Ask the Author: Anthea Sharp
Answered Questions (6)
Anthea Sharp
Hi Kat! Books within my series tend to be sequential, but other than that the series themselves can be read in whatever order. :) That said! The Darkwood Chronicles (Elfhame/Hawthorne/Raine) happen in time before the Darkwood Trilogy (White as Frost/Black as Night/Red as Flame) so readers familiar with those earlier books will get a few little treats. However, it's not necessary to read the two series in that order - the trilogy stands alone well (although Red as Flame won't be out until early 2022).
The Feyland books have a completely different feel, of course, being a mix of high-tech gaming and faerie fantasy, set in a near-future world. While, like the Darkwood books, I'm strongly inspired by Celtic folklore, Feyland is more "real world" and the Darkwood books are secondary world epic fantasy.
The Feyland books have a completely different feel, of course, being a mix of high-tech gaming and faerie fantasy, set in a near-future world. While, like the Darkwood books, I'm strongly inspired by Celtic folklore, Feyland is more "real world" and the Darkwood books are secondary world epic fantasy.
Anthea Sharp
Hi Evelyn! Oh my goodness, GR hid this from me and I'm just now seeing it! Thank you so much for the high praise - those are some of my favorite authors, too. ;)
I'm actually working on a Dark Elf retelling of Snow White and Rose Red, with books 1 and 2 out this year. White as Frost is the first one, and while the elves aren't fae, the world of magic has some resonances with Faerie.
I have been writing a lot of short stories bringing in faerie lore, and have been releasing those as collections, including my newest, Mermaid Song, which is 5 retold fairytales.
Thanks again so much for asking, and I'm wagging my finger at GR for burying this for so long~
I'm actually working on a Dark Elf retelling of Snow White and Rose Red, with books 1 and 2 out this year. White as Frost is the first one, and while the elves aren't fae, the world of magic has some resonances with Faerie.
I have been writing a lot of short stories bringing in faerie lore, and have been releasing those as collections, including my newest, Mermaid Song, which is 5 retold fairytales.
Thanks again so much for asking, and I'm wagging my finger at GR for burying this for so long~
Anthea Sharp
Hi Cintia! It's hard, but you have to block out everything but your story. Write with the door closed - in other words, protect your mental space. Don't let fears about selling, or the competition, or what's going on with publishing into your head. Just write the book.
There's no point in worrying about ANY of that until *after* you have a completed book. So block all that stuff out. Write a story that you would love to read. Once it's done, then you can fret about all the other stuff, but it's all moot until you actually have a finished manuscript.
Then, there are LOTS of ways forward, I promise. Nobody can write *your* story the way you can. You are unique as a writer. Listen to the quiet voice inside you that wants to tell a story, and do that.
When you've got a completed book, email me. I'm happy to give you some ideas of what to do at that point. Good luck! You can do this~
There's no point in worrying about ANY of that until *after* you have a completed book. So block all that stuff out. Write a story that you would love to read. Once it's done, then you can fret about all the other stuff, but it's all moot until you actually have a finished manuscript.
Then, there are LOTS of ways forward, I promise. Nobody can write *your* story the way you can. You are unique as a writer. Listen to the quiet voice inside you that wants to tell a story, and do that.
When you've got a completed book, email me. I'm happy to give you some ideas of what to do at that point. Good luck! You can do this~
Anthea Sharp
Hi James! That is a huge question. ;) I am a plot-focused writer, but plot and character are interlinked - as in, certain characters will make certain choices based on who they are and their motivations, which will affect the plot and story direction in different ways, depending on who they are. My Feyland books came out of the idea that immersive games were somewhat analogous to the Realm of Faerie. The Dark Realm is based on the old ballad of Tam Lin, so I had an idea of who I needed my characters to be in order to follow that pattern.
If you're looking for resources, I recommend STORY by Robert McKee, How To Write the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass, and Characters & Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card.
But most of all, just write. Don't let the idea that you have to have it figured out beforehand stop you from putting words on the page~
If you're looking for resources, I recommend STORY by Robert McKee, How To Write the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass, and Characters & Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card.
But most of all, just write. Don't let the idea that you have to have it figured out beforehand stop you from putting words on the page~
Anthea Sharp
Hi James - thanks for the question! I think YA fantasy, and young adult fiction in general, is more fast-paced, deals with teen issues (first love, coming of age, issues with parents) and is perhaps more emotional than mainstream adult novels. Plus the age of the protagonists is a factor. :)
Anthea Sharp
Hi Heather! Thanks for asking. I got behind this summer, due to illness in my family, but I'm hard at work on Marny's book again. I'm shooting for an end of September release date, and will do my utmost to make that happen.
Make sure you're on my mailing list - those will be the first people notified as soon as the book is for sale. http://eepurl.com/1qtFb (Plus you get a free short story upon joining.)
To tide readers over, I've release a Marny novella, How to Babysit a Changeling, so scoop that one up if you haven't already.
Thanks for your patience! :)
-Anthea
Make sure you're on my mailing list - those will be the first people notified as soon as the book is for sale. http://eepurl.com/1qtFb (Plus you get a free short story upon joining.)
To tide readers over, I've release a Marny novella, How to Babysit a Changeling, so scoop that one up if you haven't already.
Thanks for your patience! :)
-Anthea
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