Ask the Author: Cia Petrichor
Answered Questions (6)
Cia Petrichor
Oof. Some days I deal with it by either taking the time to rest and let ideas marinate, filling my creative cup or just starting to write until the creative tap (hopefully) starts flowing.
Other days, it deals with me, and by that, I mean it whoops my @ss and leaves me in the corner to think about the absolute *audacity* of me expecting to write that day.
Other days, it deals with me, and by that, I mean it whoops my @ss and leaves me in the corner to think about the absolute *audacity* of me expecting to write that day.
Cia Petrichor
The way I experience my characters and worlds, I truly feel like they exist somewhere out there in the vast universe and they want their stories told. It doesn't really feel like I've created them, but that I'm merely the vessel for them to arrive.
That probably sounds woo-woo, but I'm okay with that because it's how I experience it. So knowing that I've made them proud by bringing their stories into the world and sharing them? That's incredible. It also means I'm always terrified I'll die before some of them can exist. What happens to them, then? Talk about an existential crisis.
I also am obsessed with creating books that people can connect to in some way, that help readers heal and process some of their hurts, or even just helps give them an escape to get through the day. Authors and their books saved my life through every one of the darkest phases of my life. If I can do that for my readers, then wow... I can't imagine a more beautiful thing.
I haven't had readers create fanart yet, but man I'm SO excited to experience that someday!
That probably sounds woo-woo, but I'm okay with that because it's how I experience it. So knowing that I've made them proud by bringing their stories into the world and sharing them? That's incredible. It also means I'm always terrified I'll die before some of them can exist. What happens to them, then? Talk about an existential crisis.
I also am obsessed with creating books that people can connect to in some way, that help readers heal and process some of their hurts, or even just helps give them an escape to get through the day. Authors and their books saved my life through every one of the darkest phases of my life. If I can do that for my readers, then wow... I can't imagine a more beautiful thing.
I haven't had readers create fanart yet, but man I'm SO excited to experience that someday!
Cia Petrichor
Just do the d@mn thing. If it keeps calling to you, if there are characters and worlds and stories living in your head rent-free, and if it's something you want to do? Just. Do. It. There is no such thing as too late, as long as you're still alive.
Also, stop calling yourself an "aspiring" writer if you're writing. You're a writer. If you've written an entire first draft, stop calling yourself an "aspiring" author. You're an author. Our brain listens to those words and sets our expectations, beliefs, and behaviors accordingly.
Lastly, just for my own process (since I know writers who operate very happily and successfully doing the opposite), I would say resist the urge to live edit while you're going through that first draft. Get the story onto the page, and everything else can be figured out and fixed afterward.
Also, stop calling yourself an "aspiring" writer if you're writing. You're a writer. If you've written an entire first draft, stop calling yourself an "aspiring" author. You're an author. Our brain listens to those words and sets our expectations, beliefs, and behaviors accordingly.
Lastly, just for my own process (since I know writers who operate very happily and successfully doing the opposite), I would say resist the urge to live edit while you're going through that first draft. Get the story onto the page, and everything else can be figured out and fixed afterward.
Cia Petrichor
This answer contains spoilers…
(view spoiler)
Cia Petrichor
Art inspires me, whether it's music, digital art and illustrations, watching movies and shows, reading other books, etc. Seeing the connection between human beings and aspects of the human experience like love, lust, grief, trauma, and healing. Daydreaming is crucial, and a lot of my book ideas come from scenes and characters that just drop into my head when my mind is open to them. Any time I'm feeling stuck creatively, I know it's time to re-fill my cup with any or all of these things.
Cia Petrichor
I'm a sucker for retellings, especially B&B which was a childhood favorite of mine. That said, I was always disappointed that Beast turned back into a man. I'm sorry, I liked him more when he was still cursed. So as I got more into reading adult retellings and romantasy, and then into alien and monster romance, I knew I wanted to add my own spin to this. It really grew and evolved from there in ways I didn't even expect.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more