When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Well, I have always loved to write. I still remember the first poem that I wrote in the second grade, and I have continued to write poetry to this day.
Do you have a special time to write, or how is your day structured to accommodate your writing?
For the past year or so, I have devoted Mondays to writing. My husband takes the kids, and I drift off into whatever world I’m writing about. Nowadays, I take my laptop with me to work, and every free moment I have I am either writing or marketing.
What have you written so far?
My new book, Neither Light nor Dark, is my first published novel. I am also working on book 2 of that series and another YA dystopian novel that I can’t wait to get back to. The main character, JuJu Moon Pie, or just Pie, is one of my favorites!
Do you work to an outline or plot sketch, or do you prefer to let a general idea guide your writing?
I don’t see how some authors do it. There is no way I could plot out my entire story. I never know what is going to happen until my fingers start typing. Now don’t get me wrong, I have a general idea about some things, but most of the plot twists happen as I’m writing. I have literally cried after I finished certain parts of my book. I’m completely emotionally involved with my characters. When they cry, I cry.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Can you share with readers a little bit about your latest book? Absolutely! Neither Light nor Dark is the first book in the series, Beyond the Gates. I am currently working on book two. Neither Light nor Dark is a YA Fantasy fiction novel about a girl named Lily that finds herself in the middle of a war that apparently only she has the power to stop. The only problem is she doesn’t know how or why. Her quest for answers leads her on a journey through love, betrayal, and ultimately has deadly consequences. Lily doesn’t know who to trust and neither will you.
What made you decide to sit down and actually start writing this book?
That is a story in itself. About four years ago I woke up one morning, and couldn’t shake the dream I had the night before. It was like I was watching a scene from a movie every time I closed my eyes. This continued until I could take it no more. It was overwhelming. I could hear Henry calling out Lily’s name. I could see the trees pushing her along, her white dress, and her blonde curls bouncing as she ran. It was in slow motion sort of. The sounds echoed in my mind. I know it sounds a little dramatic but it’s the truth. After a few weeks of this, I finally sat down at my computer and began writing. I just had to get her out of my head. It was months before I actually admitted to myself that I was writing a book, and even longer before I told anyone else. The scene from my dream doesn’t show up until chapter four of the book.
Tell us more about your main character. What makes him or her unique?
Ah, Lily. She is beautifully flawed, curious and trusting to a fault. I love that she doesn’t act like she has it all together. She doesn’t know what she wants. I think every teenager/YA can relate. She is also much stronger than she thinks.
Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
I have to pick just one? I’m not sure if that’s possible. That would be like asking which child is my favorite! I’ll give you a few reason why I love most of them! Lily, of course, then there is Henry. Henry is basically perfect in every way and is very much a gentleman. Calev is rough around the edges but oh so sexy, and as tough as a well-done steak! His crooked smile will cause strange things happen to your body. And then there is Shim! He is probably the one person that I would want to hang out with. As soon as he entered the story, I knew I liked him. He sort of reminds me of Tim Gunn from Project Runway except he is a little person and is much lighter on his feet and tougher as well.
Who is your least favorite character and why?
Reficul, the evil ruler, of course. I also have mixed feeling about Levona. She’s the kind of girl you love to hate.
If your book was made into a movie, who would you cast?
Oh my, I’m sure every writer has imagined this. My niece, Regan, whom I have dedicated the book to, has the entire cast picked out and will argue with me if I don’t agree. We have different ideas about who Lily should be with. She is team Calev all the way and I’m team Henry, most days, although Lily doesn’t always agree. So here goes:
Lily-Gabriella Wilde
Henry-Robert Pattinson (my choice) Douglas Booth (Regan’s choice) both would be great
Calev-Dave Franco (Yummy)
Shim-Peter Dinklage
Levona-Megan Fox
Maleke- Chris Hemsworth (enough said)
How can you learn more about Lynn?
Waking Writer 