Written by Teralyn Mitchell
Emily R. King has a new novel, Before the Broken Star, and it is amazing! Our contributor, Teralyn, had the pleasure of talking with Emily about her new release, her writing habits, and much more. Check out the interview below!
Hi! *waves excitedly* Can you tell our readers a little about you?
*waves back* Hi, everyone. I’m the YA fantasy author of the Hundredth Queen series and the Evermore Chronicles. I’m also a mom of four kiddos, a shark addict, an INTJ, a Slytherin/Gryffindor, a sunglasses hoarder, and a Canadian living in the USA.
What inspires you to write?
I’m obsessed with stories. They’re everywhere. In music, art, history, and books. LIFE is full of stories. Writing is my way of contributing to the arts. It’s how I show appreciation for all the creators who have inspired me.
What is the most difficult part of your artistic process? What’s the easiest part?
The easiest part is reading. Writers must be readers, so gobbling up a good book is fun. The hardest part would be figuring out what’s broken in my story and fixing it, again, and again, and again. Writers must be honest with themselves and resilient. Creating a good story is a process. No one spits out a perfect first draft.
What is your work schedule like when you are writing?
Depends on what I’m doing. I draft quickly, in about a month, then I revise FOR-EV-ER. I can only revise for a couple hours at a time before I need a break, but I could draft for hours and hours without stopping.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
From conception to a relatively clean draft for my editor, it takes me about four months. I prefer to have longer, but I can do it in four.
How do you come up with the titles to your books?
My publisher usually steers me in a direction. I give them a list of ideas and they narrow down what they like. I have some input, but I usually go with whichever title is the consensus.
Before the Broken Star was such a fun and interesting read! Can you tell us a little about the book?
The story follows seventeen-year-old Everley Donovan, who was stabbed in the chest as a child and left for dead. She was saved by an ingenious clockwork heart. Ten years later, Everley is after her family’s murderer, seeking justice—and answers. She pursues the killer across the high seas to a cursed isle of legend. The answers she finds there are more fantastical than she ever imagined.
What was the inspiration for this book?
Initially, I set out to write a Pinocchio reimagining, but the revenge plotline took it a different direction. I embraced some of the early inspiration and built the characters from those found in the beloved tale. I wanted to explore common fairy tale tropes and turn them on their head, twisting them into something that felt familiar yet fresh.
Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
I can tell you there’s a whale. He also shows up in book two, Into the Hourglass, which comes out in August 2019.
What kind of research did you do for Before the Broken Star?
Tons. I research from beginning to end, all the way from conception through proofreads. Research helps provide me with details that make a world feel richer. For example, if I write about a bird singing in the trees, I research to find out exactly what kind of bird would be in the flora. Those are the details I’m always looking to improve.
Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?
Jamison Callahan acts like Everley’s conscience, offering her advice about betrayal and forgiveness based off his own trials. Jamison wants to do good and believes the best in people.
What is the future for the characters? What can we expect from Into the Hourglass?
At the end of book one, Everley’s precious sword is taken. Her journey to reclaim her weapon leads her to a perilous world where merrows prowl under the sea and pirates rule the waves above. This world isn’t any place for a girl with a fragile clock heart. Getting her sword back will be Everley’s greatest adventure yet.
Let’s end this interview with a couple of fun questions! Would you rather have an endless summer or an endless winter?
Endless summer
Would you rather always be an hour early or be constantly twenty minutes late?
Twenty minutes late
And one final question: do you have any book recommendations for us?
I’m a fan of Shea Ernshaw. Her debut, The Wicked Deep, is atmospheric and intriguing. I can’t wait to read her next book, Winterwood.
Before the Broken Star is available on Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.
