Meet The Authors Showcase Edition #2 (2 of 3)

A showcase with @Sasha_Samuel

author of Margo Fawn and the Contagious Missing Delirium 1

1 what inspired the idea of your story?

I began writing the story in 2017. I was depressed and lonely. I know how badly clichéd that sounds but that's what drew me to write this. I had no friends and I was on a very low point. I needed something to focus on and forget about the worst things that was going on around me. I wanted to create a really good story which revolves around strong characters that has a really strong bond of friendship and love that they never give up on each other. That was the spark that ignited the story but the plot is a whole other thing. 

2 what is something you struggled constructing with your story?

I must say, it was the plot. I pretty much had the characters and their behaviors engraved in my heart. I wanted to create a plot that is strong and not clichéd. I wanted to give readers a new, crisp and fresh story that they can munch on. It had to be something that want to read over and again but not feeling bored. The plot had to be something that they crave for even after they reach the end and feel quenched. So, that was something that I struggled with. 

3 what did you enjoy writing most of your story?

I enjoyed the whole thing. The plot, the characters and their flaws and strength, the action and adventure, silly little fights, dialogues, horror scenes and romance. But I really loved creating the tension between the title character Margo and her love interest. It wasn't something I had on my mind when I created the characters. I wanted them to be friends but as the story developed, I found that they are made for each other. So, I loved creating those cute incidents and dialogues.  

4 what's the overall response of your story from your readers?

I was overwhelmed by the responses and I still am. I am confident about the story but to actually see them adore my story, I am so and beyond happy. I actually had traces of happy tears in my eyes when a reader left a comment – "Can't wait for the next chapter." I mean I have the whole story ready but I want to release it chapter by chapter. But the overall response has been really good and very encouraging. I'd love to call them happy heart attacks. 

5 is your story a stand alone novel or a piece of a series ?

I love this question. You got me there. It is a piece of series. There are actually two books as of now. 22 chapters each. But the readers prefer shorter chapters so I have been cutting the chapters short. So, I think there would be about 40 chapters in the first book that is on-going now. The second book of the series is also fully written. I think I have an abstract plot for the third book as well but let's how it goes.

6 what would you like your readers to take away from your story?

The whole story, actually. I mean it's got really strong protagonists. The character development will astonish them. The title character – Margo Fawn is not someone to give up on anything. She is so determined to finish what she started and the main charters they always stick together no matter what the mystery antagonist is throwing at them even if it is putting their lives at jeopardy. I would also like my readers to be kind to others like Irsia Bookman is and bold like Electra Withers is. They are both main characters and the other main character Aiden Wilder – I'd like my readers to be forgiving and protective of his friends like him.

7 what advice would you provide to fellow writers, when it comes to focusing on their own story?

Gosh! I don't know if I am that big an Author to give out any advice but I should say I learnt from my mistakes. So, I must say trust your instincts. They never lie. Don't live in denial and always... always make sure to learn from the mistakes. 

8 does your main character share any similarities to yourself?

Of course, there is. In singular, not plural. There is one similarity. If I write a main character that has a lot of similarities to myself, I don't think the book would be that interesting. Well, Margo Fawn loves dogs especially and all animals and I do too. 

9 what is something about your story you believe would draw in new readers?

I believe in not giving up. When I started the story in 2017 but I couldn't finish it. I got too busy with my master's degree and eventually had to stop it. The pandemic and staying at home made want to dig out the story and write. When I read what I wrote in 2017, it was childish and immature. I realized I didn't have a plot. I felt so bad to the point that I am not a good writer. But then again, I kicked out the discouragement and started working on the plot and it took me 5 months to finish the first draft and 2 months to edit. There were days when my shoulder would cry and I still did not give up. I am glad I didn't. So, the answer to your question is – I believe in hard work. There is no other way around. 

10 do you have any future projects?

Well, yeah. The third book of the series. I am working on the plot as of now. I have got nothing more to say about it yet.