MY INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR REBECCA HENRY

 

 

What’s your name and what genre would you consider your books to be?

Hello, I’m Rebecca Henry and I write in various genres. I currently have two books published which I am marketing. The Lady Raven: A Dark Cinderella Tale is a fairy tale retold/magical fantasy. My second book Louisiana Latte is a chick lit comedy. I have two other completed works that will be released in the near future. Hybrid is a sci-fi horror romance while Conjure Lake is a Fantasy Horror. I write what I enjoy, what interests me. I cannot stay inside one genre, too much fascinates me.

 

 

Tell me about your book. How did you come up with that (story, angle, idea)?

The Lady Raven: A Dark Cinderella Tale, was inspired by the first European version of Cinderella called The Glass Slipper. I’ve always been intrigued by the veritable darkness of fairy tales. I was inspired to write The Lady Raven after researching the origin of the story The Glass Slipper (which was written in the 1600s) and, unlike the Disney version, is a dreadfully dark folk lore. I wanted to write my own take on the fairy tale emphasizing on the true horror The Glass Slipper depicted. Cinderella wasn’t just a victim of verbal abuse, but physical as well which Lady Tremaine took to horrific proportions on her own daughters.

 

 

What kind of research did you do for this book?

I studied many different retellings of Cinderella compared all of them and used elements from each to create my own unique take on the story. The Lady Raven is full of magic and witchcraft, so I spent a great deal of time intensely researching the different variety of spells. I visited new age shops, spell shops and psychics to obtain an authentic feel for the magical aspect in my book.  

 

What’s a typical working day like for you? When and where do you write? Do you set a daily writing goal?

Yes, I do have a work schedule. Currently I am revising my sci-fi, horror, romance novel Hybrid. I have to gage my time accordingly in order to cram everything in. Besides being an author, I am also a wife and mother, so my time is stretched very thin most days. I typically do my marketing on social media in the early mornings and late evenings. The late morning to early afternoon is when I write, before my family comes home.

 

 

Do you have a new book in the making and if so, what’s the name of your upcoming book?

I have two completed books that I am revising for release. The first is Hybrid the second is Conjure Lake. I plan on having the revisions completed on Hybrid in June. I will take a small break of maybe a week, then dive into revisions for Conjure Lake. After that yes I have plans to write the sequel for Louisiana Latte and then the sequel to The Lady Raven.

 

 

How important are character names to you in your books? Is there a special meaning to any of the names? Where do your ideas come from?

Yes, the names are extremely important. I take the origin of the name tremendously serious. Actually, I spend the most time researching the names for my characters. The names in my stories are always attached to symbolism. I do not randomly select a name for any of my characters. In The Lady Raven I used the name Zezolla for Cinderella to honor one of the original European versions of the fairy tale.

 

Is there a genre that you’ve been wanting to experiment with?

At the moment no. I am having a lot fun and enjoying the genres I’ve currently based my books on. However, you never know what might spark my interest and what genre I will find myself writing next!

 

 

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

The marketing to be honest. The promo work outside of the story is what I find the most exhausting. Basically, everything that comes after I write a book. Writing has always come natural to me, once I obtain an idea or inspiration the story just flows. I sometimes feel the story has already been written, I just put it on paper.

 

What do you think of book trailers? Do you have a trailer or do you intend to create one for your own book?

I love them and yes I do have a couple trailers of my own books! I think they help the reader connect and engage with books. There are countless options for readers to choose from. I find book trailers to be a brilliant glimpse inside the story. Why not use visual stimulation to help connect a potential reader to a new book!

 

 

What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?

I would consider my most favorable accomplishment as an author to be my ability to write in different genres. I am able to connect with readers across multiple interests and branch out into the beautiful vast world of storytelling.

 

What’s the best thing about being an author?

Seeing my children excited about my work. Both of my kids are avid readers and to see them proud of what I do is the greatest reward I could ask for as an author.

 

 

 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Haha I have a hard enough time imagining myself in one year, but I hope in ten years I am still writing, enjoying my life with my family.

 

 

Have you always liked to write?

Yes, since I was a child. I began to write stories at the age of four. I cannot imagine myself not writing. It comes and goes in my life. I have moments of intense writing accomplishments then I take a break and enjoy other passions in my life. I am a writer, but I am many things and I try to balance that.

 

What writing advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Keep going! Keep writing! I see too many aspiring authors dive into their work with the purest of intentions, but they stumble on difficulties during the process and never finish. You have to keep going, keep writing the story, finish the book!

 

 

If you didn’t like writing books, or weren’t any good at it, what would you like to do for a living?

Many things! Writing is just one part of my soul. I would work in horticulture or sociology.

 

Do you read reviews of your book(s)? Do you respond to them, good or bad? How do you deal with the bad?

 Yes, I read every review and I respond to all of them the same. I thank the reader for the review no matter what they have to say about it. At the end of the day my books are for me. I write a story I want to read. If someone else enjoys the book that is a wonderful compliment and I’m delighted to know so! If a reader does not enjoy it, that is perfectly ok! Books are a personal preference and I understand that.

 

 

What is your least favorite part of the writing / publishing process?

The query submissions. It can be a very negative process on an author. I try to always see the good in the negative and not take it to heart. I look at the query process the same I would a negative review. It is a matter of personal preference. What one might not like today, another will love tomorrow.

 

Where did your love of books come from?

I was born like this. I navigated to stories like a duck in water. I couldn’t say where it came from because I never knew my life without books.

 

Do you have any favorite authors or favorite books?

I am the biggest Alice Hoffman fan. I love her sense of prose and use of magical realism. She has inspired my work thought-out my life in all my stages as a writer. I adore her books!

 

 

Does writing energize or exhaust you?

It energizes me! I get animated and excited for my writings. I have to make sure I do not write late at night or I can never sleep from excitement haha.

 

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I write for myself and hope others will enjoy it. I do not try to be original or unique I simply

Write what interests me.

 

What other authors are you friends with, and how do they help you become a better writer?

I am on Instagram and have a community of writer friends. I belong to two groups, Bonding Together and Author’s Always. Both groups support me immensely. It is vital to have a writing community and be a part of other like-minded individuals. They help me grown on a daily basis for my marketing as well as offer feedback for content. There are a few whom I speak with daily and value their encouragement, ideas, support, advice and belief in me as I also believe whole hardly in them. A special mention to my dear sweet friend Elena for her endless support. I adore all my writing friends and love them very much!

 

 

Where can your fans find you and follow??

They can find me on

Twitter: https://twitter.com/rebeccahenryaut

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccahenryauthor/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/rebeccahenryauthor   and https://www.facebook.com/LouisianaLatte/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/RebeccaHenryAuthor

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rebecca-Henry/e/B07T44W413?ref_=dbs_p_ebk_r00_abau_000000

Website: www.rebeccahenryauthor.com

 

 

Thank you for taking your time to do this interview ❤️

Thank you so very much for the interview! x