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Questions & Answers


As an author, I receive several interesting questions.  Here are some of my favorite that family and friends have asked throughout my journey.

Jasmine asks:

Who is your favorite character?

That's definitely a tough one! I love each character for their unique voices and the role they play in my imagination, but I must say it's a stalemate between Jexter and Princess Quazar. A lot of people don't realize that Princess Quazar has been buzzing in my brain since I was 7 years-old! She's fun to write for because I can literally write ev-ery-thing she's thinking and her fight patterns are everywhere. But, Jexter is very similar in that regard, and I just can't say 'no' to that tongue! No, but in all seriousness, I do prefer him slightly over her in the sense that he is a male, and writing from the opposite gender mindset can be a bit challenging. So in short, definitely Jexter or Princess Quazar!

What has been your favorite book to write?

The answer may seem pretty obvious, but first, let me explain. This book is by far my favorite to write because a tournament arc allowed me to introduce practically thousands of characters all striving toward a similar goal which also provides motive. Remember, the contests had other people besides the main 35, therefore there are other characters that can exist NOW that you as the audience just haven't met yet. On the other hand, publishing this book also helped me to practice patience and willpower above all else. It was a process! So by giving this book to God, He also showed me what He could do through me so that I would never stop being surprised--and with this being a nearly decade-long journey, I can for sure say that this is ONLY the beginning!

Connie asks:

How do you come up with all this?

What is considered new to you are actually concepts I've had since childhood, however I never had the chance to express those until completing the book in my 'young-adulthood'. In addtion, I am a surrealist--meaning someone who draws inspiration from their dreams (quite literally I might add). Some of the dream sequences mentioned in the book were actually ones of my own, whereas certain costumes, characters, or even events were also from my dreams. Another thing I like to do is view the world without my glasses (or remove a sense) to see things differently and record madeup scenarios in my head. Also, something as simple as making faces in the mirror along with monologuing actually helps develop scenes. It's dorky, but hey, it's effective!

Anonymous asks:

How long did it take to publish your book?

It depends on how you view it. From start to finish, 2012-2021, 9 years BUT: I made the majority of rewrites in December 2016 (so basically 2017) through 2021 and took 2018 off completely. While the book was said to be published February 16, 2021, I regard March 8, 2021 as the official public anniversary. Therefore, 2022 marked the 10-year anniversary of me starting it AND the one-year anniversary of its release. I was 13 when I started this journey and 24 years-old as of 2022. Not to brag but, I was writing when I was in middle school. Having homework and getting bullied like everyone else.
You have no excuse on following your dreams!

Was it hard to find a publisher?

Finding them? No. Getting approved by them? Absolutely. So, you hear stories of now famous people being rejected UNTIL their manuscript was picked up. I was rejected 21 times, double-rejected by a company who forgot they already emailed me, and technically NEVER got accepted. Publishing today is so business-oriented it makes your creativity seem lackluster, but DO NOT GIVE UP. You have to be open to other methods, especially in a world with so many diverse ways of marketing. There's no wrong way to market your now 'product', but I give my thanks to my friend and fellow author, Daniel Robichaud for connecting me with Cathy Sanders with CS Book Design. Traditionally publishing was always a dream of mine, but in an ever-changing world, sometimes you've just got to get things done in the most realistic and proper way. One of the biggest reasons I'm proud of myself for changing direction with my series is because I am the creator of my work and there are no contracts dangling over my head as some sort of glass-ceiling. I am the 'head' of my own brand, which is my own novel, and I don't require contracts or permissions from someone else about my own work. It's quite relaxing. The only downside is having to 'be your own cheerleader' when it comes to marketing.

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