Author Interview – T.L. Brown
Today my blog guest is fantasy author, T.L Brown, who is chatting to us about Crossing the Witchline, her latest book in her adult dark fantasy Bellerose Witchline series.
Helen: Welcome Tracy, and thank you so much for taking time to chat with me today. Tell us a little about your latest book, Crossing the Witchline.
Tracy: Crossing the Witchline is the second book in my adult dark fantasy Bellerose Witchline series. It picks up three months after the first installment (A Thin Witchline Between Love & Hate) which ended in a devasting battle.
In Crossing the Witchline, main character Lucie Bellerose – a natural witch – finds herself alone, with her best friend missing, her membership at the Congress of Empire Witches suspended, and her magical soulmate lost to another dimension. She doesn’t know if he’s dead or alive. When her magical plans to mount a rescue backfire, she conjures a demon – a man from her past – for help. The two have a complicated history, and in some of the darkest moments, the demon is the only one to stand by her side.
In Crossing the Witchline, I explore themes of light and dark, and how much lives in the gray space between the two. A recent reviewer wrote, “[we] find out what a courageous, strong willed, open-minded witch Lucie is.” I love that. Lucie doesn’t see the world in black and white. Her heart is big; so is her love. There’s even room for a bad man who gets a second chance to “do life right.” Crossing the Witchline is the best book I’ve written.
Helen: Lucie is an amazing character and has much to contend with. I think the Witches’ Congress you created are the real antagonist, allowing Lucie to be treated in such a manner. They ought to be ashamed of themselves! Tell us about your covers. They are so vibrant. What were your thoughts behind the design?
Tracy: The cover of Crossing the Witchline shows Lucie from behind. She’s stepping over a line of fire into the darkness. Lucie’s primary power works with fire and light, so that’s why I chose a line of fire. Also, I intentionally do not show Lucie’s face so that readers can form their own image – although I purposely picked a model with some curves. She’s no waif. The red shoes are also intentional. It’s a nod to Dorothy Gales’ ruby slippers (The Wizard of Oz movie). Lucie wears red sneakers when she travels through the Sixth Door and into the darkness. Maybe they will help bring her home…
Helen: I love the play on words in your titles, how did you came up with them?
Tracy: In some opinions, Lucie “crossed the line” by not sticking with her “own kind.” Witches in the Empire are typically bigoted. She also refused to submit to her former teacher, conjured a particular demon, and eventually, journeyed to a desolate world where she could end up trapped. Also, natural witches in my series have a special vein of power running through them – it feeds their energy and magic. Almost every witchline in the Empire is thinning (atrophying). Lucie is the only witch to have strengthened hers after a brutal year studying under a powerful, but sadistic, witch.
Helen: Tell us more about your protagonist, Lucie Bellerose. It was nice to see one of your Door to Door side characters (and others) in this series.
Tracy: Lucie Bellerose is a natural witch (born one) who lives in the Salesman Empire, a world that was actually introduced in my first series, the Door to Door Paranormal Mysteries. Lucie first appeared as a secondary character in Through the Door (book 2 in the mystery series). She returns in book 3 of that same series, Doors Wide Open, playing a significant role. In fact, Doors Wide Open sets the stage for Lucie’s own fantasy series: Bellerose Witchline.
Lucie is 38, single (never married), a city girl (lives in Matar), and like other natural witches in the Empire, she has a thinning witchline. She likes to study and is an adept witch. She reads Tarot, senses energies, and has blended her magic more than once with legendary Salesman John Templeton. Templeton, the antagonist from the Door to Door series, moves seamlessly into Lucie’s world. The two have a tempestuous relationship. She can toss “fireballs” and balls of energy, shatter glass, slam doors, etc. – several of those magical workings are a direct result of dealing with Templeton. Fan favorite Rabbit also made the move from the Door to Door series and joins Lucie as her best friend in the Bellerose Witchline books. He is her rock.
Helen: Having written the Door to Door series, what made you choose to write a darker fantasy tale?
Tracy: The first series I wrote, the Door to Door Paranormal Mysteries, was quite light-hearted. It’s a fun trilogy with a bit of slapstick. When it came to an end, I was ready to write something more emotional. And as I mentioned above, Lucie Bellerose is introduced as a secondary character in the last two Door to Door books.
I wanted to learn more about Lucie. She’s a deep well, with a strong mix of heart-wrenching sadness, big love, and unyielding hope. She’s confident and fragile. By the time we get to Crossing the Witchline, we learn just how strong and determined she is. But she’s no superhero, and she needs help sometimes – just like the rest of us. She’s flawed but will do the right thing – even if it costs her what she desires. I want good things for Lucie.
Helen: Lucie is an amazing character, and I hope things start to improve for her in book three. You’ve certainly put her through the ringer! Who is your favourite character from your books?
Tracy: It’s difficult to choose just one, of course. I’ve established a core group around two main characters (Emily Swift and Lucie Bellerose) spanning two series. The core group in the second series, Bellerose Witchline, started as secondary characters in the Door to Door Paranormal Mysteries.
I also pulled a villain along from the first into the second series, Sebastian St. Michel. I have to admit, I love writing him. He’s darker than morally gray, arrogant, runs at the mouth, violent, and doesn’t apologize for his criminal past. He only has one regret – which is a spoiler revealed in the Bellerose Witchline – and quite honestly, I shouldn’t like him as much as I do. He’s a bit of an a$$hole, but he’s fun to write. I joke that Sebastian says all the things I’m thinking. Regardless of the bad things he’s done, Sebastian has picked up fans. I’m happy for him. Off-page, I let him run loose on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/SebastianStMichel/ where he playfully trolls my author friends.
Helen: I love that you gave your characters instagram accounts, though I don’t know how you have the time to manage them all! Which genres do you typically write in?
Tracy: I started out in paranormal mysteries that tended more to the “cozy” side – that is, sex and violence (for the most part) happened off-page. I switched to adult dark fantasy to work some different writing muscles. Amazon put my first fantasy book into an occult horror category, too. While I don’t envision myself ever switching to full-on horror, it’s interesting to explore things that make people afraid. Reading something scary is a safe way to experience darker emotions.
Helen: Who inspired you to start writing?
Tracy: All those amazing authors who wrote the books I read over and over as a young girl: Beverly Cleary, Judy Blume, James and Deborah Howe, E.L. Konigsburg, Carolyn Keene, Madeleine L’Engle, Roald Dahl, and Carolyn Haywood to name a few. I loved the “choose your own adventure” books, too.
Helen: I think it is a given that all authors are also great readers! What is your favoutite book?
Tracy: This was a hard question for me. I’ve read so many books that fit a “favorite” category, and I can’t just pick one. I will tell you that I believe every woman should read: The House at the End of Hope Street, by Menna van Praag. It has one of my very favorite quotes which comes from a character named Stella: “If you wait until you’re ready, you’ll be dead. And, as a life strategy, I don’t really recommend it.”
I think I took that one to heart.
Helen: It always amazes me, how we all write such different books. Just shows how flexible words are! Where do you get the ideas for your books from?
Tracy: Conversations, snippets of thoughts – like a shadow moving across the yard – can spawn scene ideas, which I’ll then thread together and create a plotline.
Music, however, is my greatest source of inspiration. While sometimes it’s lyrics, more often than not it’s the sonicality (yes, I made that word up) of the music that creates a scene in my head. The music will serve as the soundtrack, and I’ll write what happens. I might have an end goal in mind, but honestly, scenes just pop into my brain. If I don’t write them down, I’ll lose them.
Helen: Talking about ideas, what are you currently working on?
Tracy: My current WIP is book three in my Bellerose Witchline series, Walking a Fine Witchline. Main character Lucie Bellerose needs to navigate the fallout from the end of Crossing the Witchline. The Congress of Empire Witches wants her to submit to them and reject her non-witch friends/love interest. There is also a new character I’m bringing in who reveals a separate fully “witch world” versus the Empire where Lucie lives. (In the Empire, there is a diversity of magical and non-magical beings.) This new character, Seth, comes to the Empire because the authorities in his world have identified an issue that’s affecting witches who hail from the Empire.
Also, Lucie needs to make some choices in her personal life. There are two men dividing her heart. She’s going to have to decide at some point – something I’m dreading. And then there’s the demon…he’s still bound to her. So, Lucie is “walking a fine (witch)line” in many areas of her life. There are a few items I can’t share because they are spoilers and significant to the plot.
Helen: I am so glad you are working on book three. And oh my, are you going to have fun writing that book! I’m glad it’s your decision, though I have a feeling your readers are going to be just as torn over your choice! Let’s switch gears for a while and talk about your writing process. Do you plan your novels or let your characters take you where they choose?
Tracy: Oh, I’m definitely a planner. I plot out my storyline from start to finish. I leave room for characters to run with a scene, however. And that happens. Sometimes I feel more like a narrator than a writer – even though all the big or pivotal scenes have been plotted out and assigned to chapters. For me, having a blend of preparation and spontaneity produces the right story I want to tell
Helen: I agree. The more I write, the more I plan, but characters do have a way of leading you astray. What about your writing environment, do you have a playlist when you write or do you prefer silence?
Tracy: Music plays an enormous role in my writing. Songs inspire scenes. For some stories, a particular musical artist’s work will make a huge impact on the characters I develop or serve as the background soundtrack for the book.
Each character has a theme song which varies from book to book. And each book typically has an overall theme song. For example, in the Bellerose Witchline series, the main theme song for A Thin Witchline Between Love & Hate is “Can’t Find My Way Home” by Blind Faith. For Crossing the Witchline, it was tough to choose a main theme song. If I had to pick, it would be “The Last Remaining Light,” by Audioslave. For my current WIP, Walking a Fine Witchline, I’m not sure yet. I have about 25 songs on my WIP playlist ranging from Leonard Cohen to ELO to Pearl Jam to Soundgarden to Norah Jones.
When I finish each book, I share my “fantasy soundtrack” for it complete with suggestions on which chapters to play certain songs. Those fantasy soundtracks can be found on Spotify.
Helen: That is such a great way to enhance your books, especially as the songs had such meaning when you were writing the chapters. I hope everyone is scurrying off to find it – once they’ve finished reading your interview though, of course! Now one of the worst things we writers go though is self doubt or imposter syndrome. How do you overcome such negative feelings when they hit?
Tracy: I think I have a fairly strong core of confidence. And frankly, with age comes a better sense of self, and you care less about what others think. Of course, there are times when some obnoxious doubt creeps in, and at least for a moment, you feel like a fraud or a joke. That’s when I start telling myself truths: I’ve worked hard and produced five books I’m proud of publishing. My books have sold internationally. My writing has improved with each book. Readers have featured my books in videos and told other people about them. People love my characters – they’ve said so in reviews. Even my “bad guy” has fans. Some of the truths I can list might be silly, but they are still true. Focus on what is true, and not what fear or doubt would have you believe.
Helen: Great advice. What is one of the best things that has happened to you since you began writing?
Tracy: I joined Instagram soon after publishing my first book and the writing community there is wonderful. I have made some really good friends – writing colleagues who understand the ups and downs of being an independent author.
Helen: Having a writing support network is key, and the instagram writing community is amazing. Which books have you recently read?
Tracy: I just finished Resonance (The Orpheus Files Book 1), by Alice Ewens and it was amazing! Totally unique and captivating. Ewens’ writing is flawless. I’d categorize it as new adult/sci-fi/urban fantasy. I’ve also just completed a few beta- and advanced-reading commitments for authors Jennifer Brasington-Crowley (unconventional romance) and Shari T. Mitchell (paranormal mystery/thriller), and I can’t wait until others have the chance to dive into the latest installments in their series.
Helen: Thank you so much for spending time with me to today, Tracy. I wish you every success with your books. Just to close us out, what advice woud you offer aspiring writers?
Tracy: Be wary of advice! Know when to take “expert” writing advice with a grain of salt. Not everything is a pearl of wisdom. Vet sources. I’ve seen some pretty big opinions out there. Most of it is simply ego driven.
Walk away from any author or writer who makes you feel bad. Criticism can be helpful, but it should come from an open mind and a kind heart. Avoid writers who slam someone else’s writing, the genre others prefer to write in, or the “tropes” others use. You don’t want to be associated with their bad behavior or snide comments anyway.
And finally, write the story you want to tell. Write what’s in your heart and gut. Write honestly. You are an artist.
I’d like to say thank you so very much! I’m thrilled to participate in a Q&A with you, Helen. I wish you and your readers great story experiences!
About the Author
TL BrownWriter Tracy Brown lives in the beautiful Finger Lakes of New York State dreaming up epic stories and quirky characters who make life much more interesting. She believes magic still exists; you just need to look in the right places.
Tracy is the author of the Door to Door Paranormal Mystery Series, three books penned under the name T.L. Brown.
She is also the author of the adult dark fantasy Bellerose Witchline books. Although this is a standalone series, it shares some of the author’s most popular characters found in the “Door to Door books.” The second book in the series, Crossing the Witchline, was released in fall 2022. She’s working on the third installment now, Walking a Fine Witchline, due out in 2023.
Tracy’s married to one damn amazing man. Together they talk about music for hours, cook up fabulous meals, and raise clever chickens.
Follow Tracy:
Website: https://writertracybrown.comAmazon page: https://www.amazon.com/T.L.-Brown/e/B08LR3T5KM Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writertracybrown/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/tlbrown Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WriterTracyBrown/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTi0FOdlYxM8UCeS_rXp2mPybLtFpeYC4Fantasy Soundtrack for Crossing the Witchline: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2C10AdZX1KzF0dvStF7hWP Podcast: 12 Minutes (or less!) with the Author: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/DlCqVdgubAbPurchase Thin Line Between Love and Hate via Amazon for only 99c (Price at date of blog posted.)
Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback
Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback
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If you enjoy fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love SoulBreather, or my epic fantasy Sentinal series. As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
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