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Interview with Crystal Cherie


She is the award-winning author of Deleted and Lucky and the Killer, as well as her upcoming New Adult series, The Divine Houses. She studied Creative Writing at the University of West Georgia and Georgia State University. A Georgia native, she lives near Atlanta with her husband.


Q.1 Tell us something about yourself not many people know?
A.
If I tell you, then I mean, many people will know. Right? But, um, I guess sometimes I sleep with a stuffed animal even though I’m very much thirty years old.

Q.2 Are we going to read more from you in the near future? Any new project you’re working on?
A.
Absolutely! I’m finally at a point in life where I can work on projects full-time, and it’s been so great for having multiple projects. In addition to my Divine Houses Series, I’m working on two stories for Kindle Vella: Dead Stars (working title) and a revamp of one of my old Wattpad stories, Lucky and the Killer.

Q.3 What inspired you to write The Divine Houses series?
A.
I honestly wanted to try my hand at writing a series in general. I always had this idea in the back of my mind to write something that combined two things I loved: Harry Potter and Sailor Moon. And while the series is not exactly like either, it does have elements from both.

Q.4 What is the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
A.
I don’t think I have a particularly hard time writing male characters because I try, as a writer, to keep an androgynous mind. If I had to pick something, though, I think writing their dialogue is a little tricky sometimes.

Q.5 How do you develop your plots and characters? Do you use any set formula?
A.
My characters always come to me as they are. I can’t control or reign them in. They’re the “inspiration” part of my craft. My plots used to be the same. I started out pantsing everything, but now I try to keep a “bare-bones” outline. I’ve had a lot of success with the “Save the Cat” method, and I highly recommend it to aspiring authors.

Q.6 How many books have you written? Which one is your favorite?
A.
So far, I’ve written four books (one I’m rewriting still). I think Lucky and the Killer has my favorite characters, and House of Neptune has my favorite plot. I don’t think I have a favorite book of mine. 

My Kindle Vella serial, Dead Stars, is shaping up to be a favorite, though. It’s just not finished yet. I guess I’ve got some form of Imposter Syndrome, so loving anything I write is sometimes hard. I always feel like it can be better.

Q.7 What was the hardest part of writing this series?
A.
Since I’m still in the middle of writing it, I’d say just continuing. I’m halfway through the series. I know how it ends. I know where it goes. And I just have to sit down and do the work now. Not starting over, not putting it in a desk drawer, that’s the hardest part-especially when it sometimes feels like reads are low.

Q.8 Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?
A.
The horror! I would probably play video games all day long and read. I’ve got to have some sort of outlet for my over-active imagination.

Q.9 If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead role?
A.
Oh, man. I’m really bad with names (quickly Googles someone). I’d say Christina Ricci (you know, that girl from Casper). I think she’d capture Robin’s spirit very well.

Q.10 Is it vital to get exposure and target the right readers for your writing, tell us about your marketing campaign?
A.
I believe so. People can’t read what they can’t find. At the same time, I think this is a weak point of mine. Thankfully, I have a great publicist, Michael Evan, who helps me do this better.

Q.11 If you could be a member of any fantasy race, which would you choose and why?
A.
Oh, I would be a Mermaid for sure. I love the ocean, and sirens are alluring.

Q.12 What one stereotype about fantasy writers is absolutely wrong? What one stereotype is dead on?
A.
We have stereotypes? I guess if you think about writers in general, people think they all have some sort of trauma. I think that’s probably true to some degree. We probably all drink coffee or tea, too. We probably all have new notebooks stashed away that we “don’t want to mess up” by writing in them somewhere. But I don’t think we’re all messy?

Q.13 If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
A.
Someone out there loves your stories, so write them (even if it’s just for that ONE person).

Q.14 Among all the supporting characters in your book, who is dear to you and why?
A.
Oh, I loved Mason. He is like the friend I always wanted but never really had growing up.

Q.15 Who designed your book cover? How do you select him/her?
A.
I design my own covers. I took a couple of years of graphic design in high school, and those were the most rewarding classes I’ve ever taken. I kept up with design over the years. It’s something I really enjoy, and I have been privileged to do covers and posters for other authors, too.

Q.16 How do you select the name of your characters?
A.
They just come to me. Sometimes, I’ll peruse the list of baby names online! That makes for great search history.

Q.17 Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with good or bad ones?
A.
I do. I’m just starting out, so I don’t have many reviews yet. The good ones always make my day. Thankfully, I haven’t gotten any scary ones yet. I don’t know how I’ll handle that. I take everything way too personally, so I’ll probably cry. But I’ll get over it in the end and try to find something useful for them to work on.

Q.18 Which famous person, living or dead, would you like to meet and why?
A.
I think I’d like to meet Virginia Woolf. Something in me says it’d be inspiring to meet a woman who was a pioneer in writing, who worked so hard to do what we take for granted nowadays.

Q.19 What is your favorite book from other authors and why?
A.
I’ve said it once; I’ll say it again. I love Premonitions by Jude Watson (Judy Blundell). She’s since renamed the collection The Sight, I believe. It was the first book I ever got so into that I binged it in one night, and I don’t read fast. I also love anything that Vee Lozada puts down on a page. She writes over on Wattpad. Go check her out!

Q.20 Share the experience of your journey so far?
A.
Some days it’s up. Some days it’s down. Just keep going.


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