July 6, just a couple days past Independence day, and I have something a little special for y’all: a guest post from author Cristy Bowlin, courtesy of Silver Dagger Tours. I haven’t read the book yet, but (not to judge it by the cover) it does look interesting. Besides, anyone that mentions their cat in their author bio is good in my books.
Be sure to drop by the other stops along the tour for more posts, reviews, and of course the giveaway!
What are your top 10 favorite books/authors?
It’s always hard to pick favorite books, so I’ll share some of my favorite authors. For all of these authors, I’ve read several of their books. My top 10 are Tamora Pierce, Suzanne Collins, Julie Kagawa, Marissa Meyer, J. K. Rowling, Anna Godbersen, Stephen King, George R. R. Martin, Jane Austen, and the Bronte sisters.
How long have you been writing?
I’ve been writing short stories and poems in my journals ever since I was a kid, but I started working on full-length novels six years ago.
Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write?
Some of my characters come to me as I write. I have a plan for when I want to introduce new characters and what general role they need to fit into, but I don’t have a firm grasp of what those characters will be like. When I wrote The Temple Dancer’s Diary, I wasn’t really sure who I wanted the main antagonist to be until I was about halfway through my first draft.
What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?
I didn’t do a whole lot of research before I started writing my first book since I incorporated some personal interests that I was already familiar with, but I did spend a lot of time on my world building. I referred back to several fantasy maps from my favorite stories that I had read to help me plan the physical setting. Then I considered how I wanted the magic system, politics, and religion of my world to be set up. I also created a timeline of key historical events and a list of important people, even though many of them would just be background characters mentioned in passing. Once I actually start writing, I do my research along the way. Most of my research for my first book was about architecture, medicine, and clothing that would be worn during the Regency Era. For my current book Hybrid Magic, I did some research into botany and various social dances, like the quadrille.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
Fantasy is my favorite genre to both read and write, but I still enjoy reading a variety of genres. I read literary classics, science fiction, dystopian fiction, historical fiction, mysteries, and some romance. I’ll even read horror as long as it’s by Stephen King.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
I usually prefer to write in silence. I find it easier to think and be creative when I’m in a quiet environment. Once I get to the editing stage, I will sometimes listen to instrumental music.
Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?
I only write one book at a time because it helps me keep track of all of the details and become fully immersed in the story. As for reading, I usually read three or four books at once. I don’t have trouble switching back and forth between other people’s storylines.
Pen or type writer or computer?
For the early brainstorming and outlining, I like writing with a pen in one of my journals. I have different journals stashed in various rooms around the house. The one I keep by my bed gets filled with the most notes because I usually come up with the most ideas at night, sometimes even while I’m falling asleep. Once I’m done outlining and actually start drafting a book, I will type it up on the computer.
Tell us about a favorite character from a book.
I always love strong, intelligent female characters who unabashedly pursue what they want. Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter books and Alanna of Trebond from The Song of the Lioness Series were two of my favorite characters when I was growing up. I considered them to be role models of the type of young woman I wanted to be.
Advice they would give new authors?
My main advice is something my own creative writing professor told me: write what you know. I remember feeling frustrated when he first said that. I was trying to write a supernatural thriller about a married woman who was estranged from her husband and had a missing daughter. I really wanted to tell that story, but I was in over my head at twenty years old with limited writing experience. I took another class with the same teacher the next semester and wrote a handful of short stories based on personal experiences. This allowed me to start honing my craft in an authentic way, and eventually with more life experience and more exposure to other people’s stories, I was able to branch out to many more topics.
What are they currently reading?
I’m finishing up the Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco, and then I plan to read the Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo.
What is your writing process? For instance do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?
I start with a rough handwritten outline. Usually I have more details in mind for the earlier chapters and leave the later chapters more open-ended so that I can let the story evolve as I write. Then I start drafting the chapters in order chronologically. My goal when drafting is to write about 5,000 words per week. Finally, the revision process takes the most time. I have several different people read my drafts, and I continuously make changes until the manuscript finally feels ready for copy-editing.
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
I think the most common trap is procrastination. Many people think of procrastination as putting something off by watching TV or going out with friends, but more often than not writers procrastinate by finding other ways to be productive. It could be cleaning your house, going to the gym, walking your dog, or running errands. Doing these types of things gets in the way of your ability to be creative and makes you feel like you never have time to write. If you want to be a writer, the best thing you can do is set aside a little bit of time to write every day, even if it is only ten minutes. It’s important to build a habit to make writing part of your everyday life.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
I would tell my younger writing self not to be afraid to show other people my work. I should have realized earlier on that the people who really cared about me would be supportive and wanted to help me improve. I also could have benefited from more constructive criticism earlier on. It took me a long time to get over the knee-jerk reaction of feeling upset and defensive when I received writing critiques.
Do you believe in writer’s block?
I do believe in writer’s block. As a teacher, I see it happen all the time with my students. When I experience writer’s block myself, I try to follow the same advice I give to my students. I give myself a short break by doing some exercise or taking a shower, and then I come back to the computer. Even if I still feel blocked, I force myself to do some free-writing for ten to fifteen minutes. I know that it won’t be the best, but at least I will have something to work with at that point.
Hybrid Magic
by Cristy L. Bowlin
Published 29 June 2021
Genre: YA Fantasy
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!
Two nations joined peacefully as one, but a band of assassins lurks in the shadows.
Magic isn’t uncommon in the Deravine Commonwealth, where people can be gifted with the faculties of combat, healing, transformation, or sight. Yet as a hybrid mage, Aaron Ztrong’s abilities aren’t so easily categorized. He managed to save his parents during a dangerous confrontation when he was only a young boy, and now a decade later most people in his life expect him to do remarkable things with his powers. Then there are those who fear what Aaron and others like him can do. When Aaron’s life is threatened by a group calling themselves the Defenders, he takes refuge with two other hybrid mages and the teacher who is training them to enhance their abilities. As the Defenders continue to hunt down hybrid mages, Aaron and his new companions must find a way to survive.
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When Theo lay down in his bed, he had a hard time falling asleep. It was just his luck. The mattress was lumpy, and he found himself unable to get his mind off Tristan. He stared at the dark ceiling and remembered their last encounter. He couldn’t even count how many times he had recalled the same memory. It came to him less often than it used to, but it was still just as clear as if it had happened yesterday. Every time, he felt like he was watching a one-act play performed only for him.
In this imagined play, Theo was an onlooker watching himself from afar. He was packing his things for school. His mother had left an apple and a sealed container of stew on the kitchen counter for him. He noticed his mother also left a note in her scratchy handwriting that said she had to leave early to go visit her cousin in the next town over, but she loved him and hoped he had a good day at school. His father buttoned up the front coat of his constable’s uniform and was about to walk out the door when he noticed his son, patted him on the shoulder, and said a gruff goodbye before heading to work.
Tristan came in the back door a moment later, his white shirt stained with grease and unbuttoned at the top. He smelled of alcohol and slurred his words. “Off to schul, baby bruver?”
Theo squared his shoulders and stood taller. “Go take a bath, Tris. Get yourself cleaned up before Papa comes home for lunch.”
“Don’t wanna,” Tristan said, shaking his head vigorously. “Y’know I went to a meetin’ last night. Very intrstin’ it was. I got up and made a lil’ speech.”
Theo narrowed his eyes in confusion. “Why are you telling me all this? I need to leave, or I’ll be late for school again.”
“Because my speech was all ’bout you, baby bruver. I’m a Defender of the True Four now.”
“What does that even mean?”
Tristan grabbed a bottle off a nearby shelf and smashed it on the kitchen counter, causing glass shards to scatter all over the wooden floor. He held the bottle out in front of him, swinging the jagged edge toward Theo’s face.
Theo took a step backwards, reaching for the door handle. He fumbled with it for a few moments until he managed to push the door open and ran outside. Tristan pursued him, still waving the broken bottle around like a sword.
“As a Defender, it’s my duty to get rid of the likes of you, baby bruver. You and your dark magic are a poison. Tha’s what they said at the meetin’.” Tristan slashed at Theo, finally leaving a cut on the left side of his jaw.
Theo reached out to push Tristan away, grabbing Tristan’s unbuttoned collar in the process. A strange energy filled the air, and Tristan’s collar tightened like a noose around his neck. Theo let go of the collar with a look of horror, but it kept tightening. Tristan dropped the bottle he had been using as a weapon and choked for air as his face turned red.
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to do it, I swear!” Theo cried, his hands trembling.
Cristy L. Bowlin grew up in Ventura County, CA where she spent most of her free time ballet dancing and reading fantasy books. She got her BA in English with an emphasis in creative writing and a minor in dance from the California Polytechnic State University. She then received her MA in English with a minor in gender and women’s studies from the University of Kentucky. She currently lives with her husband, daughter, and cat in Southern California where she is a college English professor. Her debut YA fantasy novel The Temple Dancer’s Diary was published in July 2019, and her next book Hybrid Magic was just published in the summer of 2021.
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