Interview With Author Lizzie Darcie
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, my pen name is Lizzie Darcie, I’m 14 years old, and I’m an indie author who has published on Amazon and also takes orders directly through her Instagram @lizzies_version for local readers. My first novel, Kingdom of Wandering Souls (60k words), is set in an alternate Mughal Empire and highlights how women-centered issues like child marriage have led to the downfall of dynasties. My second novel focuses on religious exploitation, Marrow & Bells (80k words), is going to be released next month!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, Marrow & Bells, like all my books, focuses on a certain aspect of society. My first book tackled women’s issues, my second one tackles religious exploitation and how fear is used to propel people into religious habits, that are often cult-like, all in the name of survival. It is set in an alternate England that is engulfed with the flames of war and follows the story of Brett Cagney as he does his best to surviv but gets caught up in the tangles of political religion and rituals.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Yes, whenever I’m starting a new novel, I can’t do it without setting up a very specific kind of framework. And if I don’t abide by that framework, it gets me off my game for a few days. For example, if I plan to write a novel that is 80k words in two months (like Marrow & Bells) I will decide that I will write 2000 words every day, leaving just enough room to edit and deal with other formalities. If I don’t fulfill this goal (which rarely happens) it demotivates me for a few days.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As someone from a third world country with limited access to literary materials and discussions, I fell in love with reading after finding J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series at 6 years old. I have moved on to other books now, but I feel those books will always have a part in who I have become. Additionally, my all-time favorite book is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It changed me, I think, into the person I am now.
What are you working on now?
Currently, I am working on editing my 80k novel, Marrow & Bells. It should be finished by the end of July. Starting August, I will begin plotting my third novel. Depending on if Kingdom of Wandering Souls hits its sales goal, it could be a sequel to that or a completely new standalone altogether. I like writing standalones, having the ability to jump from narrating one life to another. As a teenage writer, I’m still figuring out my style and capabilities.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
The most important part, I think, about promoting my books as an indie, teenage author is community. I have worked hard to find my community on Goodreads and Instagram, amongst other book fans and people who are willing to support my journey. I am by no means a bestseller, but I want to establish a base and community for myself~!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes. As a new author, I struggled with figuring out how to publish. I spent countless days and nights submitting to various publishing firms and agents, only for them to take a long time to respond, often negatively. Not to mention, I did not know about vanity presses yet, and I almost got scammed in my desperation to get published. I would advise new authors to not give a dime to any publishers or agents beforehand, and to only go with reliable firms, or self publishing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
As a young writer, I often struggled with planning my novels ahead of time, because people always told me I should. It stressed me out and made me feel unprepared. I always felt more confident in my writing when it was done on the spot. I believe it was a video about Ernest Hemingway in which it was mentioned that he was known for writing without planning in advance, which gave me the courage to break out of my slumps and the standards for authors.
What are you reading now?
Currently, I am reading Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch, the second book in the Gentleman Bastards series. I absolutely adored the first book, The Lies of Locke Lamora, which I read a while ago. I’m so excited to get through it. It’s a healthy 750 pages. Let’s hope it’s enough to keep me sated while waiting for Scott Lynch to write the next installation!
On my shelf, there’s also Rule of Wolves, the last Grishaverse book that I’m eager to read, and Scarlet, the second book in the Lunar Chronicles. I liked Cinder because it was very easy to read, very light, very digestible, unlike some of the other things I do. It’s something I read on the days I’m more stressed and just need to take the edge off.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Now that my second novel is finished and should be out by August, I will start planning my third novel in August and hopefully finish it by the end of the year! It might be a bit difficult, considering the fact that I’m starting high school in August, but I’ll try my best and post updates regularly on my Instagram!
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?
If I were stranded on a deserted island, I should hope other people aren’t there, because one of the books I would take with me would be The Lord of the Flies by William Golding. As ideal as it would be for me to take survival books with me, I’m here for a good time, not a long time, so I’d probably bring a few Alex Rider novels, mainly because they pump me with adrenaline. Like, “Wow, this 14-year-old is so cool, and I’m here rotting on an island!” On top of that, I’d take Bullet Train, because diversity is important, even if there’s nobody around to see it.
Lizzie Darcie’s Social Media Links
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