Deborah Wilde's Blog, page 13

#amwriting – a look inside the author process

In last week’s post, I mentioned how I kept coming across kickass heroines who were ballet dancers. I’ve also read dozens of books featuring either a Celtic or Greek mythology. 

I love those stories and even wrote my own YA romcom retelling of the Persephone myth under my pen name Tellulah Darling in My Ex From Hell. 

However, when it came to writing Nava, I wanted a Jewish MC to make up for all the years that I’d wished to see someone like me reflected in whatever story I was reading. (Stories that WEREN’T an issue book. Too many of those.) but I wanted to explore Jewish history and mythology.

It started with something I’d read about King Saul being possessed by a demon which was cast out by David. From there, it was an easy leap to imagine David forming this Brotherhood. But what shocked me, the deeper that I went into the series, was how much information in both the Old Testament and Jewish mythology there was that tied perfectly into my series.

Every time I came across another piece of information that worked for the story, I got so excited. 

Which mythologies speak to your cultural or religious background?

There was another reason for using Jewish history and mythology in this book, but that, my Wilde One’s, is for next week. 

Read all the fabulous mythology in the series by diving into The Unlikeable Demon Hunter today! https://geni.us/g1BHd

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#amwriting – a look inside the author process

Today’s topic on Peeking into The Unlikeable Demon Hunter is… tap dancing! Bet you didn’t expect that.

When I was crafting Nava and Rohan, I knew that I wanted them to share the experience of having left behind something they were passionate about, albeit for very different reasons.

With Rohan it was always going to be his rock star career and with Nava it was always tap. I’ve been asked on more than one occasion why tap? Why not something more mainstream like ballet? (Someone even asked me why I didn’t go for something cooler. Please, as if any dance is cooler than tap.)

I feel like every time I’ve encountered a kickass female who has a dance background, it’s always ballet. And I get it. The physicality and athleticism lends itself to the fighting, but tap does that as well.

More importantly, I wanted to share something personal to me. Something that I’m passionate about. I love tap. I’ve been doing it for about 13 years and while I’m nowhere close to Nava’s level, it’s my happy place. Incorporating this into her character was a way to give her something that would feel authentic, because I know this world, and give you something of myself. 

I’m going to continue this idea of sharing something of myself in next Saturday’s post, so for now, tell me what about Nava you connected with?

Meantime, if you want to learn more about her background and where these shared former dreams take Nava and Rohan, then pick up The Unlikeable Demon Hunter today! https://geni.us/g1BHd

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#amwriting – a look inside the author process

Monsters are fun, aren’t they? When I embarked on this series, there was one thing I was certain of: I didn’t want to write vampires, shifters, or fae.

It’s not because I don’t like reading those books. I’ve read many stories featuring them, but I didn’t believe that I had anything new or original to contribute to them. I still don’t, though maybe that could one day change.

That left demons. I’ve always been fascinated by the many forms they take across various cultures. They were a good fit, given the global scope of my story, and because it gave me leeway to use both established and made up demons in my books.

Which demon is your favorite in The Unlikeable Demon Hunter books? (Mine is Malik!) 

And if you’re not sure, why not read the series and chose one? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075V2KDNV

The post #amwriting – a look inside the author process appeared first on Author Deborah Wilde.

#amwriting – a look inside the author process

Writing characters is a funny business. I spent seven books (six in the main series plus a companion novel) being consumed by the voices of my characters.

While I’m writing a series, I’m convinced that I will never be able to write any other voice. And yet, now that I’m working on my new series, Nava and the gang feel like much loved friends whom I haven’t seen in a while.

Now that I’ve got Ash’s voice in my head, I have to consciously think about how Nava would respond. It’s no longer instinctive.

I really miss hearing her voice though.

Want to hear Nava’s voice first-hand? Binge the series now. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075V2KDNV

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#amwriting – a look inside the author process

#amwriting – a look inside the author process

#amwriting – a look inside the author process

Cover design is such an interesting process because this tiny thumbnail has to do so much: sum up the tone of the book, entice and excite readers, stand as a unified whole over a series.

These are the first three books in my Nava Katz series. The first one was the hardest to achieve. There was a lot of back and forth between me and the cover designer but in the end, I loved it, along with all the books that they did for me.

Not only can you binge read these three, but all six in the complete series, plus a companion novel set in the same world.

What are you waiting for? https://geni.us/g1BHd

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#amwriting – a look inside the author process

I like this photo because this woman kind of reminds me of Melisandre and I’m a massive #GameofThrones fan though not actually of her character.

Since this is a sexy lady, let’s talk about sex. Since it exists in The Unlikeable Demon Hunter books. Urban fantasy is interesting because there is a such a huge spectrum when it comes to sex and romance. On one end are books like mine, and on the other great series like Rivers of London or Dresden Files which may have a touch of romance but barely any. 

Where do you fall in your urban fantasy reading? Steamy and romantic or no thanks? 

Grab book one and prepare for sexy times. https://geni.us/g1BHd

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#amwriting – a look inside the author process

You know what I’ve been thinking a lot about? Magic systems. Tricky beasts to create they are. In The Unlikeable Demon Hunter books, I went with a simple, tried and true system of having the powers reflect a personality flaw.

My MC, Nava, who refers to herself as Lady Shock and Awe, is able to wield electric current on account of her prickly personality and penchant for keeping people at bay. Well, at the start of things anyway. My girl discovers that there is a lot more to her than she could ever have imagined.

My new series has an entirely different magic system, but you’ll have to wait until later this year to learn about it. *grin*

In the meantime, dive into Nava’s story if you haven’t already. https://geni.us/g1BHd

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#amwriting – a look inside the author process

Our world is changing. Okay, not a surprise to anyone, but it’s made me (and many other authors) question how we now write about it.

The Vancouver that I portray in my books may have demons or magic, but it’s very faithful to my real life city. I incorporate issues our city faces and try to give a good sense of what it’s like here.

But I’m honestly not sure how to do that now? I’m working on a book that won’t come out for months. What will Vancouver look like then? Will we still be self-isolating? How does urban fantasy work when my characters aren’t supposed to leave the house?

Or does “my Vancouver” now become an alternate reality where I set my stories?

In the scheme of what other people are facing, this is a truly insignificant problem, I know. But it’s just not one I ever thought I’d have to consider. Every day brings a new change, a new alteration to life as I know it, and I’m not certain how to account for that in a series that was rooted in the world of even a month ago.

Strange days, indeed.

If you’d like to read about Vancouver before this pandemic, grab book 1 today. https://geni.us/g1BHd

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