Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I grew up loving fairy tales and romance novels, and have lived a life of travel, adventure, and writing. I have enjoyed teaching English in both Europe and Asia, worked as a librarian and a journalist, and backpacked across the American Southwest and Northwest Coast.
I’ve won numerous awards for her adult nonfiction, short stories, and poetry, under different pen names. I also love podcasting.
I write full-time, and live in Colorado with my two dogs, Angel and Elric. I enjoy camping and hiking with pups, and draw much of the inspiration for my work from my love of nature.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Marisol Vol. 2. It’s a story a friend and I made up together. We both love foxes, and there aren’t a lot of romance novels that focus on fox shapeshifters, though there are plenty of werewolves. When I wrote it all up, what I wanted to create was something that didn’t follow traditional storytelling structure. I wanted a series of books that felt like a traditional fairy tale.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to wear hats, while I write! The sillier the better. My favorite is a big green squid that I got at a carnival booth.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love sword and sorcery authors, and really foofy and talented fantasy writers. Michael Moorcock is one of my all time favorites. Also Ursula K. LeGuin, Patricia A. McKillip, and Tad Williams. I am slowly working my way through all the classics of fantasy, I have a big list of titles I’m checking off one at a time.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on Marisol Vol. 3. It’s going to be a long project, and I’m having a lot of fun with it. I would also like to try and write a few children’s books, since that’s something I’ve never done before.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I actually use a tumblr! I do a lot of doodling and artwork, and I’ve found that site is a good platform for it.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write what you love, even if it’s magical fox shapeshifters in a big crazy fairy land. Whatever is really fun for you is the thing you’re going to be able to really stick with. Even if it’s silly, sticking with it is worth a lot.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I think the best advice I ever got in terms of writing is to let go of perfectionism. We all have these ideas for these really perfect, really beautiful stories we want to create. When we start writing them out, they’re never as good as we imagined, and that can be discouraging. But it’s okay. It’s all right to fall short of perfection, to let the story just be the best you can make it, even if it’s not the flawless, shining accomplishment you had in mind. What you really want is to just do the best you can, to finish something that’s good enough, and stick with what’s important to you.
What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading “The Gentleman” by Forrest Leo.
What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing! More fiction, maybe some picture books and poetry.
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?
Alice in Wonderland, for sure. It’s my all time favorite.
Author Websites and Profiles
Folie Loftman Amazon Profile