Echo North has been out for over a month now and there has been some great feedback from readers. Can you tell us all a little about the novel and where the inspiration to write it came from? Where did the ideas for smaller plot aspects such as the talking wolf or magical library come from?

 

Thank you so much for having me, Cassandra! I’m so grateful that ECHO seems to be striking a chord with readers! The first seed of inspiration came from a dream I had about a girl riding a reindeer being chased by wolves across a snowy landscape. As I was brainstorming the idea, I realized it wanted to be an “East of the Sun, West of the Moon” retelling, and so I ran with that! In the original fairytale, there’s a white bear instead of a white wolf, but for some reason, a wolf felt like the right choice for this version. I invented the magical library for two reasons: 1) Wish fulfillment—who WOULDN’T want a library filled with enchanted books you can step into and experience? 😀 and 2) To solve a spoilery plot problem that essentially boiled down to giving Echo something to do in the wolf’s house for a whole year! XD

That is incredible that such an amazing idea can stem from something as small as a dream. I love the retelling aspect of your story. I do agree about the library, that would be every readers’ dream. If I had that though, I’m not sure I would ever want to live here in what we call reality.

 

 

 

Considering your novel is a retelling, how difficult did you find it to balance the original tale and the changes of your own? To keep some familiar aspects of various tales but make Echo North its own unique story.

When I was writing the first few drafts of ECHO, I purposely didn’t re-read any of the source material so I could follow Echo’s story where it wanted to go. One of my first alterations to the original fairytale was to add a big element from the Scottish ballad Tam Lin to the ending. Besides that, my actual intention was for ECHO to be a fairly straightforward retelling of “East of the Sun.” Purposeful nods to fairytales/myths in ECHO include callbacks to Beauty and the Beast, Cupid and Psyche, Tam Lin, and of course East of the Sun, West of the Moon. Readers have mentioned references to other fairytales which weren’t actually intentional, but I’m good with that. 🙂 I hope I have captured the spirit of “East of the Sun” while allowing Echo to tell the story she wanted to tell.

I think writing it without rereading the source material was a genius idea. That allowed you to really let Echo North lead you where it wanted to go. Wow, there are so many hints of other classics. This is a ‘must read’ for any classic retelling lover. I know that I’m a sucker for a good retelling.

 

 

There has been a recent debate with regards to which is more important in a novel; world building, plot, or relatable characters. Although all three are vital to a great story, which do you feel has the biggest pull in pushing the story to the next level.

I’m a character writer! For me, the characters are what propel the plot and keep me turning pages. I also love world building. My agent and editor make me have actual plots, too, or else I would just write lots of pretty sentences about characters drinking tea and watching the rainfall. 😀 But seriously, I love character-driven novels!

Character-driven novels are truly some of my favorites. I think that being able to relate to a character pulls the reader in deeper, making them feel invested in the outcome. Without likable or relatable characters what is making me want to read? I too am a sap for good world building. I love to see and feel the world around me as I read. Show me what the characters see and feel…put me beside them while they travel through the pages.

 

 

 

What do you feel has been the most difficult part of your journey as an author? Was it the writing process? The publishing?  It is silly to think it was all bad so what was the most enjoyable aspect?

 

Most difficult: waiting (publishing can be GLACIAL at times), and opening yourself up to rejection, whether it’s during the querying and submission process, or reading your own reviews post-publication (don’t do it!)

Most enjoyable: the actual writing, and getting to share my words with readers! I love creating worlds, shaping characters, watching them grow. And I love that those worlds and characters are reaching readers outside of my own head!

The joy authors get from writing is something that not many understand. As I am writing my first draft of my first ever novel…I now see that. It is such a great feeling to create something so vivid from a simple idea and have others love it and support you. The creation process is so magical. To go off of the waiting part of publishing, this is where being patient and having self-control come in. Control to avoid reviews until you have the strength to take the good with the bad. The patience to let your book take its course regardless of how long it takes.

 

 

 

Many think that writing is an inherently isolating activity. Can you give us your input on that? What do you think, especially with the surge of social media?

 

I’m an introvert, and the majority of the time I enjoy the solitary nature of writing, especially since having my son! I love sitting down with a pot of tea and escaping into other worlds, even on those days when the words aren’t coming easily. Because of social media, there are ample ways to connect with other writers, and I am fortunate to have met some very dear writer friends via social media (mainly Twitter). I met my critique partner on Twitter in 2014, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her valuable input. So I definitely don’t think it’s as isolating as it used to be.

Social media is a blessing to people such as myself, introverts. I too am a mom and cherish the quiet time while writing. It is almost like an escape but I am the one creating the world and characters rather than reading them, which is still enjoyable. I have met a writing buddy on Twitter also and she is really the best. I talk to her about so many things other than just books. The writing community on Twitter is filled with great people!

 

 

 

As a parent, it is difficult to make time to really do anything on your own. How do you make time for your writing within your busy life?

 

Currently, my son is 20 months old and still taking a decent nap during the day, so I get the majority of my writing done while he’s sleeping. My amazing hubby often takes toddler duty and shoos me off to coffee shops, too, which is a great change of scenery. I have kid TV shows in my back pocket for when my little guy stops napping, which I’m trying not to think about. *weeps*

My husband did the same for me when I was doing NaNoWriMo. They are the best supporters, aren’t they? Nap time is sacred. That is when I get my blog posts done or work on my book. My younger son is 2 so I am trying not to think of the day where he stops napping.

 

 

 

Now, we all know you are a talented author but you are also a reader. Could you share with us what you are reading right now and what your current thoughts are on it?

 

I’m currently reading The City of Brass, by S. A. Chakraborty and am loving it!

Yet again, another book I have to add to my TBR. I promise that my TBR is huge! I would probably be able to build a house and never come out of it using only the books on that list. The City of Brass has been on my radar, especially since so many people have had amazing feedback.

 

 

 

Writing and publishing a book is a huge journey filled with both ups and downs. Could you share one thing that you’ve learned in your journey so far?

 

Nothing quite compares to that first time you see your words bound into a book-shaped thing. Regardless of reviews or sales numbers or how much shelf space you get, that book exists in the world. It EXISTS, and my seven-year-old self is still pretty giddy about that.