Conversations - Author Interviews

@NyteWrytr

NyteWrytr is the winner of the Supernatural category in BTCR Season 2. Go and check out her winning book, The Burning Ones, and prepared to be hooked onto many supernatural creatures!

Hello and welcome to the interview for the winner of the Supernatural category! Congratulations! Tell us a bit about your winning story, "The Burning Ones".

First, let me just say I am thankful for all the votes and reads I received. You guys are amazing.

The Burning Ones is a story I wanted to tell because I know people are captivated by supernatural powers, and are often drawn to the darker side of those powers. I wanted to show a side of the supernatural realm that worked to overcome the darkness.

One of the big themes of TBO's is the power of words. I truly believe there is power in what we speak. Thus, the pearls as weapons against the darkness.

The main character, Calie, is lost and confused in the beginning of the story and by the end she's found her purpose and everlasting, fierce love in Dane.

Did you consciously set out to break any cliches or did you just come up with an idea that happened to be quite original?

I didn't think about breaking cliches, I just wanted to write a story people liked. I appreciate when a story isn't predictable, but in some ways I think it's hard to avoid. Bravo to all the cliche breakers!

How important is it for a story to break cliches then?

Any writer knows, to stand out as a unique voice we've got to stay away from the mundane. Refraining from using true cliches statements has always been a rule for me. But cliche plot points can be harder to avoid. Writers should always go for the unexpected. I'd say it's important, but not necessarily easy. I guess if a writer is aware of the obvious cliche, it is natural to write without them. The cliche annoys us.

Ah! So tell us about your writing process! What is the journey from thoughts to a novel?

I start with an idea, let it brew for as long as it takes to strengthen into a viable story--one I can't stop thinking about--then I write down a few things that pop into my head about how the romance will work out. Since I like to write speculative fiction, there always has to be something metaphysical going on in my stories too.

I'm learning to become a plotter, but in the past I've been a pantser. The problem with pantsing is it takes a hundred years, at least for me.

I'd say I start with the main character, then the story problem, and work in the romance around it all. I've learned the antagonistic force is what creates the story problem that needs to be solved. It's a new process for me to plot based on what the antagonist wants and then writing about how the main character works to resolve the problem this creates in her life. Am I rambling? I feel like I'm rambling...

No, that's really good! Would you say that the antagonist could be an equally interesting protagonist in their own story?

Yes.The antagonist is the hero of their own story, and that darn protagonist is always getting in their way. I love a really despicable antihero, too. Loki is one of my favorites

Oh, Loki! Has your writing been inspired by any mythology?

Mythology fascinates me. Mythology is one explanation of how the world came to be and humanity trying to understand their purpose within it. Everything we read becomes part of what inspires us to write better stories. The Burning Ones is my take on how the world may end, and how it may be impossible to prevent that end because a Divine power is working toward a recreation of humanity. Thus, humanity 3.0.

I suppose you also like questioning what it means to be human then?

That is what all writers question. We explore the human experience through story. If we're lucky, we strike a chord that resonates with readers, and draw from them deep emotion. They can relate to our characters because they relate to the experience. It's bonding, in a way, with others who may be very different from ourselves but who may relate on a level of loss, or love and acceptance.

Definitely! It's one of my (squirrelg)favourite topics to wind myself up about. Do you have a character that you connect to the most? Do they resemble a facet of you or are they not like you at all?

I write a little of myself into every main character. Not on purpose, but this is my worldview.

Calie is like me in many ways. I struggled with what to do after high school and floundered in college, too. Ended up dropping out and struggling along, but was much more content.

I also watched over my friends when we went out, and really did tell them not to look men in the eyes. Guys tend to think an eye gaze is an invitation for something more. Of course, it could be, if that's what my friend really wanted, but I was a good judge of character even back then, and was always saving their butts.

What's the most street-smart advice that you could give anyone?

Be aware. Jason Bourne aware. Know who's in the room. Sit where you can see people enter a room. Use your God-given instincts and run rather than fight, but fight rather than freeze if in a situation you can't get out of. Walk with confidence and determination.

Thanks! You'd be good at writing action scenes! How do you write an action sequence that works well?

Observing Tae Kwon Do and Jiu Jitsu classes have helped me learn proper terminology and technique. Watching YouTube videos is great, too. Gracie Jiu Jitsu posts great videos on self defense. I even watched a Russian street fight on YouTube with a bunch of young men with no real technique, which is most likely the case for a fight in a novel.

Nice. That'd definitely help! Do you have a favourite book?

I have many favorites. Right now I'm geeked about Peirce Brown's Red Rising series. I loved Rick Yancey's 5th wave, and Marie Lu's Legend series. I love dystopia stories. Of course, The Hunger Games got me into those. Divergent had me all in a whirl, too.

What is it about dystopian stories that intrigues you?

Dystopia speaks to our fears of what could become of society. On some level we are always hanging in the balance between freedom and captivity. Without standing up, and fighting for what we believe, we can easily succumb to governmental overlords bent on ruling with an iron fist. Characters in dystopian stories rise from the bottom and have to struggle to gain access to human rights. What's not to love? And the world building is always so mesmerizing.

Do you think it's gotten a bit cliche with the popularity of the genre in YA fiction?

I know editors are rejecting YA dystopia, but I still love it. All genres have their cliche storylines, but that's because they work. People expect a genre to hold to its rules. I think it still works as long as the unexpected is added to draw new emotions from readers.

Not thinking about what the market wants or anything, what's a genre that you'd like to try out?

I wouldn't rule anything but horror and historical romance out. Also, I don't enjoy reading literary fiction, so wouldn't write it.

I'm working on a contemporary romance with sci-fi elements right now. I would love to write a space opera along the lines of Firefly.

Sounds great, well we wish you the best of luck with writing! Thanks for chatting with us!