It is my great pleasure to welcome author Ivy Logan to the blog to discuss writing her novels, inspiration and all things books. Thank you for your time today, Ivy.
Thank you for inviting me to your blog, Val. I always like to chat about my writing.
Good. So, tell me about your series?
My series The Breach Chronicles starts with a prequel short story called Origins {The Legend of Ava.} Broken {Broken But Not Lost} is BOOK I, followed by Metamorphosis {The Girl With No Face.} Origins is the back story of one of the main characters of Metamorphosis. The third book in the series, Redemption {The Road from Revenge to Redemption} brings together characters from both the standalone books, I and II and will release in September.
Who is your favourite character in your series and why?
My series is very dear to my heart for obvious reasons. But above all because it inspired me to become a better and stronger person. There are many characters that I genuinely care about but one of the characters who appears in Book I and Book III, Katie really stands out because it seems as though she fought to write her own story rather than what I had in mind for her. I might have been going in for a typical HEA sort of ending but she showed me HEA is not necessarily about falling in love it can also be about finding yourself or doing what you love or enjoy. Katie is inspired by the young women of today who think differently and have a very logical head on their shoulders.
Do you have another story planned or in progress? When can we expect to see that?
Redemption should be out in September. After that, there is another story circling in my head but I haven’t quite pinned it down yet. It’s unrelated to The Breach Chronicles and will be a contemporary fantasy.
Who is your favourite author?
May I choose multiple authors? Choosing one is too difficult, as I believe it is these 4 women who inspired me to write stories that are set against a canvas of fantasy but are about love, adventure and secrets, family, friendship and coming of age. Here are their names - Frances Hodgson Burnett, Enid Blyton, Cornelia Funke, and J K Rowling.
What do you like to do when you’re not planning or writing your next book?
I read a lot mainly indie authors but also traditionally published. I spend a lot of time on Twitter and Facebook engaging with other writers and readers. That’s work related. But on the personal front I’m the cheerleader of everyone in our little family of four. I keep reminding them of their goals and hover gently until they get doing what they are supposed to. Oh, how badly they all want to do the same for me! Lol!
Do you write novels in other genres?
Not yet. But if I did it would be a thriller.
What do you like most about being an author?
The fact that it has brought out the best in me. I’m completely at peace with myself and there is no feeling of something being left undone. I was a professional for 10 years after completing my post-graduation qualification, and I was pretty great at my job. But this, right here is where I truly found myself.
What advice do you have for other writers?
Follow your heart but temper it with wisdom from observing others and understand this – you have to be your own cheerleader; you have to really struggle to get readers and reviews and it’s not easy to stand out. The process seems very romantic but it isn’t, it is pretty lonely. Having friends from the writing community really makes a huge difference.
How do you use social media?
I spent 50 % of my social media time on Twitter engaging with mutuals and friends there and supporting other writers. I do the same on FB, but also add in a lot of personal perspectives, which I don’t do all that much on Twitter. I roughly spend around 48 % time on FB. And the rest 2% to Instagram, where I’m gradually starting to give more time to. But on Instagram the content has to be amazing from a visual point of view and you need at least 6 to 7 posts a week if not more to stay relevant.
If your book were to be made into a movie, who would you like to play main character’s name?
This is the ultimate dream of every writer. If I ever get there, I will answer this question. Although I must add Metamorphosis is begging to be made into a movie. It’s a beautiful book.
The Author
I am a realist but at the same time also a dreamer. To me, writing is the window to my imagination, which also collaborates with my glimpses of the world around me. The beauty of writing lies in the mind’s eye – what we see, the way we interpret it and finally how we translate it to paper. This gives me immense joy.I try to imagine myself as a reader, I read what I've written aloud. And if I am bored, I discard it and start again. It takes a lot to make me happy and I will keep at it until I am satisfied.
Compromise is not a good word where storytelling is concerned.
I am extremely passionate about stories especially those steeped in mythical folklore, ancient myths, and legends and suffused with the magic of unique realms and supernatural worlds. I believe there is an alternate universe where magic, mysticism, and wonder still exist, a world where no reality is impossible. Discovering ourselves is an ongoing journey. When I write about these worlds, I become a part of them and learn more about myself each day.
I write about girls and women with flaws and their lives. My characters are not the most beautiful, not the bravest, not the thinnest nor the richest. They find strength in their family, in their love. My girls do not compete against men; only circumstances and the challenges they throw up.
Reading feeds my soul. I don’t think it is possible for me to write if I would not read. Reading takes me into other worlds and I need that.
Growing up, Enid Blyton was my favorite author and although that list has a lot more names in it, she will never grow old. She still lives in my heart. I read Enid Blyton even now.
The first real story I ever wrote was about a princess who traveled through time to the future to save a ten year old child. The two of them end up rescuing each other. That story was never completed and after I finish the Breach Chronicles, it is one of the stories I hope to tell.
Excellen interview! Congratulations Ivy and Val!