Introduce yourself; who are you and what types of books do you write?
Hello. My name is Danielle. I’m an avid bookworm and writer. I love the outdoors, leisurely hiking, I love to cook, and love trivia and board games. As of now, I write dark fantasy. I love just about every genre, but I especially love the escapism of a good fantasy. I haven’t ruled out dabbling in other genres someday though.
What are your books about?
Well, my dark fantasy series, “The Red of Blood and Roses,” is about this wild, fantastical world long lost and forgotten by humans. There, an unstoppable evil threatens to end all life. Two humans, with no magical abilities or knowledge of this world, get unwillingly thrust into it, and are forced to navigate its many dangers as they try to understand why they are there and the part they must play. It’s a story full of danger, darkness, adventure, friendship, and bravery.
What was the inspiration behind writing your first book?
What inspired my first series was actually a reoccurring nightmare I had, on and off, for a few years. Yes, I know it’s a little creepy, but it’s the truth. I sat down one day and used aspects of the scary dream as writing prompts. But I found these little short stories and prompts began to grow and evolve and weave into one another. I realized I suddenly had a full-blown story on my hands, and I very quickly became enthralled with it. It became something I fell in love with and couldn’t stop writing about.
What did you learn while writing your second book?
I think, by your second book, you learn to be a little more patient with yourself and your work. When you’re a new writer, I think the concept of story writing all seems so shiny and magical. And parts of it most definitely are, but a lot of it is also chaotic and challenging and can even be a little disheartening too. Publishing a book is a whole lengthy process. It’s a lot of hard work and you’re bound to get some bruises along the way. I think I’ve learned to show myself a little more grace and a little more love.
What is the most rewarding part of being an author?
For me, it’s engagement with my readers. It makes my day to hear that someone loved my story or even just wants to ask me questions about it. For me, books have always been a constant. They’ve been a source of comfort in my life when other aspects weren’t so comfortable. And that is all I want my own books to be for others. I want them to be an adventure, a comfort, and a safe space for all those who seek it. Just knowing my stories brought someone happiness or comfort makes my heart so incredibly happy.
What elements do you think make for a good story?
-Good description. I want my readers to be able to see and feel everything going on. I don’t want to just say, “it was cold outside.” That’s not enough. I want my readers to see their breath on the air, hear the crunch of snow beneath their shoes, and feel the sting in their eyes as an icy breeze blows past. Good description is so important in any story.
-Also, morally gray characters. I have always found these types of characters to be quite fascinating. I love when you don’t quite know whether or not they are good or bad…maybe they’re both. The complexity of their characters always adds an interesting element to a story.
-Lastly, a good plot twist or cliffhanger. I think a story would be a bit bland if it didn’t leave you surprised or leave you wanting more.
What is the hardest part of being an author for you?
For me, it’s definitely been marketing. I think this is a very common challenge for every writer who is self-published. I know I’ve written something great. I know my books are incredible. It’s trying to find clever ways of being heard and seen over the thousands of other writers who are also doing the same thing. How can you stand out when you’re essentially standing in the same room with other writers who are all shouting and fighting to be seen as well? It’s a difficult aspect to navigate, and it takes time and a lot of hard work.
What is your current writing project?
My current writing project is wrapping up the final novel in my series. It’s very bittersweet for me. Part of me doesn’t want it to end because I have fallen so much in love with it. It’s been such a beautiful adventure and I want it to stick around forever. But, on the other hand, I’m looking forward to starting a new adventure too. I’m excited to see where my writing journey will take me next.
What is the best writing advice you’ve ever received?
Write what makes your heart happy. Don’t get me wrong, I think a skilled writer can create a masterpiece out of any subject. But if your heart is really in it and you’re excited about it, you’re passionate about it, that energy really shines through and you can see it in your work.
Where can readers discover more about you and your books?
The best place to go would be www.AuthorDanielleHall.com. All of my novels are listed there, you can learn a little more about me if you want to, and there is also some cute and fun stuff you can check out on there as well. You can also connect with me on either Twitter or Instagram. My handles on both platforms are @InkAndJade.