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.
Me and my Pod People packed up to petsit for two weeks.
I had the idea I would get to play with two amazing, adorable three-year-old brother bulldogs while I enjoyed a writing retreat, away from my own home and all the responsibilities. Somewhere quiet without interruptions.
The first part came true. I had so much fun with Mack and Elway. See? I pooped them out.
My Pod People? They still got a little air time over the keyboard but mostly they clamored around in my head. Still, my charges were so good, they let me sit for a couple interviews, and create a new story for a group project. I hadn’t thought about pet sitting as a retirement perk. But coming up with new things to do is what it’s all about, right?
This was my biggest writing hiatus since I started three years ago! But look at them. It was worth it. First day back home, and I miss them.
My Pod People and I have been working super hard on a finish for The Starlight Chronicles series. And it’s getting hot in my office with no air conditioning. Our window units don’t reach that far. How are all of you faring in this hot weather? Yikes!
So, I was stoked when my bestie asked me to stay with her a couple nights at her timeshare at South Lake. But my energetic and fun-loving friend doesn’t just stop with an invite to stay in a charming little condo… Nope, she also provided a list of excursions for us to indulge in.
Which meant I packed up my pod people and left my laptop behind… Well, not quite. But I only wrote for about twenty minutes on Book Three when I had some downtime 😁 Oh, and I made a promo video for another writing buddy who will be sharing it on their YouTube channel because I thought it would be fun to film it at Tahoe since there’s a great scene in Ursus Borealis at Harrah’s… and a chase scene on the highway to Truckee… But that’s it for writing, I swear. Oh wait. I also bent my friend’s ear on my latest plots. She’s wonderful about that too, including injecting me with a needed dose of her vibrant enthusiasm. She likes my books and is great for bouncing ideas off of.
I only live 45 minutes from this world-class destination and visit once or twice a year, but I’ve never gone up to a ski lodge. Mostly because I don’t ski. Who knew Heavenly could be as fun in the summer! And it was blessedly much cooler than my valley this past week.
Here is a bit of trivia: The amount of water in Lake Tahoe (39 trillion gallons) is enough to supply each person in the US with 50 gallons of water per day for five years.
View from the Heavenly Gondola. I highly recommend this experience. It includes a final leg on the ski lift to the top at 10,000 feet! I live in a high dessert valley at 5,000 feet, but still! It’s great getting high on that pine scented air that only smells that sweet so far up. And there was plenty of snow left over in July.
I’ve never gazed on Tahoe like this. Isn’t it amazing?
view of the Carson Valley, Nevada-side
From the top of Heavenly, you can ski down the Nevada side or the California side.
The other highlight of our outing was a Magic Fusion show at The Loft in Heavenly Village. (The Village is also good for fantastic restaurants and shops.)
The Loft is a small venue, purposefully intimate, so the audience can be up close and personal with the performer. Our evening included an amazing performance by Matt Marcy.
For your entertainment, here is Mr. Marcy on Penn and Teller.
We finished the trip with pizza at the Base Camp Pizza Co. with live music.
Empress Linen with Indigo Gin, Elderflower liqueuer, lemonade, and cucumber
Okay, so back to my hot valley and writing… after a little knitting and pot luck at my local air conditioned hangout with my knitting buddies!
I’m a romance writer. Passion is an emotion I get to play around with… a lot. Sigh…
Okay, that statement pretty much says it all, and I should just end my article here. Wait… sorry… I got caught up in the moment. I do that a lot when I’m writing.
What I really wanted to talk about was how I found my own personal passion that 1) blossomed in my 50s, 2) is sticking with me, unlike so many other creative outlets I’ve explored, and 3) has been a joy fanning into a brighter flame through learning and community… And through my example, prove to you that you can do the same.
You get one shot at life and there’s no age limit in pursuing your passion – if anything, you now have the wisdom and experience to navigate your passions with a clear head. Besides; it’s better late than never!
My focus today is the part where I started this journey in my 50s. Because I want to convey to you that it’s never too late to pursue a new passion, to rewrite your life, even. It can happen. Sometimes it happens with purpose, sometimes by those lovely twists of fate. The twist of fate that caused me to take another turn in life was not so lovely, but the fact that the pandemic brought an activity that prompted me to try my hand at my first novel is a positive thing I will gladly take away from all that horror.
The summer it hit, I decided to get back into my reading. My wonderful niece turned me onto Cassandra Clare, and I devoured the Infernal Devices series starting with Clockwork Angel. After that, I went on to consume Stephanie Meyers’ TwilightSeries. I couldn’t get enough of the fantastic first person narrative of Sookie Stackhouse in True Blood. I’m getting ready to start them again on my Audible. I went on to discover independent authors like Stephanie Hudson and devoured all twelve books in the Afterlife saga, followed by Transfusion. Next, was another fantastic discovery; Grace Draven and Radiance. Highly recommend this author! More authors got swept into my Audible or Kindle like Laura Thalassa (The Four Horsemen novels, The Bargainer series, and other great series), Jeanienne Frost (Night Huntress novels), and Kresley Cole (Immortals After Dark novels). For the romcom paranormal shifter delights, I turned to Carrie Pulkinen. And the list goes on. I read 180 books that summer.
All devoured, digested, and churned into a new passion.
Which means I got the crazy idea one day (in 2020) that I would try my hand at writing a novel. I sat down to write… and haven’t stopped. My first novel turned into a 250,000 word series. I’m still finishing the last book, and have rewritten the first two several times in the process of learning. I went for the self-publishing option and learned how to make my own book covers and promos, all one step at a time. I got involved with a writing community and found other resources. Three years later, I’ve learned so many new things, my head is spinning, and I made the momentous decision to retire from my day job a year early.
I ‘m also 50,000 words in on three other stand alone novels and have written a host of short stories (many based on characters in my novels yet to be complete), one having won a contest. But wow! Contests and anthology submissions are tough. Still I’ve learned so much through the process, that it’s worth the beating. I blogged about the benefits of slogging through rejection yesterday. I did managed to get a short story accepted to an anthology this year, and that was a thrill.
Am I convincing you yet to go for it? I hope so. All I can tell you for sure… following a passion at any stage of life is the best way to live. Strong and barely controllable emotions fuel the mind and body, spark that drive to get up and start a new day, and to live that day in excited anticipation of the next development while meeting yet another milestone in your new passion.
Here is one great example to illustrate that developing a passion later in life is not a new thing. [Click on header for the full article on other examples]
Author of the autobiographical “Little House on the Prairie” series, Laura Ingalls Wilder became a teacher at the tender age of 15, but spent most of her adult life tending a farm and family. She wouldn’t really take up writing until her 40s, and faced several rounds of rejections for her first attempts at chronicling her childhood on the frontier. She finally broke through with “Little House in the Big Woods” in 1932, when she was well into her 60s. She continued to write “Little House” books for the next decade.
Just think – you could spend the next few years indulging your passions, or you could tell yourself it’s not worth it. Those next few years will pass regardless, only by then, you may regret not giving your passions a go.
This was my week for the dreaded “R” word. Rejected twice in seven days. I thought I’d chat about about how that makes me feel and what I’ll be doing about it. Maybe you all can relate and it will give you a boost to know that you’re not alone.
People who experienced rejection as more painful were more likely to change their behavior, remain in the tribe, and pass along their genes.
I’ll start by saying that this whole fiction writing journey has been a complete surprise and only started three years ago. I’ve been a steamroller ever since. That is the most surprising part because most of my life I’ve been a dabbler. I love to create, but I’ve never stuck with any one thing long enough to become expert.
I’m now a bulldog about a craft I’ve developed a surprising passion for… in my 50s. What? How did that happen? I’ll get it into the idea of late-blooming passions more in a future article. Today, I’m focusing on dealing with rejection.
So, when the results go unseen, unappreciated, or are outright rejected, the feelings go deep, right to the gut. Maybe that was why I always dabbled. No risk. Well, I’m opening myself up to all the poundings now… and having the time of my life.
Both of these rejections I’d prepared myself for and even planned my next steps. Doing this I was sure would help me cope with the blow. It does, and it doesn’t, and I’ll tell you why.
First. It was still a gut punch.
This TED article provides the reasons why we feel rejection so deeply. So, I’ll point you to it because you really need to read it and it explains things much better than I can.
As for me, I really thought that I wouldn’t feel rejection as deeply in my 50s, convinced life experience, maturity, whatever you want to call it, would be my buffer. Instead, my first reaction when I get that “Thank you for your submission to… Unfortunately…” message is to cry and rant.
Then my jaw juts out and my backup plans kick into action. But the plans don’t go forward in a vacuum. Each rejection is a major learning experience. I love to learn, and I love to apply it to my work. It proves just as Mr. Winch describes in his article, that pain equals survival. It’s motivation. It changes behavior. And leads to success. Just be open to the idea that success comes in all sorts of ways each time you push through another rejection.
So, I guess what I’m trying to say is that the pain is short-lived. I waist little time before turning back into a steamroller, and I can move on with honing my craft. And that’s why I’m enjoying the heck out of this ride.
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.
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.
