Beyond The Cover With…
“I hope my readers can see that changing the world takes a group of ordinary, imperfect people coming together to challenge the status quo.”
There’s something especially compelling about stories that take a familiar idea and turn it completely on its head. Marie D.’s fantasy series does just that, exploring a world where emotions are dangerous, vulnerability is something to be feared and the people who are supposed to protect the system slowly begin to question what they have been taught.
With the release of the second book in her series, An Iridescent Light, Marie joins us in the Reading Room to talk about her writing journey, the inspiration behind her emotionally complex fantasy world, the lessons she’s learned as an indie author and why building community can make all the difference.
Let's start at the beginning. What first brought you to writing, and how did your journey eventually lead you to becoming an indie author?
“I've been writing on and off for about 20 years. My first published pieces include articles on mental health, self-development, and introversion. During Covid, I decided to tackle the idea that I've been developing since high school and wrote the first draft during lockdown. I originally went the traditional route and queried several agents, but due to some life changes, I went the indie route instead. The book is the first in a planned fantasy series set in a world where expressing your emotions can be dangerous.”
Your series has now continued with the release of An Iridescent Light. What can you tell readers about where the story goes from here?
“It centers around the fallout and consequences of decisions the major characters made in the first book, Still Water, Skin. The series takes the familiar trope of young adults in a training academy, but the characters are "morally clueless" in that they are learning that what they are training for is to actually oppress the movement fighting for emotional freedom. So the books explore how they unlearn their training and eventually come to learn that strong emotions can be good.”
The idea of emotional repression is such an interesting foundation for a fantasy series. What inspired you to explore that concept?
“The series is inspired by my own struggle with mental health and vulnerability. I wanted to explore how a world of emotional repression would impact people in their day-to-day lives and how they find the courage to be their true selves, connect with others, and change the world for the better.”
Beyond the fantasy and the larger story, what do you hope readers take away from these characters and their journey?
“I hope my readers can see that changing the world takes a group of ordinary, imperfect people coming together to challenge the status quo.”
When you're building a story with a large cast of characters and an entire world, what does your writing process look like?
“I am mainly a plotter, so my drafts and outlines tend to be highly structured. Since my books include a ton of characters, I have to doubly make sure that every scene, chapter, and line contributes to their development in a way that does not waste page space. There's a lot that does not make it in from my outlines, but that's always stuff that can be used for future books or side stories.”
You've experienced both traditional querying and indie publishing. What is one of the biggest lessons you've learned along the way?
“That it's okay if you need to pivot or go back and update older books. Since we're doing most everything on our own and a lot of us learn as we go, there's a lot we may miss the first time. I have updated my first book a couple of times now, and what I have changed will only make future books stronger.”
For someone sitting on their first manuscript and wondering how to take that next step, what advice would you give them?
“Build community. This is one thing I wish I would have done when I was writing my first book, and especially when I decided to indie publish. Figuring out things on my own has been an uphill battle, and I wish I had others to lean on for support, advice, and to commiserate with. So make some friends!”
Let's step away from writing for a moment. What are you currently reading?
“Undrowned by Alexis Pauline Gumbs. It's a creative nonfiction book that provides insights on collective care through the observations of how marine mammals behave. It's a very interesting book that's written through the lens of Black feminism.”
For readers who want to learn more about you and your books, where can they follow along?
“Readers can visit my website at https://maried.space/ and follow me on Instagram at @mariedspace. My books are available on Kindle Unlimited, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and IngramSpark.”
And we'll end with one of our favorite questions: what book would you love to experience again for the very first time?
“Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. It's one of those books that sticks with you long after you've read it. I've grown up a lot since the year I read it, and I wish I could reread it for the first time with my current life experience.”
Beyond the Interview
From writing an idea she's carried since high school to building an entire fantasy series around emotional freedom, Marie D.’s journey is a reminder that stories can come from the questions we carry with us for years.
An Iridescent Light is now available, continuing the story begun in Still Water, Skin and inviting readers to explore what happens when characters begin questioning everything they've been taught.
Thank you to Marie D. for joining us in the Reading Room and sharing a little about her writing journey, her books, and the lessons she's learned along the way.
