We had the pleasure of chatting with Dana Swift again, this time about Bound by Firelight, which is the heart-pounding sequel to Cast in Firelight and perfect for fans of epic, sweepingly romantic fantasy by Sabaa Tahir, Susan Dennard, and Mary E. Pearson.
Hi, Dana! Welcome back to The Nerd Daily! You last spoke with us a year ago. How has the past 12 months been for you?
Hi! Thank you so much for having me back!
2021 has been the year of a lot of firsts for me and my writing journey. I’ve interacted with readers online, started my own critique group, taught at a writing conference as an author. I got to hold the ARC of CAST IN FIRELIGHT for the first time, and unbox a few book boxes with my debut in them. I saw my first fanart, more fanart in fact than I thought I’d ever be lucky enough to see. This year was my also first time hearing my book read by professional narrators. And it was my first experience in a sound booth as I myself narrated my author’s note and acknowledgements for both audiobooks.
And all the while I’ve been editing and getting BOUND BY FIRELIGHT ready for publication and it’s finally here, exactly a year after book one!
What do you hope for the new year and have you set any goals or resolutions for yourself?
With Bound By Firelight coming out in January I like to think about 2022 as being about my second book. I would love to go to writing conferences and conventions, but we’ll have to see with Covid.
In terms of personal writing goals for myself I’m working on my next work in progress and I always like to give myself deadlines. So, I hope to get a first draft finished in the beginning of this year. After that, we’ll see what happens. For me writing goals and resolutions always have to be obtainable and within my control so while I would be overjoyed to get a book deal for this new project in 2022, I’m focusing on writing the best book I can right now.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
Oh gosh, really young. I’ve been fascinated with stories since I was six or seven and knew I wanted to be author for sure by nine. I started planning and writing my first novel at eleven. I wasn’t any good back then of course, but the dream has always been there.
It’s been such an honor and privilege to have that dream realized even amid the Pandemic. More than ever I think we all need stories and I’m so happy to have this amazing job that brings people joy.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
The first chapter book I ever remember reading was probably a Junie B. Jones book by Barbara Park. I read all of those when I was little. But one of the first books I read that made me want to become an author is THE SCHOOL STORY by Andrew Clements. It’s a story about a middle schooler who writes and gets a book published and I remember immediately thinking, ‘how do I do this too?’ I actually met the author back in 2018 and was so starstruck I couldn’t even tell him how much his writing meant to me and made me the writer I am today. But he did sign my copy of The School Story and commented on about how well loved it looked, so still dream come true.
Bound by Firelight is the follow up to Cast In Firelight and the final installment in the Wickery duology! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
I’d describe it as intense, action-packed, plot-twisty, romantic, and fast-paced.
What can readers expect?
Readers can expect the story starting right where CAST IN FIRELIGHT left off. It is dual point of view once again with Adraa and Jatin being heroes, loving one another, and trying to save the day. I will say it’s a bit darker than CAST IN FIRELIGHT with plot twists and more action and fight scenes.
Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
I think a lot of my challenges were similar to other authors writing their second book. Suddenly, there is expectation and pressure and a deadline and it’s very new. I did love knowing my amazing team and my editor would help me get the book into shape though. Also, it was absolutely wonderful having readers message me saying they were excited about the second book. I mean come on, it can’t get better than that!
Much of finishing this book to make my deadline meant I wrote almost half of it between March 2020 and June 2020 so those few months were particularly difficult because there was so much uncertainty with the Pandemic and the world. I overcame them by forcing myself to write most every night. Looking back I almost don’t know how I managed it. But even writing a few words a day eventually adds up, so for all writers out there –– keep going even if it is slow going!
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring further in Bound by Firelight?
There are two new main characters in BOUND BY FIRELIGHT who were both fun to explore. Both of them are strong and a bit morally grey and during the writing process I didn’t know if they were good or bad, which is always fun for me.
However, I kind of fell in love with Prisha, Adraa’s younger sister, all over again as I was writing the sequel. Prisha has much more page time and character development in this book and it was great writing those sister moments. I’m so excited to see what readers think of all the characters (new and old) and how they grow.
What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?
The best advice is when other writers remind me to celebrate the little things. While I already know this, it’s one of those pieces of wisdom you have to hear again and again to remind yourself. And for me it always strikes me more when it comes from another writer telling me to keep moving, keep writing, keep having fun and celebrate when you can.
The worst advice I kind of threw out a long time ago so I didn’t retain the specifics of what was said. But in summary anyone who tells you very clearly how you should write, how you should edit is wrong. Critique and suggestions are great and needed, but there is a way to word advice that isn’t so demanding and sounding like there is only one way to tell a story. Because there isn’t and that’s the beauty of the craft.
What’s next for you?
I’m writing a standalone YA Fantasy Romance. It hasn’t found a home yet since I’m still drafting it, but I’m pretty excited about it. It’s a loose Hades and Persephone retelling with lots of humor and big world ending stakes. Hopefully one day I can talk more about it!
Lastly, do you have any 2022 book recommendations for our readers?
I haven’t read as many upcoming 2022 books yet! However, one I loved was LOVE FROM SCRATCH by Kaitlyn Hill. It’s a beyond cute rom-com about two rival interns competeing on a cooking show and falling for one another. It comes out April 5th 2022 and I can’t recommend it enough if you like sweet and funny contemporary romance.
