Reviewed: March 27th, 2026 Released: July 5th, 2021 Genre: YA Epic Fantasy
Her key to freedom is also her torment.
Mina is an outcast. A childhood accident left her scarred and with a curse that her master exploits to hunt dragons for sport.
She wants freedom, from both her master and the curse, but unless the right dragon is killed, she’ll be a bondservant for the rest of her days.
With Mina’s uncanny ability and her master’s magical strength, the beast responsible for her misery will fall … even if she has to take matters into her own hands.
It’s time to meet Indie author, Estelle Tudor and find out more about her book, The Vein Severed, a historical fantasy that released in August 2025.
Helen: Welcome, Estelle. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I actually checked out your book, and I read it in Kindle Unlimited. You took me away from my editing, but I enjoyed the tragic story of Rosella and Lorcan and the dark world of vampires. You can read my review here. But on with the interview. Tell us about your latest book.
Estelle: My most recent book is called The Vein Severed and is a tragic yet hopeful love story featuring Lady Roselle Lamont and her husband Lorcan from whom she has been separated for a century.
It is a story of betrayal, secrets, and loss but their love still remains. When the century of punishment and enforced separation comes to an end, the pair must try to reconcile with the past all while yearning for a future together. It is an ensemble cast of vampires and witches and takes place at the turn of the century 1899/1900.
Helen: It is a great premise and tempted me to read it. I must admit I am enjoying it, even though you are not being very kind to Roselle! How did you come up with the cover? It gives me a vintage vibe, which goes with the passage of time.
Estelle: I had a vision for the cover in colours of deep red and gold and gave my cover designer – Juniper at Red Fox Creative – free rein to add elements that resonated. She incorporated a beautiful rose (for Lady Roselle) and the locket which plays an important role in the story. It came together beautifully and embodies the gothic vampire love story feel.
Helen: The cover works really well. Why did you give it that title? Is there a special meaning or back story about the title?
Estelle: The title is so important to me as I wanted this tale to be told in a lyrical and haunting way. The Vein Severed represents the cutting of Roselle’s lifeforce, the separation from her family, and then subsequently her new husband, all while enforcing her abstinence. Her life was severed, and now she must pay the price in blood.
Helen: It’s so interesting finding out the meanings behind the title. What made you want to write this particular book?
Estelle: I wanted to indulge myself in a truly lyrical haunting piece of writing. I wrote the first line and the rest just came. It decided it was to be a vampire story, but one that centred on love and the hope of release. I took my time with it, pouring so much of myself into it and giving myself free rein to indulge in my sometimes purple prose-y heart, that I was emotionally drained afterwards. I am so proud of it and love how it turned out.
Helen: It is beautifully written. Even though it is a dark subject, it feels light and fluid and reminds me of Mary Stewart and her wonderful prose. When did you realise you had a passion for writing?
Estelle: At a young age actually. Books were always an escape for me, and when I discovered I could create my own tales and leave the worries of this world behind for a while it was so freeing and cathartic. I wrote from childhood until my early twenties, then had a long break to raise my four children. Returning to it seven years ago was like a homecoming. I picked up the pen again… and haven’t stopped. I now have 14 published novels under my belt, with many more sat on my computer.
Helen: Congratulations, that truly is a great achievement. The Vein Severed is dark fantasy. You mentioned you have fourteen books now, are they all fantasy?
Estelle: My brain is like a butterfly flitting from one idea to another, and so I write in multi-genres. My first publications were a five-book fantasy series for middle grade readers. My debut, Octavia Bloom and the Missing Key, won an award and saw it reaching the top ten of the Book Bloggers’ Novel of the Year Awards! I then progressed to YA Romantasy and then on to various genres in the adult market. I have returned to my roots this year and will have a children’s short novel published in the autumn with American publishing house, Watchful Wizard Publishing.
Helen: How exciting! Is there an author who inspired you write?
Estelle: C. S. Lewis was my first inspiration. His Chronicles of Narnia books changed my life as a child and made me believe in the impossible and fantastic. Later on, Terry Pratchett and his sublimely witty Discworld series, gripped my teenage heart, then I fell into the romance genre and discovered the prolific Nora Roberts, who still inspires me to this day.
Helen: Some great inspiration. How do you get the ideas for your books?
Estelle: They come to me, often with a one-liner or an image, and then if it continues to shout loudly at me, then I will write it. I have a queue in my mind of characters and whichever one is most demanding wins haha.
Helen: Now you have a few books under your belt. What advice would you give new writers?
Estelle: I always say to write with your heart, but edit with your head. That first draft—that beautiful landscape of potential—is for you and you alone. Be brave, daring even, and say the words that swirl around your mind. Later on, you can be a tad more ruthless and prune back the brambles to reveal the true core of the story as you would want it to be seen by others.
Helen: Nice. Lets chat a little about how you write. Do you listen to music when you write, if so, what do you listen to and why?
Estelle: I adore listening to music while I write. I am an immersive writer, so epic cinematic soundtracks such as The Pirates of the Caribbean scores or The Lord of the Rings really helps me get into the feel of my worlds. I also like haunting artists such as Loreen, Fleurie, Amy Lee, and Enya too.
Helen: Oh We have similar tastes. I prefer instrumental music as well. What about research? That can be a bit of of a rabbit hole. How much research do you do for each book?
Estelle: Gah! I love research, and have multiple, multiple tabs open on my computer while writing. My most recent WIP is based on Welsh myth, legend, and folklore, so you can imagine the deep dives I have being doing on that! It has been a joy to celebrate my country Wales, and incorporate the history I fell in love with while I worked at Cardiff Castle before having my children.
Helen: I wish we had time to chat about Cardiff Castle, but we we’re here to talk about your writing, so… Are you a pantser or a planner? Do you write free form, or do you have a framework you stick to?
Estelle: I believe I am a Pantser in that I don’t write down a formal plan, however, I ‘plot’ in my head. I can see my scenes like movies inside my mind and let them percolate for a while just before sleeping or awakening. Once they have seeded in my mind, I then write and let it flow organically.
Helen: I know authors read a lot, so I am always looking for more recommnedations. What are some of the books you read recently that you would recommend to others?
Estelle: Recently, I have been immersed in Emma Bradley’s Faerie multi-series, while beta reading for writing friend Aerin Apeltun. Both have an immersive way of writing and drawing you in with witty side characters and romantic plots. I also loved The Wycherleys by Annaliese Avery and have the second one on hold at the library – looking forward to diving in to that!
Helen: Those are some great recommendations. Thank you so much for joining me today, it’s been lovely chatting to you. Just to finish, one last question: Every writer experiences self-doubt. How do you overcome the fear and the little voice in your head to keep writing?
Estelle: This is such a tough one to answer, but I feel very important. It doesn’t matter how many books I write, or how many awards or 5-star reviews, there will still be that niggling voice inside my head that taunts ‘you are not good enough’. But still I write… why? Because I have to. Writing chooses you, I believe. It is a drumbeat inside your heart that won’t be sated until you put pen to paper or open up that new draft. As a creative, it is an outlet to freedom, and while I am inside my worlds, that voice is drowned out. Just for a little while…
Helen: Thank you so much for all your great advice. You are inspirational. I wish you lots of success with your books.
Estelle: Thank you so much for having me – this was a lot of fun!
About the Author – Estelle Tudor
When not searching the backs of wardrobes for Narnia, the bottom of the garden for fairies or exploring yet another Castle, Estelle can be found with her nose in a book or a pen in her hand.
Having previously worked at Cardiff Castle, she now writes full time while looking after her four children.
She lives on the beautiful South Wales coast with her husband, children and crazy dog.
She loves to connect with her readers and can be contacted on http://www.estellegracetudor.com or via her Instagram page @through_the_fairy_door_books
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Reviewed: January 5th, 2026 Released: April 13th, 2021 Genre: YA/Epic Fantasy
Aletheia was born a heresy: a girl with a man’s magic, in a city where monks and witches are mortal enemies. Training in her powers only under her father’s protection, head of the monastery, she shocks everyone by becoming the best seer in generations.
Until her father is murdered. A suicide, they call it, but she knows the truth: he was murdered for his heresy. For her. Now she must make a harrowing choice: disown everything her father stood for to stay alive, or flee the temple and seek to expose his killers, even as they hunt her down.
Reviewed: Novemebr 23rd, 2025 Released: January 26th, 2026 Genre: Fantasy ARC
War has reached her doorstep. She will answer with a sword.
When her little sister dies during an enemy raid, Jenai prays to Holy Afallon seeking protection for her village. What she doesn’t expect is to hear a Voice telling her that she must personally lead the armies of Fraelin against the growing threat.
Joined by a gentle unicorn and a few brave allies, Jenai sets out to liberate Fraelin—even at the risk of her own freedom.
However, the road to war isn’t straightforward. Jenai must first gain the trust of the Crane Prince by convincing him she’s not a fraud. Will the Church of Afallon accept her calling or will they condemn her as a heretic?
I am very fortunate to be the Booktopia SFF December Author of the month, and I was invited to answer the ten terrifying questions on the Booktopia blog. Thank you so much to Mark Timmony for the opportunity to share some of my writing journey.
Booktopia Direct Pty Ltd is an Australian online bookseller. The company also owns Angus & Robertson, a major Australian online bookseller, publisher, and printer.
Interested in finding out my answers? The you can find the Booktopia blog post here.
My fantasy journey starts with Sentinals Awaken, and Booktopia stock the paperback if you’d like to read it. The Sentinals series is now complete with eight books, two novellas and if you sign up to my newsletter, a plethora of short stories and novellas to fill out even more of the story. Enjoy!
When a long-forgotten threat starts to reemerge, one man stands as the last defense against darkness…
Jerrol Haven serves his king without question. When he finds evidence of corruption and is attacked, the loyal soldier’s mind spins after his touch of a sacred tree awakens the dormant spirit of a three-thousand-year-old protector. But he fears he has failed after the crown prince accuses him of treason and orders his execution…
Fleeing the city, Jerrol is stunned when the goddess appears to him, appoints him captain of her warriors, and charges him with a quest to find artifacts that can save the realm. And as he runs into danger and more betrayals, the steadfast hero discovers a rare gift that may be the world’s only hope…
Can Jerrol rally the forces of good to stop a rising evil?
Sentinals Awaken is the first book in the Sentinal epic fantasy series. If you like endearing characters, immersive world-building, and gritty conflict, then you’ll love Helen Garraway’s award-winning tale.
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.
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Starts: Sunday November 9th, 2025 Closes: Sunday November 30th, 2025 100 ebooks awarded December 1st, 2025 US only.
Join me as I celebrate the forthcoming launch of Sentinals Origins Part Two. I am so excited to share the final part of the prequel, and the last full length book in the Sentinal series. If you love the majestic worldbuilding of Lord Of The Rings and the excitement and adventure of The Witcher but without as many monsters then you’ll love my Sentinal series. You can find the complete series in Kindle Unlimited.
For a chance to win one of one hundred ebooks enter the Sentinals Origins Goodreads Giveaway. Avalable in the US only.
Are you ready to travel back three thousand years and meet the Goddess Leyandrii, her Captain, Guerlaire, and find out how the Sentinals came to be and what happened to them?
Set three thousand years prior to Sentinals Awaken, Part Two of Sentinals Origins concludes the prequel to the Sentinals series.
Birler, Tagerill and Serill have accepted the Lady’s invitation to become her personal guards, her Sentinals. They roam the territories of Remargaren in the name of the Lady, protecting those who can’t protect themselves.
But the threat against Lady Leyandrii is growing and Captain Guerlaire is in the Ascendants sights. He has been too successful in disrupting their plans and now time is running out, for him and the Sentinals. The Ascendants are determined to kill them all and show Leyandrii, once and for all, that they hold the power in Remargaren.
Birlerion’s discovery of his innate magic, offers Leyandrii an alternate path, but it’s a last resort and as Leyandrii teaches him how to control it, she is desperate to find another solution.
As the final confrontation looms and the natural world buckles under the backlash from the reckless use of magic, Leyandrii has one last throw to try and save their world from ruin and destruction, but will any of them live to tell the tale?
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator
Starts: Saturday November 1st, 2025 at 8am GMT Closes: Sunday November 30th, 2025 11.45pm GMT Winner announced December 1st, 2025 Open Internationally, One winner, Over 18 only. No cash alternative.
Join me as I celebrate the forthcoming launch of Sentinals Origins Part Two with many of my friends in the writing community. Thank you to these generous authors for donating their books to the grand prize. Enter the launch giveaway by following the authors on social media or by signing up to their newsletter. The more authors you follow, the more entries you recieve.
One randomly drawn reader will win a signed paperback of Sentinals Origins and SEVENTEEN amazing fantasy ebooks.
Are you ready to travel back three thousand years and meet the Goddess Leyandrii, her Captain, Guerlaire, and find out how the Sentinals came to be and what happened to them?
Set three thousand years prior to Sentinals Awaken, Part Two of Sentinals Origins concludes the prequel to the Sentinals series.
Birler, Tagerill and Serill have accepted the Lady’s invitation to become her personal guards, her Sentinals. They roam the territories of Remargaren in the name of the Lady, protecting those who can’t protect themselves.
But the threat against Lady Leyandrii is growing and Captain Guerlaire is in the Ascendants sights. He has been too successful in disrupting their plans and now time is running out, for him and the Sentinals. The Ascendants are determined to kill them all and show Leyandrii, once and for all, that they hold the power in Remargaren.
Birlerion’s discovery of his innate magic, offers Leyandrii an alternate path, but it’s a last resort and as Leyandrii teaches him how to control it, she is desperate to find another solution.
As the final confrontation looms and the natural world buckles under the backlash from the reckless use of magic, Leyandrii has one last throw to try and save their world from ruin and destruction, but will any of them live to tell the tale?
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator
Reviewed: October 6th, 2025 Released: October 28th, 2025 Genre: YA Fantasy
The Mother. The Sister. The Daughter of the Forest.
When Ebony wakes in the realm of the Fae, she learns she’s the final link in a bloodline bound by prophecy. But with the Shadow’s mark burned into her skin, darkness creeps into her mind and threatens everything she loves.
With the help of her long-lost aunt, Ebony must confront a haunting legacy and face the fears she’s spent a lifetime running from – because the fight is no longer about her own survival. It’s about saving a world on the brink of falling into shadow.
I was fortunate to meet fantasy author J.M. Tibbott at a writing group I attended, and I am very pleased to welcome her to my blog.
Helen: Welcome, JM. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Could you tell us about your Pridden Saga series, and the first book, The Arrival?
JM:The Arrival is the first book in My Pridden Saga series, and introduces Kat, my protagonist. She’s a rather feisty young woman, who hates to be controlled.
Kat, a brilliant video game designer with a desperate desire to control her own life is faced with the option of losing a job she adores. Sent on a forced vacation to adjust her attitude she is stunned to find herself in a strange tech-free world. Confused and lost all she wants is a fervent desire is to return home.
Promised aid by the local ruler she is horrified to be tasked with an assignment to aid in preventing a devastating war, but without clear instructions on how to achieve this.
Amid vicious creatures and enemies lurking around every corner she must defend against a villain with sinister plans to seize the power she has no idea she possesses.
Can Kat survive in a land hurtling towards destruction?
Helen: That sounds like a great adventure, and for a gamer to be stuck in a world without technology, I am sure that gave you plenty of opportunity for conflict! What were your thoughts behind the cover design?
JM: Although I have designed covers for other authors, when I sat down to do this for my first novel, I simply couldn’t come up with anything that pleased me, so I contacted a UK designer (Deranged Doctor Designs) and after answering a lot of questions about how I envisioned the appearance of my protagonist, they suggested the woman on the cover. I loved the picture they chose – the red hair, and the rather stubborn look to her face. I think in this first series I rather tended to see how I would act in the situation the book suggested.
Helen: The story behind the cover is always so interesting. What about the title? How did you decide what to call your book?
JM: I spent a lot of time on the titles of the books and since this is the one where Kat is thrust into a strange new world, “The Arrival” just seemed to make the most sense, because this was the first time Kat found herself on Pridden.
Helen: What made you write this particular book?
JM: I had been writing many short stories, and I knew I was ready to attempt a novel, so when I woke one day with an idea for a story, I was captivated, and although I only planned a single novel at the beginning, the ideas for expanding it, began to drench me with ideas, and so it turned into seven novels.
Helen: That is so wonderful when the ideas begin to flow. Congratulations on writing seven novels. When did you realise you had a passion for writing?
JM: I cannot remember a time when I didn’t love writing. At about the age of ten, I wrote strange plays, which I forced my sister to act in, and demanded my parents watch and pay a penny admission to view my efforts.
Helen: It’s nice that your creativity started young and you never lost it. What is the main genre you write, and who inspired you to start writing?
JM: I love writing high fantasy. My mother inspired me to read Sci-fi, and when I began to read Isaac Asimov, I was so entranced, I figured I could also do what he did.
Helen: If your main character, Kat, could tell us why to read your book, what would she say?
JM: I think Kat would say that we all have the opportunity to change, and even though she resists change, even she has managed to learn things from the odd life she is having to live on Pridden. Each book has changed her and made her a better person.
Helen: Are you a pantser or a planner? Do you write free form, or do you have a framework you stick to?
JM: I am definitely a planner, I have a very specific way of planning my books, something I was privileged to learn from john Truby
Helen: Do you need to do much research as part of your writing process?
JM: I initially began Book one, and stopped because my characters needed challenges, and I then spent two years designing the world. I spent enough time on it, and did enough research, that it was sufficient to help me with all the subsequent books in the Saga.
Helen: What is the best thing that have happened to you since you started writing?
JM: I actually like reading my own books.
Helen: I first wrote my books for me read, and I decided to publish them so I could read them as a book, instead of on my laptop! Thank you so much for joining me today. One last question. If you didn’t write in High Fantasy, then which genre would you like to try and write in next?
JM: I believe I would like to attempt to write a cosy fantasy.
About the Author – J.M Tibbott
J. M Tibbott
JM Tibbott has been writing since childhood, but The Pridden Saga is her first series of published novels. As a writer of magazine and newspaper articles, being an editor for an online news-letter, and a writing instructor, JM belongs to a community of local writers, all of whom are continually upgrading their own skills.
JM has been teaching writing skills for over ten years.
She is in the process of combining a collection of her short stories, which she expects to publish later in the year.
JM welcomes comments from her readers, and encourages them to visit her website, to which she will be shortly a blog, showing illustrations and information about the various creatures populating the world of Pridden.
JM declares — “If I could not write, I could not breathe,” which is similar to how her favorite author, Isaac Asimov, felt about his writing.
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.
I am very pleased to welcome YA fantasy author Cecilia Agetun to my blog.
Helen: Welcome, Cecilia. It’s a pleasure to meet you and congratulations on the release of your latest book, Darkened Soul, on April 20th, 2025. Could you tell us about it?
Cecilia: My current book is Darkened Soul, book 3 in my Freya’s legacy series. It’s about revenge, but also about love and friendship.
Nick is determined to find out who ordered the attack that killed his wife and shattered his family. When he does, he retrieves a sword powerful enough to kill him. The only problem is that this sword was deemed to dangerous to be wielded, but it was too powerful to be destroyed so the dwarfs hid it away, hoping no one would ever find it again.
It is a bit darker than the previous two books in the series, but an important part of the overall arc of the series.
Freya’s Legacy is a YA Romantic contemporary Fantasy series comprised of four books, written with inspiration from Norse mythology. We follow Jax, a crow demon, on a journey of friendships, love and self acceptance.
I’m currently looking for ARC readers Darkened soul, so if you’re interested you can fill out this form: https://forms.gle/hKQ7ZeYRN8g81oBU7
Helen: What were your thoughts behind the cover design?
Cecilia: The cover contains the image of the sword, named the Dauᵭans. It’s a very specific looking sword so I had my friend commission it for me. The cover also contains a flame that goes from blue to amber – it’s a symbolism for Nick’s journey throughout the book.
Helen: I love finding out about the story behind the cover. What about the title? How did you decide what to call your book?
Cecilia: The working title I had when I wrote the book was Nick’s revenge, but Darkened Soul fits so well, because Nick’s soul gets darkened by grief and depression, after he loses his wife which is a guardian angel. Due to this he does down a path that will darken his soul.
Helen: Who is your favourite character from your series?
Cecilia: I have a very close bond with Jax, maybe because he’s lived in my head for such a long time or maybe it’s because he’s trying to find his place and where he fits in. He’s a sweetheart, but because he’s not from the human world, he can come across a bit awkward and blunt. He is terrified of his own demon, and worried that if he loses control he will hurt the people he love and care about.
Helen: Jax sounds like a great character. Who is your protagonist and why did you write him/her?
Cecilia: So the protagonist for the overall series is Jax, this is his story, but each book follows a difference protagonist because knowing their past and how everything is connected helps understand their actions. Jax has been living in my head for the last 10 years so it only seemed natural to finally write down his journey.
Helen: I bet that was really satisfying writing Jax’s story. What are you working on next?
Cecilia: I’ve started gathering the notes I have for book 4, called Shadow love. I already know the rough story line but I haven’t really started writing it yet.
Helen: You write YA fantasy, why did you choose that genre?
Cecilia: I’m a fantasy writer because I like to escape the real would and live somewhere that isn’t defined by human logic. Where magic and mythical creatures is a possibility. I grew up having my granddad tell me stories about the Norse gods growing, and I’ve always had a vivid imagination. I even practiced Wicca in my younger days. Most of my stories are contemporary, because who to say the supernatural doesn’t exist in our world? There are so many myths and legends about magical things, that it seems illogical to discard them as completely fictional.
Helen: When did you realised you had a passion for writing?
Cecilia: I always loved stories and been daydreaming about other places ever since I was little. I wrote a lot during my teenage years, but I don’t remember if I ever finished them. I never really thought I had what it took to publish a book due to my dyslexia, but when lock down came around, I started writing again, and this time, due to internet and social media I connected with other writers, and they give me confidence that my stories were worth sharing with the world. so, after I finished writing my first story and spent two years editing it, I found a great editor that help polishing the technical aspect of writing and then I took a leap and published it.
Helen: How do you get ideas for a new book?
Cecilia: The easiest way to answer this is randomly. I can be walking the dogs, and maybe the sunlight hits the trees in a specific way, and a scenes is playing out in my head, or I wake up from a dream that lingers. And then the characters won’t go away, so I sit down and write down everything that comes to my head while thinking about the scenes or the character, and from there I usually get a starting point; who is the character and what do they want and then I start writing. Sometimes I know the ending before I finished writing, sometimes it comes while im writing, so I guess you can say I’m a bit of a pantser.
Helen: It’s been great talking about your books. Let’s talk a little about your writing process. Which elements of the writing process do you find most challenging and why?
Cecilia: I think the hardest part is converting the movie I have playing in my head into words, words that paint it in the right light. Having English as a second language (thought I’ve lived in the UK for 15 years) means that sometimes my vocabulary isn’t as large as I would like it to be, and my writing often comes out as quite basic. It isn’t necessary a bad thing, but my books should definitely be read for the story and not for beautiful prose.
Helen: When writing, do you plan everything in advance or do you make it up as you go? Are you a pantser or a plotter?
Cecilia: I’m definitely more of a pantser, however as I’m getting further and further into this series, I have needed to do a bit more plotting
Helen: I think as we learn more about the writing craft and our series become more complex, planning is key. Even if the characters sometimes takes us off road on occasion. When you encounter writer’s block how do you over come it?
Cecilia: I usually do one of two things. And it depends a bit on why I have writing block, if it’s because something isn’t working, and I need to figure out a solution I will usually step away and go for a walk. If it’s because I don’t know that’s next, I would try a writing sprint and just write the first thing that comes to mind for 20-30 min.
Helen: What is the best thing that have happened to you since you started writing?
Cecilia: I’ve connected with an amazing community online, and found some lovely friends. But the best thing is probably when I hear from readers and they’re telling me that my story made a difference to them. It really does make my day, and gives me encouragement to continue writing.
Helen: What is one of the most useful resources you use when writing?
Cecilia: So if we are talking specifically about writing, it’s probably the emotion thesaurus by A Ackerman and B Puglisi, its really helpful when trying to show an emotion instead of telling it. Other than that I find brainstorming with other writers very helpful. Sometimes as I writer I’m a bit too close to my story, and my writing can comes across differently from what I want, so brainstorming how to get the message across more clearly can be very beneficial.
Helen: Those thesauruses are amazing! I use them all the time. Do have any hints or tips for how to overcome the fear and little voice in your head and keep writing?
Cecilia: It’s really hard, but the biggest advice I have is to not compare yourself to other writers. It’s a sure way of getting disheartened. Instead look back at your own journey, celebrate your accomplishments and milestones, and see just have far you have come and have much you have gained since you started.
Helen: That is really great advice. How much research do you do for each book?
Cecilia: It differs. I will write the first draft without any research, and then as I read over it I will make notes where I need to do more research.
Helen: It’s been great talking to you today. I wish you all the very best with your launch. Just to close, what advice would you give new writers?
Cecilia: Rules are meant to be broken, take what you need, and leave the rest behind. Try new things, but if it isn’t working for you, try something else. There are many way to reach a destination.
There are sooo many rules about writing, but most of the times they are not actually rules but suggestions. E.g. you have to write everyday to be a good writer – no you don’t have to write every day but you do need to make time to write. Or you have to outline before you can write the book – I can see how it can be beneficial, but my outline comes after I’ve written my first draft.
About the Author – Cecilia Agetun
Cecilia Agetun
Cecilia has always been interested in writing and spent many hours writing poems and short stories throughout her teenage years. She has always had an interest in fantasy, mythology and witchcraft.
As she grew up, her writing got put on ice as she followed her other passion – Animal care. She moved to England, where she completed her Bsc (hons) degree in veterinary nursing and started working full time at a 24 hour hospital. She later moved to Cambridge with her partner and two dogs, hoping to get a better work- life balance.
It wasn’t until the lockdown came knocking on everyone’s doors that she picked up her writing and fell in love with it all over again. It started off as one book, but by the time she finished the first draft of her young adult fantasy novel, she knew it would be a series.
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If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
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