Meet The Authors Showcase Edition #3 (3 of 3)

A showcase with @blueverymuffin, author of When Stars and the flowers fall

1 what inspired the idea of your story?

 I go to a Saturday Japanese school, and in the textbook was a short story by Mikie Ando (I touched on this in the prologue and description of my story). The first part of my story is almost a direct translation of the story, but I wanted to see how far I could take the journey of the characters (whom I've edited heavily, some are cut out, new characters are added, names are changed, etc) and it kind of became this fully-fledged story idea. So a lot of credit to the original story (I basically took the title from it too - it's called 星の花が降るころに which literally translates as When the Star Flowers Fall - so basically the exact same), but the events and plot is completely original from chapter 8 (). 

2 what is something you struggled constructing with your story?

 Definitely something i struggle with is pacing. I've just finished writing a series of chapters that are literally all about 1 day and it takes ages, so I think I focus too much on detail and sometimes the reader could do with a bigger picture focus, so yeah - definitely something I need to work on. I'm also trying to plan out the story a bit more because I don't want to be writing a contradictory or unsatisfactory plotline with plot-holes everywhere because I know, as a reader, how frustrating that is. I'm trying!

3 what did you enjoy writing most of your story?

 What did I enjoy? Well, it's a work in progress but I think definitely building up the characters. Is this what it feels like to be a parent? Cos you're watching these people you've made grow and change and become their own person and it's really hard but so rewarding at the same time - wow do I sound cliché but yh. I love the dynamic between Sumire and Kasaoka, the two leads of my story - the way they're often squaring off against each other and keeping secrets from each other and from themselves and argh just the sort of tension that I'm trying to show :)

4 what's the overall response of your story from your readers?

I've been really lucky because so far the responses from readers have been overwhelmingly positive and it's been such a boost to my motivation. I've asked a lot of people for constructive feedback I can use and I received some great advice from @AdmirableNature which I'm going to try and take on board. Readers seem to love the imagery I create which is really lovely and I'm going to try and incorporate more of that where I can - that being said, I hope people are into the plot as well!

5 is your story a stand alone novel or a piece of a series ?

 I think it's going to be a standalone. If it's going to be a series, it would definitely focus on probably the side characters in this story because I'm planning to resolve the plot for the main characters Sumire and Kasaoka in this one story alone. It depends on how well I can develop the people around them and how well the readers respond to any chemistry and potential they have - so the short answer is, yes a standalone but i haven't completely ruled out a sequel. 

6 what would you like your readers to take away from your story?

 I think the main message of my story is about how important it is to be true to yourself. And I've become all cheesy and cliché again, but I don't mean it in the "believe in yourself" and "be yourself" kind of way - I mean to say that the most harmful thing you can do is to lie to yourself, delude yourself and be unable to face your own problems. The reader will see Sumire, the protagonist, struggle with her past and her insecurities and she learns that the only way to solve these problems is to acknowledge them, admit them and face them with an open mind. Saying that, I know I'm usually really bad at taking my own advice and I think it's something that I can learn from myself. 

7 what advice would you provide to fellow writers, when it comes to focusing on their own story?

My best advice is - cliché as it is - don't give up. When there are no readers, when you're busy and you don't think you're going to be able to publish on schedule, when you're not getting votes and you're stuck with writer's block, just keep going. I went through all of that but now I'm really lucky to have made great friends who help me get through my bumps and slumps and now writing is no longer a chore, but something that is a welcome breather in my busy schedule. don't forget to enjoy writing, that's the key, i think :)

8 does your main character share any similarities to yourself?

 Ohhhh yes. Stubborn as an ass? Hell yeah. Dealing with friendship issues? Yep. Married to food? All the way. That being said, there are some major differences too. Sumire finds it hard to open up to her friends, while I know my life literally depends on them. She also has a traumatic past that I'm very lucky I do not have. She's quite a rational and proactive person, while I'm the laziest procrastinator you'll see. However, I think everyone will be able to relate to her and the way she navigates the world. 

9 what is something about your story you believe would draw in new readers?

 I think the rawness of my characters. They're real people. (Not really, but they feel like it - especially when they come up in my dreams and asks me why I haven't finished that chapter). I'm trying very hard to steer them away from clichés and stereotypes and there's something painfully realistic about their struggles that I think readers will understand because it's something that resonates with them. This isn't some fairytale, it's about human life, human relationships, human flaws. There are ugly bits about all my characters I think (well, one of them is such an angel I'm struggling to add dark bits to him) and it can be frustrating to see their mistakes but also so freaking relatable. So yeah. The realism. The struggles. The flaws. I'm trying not to be cliché here :)

10 do you have any future projects?

Gahhhh yes. SO many. I have so many story ideas in my head I probably should jot them down before I forget them but yes. I've got a draft in Wattpad that will probably never get published and I've got a bazillion other ideas. I've got a fanfic idea, a dystopian idea, I just can't keep track of 'em. I never seem to have enough time but I'll think about my next steps once I (if I can) finished When the Stars and Flowers Fall because right now, my head is busy with this one. Hopefully people can give me tips on what I can do next :)