Savannah Lacy - Part 2

The book I always recommend (and never shut up about) is Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo, which is the same book that finally convinced me and gave me the courage to write Torn . The layers of that book were unending, and I remember that as I read a bit of the main character’s development, I thought, “I want to write like that.” The way Bardugo describes the setting was  immersive,
and I decided that I wanted to be able to do that, too.

Another book series I drew a lot of inspiration from is the Summoner trilogy by Taran Matharu. I’m still working on it, but I want to be able to add humor like his, and express that, even while my characters are committing crimes and going on a wild chase, they’re still just teenagers.

I got alot of ideas from Pinterest. In fact, that’s how I came up with all of my characters (so far) with the exception of two, Key, and Tarek. I’ve also still got dozens of backups saved on my phone. I took posts to get a visual of the characters, then typed out stories in notes on my phone.

Here’s a little bit of the first chapter of Torn :

He let death touch the man, let him feel it’s arms wrap him in a sheet of terror, numbing him. He knew his reputation would hurt if he allowed the man to die. Did he deserve to die? Ambrose hadn’t confirmed it, so he assumed that saving Kahn was his only option, though he knew that to be false. Ambrose could always refuse to heal his patients and claim they were beyond his aid. That was the only luxury he couldn’t afford, the son of the third flushest family in Kamen.

Ambrose swept over the last thirty minutes of the night. A man, likely in his early twenties stood in a market on the outskirts of Scosh. A crazed woman, appearing to be on the verge of starvation, begged Kahn to spare some food. Prices were high, and Kahn had a business to run, so he blatantly declined. The woman pleaded to no avail, and when he turned her away for the last time, she pulled a knife on him, took the home-grown fruit he was selling, and ran. The Vektor caught her within a couple of jagged sprints.

Kahn bled out, but to his good fortune, Ambrose left on an outing. Kahn agreed to pay him a hundred Fytle for his efforts. Ambrose couldn’t deny the greed of this man. Kahn would pay him so much more than the price of an apple to keep his life, yet wouldn’t
spare the apple itself so save the girl from starving.

Thanks for sharing with us, Savannah. Looking forward to seeing your book in print some day. Keep writing! 

Savannah's passion about Six of Crows led me to read it. It's definitely not my genre, but I found it compelling. I'm reading the sequel now, Crooked Kingdom.

Guest Katie Clark

Hi Jody! Thank you so much for having me. I’m happy to be visiting with you today.

·         When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I wrote my first story when I was 7 years old. I can still remember what it was…and actually, there were two stories! One was about an angel, and one was about an animal doctor. When I became serious about writing I was, oh, around 18 or 19, I guess. And then, I got even more serious when I was 25 or 26!

·         How long does it take you to write a book?

It usually takes me a few months—2 or 3. That’s only the actual writing, though. I typically brainstorm and plot for several months before I ever start writing my first page! I’m a definite plotter, when it comes to writing (and OK, let me be honest, I’m a plotter when it comes to EVERYTHING. I really like lists 😊).

·         What is your work schedule like when you're writing?

When I’m writing, I want to only be writing. Period. It’s all I think about. Write, eat, sleep. Repeat. And usually, when I’m drafting, I even dream about my book when I’m sleeping. So I never really take a break!

·         What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Interesting? I’m not very sure there is anything interesting about me at all (I’m not being modest. I’m being absolutely serious). But if you are going to make me dig deep ( 😉 )…let’s see. Interesting writing quirk…I will say that I’m at my MOST inspired when I’m reading other books. When I go through a reading drought, I think I usually go through a writing block, too. I need to be surrounded by inspiration!

KATIE CLARK started reading fantastical stories in grade school and her love for books never died. Today she reads in all genres; her only requirement is an awesome story! She writes inspirational romance for adults as well as young adult speculative fiction, including her YA supernatural novel, Shadowed Eden, and The Enslaved Series. You can connect with her at her website, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

The Refected Princess When Princess Roanna Hamilton’s parents arrange a marriage with a prince of Dawson’s Edge—the mysterious and backwards kingdom to the south—Roanna reluctantly agrees, accepting that peace must be put ahead of her lifelong relationship with Prince Benjamin of Lox.

But when Roanna is introduced to Dawson’s royal family, strange mind-bending anomalies are awakened within her, and she discovers the Dawsonian royal family holds secrets of their own. 

Roanna becomes locked in a battle between kingdoms. Rebels wish to eliminate people who possess powerful anomalies. With threats growing daily, Roanna comes to realize the danger she is in—not to mention how her own family, and Benjamin’s, would react if her anomaly was revealed.

Tensions rise when Lox is attacked. If Roanna is to save herself and her future, she must stall her marriage and squelch the growing rebellion—all while discovering how deeply her power runs. But will Prince Benjamin and her family accept her when the truth of her heritage is finally revealed?