The Author Interviews: #4: Aliya DALRAE

In this series, I'll be interviewing self-published authors and writers about their books and their lives as writers. For my fourth interview, I had the privilege of interviewing Aliya DALRAE on 17/06/2016. DALRAE writes urban fantasy and is the author of Sweet Vengeance (Book 1, Jessica Sweet Trilogy).Let's get started!What made you want to become a writer?I have always been on the creative side, though my passions as a kid tended toward singing and acting. I started writing poetry and prose in my late teens, early twenties, but then life got busy and it was a while before I picked up pen and paper again. In 2008 my husband and I experienced a tremendous loss, and it was suggested to me that I write as a form of therapy. “Sweet Vengeance” is the result of that therapy.Why did you choose to write in this genre? Have you ever considered trying other genres?I read a lot of PNR, so it seemed like a natural fit for what I was trying to convey. I wanted to create a life for a girl that was fantastic, full of wonder, love, excitement, but that wasn’t too close to reality. Throwing a few Vampires and other paranormal creatures at her seemed like the best way to “keep it unreal.” At this point, I haven’t really thought about changing genres. Jessica’s story is a planned trilogy, but I have ideas for spin off books focused around some of the peripheral characters. After that, who knows? I’ve thought about writing children’s books, but that’s about as 180° from PNR as you can get!What do you love most about writing and why?I love the creative process. Creating characters who people hopefully can connect with and love (or hate!), and worlds that readers can relate to, worlds that are the same, yet so different, from their everyday lives. I love that I can write my thoughts and ideas down and turn them into something that readers can use to provide a bit of escape, or just a bit of fun. If I can make a reader smile or cry, then I feel like I’ve left a tiny little mark on the world.What do you dislike about writing and why?I’ve heard a lot of authors say that they hate the marketing process, but I’m finding that I’m rather enjoying it. I’m not a sales person. It’s very difficult for me to talk to people at book cons, etc. and tell them why they should buy my book over anyone else’s, so I guess I’m not fond of that so much. However, getting on social media, meeting new authors and readers, it’s turned out to be a fantastic experience. I’m even enjoying learning about editing – call me crazy, but I’m loving it all!If you could trade places with any of your characters, which would you choose and why?Oh, good gravy! My characters are so damaged, I don’t know if I’d want to change places with any of them! Maybe Jessica? I relate to her in a lot of ways, and she is learning that her world is a whole lot bigger than the small town she’s lived in her whole life. I would love to be subjected to these eye opening experiences through her point of view. To see the veil lift and meet the people/ creatures that have been there all along, but that she never knew existed.If you could live in any of the worlds you have created, which would you choose and why?Fallen Cross, Ohio is loosely based on the town I grew up in, so in a sense I have lived in this world – minus the paranormal creatures. I think. It was a small town, and looking back, I’m not sure about some of the people who populated that place! That one guy could definitely have been a werewolf!What's your writing routine or schedule like? Do you struggle to find time to write? How do you stay organised and keep to your deadlines?Okay, well, I think you’ve reminded me of something I don’t like about writing! Schedules, routines, deadlines – all of them left to me to provide and keep. It’s definitely a struggle. I have two other jobs and a family that require a lot of my time, so even when I do say I’m going to write from this time to that time, I often get interrupted. Most of my best ideas come to me either as I’m falling asleep or waking up, and then they get diluted by the time I get to my computer. So I write when I can, and when I do I’m prolific! But if I do set a goal or a deadline, I will bust my tail to get it done. I try not to put that pressure on myself, though. I don’t want to put out an inferior product, just to meet a deadline.Who or what inspires you? Where do you get your inspiration?In the beginning, it was my therapy – the daughter we lost. She was the inspiration for the story’s inception. Now I find inspiration everywhere. Meeting so many wonderful people via social media, playing Hashtag Games on Twitter and getting positive feedback from other authors, and talking to like-minded people about what we do – it’s all such a rush! And then there are the fans that have read and loved “Sweet Vengeance”. Every time I read “I can’t wait for the next book,” it is a huge incentive to get my butt in the chair and write! But my biggest inspiration is my husband. He’s been my rock from the beginning and his love, support and encouragement have kept me going.Do you have a favourite author and if so, why do you enjoy their work?I have MANY favourite authors! I love Brandon Sanderson – everything he writes is amazing, whether it is high fantasy or his YA books, there is so much imagination, creativity – He’s definitely at the top of my list! J.R. Ward is another whose books I wait for impatiently. I love that she lets her characters be who they are without apology, and her books are full of heart (and sex and violence and romance and – oh my!) I could go on, but these two are always “must reads” for me.What do you find most challenging about being an indie/ self-published author and why?This one is easy – getting people to read/review my book. I’ve been amazed at the response from the people who have read it – it’s been overwhelmingly positive. I suppose that’s the up side of having a publisher – having people to do your marketing for you. But as an indie author it takes a lot of work to get the word out, to find readers who are interested in what you have to offer, and then once they’ve read (and enjoyed) your book to get that coveted Amazon/ Goodreads review! Still, I am enjoying the process, building my platform, breaking out of my comfort zone and meeting people, both on social media and in real life. It’s been an amazing ride so far, and I’m looking forward to what the future holds!Any COMMENTS/ NOTES to the reader:To my readers (current and future!) Thank you for taking the time to read “Sweet Vengeance” and for the love and support you’ve given to me and to Jessica. “Sweet Discovery” is coming right along and will be out before we know it! Just an addition to my comments on Question #10 – If you read something you like, not just my books – anyone’s! – please take a minute and leave a review. Amazon, Goodreads – wherever you talk about books. Let people know that you liked it. It means the world to the authors, not only personally, but in helping to spread the word. You’re opinions matter. Without you we would all probably still write, but it’s so much sweeter when we know that others are enjoying the fruits of our labour. You make it all worthwhile!Thank you to Aliya DALRAE for this interview. I wish her all the best with her books! If you want more info about this author,please click here.