What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Flame and Crystal Thorns?
This book is a spin off of my previous series, The Fae of Bitter Thorn. Even though it’s a spin off, it’s a completely brand new series that can be read without reading the previous series first. Since it’s a spin off though, the story came about mostly because I got to the end of the previous series and realized a few of the characters still had much bigger stories of their own that still needed to be told.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Flame and Crystal Thorns, what would they be?
The theme song for my main character, Chloe, would definitely be Ordinary Human by OneRepublic. For the male main character, Quintus, his theme song would be Power Over Me by Dermot Kennedy.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I absolutely love young adult fantasy. It’s definitely my favorite both to read and to write. Within that genre, epic fantasy is my very favorite of all.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
Too many! I always have too many books on my TBR pile, as I’m sure many readers can understand. But the top of my pile currently has The Demon King and Crown of Feathers.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
There’s a scene inside of a black cave where there are twinkling golden lights up above. It’s a scene that was so visually striking in my head, and I really wanted to make that come through on the page. But it’s also a really low emotional moment for the characters. Some things about the past are revealed, which are painful, but they also make the character’s previous actions clear. Emotional scenes like that can be draining to write, but I love how much more powerful they make the story in the end.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I like to write in complete silence and often have to turn on a fan or other white noise because even the tiniest noises will distract me.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
My favorite motto is, “If it’s not happy, then it’s not the end.” I’m a firm believer in happy endings, but I do make my characters struggle to get there. Some people say that happy endings are not realistic, but I completely disagree. Bad things do happen in life. We do all have struggles that hurt and test us. But we have happy times too, and as I like to say, if it’s not happy, then it’s not the end.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
I hope that they would remember feeling something while reading. I do my best to write books that are relatable so that readers can feel/work through their own life experiences while reading. I truly hope that after the book is finished, readers remember how it made them feel.
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