It’s Meet the Author Monday! Each week we meet a new author and get to know a little about them, their writing process, publishing experience, and tips for other writers. Today we’re talking to D.M. Taylor, author of The Reckoning Series.
About D.M. Taylor:
D.M. Taylor is a full-time writer with a constant desire to be at the beach or as close to a combination of: water, sand, and sunshine as she can. You can tell by looking at all of the freckles she has collected as evidence.
If she’s not writing in her tiny cottage by the lake, then it’s not summer. The rest of the year, she’s writing on her couch under blankets near a giant bay window. On the less romantic days of writing, and let’s be real–most of them, her pages come together while waiting in a car for one of her kids–as part of her chauffeur gig.
Her gravitational pull to science fiction, developed throughout her teacher training; where she concentrated on science education. Graduating from Michigan Tech with an Applied Science Master’s Degree jumpstarted her geeky interests. An obsession of time travel pushed through her romantic notions of the world and the easy fear she holds of anything frightening. Together, these elements created a writer of: sci-fi thrillers who sprinkles in a bit of slow burn.
Accruing in her head is a checklist of places to travel, items to accomplish, and book ideas to write.
She regenerates from deep conversation, laughter, and dancing.
About The Reckoning (Book 1):
What if you could see someone you lost, again? Or undo a decision you deeply regret?
Dr. Barrett has discovered time travel. But what she thought would help set the past right for both her sister Ruth and herself, might be the catalyst for their destruction and the downfall of their country.
Betrayed by the one she trusted most, will these sisters survive? Or will they run out of time?
About Endemic (Book 2):
Dr. Taden Barrett is credited for having discovered time travel and, along with a secret government organization, has used it to resolve a terrorist attack.
On the precipice of this victory over The Reckoning, she’s finding a link to the future so as to cease altering the past and jeopardizing the man she loves. But, is she doomed to repeat history?
Ruth Barrett landed the most important account of her career, only, she has to work alongside her sister’s murderer from a re-written timeline. Will he deliver the same deadly fate to her?
Dr. Abel Mihal must carry the memories of previous timelines to prevent our nation from crumbling. To do this, he has to sacrifice the life he dreams of. Can he do it alone?
Facing past life demons and fighting time—to beat a shocking endemic under the rule of a power-hungry dictator—sends each onto their own path of discernment.
Who can be trusted?
And will there be enough time?
About Recoil (Book 3):
SHE CAN GO BACK.
But will she finally see that the only way is forward.
What if all the events she could undo would cost her the best parts of her life?
Author Interview with D.M. Taylor:
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- What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?
The last trip I took with my mom, a few years before she lost her battle with cancer, the two of us traveled to Prince Edward Island, Canada to trace the history of L.M. Montgomery and behold the sights that Anne Shirley would’ve taken in during her time at Green Gables. We stayed near the Lake of Shining Waters in a charming bed and breakfast among other Anne of Green Gable’s fans. Each evening, we’d gather by a fire and share our favorite parts of the stories or what we traveled to see that day.
- What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
I was never a good verbal communicator. As a young person, I was painfully shy and would often stutter, mumble, or speed talk when on the spot. I quickly turned to writing for communicating the most important thoughts I had, and to my surprise, I was vastly more effective that way. By late elementary school, I had won the school’s Young Author’s competition and felt tons of confidence about how I could use my words to convey my mind.
- How long on average does it take you to write a book?
It takes me about 3 months of consistent daily writing to write a first draft of my book. Then, the painful, never-ending, stages of editing take center stage. The longest I’ve spent editing was on my newest release, Recoil. I have spent about a year in edits; from self-edits to content edits to line edits.
- Have any of your books been made into audiobooks?
If so, what are the challenges in producing an audiobook? The first two books in The Reckoning Series are available on audio. The third will be relased this fall. The challenges of producing an audio book start with find a voice actor that fits your main character. Once I listened to Jillian Yetter perform a book I had downloaded, I instantly knew I needed her to be the Barrett sisters in my novel. After that, the process was like any new learning experience.
- Which of your books were the most enjoyable to write?
I enjoyed writing the second book the most. I had gained some confidence after releasing the first and I was in tune with the story I wanted to tell. The final book, while fun to write, was a bit more challenging as I knew it was the end of the series and I felt the responsibility of wrapping every plot point up in a satisfying way.
- Have any of your books been made into audiobooks?
If so, what are the challenges in producing an audiobook? The first two books in The Reckoning Series are available on audio. The third will be relased this fall. The challenges of producing an audio book start with find a voice actor that fits your main character. Once I listened to Jillian Yetter perform a book I had downloaded, I instantly knew I needed her to be the Barrett sisters in my novel. After that, the process was like any new learning experience.
- Do you have any new series planned?
I do! My next series is going to be a seven book series. Think a female Indiana Jones meets the world of Dr. Who. She discovers there’s more to the ancient wonders of the world than meets the eye. Will she be able to solve these ancient mysteries and rescue humanity from its deadly fate?
To learn more about D.M. Taylor, here’s where you can find her:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authordmtaylor
Instagram: @authordmtaylor
TikTok: @authordmtaylor
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