Welcome to Clare C. Marshall, who is my guest today!
Clare C. Marshall grew up in rural Nova Scotia with very little television and dial up internet, and yet, she turned out okay. She has a combined honours degree in journalism and psychology from the University of King’s College, and is a graduate from Humber College’s Creative Book Publishing Program. She is a full-time freelance editor, book designer, and web manager. She enjoys publishing young adult science fiction, fantasy, and horror novels through her publishing imprint, Faery Ink Press. When she’s not writing, she enjoys playing the fiddle and making silly noises at cats.
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SEVEN SPOTLIGHT QUESTIONS:
#1: Why do you write?
Why do you breathe? If I did not create, I would have nothing. I would leave nothing behind.
#2: What was your earliest writing experience?
I don’t remember any earliest writing experiences because I’ve always been a writer. I was always writing stories, stapling pieces of paper together with coloured paper kid-illustrated covers. From an early age in school teachers would always encourage me to write, but to a fault: my stories often got out of control and I was always given extensions to hand in final copies.
#3: Describe a day in your writing life:
Well, my writing time depends a lot on my client work. My client work comes first. So generally in my everyday life, I will do my client work, and then do my own writing/publishing pursuits. Sometimes my writing time is preceded by making large quantities of coffee or drinking energy drinks, but usually only if it’s a weekend. A lot of my writing gets done in the late of night, or if I’m not very busy, early in the morning when I get up.
So while I don’t have very structured times to do my writing, when I do plan a writing session, I make sure it gets done, because planning to do some writing is half the battle.
#4: What authors influenced you and how?
A number of authors growing up influenced me, but here are a few.
Maggie Stiefvater: writing for teens doesn’t have to be juvenile, it can be poetic;
George R. R. Martin: his obsessive world building really influenced me while I was writing The Violet Fox.
K.A. Applegate: Loved her Animorphs and Remnants series. Just because something is for teens doesn’t mean it can’t be heavy and epic while maintaining its charming humor.
#5: What are some things you learned to help with your success?
Time management, mostly, since I not only publish my own books but I am a freelance editor, book designer, and web manager. Learning how to format books and create/manage websites has also helped me considerably, as I would otherwise have to outsource these things.
Also: the art of sitting down and forcing myself to get stuff done!
#6: Describe your writing method:
I tend to write the middle first, and then the end, and then the beginning. Or a little bit of each. Then, I stitch the narrative together. Then I have to re-read the draft several times to make sure there are no plot holes or other plot mistakes!
#7: Tips for aspiring writers:
-Don’t wait for permission to do what you want to do.
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-Stop making excuses or waiting for the “right mood.” If people in any other profession waited for the right mood to get something done, nothing would get done.
-Once you get going on a project, it will get easier to finish it.
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Check out Clare’s Latest book:
Burn hot and cold.
Read minds.
Disappear at will.
Dream your own death.
Welcome to Sparkstone University, where some students are more gifted than others.
When Ingrid learns she’s been accepted at the hyper-secretive Sparkstone University, she is sceptical. It’s an honour to attend, apparently, and yet barely anyone has ever heard of the place.
And everyone seems a little too happy that she’s there: especially when she meets Sunni and her group of friends. They seem to already know Ingrid. As if she was expected. Expected to save Earth from an imminent alien invasion. Like she has superpowers or something.
As if magic and mutations exist. As if aliens are really planning to attack.
That just sounds ridiculous. There’s no such thing.
…right?
Wrong.
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Buy Here:
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Connect with Clare:
Webpage: http://faeryinkpress.com
Twitter: @ClareMarshall13
Facebook: http://facebook.com/faeryinkpress
Fan email address: clare@faeryinkpress.com
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A Fantasy Writing Journey 