Some of us our eagerly awaiting book 2 there, Bralick... /S.
1. THE MADNESS PROJECT...in Doctor Who Gifs!
First of all, there's a boy. His name is Tarik, and he's the Crown Prince in a world that despises magic and chases endlessly after science.
Thing is, he has a secret he's kept hidden his whole life. He's a mage, and he can change what he looks like.
But if anyone finds out about his gift, a whole lot of people could end up hurt.
When trouble starts brewing in his city, Tarik's father asks him to use his gift to infiltrate a secret society led by a man named Rivano, so they can find out what's going on.
He has to find a Ghost -- a mage who can teleport -- who attempted to assassinate his father.
But to do that, he first has to disguise himself as a street kid named Shade and infiltrate a place called the Hole. But infiltration is a tricky business, and everything he does becomes a lie.
In the Hole he gets to know Hayli, a shape-shifter mage who can turn into a crow.
He expects her to be his way into the group. He never imagines he might fall in love with her.
But if he lets her close, she will discover Prince Tarik's secret, and everything he loves will be in danger.
He finds himself becoming a leader in the Hole as he tries to get access to Rivano. The kids look up to him, and he starts making a name for himself in the city.
Hayli, meanwhile, knows she needs to master her ability, but she struggles to feel like she belongs, both in the Hole and with the other mages.
And more than anything, she knows there's something different about Shade. She just doesn't know what.
As Tarik tries to find the answers he desperately needs, all the lies he has to tell start to wear him down.
Trying to get the answers he needs, he gets caught up in some risky business. Bad things ensue.
Hayli watches him spiraling into darkness. But is she strong enough to pull him back from the abyss?
Every step toward finding the answers he needs is a betrayal of trust.
And every answer he finds brings his world closer to shattering.
But can anything prepare him for the truth he is seeking?
...
Oh, sorry. That would be...
And there you have it, folks!
2. Be completely honest: how much of your main character is really you?
Not too much, really! Maybe a little of the badassery. ;-) (HAH! I wish.) But Tarik/Shade is a complicated person…confident but a tad insecure, surrounded by people but always a bit lonely, a rebel who isn't all that rebellious deep down, more of a thinker than he lets on. Well...now that I think of it, I guess there's a little resemblance there. :)
3. Why did you write your book?
I actually got the idea for Prince Tarik and his struggles from a guy I knew (a little), who I always suspected of being an undercover cop. I guess I just started thinking about that kind of life, and what it would do to a person, especially a young person who is already desperate to belong and to experience real friendship. At that point, the book just kind of happened!
4. What was your favorite part of writing this book?
I think the challenge of writing alternating first POVs, and trying to capture Tarik and Hayli's unique voices and unique world-views. Writing the little snippets from the crow's perspective was also incredibly fun! And...I really fell in love with the world, so having a chance to explore it with Tarik and Hayli was awesome!
5. Why did you choose to go indie?
I like having creative control over my projects. Not that everything is all about the money, but I like that I can get more of my royalties and get them faster. I prefer to spend my time writing, and the idea of spending so much time and mental energy querying loads of agents was just exhausting.
6. What is the hardest part about publishing (to include writing, editing, marketing, branding, etc)?
Oh, definitely the marketing. I...despise...marketing. I don't want to spend time on it, I'm not good at it, and it makes me feel creepy and weird. But, that said, I know it's an essential part of any business. I just wish I could send my book out into the ether and wave my fingers and watch magical things happen with sparkles and unicorns probably.
7. What's your opinion on bad reviews?
Well, they're like...um, bellybuttons. Every author has them. Not everyone is going to like everything, and you just have to learn to let it go. At first they really upset me -- I'm a sensitive person anyway, not to mention an inveterate perfectionist, so bad reviews were like this soul-crushing commentary on my complete and utter inadequacy as a writer and a human being. Then I got over it.
8. How do you relax?
Mostly I beat things up at Krav Maga. Yeah, I partly took up Krav to make my street fighting scenes more realistic (you're welcome, Tarik). Then I fell in love with it and can't imagine life without it! Other than that, I love relaxing with music, a sketchbook, and maybe an adult beverage.
9. What advice would you give your younger self?
Don't put things off that you dream of doing. The only regrets you should have are opportunities lost, not opportunities taken. Even if your mad schemes don't work out, you can be a better person for having tried.
10. What advice would you give to other writers?
Never give up practicing your craft! There is always more to learn. I know the usual answer is to "keep writing" and "don't let anyone tell you you can't." Both are true. But, writing is like any art. Just throwing words on paper isn't a good way to become a better writer. A million stick figures won't make you Leonardo da Vinci. Never stop learning! And I don't just mean about the writing craft, but about the world at large. There is so much to do and see and experience, and everything you do will make your writing that much richer. Basically, be magnificent!
(For more check out Jen's social medias tomorrow!)
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