They are entirely fictitious, but I think each of them could represent someone everyone knows. The judgmental older sister, the protect-your-family-at-any-cost Father, the anxious nine-teen year old, the socially awkward outcast, and the person constantly struggling to make the right choice. On a side note, I have written another book where my whole family gets involved. Don’t tell them!

Abigail Wilkes – 5 September 2021

The Back Flap

Forbidden children. Forgotten History. A power no one has witnessed in living memory.

In the pyramid city of El-Pelusium, all second-born children are banished to an island of madmen for fear of a power they are rumored to possess.

But Miki isn’t just a Second, she is a Fifth.

Nineteen years of hiding behind false identities and away from the public eye has left her with unmatched anxiety. But when a chance encounter throws her in the path of the new young ruler of the Pyramid who is hunting for answers—and a friend, Miki must dodge the very person with the power to banish her.On top of it all, a madman from the island claims being a fifth-born means something. But listening to him would make Miki as mad as him. Unless he is right. If so, the system Miki’s fragile world is built upon, and her very life, are in the balance.

About the book

What is the book about?

In the world of El-Pelusium, a city built into a pyramid, Miki has spent the 19 years of her life hiding. Her family had 6 children in violation of a one child law. Because of this, she is afraid to embrace her true identity in the face of being banished. Seconds is her journey to uncover who she truly is and learn how she can save other forbidden children from death or banishment. Throw in a few characters who were banished before they can remember, and it’s a cocktail of intrigue and adventure on their hunt for what really happened 300 years ago that started the one child law.

When did you start writing the book?

I wrote the first draft in 2017.

How long did it take you to write it?

The first draft took about 9 months. Once you add in editing time and getting feedback from test readers, it stretched into several years. Since I went the traditional route with this book for publishing, I had to wait another 2 years to find a publisher. It took 4 years from conception to publication.

Where did you get the idea from?

I was listening to some broadcast about China’s one child policy and that struck me. What if there was a fantasy world where that happened? What would drive the government to be so afraid of more children that they would make the law to begin with? What would a character’s life look like if she had lived outside this law?

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

The beginning! I rewrote it at least four times. I finally thought I had nailed it when my editor said nope, we’ve got redo it again. It’s so challenging to make it fast paced and engaging, but also reveal the new world I’ve created without dumping loads of info that takes away from the pacing and story.

What came easily?

The characters! I love good characters with quirks. I was able to expound on several like this, especially the love interest. He has an almost Caribbean accent and I was able to write it into the dialogue. So fun! He also isn’t good with words or with people so it was always interesting to find ways to make this show. He’s hands down my favorite character, and I’ve heard that from many readers as well.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

They are entirely fictitious, but I think each of them could represent someone everyone knows. The judgmental older sister, the protect-your-family-at-any-cost Father, the anxious nine-teen year old, the socially awkward outcast, and the person constantly struggling to make the right choice. On a side note, I have written another book where my whole family gets involved. Don’t tell them!

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

Ted Dekker. If you haven’t heard of him, he writes amazing thrillers and fantasy. He has a way of writing fantasy that cuts you to the core with its truthful messages while keeping the plot enthralling and un-put-downable. I aspire to do the same.

Do you have a target reader?

People who read YA fantasy or any fantasy. People who want to understand identity and what it means. Also, those who enjoy a little bit of clean romance thrown in.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

Do I ever. Wake up at 4:30 a.m. Make earl grey or almond black tea with a dash of cream. No sugar. Work in my office until my two kids 6, and 3, come find me around 6:30 a.m. Some day its straight writing, others its editing, and more recently, marketing Seconds. If I’m lucky, I’ll get a few days a month to sit in my sister’s café and bang out a luxurious 6 hour writing session. Those are so hard to come by when you work and have 2 kids! Never take those moments for granted. I could write for as long as someone gave me time. I also always need dark chocolate when I’m writing, no matter where I am.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I’m a self-proclaimed plotter, all the way! My outlines can be a hundred pages long, with each chapter getting a heading and at least a paragraph, maybe even a page, of what will happen. There are notes on character motivations and background info, as well as the plot details. Seconds worked out so well because the outline was nearly immaculate. I didn’t have to change huge things in the plot to get it to work after the first few drafts. The book I’m working on now I messed up in a big way. The outline was a mess and I’ve had to do huge developmental edits in almost 6 drafts! It’s a nightmare and a huge waste of time.

Always outline. Always. Know exactly what’s happening where and what beats you need to move the plot and theme along. Make sure the big plot picture makes sense!

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

Typically, I minimally edit the bit I wrote the day before when I sit down to work so I can remember what happened last time, as well as give things a first shot at editing. Then I move on to writing. On a good day, this is (hopefully) at least half a chapter, if not the whole thing. When the draft is done, I intensely edit the entire thing. First, I read through it and take pages upon pages of notes of things that need to change. Then I read through again and change them, while catching other mistakes. Then I print it off and mark it up the ol’ fashioned way with a nice red pen. You catch things easier in print! Finally, I have a great program called Pro Writing Aid that catches many, many mistakes and I run it through that last. So at minimum, that’s 4 drafts, not including the final draft after test readers go over it.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I have a small publisher who edited Seconds and it is hands down the best part of working with a publisher! Having that second set of eyes to catch things is invaluable!

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Ohhh yeah! I can’t focus with lyrics, so I stick to movie soundtracks or instrumental. Recently, I’ve discovered the music production company called Two Steps from Hell (Yes, its an odd name, but they create epic scores for movies). Think epic music in Pirates of the Caribbean or LOTR. Its great for fantasy. I need music to block out the real world when I’m working on fake ones.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I did for 4 years and never heard back from any of them. That’s the name of the game in publishing. I did pitch to several agents in person at writer’s conferences and it was nerve wracking. I got better over time and it was a great learning experience. Also, a great way to network.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I was open to any avenue of publishing! I tried for agents or publishers for 4 years and heard nothing. I had joined a writing club on facebook and they had a 12 Days of Christmas virtual event in December 2020. My now publisher gave any member of the club the opportunity to email proposals just to get pointers. So I did. Instead of pointers, I was emailed a contract! Wow! When you’ve been waiting 3 years, you stop hoping for that and I was shocked. My husband did a happy dance.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

Again, my small publisher did it and I really like it! Although, next time, I think I’d love to try my hand at it. There’s just so much you can do these days!

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I have a general plan, but these days, its quite hard. The small publisher doesn’t really do much (they are quite small) so it’s all up to me! Throw in all the competition on social media, and it’s so hard for people to find you. I post almost daily on Instagram and share to facebook as well. I’ve messaged the local news and talked to the local bookstore and library. On top of that, prayer is going to do most of my marketing!

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

Write because you love it! If the other parts of trying to get published stop your love of writing, don’t publish. Just write and enjoy it.

About You

Where did you grow up?

All over. I was born in Muncie, Indiana, but spent time in Knoxville, southern Florida, and Iowa before settling in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Fun Fact: I went to boarding school (in nowhere, Iowa). Loved it. I’m a nerd. I could write a hundred stories just about that.

Where do you live now?

Hot Sulphur Springs, Colorado. Elevation 7,680 feet. Population 716. Its an amazing little mountain town with a western cowboy vibe!

What would you like readers to know about you?

I love stories. I am a nerd, but also a mother. My kids come before my writing, always. Sometimes that’s tough, but that’s motherhood. I stay upright because of Jesus. He is my all and the reason I am so drawn to stories about identity. He is my identity.

What are you working on now?

It’s a fantasy called The 19th Generation. Think Gladiator meets Pocahontas, with a dash of Indiana Jones. I’d love my publisher to pick it up as well as my first duology, The Color of Ash, a fantasy set in an aboriginal Australian-type world about clashing family beliefs in a world where believing the wrong things leads to death.

End of Interview:

For more from Abigail Wilkes visit her website.

Get your copy of Seconds from Amazon US or Amazon UK.