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

A showcase with @MiyaHikari, author of Whisper of Blade

1. What inspired the idea of your story?

Whisper of Blade started out as a world map I drew in the car for fun. It was rainy and windy and far too peopley outside and it was my escape. Since then, it's fleshed out into a book series, but the map is still around and I still look at it for ideas at times.

2. What is something you struggled constructing with your story?

Descriptions are my archnemesis and the bane of my writing. I have a hard time picturing settings, let alone putting them into words. Struggle is a good word though, because I've worked hard at improving and while I may not be the best at always giving enough description, I can look back and say it's better than before!

3. What did you enjoy writing most of your story?

Characters and dialogue are my jam! I've always believed in the saying that readers can love a story with a mediocre plot but stellar characters, but not the other way around. They're the lifeblood of the story and I love all my characters like my children, from my floofy kats, to a certain soldier assassin. Charming princes and intimidating empress mothers alike.

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

Overall, I'd say the response is favorable. I'm taking readers' requests for me to not kill certain characters as a good sign! Like any author though, I receive a mixture of responses. The ones that are lowest on the favorability standings are mostly confused though, so they're helpful in determining what I'll need to clarify in the next draft. Of course, my favorite responses are from my book club friends, from binge-readers, and from readers who aren't fans of fantasy but love the book anyways! It's great to be told that they weren't expecting to like the book, or that even if they don't understand everything, the story is enough to hook them anyway.

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

Whisper of Blade is a piece of a series, specifically the first in a three book set (referred to as Set Crimson) that is one of four parallel sets: Crimson, Azure, Emerald, and Gold. Each one focuses on a different character and I plan to write more novels encompassing all four of them once the individual trilogy sets are complete.

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

Darn, the answer I want to give goes into spoiler territory! The main theme revolves around the question "Do you deserve mercy?", both Minerva's history with it and her struggle involving it. So, I'll have to settle for an answer that betrays less. I want my readers to take away the spirit of a fighter, of someone who doesn't give up. That's who Minerva is at her core, not just a soldier, a fighter, and I hope readers can relate to her. She's not perfect and she makes mistakes; she's even tempted to run away and throw in the towel, but she keeps standing up again. There's a Japanese proverb: Fall down seven times, stand up eight and it's what I'd like for readers to gain from my story.

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

Lol, this is assuming I can focus on my own! Have fun with your writing but don't get too distracted! Personally, I don't work well with deadlines–they create all sorts of pressure and when I take the joy out of writing: It's. So. Dry. And. Boring *cue readers snoring*

Find the perfect balance of structure and fun for you and just enjoy it! Write for the love of it and don't focus too much on what other people say, both positive and negative. Be "neither depressed by failure, nor seduced by applause."

8. Does your main character share any similarities to yourself?

Well ... this is awkward *chuckles* My main character is extremely like me in some ways and not at all like me in others and I hope the distinction keeps her from being a self-insert. I'd say that her personality is just like mine but it's her experiences that are different. It's easy for me to write her, because all I have to do is ask "given what I know of her experiences, how would I react if I were her?" She shares the same mbti/enneagram type as me (ISTJ 6w5) for the reason that it's natural and smooth to write her internal dialogue and I rarely see this type in fiction (some similar characters would be Mikasa Ackermann and Violet Evergarden, both of whom serve as inspiration). She's far more skilled but also more traumatized than I ever would be, but we're both rather skeptical, loyal, ruthless, brains over heart people.

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

The enemies to lovers trope. I'm not immune to its allure and I think having a slice of romance is a huge factor in drawing in new readers, even in fantasy. The romance in my book is definitely a side plot and slow-burn, but it's there. Minerva's main goal is to survive and she doesn't have time for love, but if a certain mysterious prince helps her out with her goal ... well, he might get a little closer to her than she'd wish.

10. Do you have any future projects?

Waaay too many. They're currently in a box marked: Miya, Do Not Touch. I'm planning on finishing this rewrite of Whisper of Blade and polishing it up for the Wattys next year. Afterwards, I may be allowed to work on some other projects namely: Lie to Me Again (Teen Fic/Romance), The Assassin Trials (Sci-Fi/Dystopian) and Read Me Right (Children's Short Story/Fantasy).