite genres, but if they’re mixed together… oooo, I can’t get enough of that.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Beholden to Balance: Initiate. It’s the first book in a slow-burn, reverse harem urban fantasy series I’m working on. The series as a whole was inspired by what I wanted to read but wasn’t really finding, parts of my past experiences, and things I wish existed (like magic in all forms). Writing, in a way, has become my free therapy session where I can get out what bugs me, kill all the bad guys, fix the world’s problems, and dream of purple skies over glowing grass, all at the same time. I absolutely love it, lol.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Um, yes.
I plot with sticky notes and thread all over a wall in my bedroom. My family jokingly calls it my “crazy wall”, but it’s how I organize all the different threads I’m weaving through this fictional world.
I can often be found huddled over my laptop with a sweet tea next to me. I may or may not be wearing sweatpants. I almost always wear a hoodie with one arm in and one arm out, and though my husband laughs every time he sees me like that, it’s just too hot with it on and too cold with it off! So he can laugh all he wants. I’m comfortable that way despite how it may look, lol.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Stephen King, Nicholas Sparks, Tate James, and Kim Harrison. Honestly, the list could go on and on.
What are you working on now?
Right now I am working on book 2 in my Beholden to Balance Series. It’s mostly plotted out now and the writing is about to begin!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, I’m so new at this, I have no idea. This website, awesomegang.com, is an amazing resource that I found through Kindlepreneur.com. There are also all the social media outlets, though I’m not sure yet, how those affect sales one way or another.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just write. That’s the best advice I can give. If I waited for perfection, I never would’ve published my book, and they may not either if perfection is their goal.
Of course, there’s also the obvious things such as starting an author website, signing up for different social media platforms, and attempting to build an audience any way they can.
Another tip would be trying to implement some goal setting techniques. Some people are more goal-oriented than others, but giving it a shot might not hurt too bad.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Don’t sweat the small shit, ’cause the big shit’ll kill ya.”
What are you reading now?
Right now I’m on book 3 in The Bargainer Series by Laura Thalassa. It’s awesome. You guys should check it out. The first book is called Rhapsodic (The Bargainer Book 1).
What’s next for you as a writer?
Next for me is writing and publishing book 2 of my series. From there, I plan to write at least another 4 books in this series, plus maybe, a few novellas that branch off of the world I’m building. When that’s all done? Who knows? I’ll probably dive headlong into another series with a different world.
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?
Hmm. THIS IS AN IMPOSSIBLE QUESTION! Okay, I think I would bring Worth It by S.M. Shade and C.M. Owens, a collection of everything Edgar Allen Poe, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, and Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison. Sadly and grudgingly, I would have to let all the other wonderful gems stay on the mainland.
Author Websites and Profiles
Cilla Raven Website
Cilla Raven Amazon Profile
Cilla Raven’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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