Author's Interview with Michele Cedarstaff (ML Wissing as author)

                               

Before we dive into our exciting conversation with today’s remarkable author, let’s start by getting to know the creative mind behind the diverse and captivating stories.

1. Could you please introduce yourself to us?

I am a military veteran who writes to help others heal, as well as someone who loves stories and wants to share them with the world.

2. Congratulations on your book! What inspired you to write it?

Lost in Shadow (a Reign of Shadow novel) is based on a world I created for a D&D game. I wasn't as familiar with the premade settings as my friends were, and I started creating my own. Many characters in the books are based on my friends' characters!

3. What is your book about?

Lost in Shadow follows four characters:

Apollo - a farmboy who leaves his brother behind to seek revenge for the mistreatment and deaths of the people in his village.

Ratsbayne - a drunkard who doesn't remember his past and is trying to silence the voices in his head.

Mykel - a young Shadon Lordson, burdened with the responsibility of his first command over a garrison of soldiers, and the task of bridging the gap between the humans and Shadon in the territory.

Blagdon - a Lord of Hasta'kan ik' Blagdon (House of Blagdon), trying to keep his place near the top of their society.

When Apollo and Mykel misunderstand each other, Blagdon must prepare his Lordson for the consequences and try to ensure that this does not ruin his plans for the future of his Hasta.

4. Why did you choose this genre for your book?

There really was no other genre for this book, since it was created for a D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) game.

5. How long did it take you to complete the book?

It took a good number of years; I didn't take the idea of a book seriously until I moved out of a toxic relationship and was surrounded by a supportive family. Since then, I have worked on getting the ideas down into a book, which quickly grew.

6. What makes your book special?

The story and characters make this book unique. Many people have told me they love a particular character and can't wait to read the next one.

I also put more realism into the book than I've seen in other fantasy books. In fact, my first review I'd ever gotten said that the reader loved that fact.

Struggles like alcoholism, abuse, and PTSD are some of the serious issues in Lost in Shadow. As someone who had struggled with these myself, I felt it was important to show them honestly.

I've read some books where a character is tortured and comes out of the next chapter as if nothing had happened. I know it is fantasy, but I couldn't wrap my head around the thought of it. So, my characters have realistic struggles, doubts, nightmares, and issues with their decisions, and they strive to improve themselves.

7. When can we expect your next book?

I am currently writing book 2, and a novella, as well as planning book 3. I am hoping to have book 2 out before the end of the year, and the novella to be published maybe six months afterward.

8. Did you experience writer’s block while writing? What advice would you give to others who face it?

I take a notebook and pen and go somewhere else to write: a coffee shop, a restaurant, anywhere I can. I take a list of the scenes I want to work on and pick one to write. It may or may not make it into the book, but for me, it often does.

I was getting my car serviced, and during the wait, I wrote the main storyline for one of my characters in book 3, which got me excited to start working on it!

9. Besides being a talented author, what are your other hobbies?

I make book covers, promotional posters, and photo manipulations under the name DJMadameNoir. (I created all my book covers myself!) I have over a thousand art pieces on my deivantart page. (www.deviantart.com/djmademenoir)

I also play Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 under the name DJMadameNoir.

10. Last but not least, how did you feel during this interview?

I felt excited and nervous!

I'm so excited to share my book, my stories with so many people, and it puts a little pressure on me for the upcoming books. I am planning 3-4 in the Reign of Shadow era, and then will do some other eras in the timeline, so there will be more books with different characters and stories, but in the same world.

Book Link