I target those who aren’t afraid of the subgenre dark fantasy. Morally gray characters and things not always going to plan is where I like to settle in.
Haley Anna Marie – 1 November 2023
The Back Flap
In the muddy underworld under criminal control, Yamay, a young and powerful Dharkeri, is surviving the streets she was raised on. When Yamay is forced into the unknown world on the surface with dark forces swirling around her, she has no choice but to adapt and endure. While staggering through torment, waiving her mortality, she discovers the Realm of Darkness holds more secrets than she was led to believe. Can Yamay outrun destiny?
About the book
What is the book about?
Elementas: Yamay is about a young Dharkeri who was born cursed, but survived the god of Death. Another god bared witness to this, and swore to see Death fail again. Unbeknown to Yamay, as she doesn’t believe in the gods, she spends her years defying Death, navigating the cruel Realm of Darkness. Just when she thinks she’s made it, she discovers a portal to the Realm of Light.
When did you start writing the book?
I first wrote Yamay in 2011, then left it for over a year, never telling anyone about it.
How long did it take you to write it?
Although I wrote Yamay rather quickly, it took me eight years, on and off mind you, to edit it.
Where did you get the idea from?
Yamay is the first book in my six-book series. Yamay was the “last” book I wrote, building off the Elementas world I created. In a way, she’s a prequel, but I’m not a huge fan of prequels since you already know what happens.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Action scenes are surprisingly one of the toughest to write. I had to read other books, like The Blade Itself, to get an idea on how to make it flow.
What came easily?
Dialogue and interactions were the easiest for me. I like to think I have a great grasp on social interactions as I was a forensic interviewer.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
My characters are either entirely fictitious or have pieces of me or others. For example, Yamay is my rage. A side character, Loria, has mannerisms of my sister. In no way, however, are they Mary Sues.
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?
No authors have influenced my writing style, per se. Although I have read with the intention of seeing how others do so.
Do you have a target reader?
I target those who aren’t afraid of the subgenre dark fantasy. Morally gray characters and things not always going to plan is where I like to settle in.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
For me to write, I must have dead silence. It’s how I zone in and focus. I follow my outline and go in order. The first draft is to get the basics all out, such as set scene, dialogue, what happens. The next round adds descriptions, then the million other rounds work on flow, redundancy, multiple word usage and the like. It is a tedious process, but one I enjoy.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
My outlines can get extensive to the point of including key dialogues. I know how many chapters there are, who is narrating, what is happening, and what is being said.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
Editing as you go will get me nowhere. I will write until it is finished, then go to the top. I have to get it all out before I can do a deep dive.
Did you hire a professional editor?
I don’t have the funds to hire an editor, but I do have someone who does it for free, and are thoroughly harsh. She truly helps me become a better writer.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Absolutely not. I’ll get way too distracted. I do wish I could though.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I thought about it, but decided against it. Not because I was afraid of rejection, but because I wanted to be in full control of my story.
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 decided to go indie after learning more about the publishing industry. I didn’t like what I was hearing. Researching the indie industry was just as exhausting, but more enticing to me. I am in control.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
I hired an artist to put together my vision. He was so fantastic, I used him for my second book.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I’m winging it, and it isn’t fun. Despite Yamay being out for 4 years, I’m just starting to market. It’s the biggest learning curve.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
Market and promote as soon as possible! Thinking about writing a book? Promote it. Wrote a chapter? Promote it.
About You
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Where do you live now?
I now live in Humboldt County in California. I left the big city for the forest and ocean.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on book three of my series. I’m hoping I can get it out faster than the four year gap between Yamay and War of the Gods.
End of Interview:
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