1. What was your initial inspiration for The Chronicle of the Three series?

At this point I’m not really sure anymore. Was it a dream or hallucination? I’m gonna go with dream because that sounds less crazy. I got this image of the book first, the book, The Chronicle. I started imagining what it was and who it was for and that’s how I discovered Claire and Zoe. Once they had introduced themselves the rest just clicked together. But it all started with a dream about a magical book.

2. If you had to pick a favorite part of Armor-Bearer that you wrote, what would it be?

Oh, man…that’s a tough one. Armor-Bearer is probably my favorite of the trilogy so you’re asking me to pick the favorite part of my favorite. I would say that Claire’s nightmare reliving of Alex’s death would probably be it. It was emotional on a different scale than anything else had been, at least I think so. I cried with her and screamed with her. It was a satisfying scene as a writer. It felt like I really had stepped up my game.

3. Where there any parts of Armor-Bearer that you found difficult to write? (Character-wise, plot progression, etc.)

Armor-Bearer flowed pretty smoothly. (Ask me about book three when it comes out and you’ll get a different story. That one has been killer to get on paper.) I would say the ending was difficult. I had known from the very beginning what would happen but didn’t have all the moving parts together so mechanically it took a lot to make sure it played out well. I also hadn’t intended to love that character as much as I did. It was hard to watch it all happen. (If you’ve read it you know who I’m talking about and if not, you’ll just have to read it because I can’t do spoilers. Sorry.)

4. If you could pick one character that you would say you related to the most, who would it be?

Claire, hands down. I feel like more of myself comes out of her. I always joke that I want to be Claire but in a lot of ways Claire is me. I just need her awesome sword skills.

5. What are five words you would use to describe Armor-Bearer to someone who had never heard of the book/TCo3 series?

Supernatural. Sass. Demon-slayers. Family. Faith. (And pie, which I know makes 6 but I have to add pie.)

6. What is one thing you hope that readers take away/learn from Armor-Bearer?

With all of the TCO3 Trilogy I want them to see that they have purpose and they are never alone in walking it out. I also want them to know that individually, and collectively,  we can be stronger than the darkness. We are stronger than we think and feel.

7. Do you have any quirky or unique writing habits?

Sometimes I speak the dialogue out loud. Sometimes I act out the fight scenes. Sometimes I make the faces I think the character is making. All are in an effort to make it feel more real…and because it’s fun. (For a funny glimpse into my life as an author you can check out my Youtube channel, specifically the sarcasm tag. https://youtu.be/gL9THB8MspQ)

8. How would you describe a "normal" day of writing for you?

I get up and get my kids to school. Then I make myself chocolate chip waffles and coffee. Once the coffee starts to do it’s work and gets my brain to start functioning I sit down and write. I usually have one day that is all marketing based. I get social media scheduled, blog posts written, agonize over Amazon rankings. I have one day that is also ministry based. That’s when I do church/pastoral work, sermon prep, youth ministry to-do lists, etc. The other three days I try to get a few thousand words in and I’m happy if I get a whole chapter complete in a week. Once my kiddos get home and on weekends its all about family time so little writing gets done then unless I’m on an editing deadline. (Okay, that was more of what a week looks like rather than a day, but my individual days are pretty boring. Unless I’m acting out one of those fight scenes. Then I’m sure it’s hilarious.)

9. What is one piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?

I always like to start by saying don’t give up. If you have a story in you then keep working at getting it out. But lately, as I am learning more about this gig myself, I have to add, do your homework. There is more to writing, then, well, writing. So learn about the marketing and publishing side of things. It will help you later, promise.

10. Is there anything you can share with us about the future of the series?

I am writing book three now and it has been tough. Obviously, it picks up where Armor-Bearer left off so everyone is struggling with, let’s just say, things. They realize their enemy has dug his claws into them deeper than they had thought. Some new faces arrive. Ugh, I want to tell you everything but I can’t. I’ll leave it there before I give something away. This will be the last book so, hopefully, everything comes to a satisfying end. Then maybe I’ll write a prequel all about Claire. ;)

Hello readers! Today I have a very special post for you all. I had the privilege of interviewing the author of True Born, a YA sci-fi/fantasy novel releasing today, May 3rd, 2016. This was such a wonderful experience and I am so excited to share this with you!

Please join me in welcoming the wonderful L.E. Sterling!

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

Hi, everyone, and thanks for having me here. I’m L.E. Sterling, author of the upcoming True Born Trilogy. True Born (Book 1) is being released on May 3rd. It’s a YA sci-fi romantic dystopia novel, but I’m gathering from readers that it’s very different from other sci-fi dystopia – there’s a very large element of fantasy in the novel that makes it kind of unique.  I’m also the author of two other YA novels: The Originals (under my original pen name, L.E. Vollick and Pluto’s Gate. 
What else can I tell you? I’m a Canadian. Growing up, my family’s religion was Star Trek. I earned a PhD and my thesis was on magic (that was fun).

2. What are some of your goals for the future? 

Goals… What an interesting question. My first goal is to write the best darned trilogy I can, and really deliver an amazing series to readers. After that, well, it would be great if eventually I could write books full-time instead of full-time on top of my full-time job!

3. What are some things you do to help relieve writers block?

I don’t really believe in writer’s block. If I’m stuck it’s for a good reason, so I sit long enough to understand what the problem is. Typically I’ll just keep writing and then maybe go back and rewrite, or make notes until I understand what the book is trying to tell me.

4. If you weren't a writer, what do you see yourself doing? 

I honestly can’t see myself being anything else. At my “day job” (because even having published three novels, I don’t make enough to support myself by writing books) I’m also a writer. I write stories about amazing advances in science, biomedical engineering, and medicine. It’s a great job - and obviously really inspired True Born!

5. Do you have any unique/quirky writing habits? 

Hmm. I think the quirkiest thing about my writing habits is that I can’t stand having dry hands. I always need some moisturizer nearby or I get distracted.

6. What does a "normal" day of writing consist of for you? 

Ha! Define “normal”. I get up at around 5 and write in a journal for a bit, then hunker down to the book. Sometimes I don’t get a lot done, but on average I can write between 2 and 4 pages. And then I have to go to my day job!

7. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers? 

Work at it! The thing about writing is that it’s a business. You’ve got to apprentice to the craft, learn to write and edit and think through the problems of writing. But then you’ve got the “business” side that you also need to learn. And it takes (well, for most of us) a long time to get really good, so don’t get discouraged!

8. How did the idea of True Born come to you? 

I was going to write another set of novels set in Dominion, centering around Serena and Carl and Storm. I wrote True Born as the backstory for those novels, just sort of exploring the world and this story emerged – and then it took off!

9. What was your favourite part of True Born to write?

I loved writing the action scenes! I’ve always wanted to write a good action scene, and in True Born I think I’d got a couple of interesting ones down.

10. What was the hardest part of writing True Born?

I think the hardest part was building the tensions properly between Jared and Lucy. I’m always afraid of tipping my hand and making things heavy handed, but I think if anything I’m guilty of the opposite! What I think is already clear is “subtle” and “simmering” for the readers.

11. If you were True Born, what animal features would you have?

Hmm. Great question. I actually had a conversation about this with a friend not so long ago. I think I’d have some characteristics of a fox. They’re clever, swift, like to run, but skittish!

12. Which character do you think you would get along with the most? 

I think Nolan Storm and I would be BFFs. At least, I hope we would! I know he doesn't seem the type to make friends easily, but I really think he’s cool. I also think I’d like him to buy me dinner, because I bet he’d take me to the very best restaurants!

13. Is there any insight you can give into the future of the True Born series?

The second book, True North, will be coming out in April 2017! I’m really excited about this one - I think it’s going to be a great read. I’m still hard at work on the third novel and I think the most I can say is…well, you’ll have to read it to believe it!

Thanks so much for the interview! I’d love to hear from readers, so please get in touch!