Songs Of Autumn
by Lauren Sevier
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: YA Fantasy
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
INTERVIEW:
Interview Questions for Rogue's Angels
1. What or who inspired you to start writing?
My son. He’s the reason I do everything, like all parents I’m sure. My husband and I struggled with infertility for many years and when he was born the stress and pressures of being a new mom along with dealing with Post-Partum Anxiety really highlighted some parts of my life that just weren’t working. I had been struggling with my identity as a woman and as a mother; I was re-evaluating my purpose in life. I realized that all of these things I wanted for my son, for him to live a life that made him happy and fulfilled him, for him to never compromise on his dreams, for him to never be afraid to put himself out there, those were things I should want for myself too. After all, he’s learning to be a person by watching my example. So, I made the decision to go after my dreams recklessly and make sure I enjoyed every part of the journey getting there. It’s because of him that I gave myself permission to try. To fail. To try again.
2. What elements are necessary components for this genre?
What I love about YA Fantasy and Fantasy as a genre in general is that there are a ton of rules, and the best books break them all. Fantasy is pure imagination; any element of reality can be twisted, uprooted, or downright destroyed in the context of the world an author is creating. I love authors in this genre who takes stories we think we know and turn them on their head. So in my humble opinion the only element really needed to write fantasy, is imagination.
3. How did you come up with your idea for your novel?
The main conflict throughout the series is a direct parallel to climate crisis. Living in Louisiana, right on the gulf coast and seeing the increasing ferocity of hurricanes and flooding due to climate crisis this is a theme I’ve wanted to explore in fiction for a while. While the Kingdom of Aegis is experiencing adverse effects from dwindling magick (a natural resource that fuels the natural processes of the world, and has almost run out), we suffer from a similar problem. Too many greenhouse gases, the destruction of the wetlands, and many other factors have started causing storms and floods to become life threatening events. Just this year Lake Charles, Louisiana was devastated by Hurricane Laura and in 2016 we had ‘the thousand year flood’ that destroyed the homes and lives of people all over the state who’d never experienced the effects of storm season before. These are real fears that I’ve lived with my entire life, but that have worsened in recent years.
4. What expertise did you bring to your writing?
Expertise implies that I feel like I’m an expert at anything and I try really hard not to be. Let me explain. Part of what I love about the writing process and publishing industry is there is always a new perspective to consider, or another genre or writing style to dive into; you’re constantly learning new techniques. It’s a journey, not a destination. That’s part of the beauty of becoming an author. There’s no end to your growth. It’s not about just one book that you’ve written but your body of work, and hopefully I just keep getting better with time. Like a fine wine.
5. What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio?
I’m terminally goofy. I mean, to the point that co-workers look at me funny throughout the day. I love to joke and laugh, which is something that the serious themes of my book may not always convey. When I finish a manuscript whether it’s two in the morning or the middle of the day, I do this stupid victory dance. Lots of fist raising and pelvic thrusts, but it makes me happy. I don’t really get embarrassed easily and will be the first person to don a fun colored wig or terrible fake accent to get a smile out of someone.
6. As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?
Songs Of Autumn is the first in a planned six book series, so currently I’m deep into developmental edits for Book #2 titled Songs Of Winter. Much to my husband’s chagrin (because I barely have time to function as it is) I also have several other working projects. One of which I’m writing currently with a Co-Author, A. Smith. It’s titled Guns & Smoke and is a Dystopian Western Romance that is dark and gritty, with wonderful heart. The two main characters are thrown together on a wild adventure outrunning bounty hunters and the traumas of their past, but eventually figure out that life should be about more than just surviving. I’m really excited to share this one with the world and we’re shooting for 2022 publication date.
7. If you could be one of the characters from this book, who would it be and why?
I love this question!. Of all my characters, I think I’m the most like Tia. She’s impulsive and fun, but still very caring. She has this wonderful wild streak that I think I could have a lot of fun with. I like that she takes chances and wants to experience everything the world has to offer. She dances and drinks and falls in love recklessly. It’s a beautiful kind of reckless though. I also think Tia throws epic parties, and I’d love to just be invited to one.
8. Can you give us a sneak peek into this book?
I would love to. I was really proud of this scene, where Liz is being prepared to be sacrificed. She’s essentially coming to terms with her own death while being draped in finery and opulence. The lyrical tone of the writing is intentional, because in their culture when someone dies their loved ones sing the song of their life, therefore allowing you into the Halls of the gods. All of the descriptions of her dress and jewelry are also intentional, metaphors for tears and sadness.
The sunset over the bay was the most beautiful Liz had ever seen, but perhaps it's because she knew it would be the last. It set the sky aflame, burning deep into her memory. She wore pearls in her hair and a crown adorned with so many shimmering diamonds it appeared to be made from seawater and starlight itself. Every inch of her porcelain skin had been cleansed and massaged with lavender oil. An extravagant lamb, headed for slaughter.
The silk and lace of her wedding gown clung to the curves of her body and flowed like water around her as she moved. Her figure, too curvy to be considered fashionable, was squeezed into an acceptable shape by a corset inlaid with whale bones. Never had she been more radiant, her flame-like hair mirroring the sunset outside.
A woman at the peak of her life, never more ready to begin, and it was her ending.
9. Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?
I don’t belong to a critique group, but I’m a YouTube content creator and a proud member of AuthorTube, which is a small subsection of creators whose content is geared towards helping aspiring authors or sharing our experiences on YouTube. Through that community I’ve met other authors around the world and made friends I never would have met otherwise. Several of my critique partners, members of my ARC team, even editors and formatters I’ve met through networking and connections through that platform. It’s helped my writing so much to have authors in the same genre reading and critiquing my work. Especially authors who’ve been published before, they normally understand story structure, voice, and all kinds of other things that I wouldn’t have thought of before. Finding a good critique partner can be hard, but is the most valuable thing you can do in my opinion.
10. When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step?
I decided after the first draft was finished in December of 2018 that I would pursue this book to publication. It was after my son was born and the first manuscript I’d finished on my own. As a new mom I felt I had an obligation to chase after my dreams and lead my son by example. To show him that hard work and passion can help you achieve great things. I knew that this story was special and that I wanted to share it with the world. It was a terrifying decision, for sure, but also one that has led me to a ton of personal growth. Now, I’m wondering why I didn’t decide to publish sooner.
11. What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing)
The worst advice I’ve ever been given and some writing advice that is widely told to aspiring authors is ‘write every day’. I think that it’s harmful to perpetuate that kind of advice, especially in creative fields like writing or art. Surely you canwrite every day, but shouldyou? Writing is an act of creation that draws from inspiration, but you can’t draw on a well that’s empty. And every author has a different process, different boundaries, and different obstacles. Forcing yourself to write every day because that’s what popular authors or articles tell you is going to make you successful can be more detrimental than beneficial in my experience. I’d like to amend that advice to say ‘Work every day’. Research, reading, editing, outlining, connecting with other people with similar interests. These are all very important to the process too and will help you get closer to publishing your book. So if you miss a day of writing, give yourself some grace and try again tomorrow.
The best advice I’ve ever been given was ‘Take breaks’. Anytime I feel myself starting to get burnt out or overwhelmed, I take a break. I go for a walk or spend time with my family. I read a new book or work on a completely different project. By the time I come back to my manuscript I’m invigorated, inspired, ready to dive in head first, and BONUS I can see the book more objectively than before which usually helps me puzzle through whatever I was stuck on. Staying healthy is just as important as writing someone’s next favorite book.
12. Do you outline your books or just start writing?
Both! My process is a strange blend of both outlining and winging it. I always know where the story begins, the catalyst moment near the beginning that plunges the main character into the main plot, and the ending. Sometimes I’ll know a few things that happen along the way, but everything else just… sort of… happens. I love character driven plots, so I focus a lot of my before work on developing the characters and let a lot of their own natural motivations drive the story in the direction I need them to go. Let me tell you, that’s a fun way to write. I love not knowing each little plot bunny or curveball until it comes flying out of my fingertips. It does lend oneself to writing themselves into a corner or having to scrap a conversation or scene that isn’t working in the book as a whole but, I also feel it gives a more natural progression to the story than heavy outlining.
13. How do you maintain your creativity?
I take lots of breaks. I said it before, but it’s true! I’ll take my son to the zoo or get out of the house. I like to shake up my routine when I’m feeling creatively blocked. Sometimes I’ll try a new medium. Poetry or song lyrics or a short story set in the same world but with a new character or in a different part of the world. Sometimes, I just take really long baths and drink wine and eat chocolate and sit with my thoughts. I’m convinced I’m at least part-mermaid because I usually get all my best ideas when I’m enjoying a long bubble bath.
14. Who is your favorite character in the book. Can you tell us why?
My favorite/least favorite character in the book is the same character and for the same reason. Gareth. Gareth is what I affectionately refer to as a ‘magnet character’. He pulls focus from main characters and plots, and while I know all of my other characters inside and out, every day I’m discovering new things about him. He’s a complicated character with lots of layers and depth, which is equally as frustrating for an author as it is enticing. He’s reserved by nature and keeps things close to his chest, but has this innate nobility that I find confusing and so endearing. He’s the hardest character to write, but also the most satisfying. When I get a scene or piece of dialogue of his just right, it feels like a real accomplishment. He’s also my husband’s favorite character so, if I don’t do him justice I’ll never hear the end of it.
BLURB:
What if your entire life you knew the exact day you were going to die?
Liz does.
Magick in the Kingdom of Aegis has almost run out. When that happens, the seasons will stop changing, the tides will cease to turn, and the sun will no longer be able to rise and set. The only way to save the lives of her people is if Liz agrees to be a blood sacrifice in a brutal ceremony that will take her life.
The problem is… Liz isn't ready to go.
With the help of a mischievous wanna-be soldier, Matioch Steele, Liz dares to take her fate into her own hands. Defying a blood-thirsty sorcerer, her desperate flight teaches her how to truly live while Mat finds out what's worth dying for. Each other.
Love, Death, Magick, and Mystery come together to weave one girl's epic tale of self-discovery.
Her song will echo within us all.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT:
The sunset over the bay was the most beautiful Liz had ever seen, but perhaps it's because she knew it would be the last. It set the sky aflame, burning deep into her memory. She wore pearls in her hair and a crown adorned with so many shimmering diamonds it appeared to be made from seawater and starlight itself. Every inch of her porcelain skin had been cleansed and massaged with lavender oil. An extravagant lamb, headed for slaughter.
The silk and lace of her wedding gown clung to the curves of her body and flowed like water around her as she moved. Her figure, too curvy to be considered fashionable, was squeezed into an acceptable shape by a corset inlaid with whale bones. Never had she been more radiant, her flame-like hair mirroring the sunset outside.
A woman at the peak of her life, never more ready to begin, and it was her ending.
“Tell me again,” She said firmly, adjusting the pins near her left ear.
“Your highness, it doesn’t matter how-
“Tell me again.” She snapped, turning piercing blue eyes on Priestess Elba whose words fell away in an instant. Her breath hitched and her eyes fell to the mosaic beneath her feet.
“You’ll walk down the front steps of the palace to a boat waiting at the edge of the water. Your parents will walk behind you and all the people of Silver City will be there to witness your descent.”
Liz closed her eyes tight, imagining it in her mind, biting her lower lip hard enough that she worried she would break the skin. If she prepared herself now, perhaps she could retain some dignity in these final moments.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Lauren Sevier lives a simple life in small town Walker, Louisiana with her family and two mischievous dogs. She’s a proud firefighter wife and mother to her miracle son, born through IVF after an eight-year battle with infertility. She works full-time for a non-profit hospital in Cardiology caring for the elderly and low-income families all over the state of Louisiana in satellite and outreach clinics. Writing and being in the service of helping others are her two passions in life.
She started writing song lyrics and poems on the front porch swing of her family home nestled amidst a 200-year-old pecan tree orchard that was once part of a Civil War plantation. She’s inspired the most by Shakespeare, the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, and JK Rowling. Her background in Theatre introduced her to classic British literature, playwrights, and poets from a very young age. This helped her to understand story concepts, dramatization, and character development the way Shakespeare once did, as an actor.
Now her biggest inspiration for writing is her son who, like all children, learns by example. Lauren is determined to set a specific example for him; to live simply, work hard, and to never stop chasing her dreams. Because, one day, you just might catch them.
Links to Socials/Book
UBL: https://books2read.com/u/3LDDkJ
Website: www.laurensevier.com
Youtube: www.youtube.com/c/laurensevier
Twitter: www.twitter.com/laurensevier
Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurensevier
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorlaurensevier
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49204479-songs-of-autumn
Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Songs-Autumn-Book-1-ebook/dp/B082MRDZXN
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/songs-of-autumn-lauren-sevier/1136242243
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
Lauren Sevier will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
RAFFLECOPTER:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f3499
