Meet the Author Monday: C.R. Rice

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 C.R. Rice, author of Denial.

About C.R. Rice:

C.R. Rice is a fantasy/sci-fi writer, currently immersing you in the Realm Series. As someone who grew up in a small town, she has always loved escaping into the world of fantasy, paranormal and legend. C.R. has dedicated herself to creating that same opportunity to anyone who wants to escape the boring reality of real life. Through the years, she has traveled to dozens of different states and countries, has lived in North Carolina, Pennsylvania and now Florida! While they all have their own unique treasures, she admits to favoring the sunny southern states over the chilly northern ones, though there is nothing like curling up with a wonderful book by the fire as the snow falls outside the window.

Some of her favorite reads are Terry Pratchett’s Disc World series, The Uglies Series by Scott
Westerfeld, and The Hallow Kingdom by Clare B. Dunkle. When she is not reading or writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband by the pool.

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About Denial

Greed and betrayal divided the Realms, leaving the power to restore them inside a young child that is sent away for protection.

As she grows up her world is normal, safe, that is until she turns eighteen and Silas, a mysterious stranger, arrives claiming to be from another world and demanding she return with him to save both of their worlds.

The more she learns about him and herself the more truth she finds in his stories as a power sparks to life inside her. Struggling between maintaining her normal life and coming to terms with her newfound destiny, Averie fights to stay in control of herself and her new abilities.
With the help of Silas and her adopted brother Thane, Averie strives to gain control of her abilities to take back the Realms from the Betrayer Marcus and another unexpected enemy. With great power, comes great responsibility, and loss.

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Author Interview with C.R. Rice:

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1. What are common traps for aspiring writers?

I think some of the biggest traps for aspiring writers are writing what you think people want to read or thinking that everything has already been written so you lose your drive. When you write what you think people want to read, I feel like authors lose their voice and it becomes almost cookie cutter and dry. Write what you want to write. Write what you are passionate about because that is what people really want to read. Sure the themes may be similar to something else and maybe the story has already been told, but it hasn’t been told by you and everyone adds something special to their writing. Whether you are rewriting Peter Pan or exploring a whole new world. Don’t give up.

2. Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?

While I am writing a large series. I believe that each novella can stand on its own and so can each Realm. But I enjoy weaving in minor details from every story. I love hearing from people that have started with the novellas before going to Denial and they reach out excited because they caught onto one of the Easter Eggs I left behind. 

3. What’s your favorite under-appreciated novel?

The Book of Mordred. It takes a character a lot of people know, especially if you love King Arthur, and it shows three different sides to him. I reread it at least once a year and love it more every time.

4. What is the most difficult part of your artistic process?

The hardest part of my artistic process is getting the world I see in my head out on paper in a way that really shows what I see. Even though I feel like I get close, I haven’t really completely mastered it yet, but I work harder every book to really expand what The Realm is like.

5. How long on average does it take you to write a book?

Depending on the book, it can be anywhere from a few weeks to a couple months. Over the last two years I have released 8. 5 novels and 3 novellas and surprisingly the novels were faster in most cases. For me it comes down to how excited and inspired I am by a particular story. With Depression there were a lot of darker scenes that were difficult to get through so it took longer. Whereas Honorable Darkness went from being a fun short story to a novel because Hex and Snip had so much they wanted to get out and there will probably be a second one for them in the future.

6. When did you first consider yourself a writer?

It’s strange because in a lot of ways I still don’t consider myself to be a writer or an author. I’m not sure if it’s because I have held onto these stories for so long and have always wanted people to experience it, that it is still hard to believe that I finally did it and that the Realm is actually out there for everyone to read. I feel like I have been a part of the Realm for years and still find it amazing that other people are visiting now, too. Every time someone reaches out to tell me their favorite part or the parts that broke their hearts, it is like a reminder that I did this. That I am an author. 

7. Do you find it more challenging to write the first book in a series or to write the subsequent novels?

For me, the first novel was the hardest. I’m not sure if it was the nerves of actually finishing one up or not knowing what people would think of the world that I was creating, but I do know that once Denial was done, the rest have become a lot easier to get down. It was almost like releasing Denail gave me a huge confidence boost to keep pushing out more. That doesn’t mean I don’t get nervous before every release, just that the nerves during writing are a lot easier to control!

8. Do you have any new series planned?

I do! While it will still be a part of The Realm Series, it is a different Realm, so to me, it feels new. I am going to be venturing into the Enigma Realm and bringing more of Snip and Ryan’s adventures. While it will still be in the fantasy genre, it will have a lot of dark noir ties and showcase Ryan’s life as a detective and how he has survived as one of the Original Seven. *Sorry for the spoiler*

9. What famous author do you wish would be your mentor?

If I could choose any author to be my mentor, it would definitely be a toss up between getting the duo of PC and Kristin Cast or Scott Westerfeld. I grew up getting lost in the Ugly series and wanting to be Tally Youngblood. Then on the weekends, diving into The House of Night series and wishing my school and my life were as exciting and purposeful as Zoey’s. 

10. If you could only have one season, what would it be?

Fall. If I was asked every day, I would always say fall. It is the most enchanting time of year. Maybe not the end of fall, but the first two months… that is my ideal time of year. It’s warm during the day but cool at night and the colors are incredible.

To learn more about C.R. Rice, here’s where you can find her:

Website: www.authorcrrice.com 
All social media is @authorcrrice

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