This time it’s my friend and mentee Tasha with her very own brand-new blog. She was kind enough to join me for an interview today, so let’s jump right in!
Natasha Joy is a 17 year old fantasy and dystopian writer with a passion for creating stories that are inspired by and bring glory to Yahweh. In her spare time, you can find Tasha reading, going for walks, experimenting with photography, and memorizing scripture for Bible quizzing. She loves the beauty of nature…from ladybugs to towering pine trees. Keep in touch with her and learn more about her writing at her blog joyfullynatasha.com and her Instagram @natashajoywriter.
introduce yourself–who is Tasha?
I’m a bookworm, coffee addict, photographer, introverted writer, and most importantly a Christian. I’m the second oldest of eight kids and spend a lot of my time procrastinating school, writing, photography, and everything else I love XP. You can usually find me taking walks or rereading my favourite books which include anything written by Sara Ella and Nadine Brandes as well as The Hunger Games, Vivid by Ashley Bustamante, and The Reflections by EK Seaver.
how long have you been writing? what do you usually write?
I’ve been writing since I was really little but I’ve only been writing seriously for about 2-3 years. I primarily write fantasy and fairytale retellings!
what’s your blog’s name? what is its mission statement?
My blog’s name is Joyfully Natasha. I never even thought about my mission statement before so this is gonna be rough XP. My goal is to have a blog that can be an encouragement to other creatives and Christians and give them a site they know they can read without worrying about inappropriate content. I want to serve my readers in everything I post, but most of all I want to bring glory to Yahweh.
what can your audience expect from Joyfully Natasha?
They can expect one post a week on writing, photography, Christian living, or anything else I want to post.
what motivation or inspiration was behind starting this blog?
There were a couple things. First, I missed blogging. I’d been blogging for the past three years and I realized I didn’t want to stop. Second, as a writer, it’s important for me to have a growing platform. I guess my motivation would just kinda be what I said…my love of blogging and the need of a growing platform XP
how are you feeling about your new blog?
I’m really excited to start blogging but nervous that life is gonna get crazy and I’m not going to have time to post lol.
how can your audience best support Joyfully Natasha?
Well, there’s the obvious way of subscribing but then also commenting on posts. I’m not always the best at this but if you’re a blogger, you know there’s no better feeling than getting to interact with your followers in the comment section 🙂
Hello, everybody, and welcome back to Quote, Unquote!
Some of you may already know of a fellow blogger named Mia. I’ve hosted her a few times here on Quote, Unquote. She’s one of my dearest friends in the whole world and she blogs over at Windows–but that’s not all!
Yesterday she launched a brand new blog, poetically named i feel like a fairy. And she asked me to help spread the word, so I’m here today with her (well, in spirit. She lives a long way away).
I would give you a little overview of what this is all about, but that’s what this interview is for, so I’ll just jump right in!
for readers who may not know, who are you?
I’m Mia, a teenaged writer, songwriter, actress, and musician with a passion for storytelling. I love coming up with stories for every little thing in my life, whether that be the bumblebee buzzing around the back door or the guy wearing pajama pants in the Walmart parking lot. Everything has a story if you know where to look.
what can your audience expect from i feel like a fairy? what is its mission statement?
My goal with this blog is to help others slow down and find joy in the smallest of places. Too often, we are caught up in the busy nature of life and it’s easy to get bogged down by stress and responsibilities. In my experience, just taking a moment to stop and smell the roses works wonders on my outlook on life. I hope to help others find their joy as well.
why did you start this blog? what was the motivation behind wanting a new blog?
As I stated above, I started this blog to help others find joy in the little things. But I also started it as a way to grow my platform and make new friends. Having a decent platform is an important part of starting something new, so if I ever decide to publish a book or write and perform a musical, it will be helpful to have a platform to bounce off of. But I mostly started this blog to reach people. The world is a dark place, but if I can help just one person find a spark of light, it’s all worth it.
how does i feel like a fairy differ from your existing blog, Windows?
I typically refer to Windows as my “chaos blog” — because that’s what it is. Windows is a place for me to spew words into a blog post and maybe make a few people laugh in the process. i feel like a fairy is more structured — I have a set posting schedule, whereas on Windows, I just post whenever; I have a specific niche, whereas Windows is a place for me to write about whatever strikes my fancy; and the biggest difference is that I have an email list for [i feel like a fairy], whereas for Windows, I have nothing of the sort, nor do I plan to start one. Windows was never intended to be a serious blog, but I still love it because it’s a place for me to set goals, scream about randomness, and connect with other chaotic bloggers.
what does the future of Windows look like, now that you have started i feel like a fairy?
I still plan to post on Windows! I’ll definitely keep doing my monthly recaps and mail art posts because I love writing those and seeing how I’ve improved. I’ll also post anything else I feel like posting. I doubt my posting schedule will become more regular, but any Windows readers can expect to see at least one post per month. . . . which is basically what my posting schedule has been anyway. So there won’t be too many changes!
what did the process of starting this blog look like? how long did it take you to go from an idea to launch?
It started as most things, just an inkling of something that I wanted to do. I became attached to the idea of starting a new blog and an email list, and I started brainstorming ideas. It didn’t take long for me to settle on the name, i feel like a fairy, and nail down a niche. I asked several of my friends what they thought of the name and the niche and I got a lot of positive support, plus a bit of constructive criticism.
I set a launch date and set about on designing the blog. I spent forever choosing a theme, picking a color scheme, and figuring out what kind of vibe I wanted to convey. I spent more than an hour designing my logo! But all that time was well-spent, because now I have a product that I’m super proud of.
From conception to finished product, I’d say it took me about two weeks, including the time I spent organizing the blog tour. So, not too terrible.
what kind of readers will appreciate your blog the most?
I write primarily about books and music, specifically books and music that fit certain themes or has certain vibes. Any and all bookish and musical people are welcome!
what do you hope to gain from this blog, and what do you hope your audience gains?
I want this blog to be an outlet for me. A place to write about the things that make me happy. A place to look back on when I’m feeling down and see how many wonderful things I have in my life. As for my audience, I hope they learn to see the beauty in their own lives, too. Sometimes optimism can be a hard thing to hold onto, but the more you practice, the easier it is, at least for me. Life is a gift.
what is your vision for this blog? where do you hope to see it in the future?
My dream is to reach 300 email list subscribers. . . . after that, I’m not really sure. But numbers aren’t what’s important. If I can make a difference in one person’s life, it’s all worth it. All the time I spent designing the site, all the time I’ve spent and will spend writing posts, it’s all worth it if I help one struggling person see the beauty in the world around them.
final thoughts
I am so excited for Mia’s new blog, and I hope you are too now! If you didn’t catch the link above, here’s a button you can’t possibly miss:
If this sounds like something you’re interested in, please go check it out! I know Mia will appreciate your support.
Thank you to Mia for this interview and for this new little spark of light on the Internet. And thank you all so much for reading, and I’ll see you next Wednesday!
Hello, everybody, and welcome back to Quote, Unquote!
This week I have a special interview from Kayla Wong. I met Kayla on the Young Writer’s Workshop when she was looking for interviews with other young writers. I love to talk about myself, so of course I jumped at the chance.
In this interview, Kayla will share about time management, overcoming hard seasons, and following Jesus and His call for your writing. Take it away, Kayla!
Kayla Naomi Wong is an author and has been writing ever since she can remember. A lover of words, Kayla writes fantasy, sci-fi, and occasionally historical fiction. Her favorite genre to read is fantasy. In her books, you can expect to find adventure and battle, controversy and courage, heartbreak and triumph. To find out more about her life and WIPs, visit www.knwbooks.com.
when did you start writing?
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember. I’ve always loved stories and books, but I was 12 when I actually realized writing was something I wanted to pursue seriously.
why do you love writing?
I love creating worlds and characters. I love “experiencing” things through the lens of another (imaginary) person. Writing for me used to be an escape from reality, but now it is something I love using for God’s glory. He has given me this gift, and I am so excited to be able to use it for him. Life is an adventure. I can’t wait to see what my heavenly father has in store for me!
what’s your biggest writing struggle?
Man! There are so many things I struggle with. If I had to pick one, I guess the biggest thing is being overwhelmed and fearing I won’t do what I do well enough. I tend to overthink things. Thus, it is easy for me to get too far into my head and pick at everything in my writing. I see the mistakes and zoom in on them, too afraid to move on because it’s “not good enough.”
describe a time when you encountered a particularly difficult writing season. how did you overcome it?
This goes back to the previous question. At one point, I’d given up on writing. I thought I’d never be able to get good enough to publish professionally, and I had no idea what to write or in which direction I was headed. God is the one who really brought me out of this season. He used it to teach me my purpose in writing. After that, however, he planted an idea in my head, and that idea slowly developed into the series I am currently working on. I will talk more about this in an upcoming post on my blog. It’s actually a miraculous story.
how do your characters reflect you?
My characters either reflect the struggles I have recently faced or am currently facing. I think I use writing to process my emotions and thoughts, and I do this through my characters. I actually based the main character in my trilogy off of me. On the other hand, side characters may reflect things I’ve seen others face.
what’s something big you’ve learned from being a writer?
Time management, productivity, empathy, energy management…where do I even begin? I can’t pick one exact thing, so I’m going to sum it up. Writing has made me a better person. It has taught me how to deal with others in kindness and love, how to be a hard worker who can work independently and finish things on deadlines, and in general, it has taught me a lot about who I am as a person. God has used writing so much in my life. I don’t know who I’d be without it.
how do you manage your time as a writer?
Time is a precious resource. I think my biggest help is scheduling. That way, I can do things even when I don’t immediately feel like doing it. I schedule things somewhere around the beginning of the week, and then whatever is on my list, I force myself to do. Sometimes I may not feel like doing something on my schedule, but if it’s there, I need to complete it before erasing it from my tasks. Also, it helps me schedule things in a way that I am not being burned out every day. I combine tasks based on their mental energy consumptions.
what is one thing you want to tell other young writers?
Keep writing. If you follow Jesus, and you think this is what he wants you to do, keep going and don’t give up. It will be difficult. It may even feel impossible half the time, but don’t let that put you down. If God has given you a gift, go ahead and use it for his glory. Remember that it is his opinion that ultimately matters. If it seems like your writing is terrible, take advice from others with a pinch of salt, and know that your best is your best. Strive to honor God, and he will bring results.
As Kayla said while we were exchanging emails, that’s a wrap! I hope you enjoyed her answers, and I really hope you go check out her website, knwbooks.com.
Speaking of her website, Kayla interviewed me as well! Her interview of me is up right now on her website, so if you weren’t already motivated to read her posts, now you are, because…I asked you to. So you have to.
That’s all for now. Thank you for reading, and I’ll see you next Wednesday!
Hello, everybody, and welcome back to Quote, Unquote!
Today I have the pleasure to be interviewing E. C. Colton, one of my dearest writer friends, who is publishing her novella Shards of Sky. Before we hop right into the interview, though, here’s a little bit about the book:
Will hope prove itself worth fighting for?
Nestled within the mountains of Colorado, life is anything but perfect for two children and their negligent aunt. Yet it becomes even more of a disaster when a mysterious accident leaves Aryon mute and Jenn terrified for their futures. Battling her own sorrow, bitterness, and distant memories, Jenn journeys through the mountains of Colorado in search of their father, who may only be as real as a wisp of mist. The biggest things standing in her way are the miles of seemingly endless forest, her shattered memories, and a mysterious woman trailing her.
As she journeys on, Jenn is forced to confront her past. Has time changed her memories? What will it take to be strong and unhindered by the darkness around her? And does this woman hold the key to her past—her real past?
But no matter where Jenn goes, a shard of sky shines bright overhead as a distant reminder of the hope she’s fighting to hold onto—and the person she could become.
Heart-wrenching and emotionally moving, this story delivers a powerful message of courage and the wonder of hope.
And the author:
E. C. Colton is a Christian, entrepreneur, cat mom, and author of A Change of Heart. She strives to write stories that illustrate deep truths through realistic characters. When she’s not writing, you’ll find her drawing, designing graphics, and scribbling away in a vintage notebook with a cup of tea.
Now, on to the questions!
What inspired you to write Shards of Sky?
Shards of Sky was inspired by a story idea I had of two siblings and an accident that left one of them mute. I felt like a lot of YA fiction nowadays didn’t really explore sibling relationships and family dynamics, so I really wanted this story to capture that. I also loved the idea of using the mountains and forests of Colorado as a setting. Beyond those few pieces, I wasn’t really sure where I was going, but I sat down to write the first chapter and decided to run with the idea. And honestly, I’m so glad I did.
What was one of the hardest or most frustrating parts about writing this book?
I’m not really sure…maybe getting Jenn’s thoughts down clearly? She’s such a complex character, so it was really hard for me to pinpoint how much of her thoughts were too much. I also had to be careful of how I was conveying her, because I wanted her to seem physically weak and honest about how hard life was—but at the same time, be strong in picking herself back up again and again, so readers would root for her.
That said, what was the best part?
Writing the ending. I seriously made myself very emotional over that bit. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I unconsciously echoed the beginning in the book’s ending, but flipped everything on its head. It was probably one of my favorite scenes I’ve ever written.
What helped you the most while you were writing?
Reader support, definitely. While I was writing Shards of Sky, I started sharing snippets to a few readers, and their encouragement (and love of the story) helped me on those days when writing didn’t even feel worth it.
What’s one thing that surprised you about Shards of Sky?
Interesting question. I’d say how much I delved into Jenn’s head, so to speak, and how her journey affected the story. When I first started writing Shards of Sky, I wanted it to be in Aryon’s point of view, especially when he went mute. But over time, I started developing Jenn more, and I realized her personal struggles would influence the storyline so much more than Aryon’s would. So she became the main character.
Who’s your favourite character? How do you relate to them?
Jenn. She’s my favorite character because she’s so real to me, in a way. I can relate to a lot of what she struggles with—dealing with things alone, trying to be strong, and holding onto hope even when it doesn’t seem realistic to do so. I also have a similar relationship with my younger brother as she does.
Now that your book is almost published, how do you feel?
Oh, I honestly don’t know. It’s all still a surreal blur for me. I remember that day I received my first proof copy of Shards of Sky in the mail—and how I was just stunned for a long time afterward. It was strange, though, because apparently after all this work on Shards of Sky, I never imagined it would become a real, physical book.
What next steps do you think you’ll take? Are you planning a sequel?
I actually made a half-serious list of what I was going to do after Shards of Sky was published. First of all, I never want to do this again—at least for a very, very long while. I’d definitely work on marketing, then building my platform, and perhaps start drafting a sci-fi/dystopian novel. And at this point in time, I can safely say I’ve considered a sequel, but I don’t plan on writing it or getting it published, unfortunately. At this point, I don’t feel like a sequel is necessary.
Finally, what advice would you give to an aspiring young author?
Write the story you want to read, one with a message that matters to God and you. Be aware of the areas you need to work on, and be honest with yourself, because that’s the only way you’ll improve and move forward with your writing. And trust me, a lot of writing is hinged on growth—growth as a writer, and growth as a person.
I don’t know about you, but I’m super excited to read Shards of Sky now! It launches on April 18, but if you’re too impatient to wait until then or you want some awesome preorder goodies, you can preorder the ebook here. And if you submit your receipt here, you can get some pretty cool downloadable content! It does expire on the 18th, so you’ve got a little bit of time to grab them before launch day.
Thank you so much for reading, and I hope you enjoyed! If you’d like to catch the rest of the blog tour, you can follow along at the blogs listed below.
Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Quote, Unquote!
Today I’m interviewing Mia Harden from Windows. This post isn’t for any particular reason, hence the title, but Mia and I talk often and we thought it would be fun to do a post swap sort of thing. She’ll be interviewing me on her blog on Friday, so I would encourage you to check out her blog–you don’t want to miss that!
Without further ado…on to the questions.
1. What song do you think most embodies you?
We’re starting out with a hard one, I see.
I think of a lot of songs as my theme song. Recently, I named “Hiding in Your Hands,” a deleted song from the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen, as my theme song. I was kind of depressed, and the song just fit my situation. Now, I would say that “Sixteen” by Jamie Grace, “Enemy” by Newsboys, and “You Lead” by Jamie Grace are my theme songs now. Along with various other songs.
2. Who is your lifetime role model? Why?
I’ve met plenty of wonderful people in my life and looked up to a ton of people that I have no personal relations with. I have plenty of interests, and I have a role model for each of them. I think one of my biggest role models is a sweet lady at my church. She’s so kind and loving, and she’s willing to help anyone who needs it. She’s a very strong Christian, and I want to be just like her when I grow up.
3. Do you prefer to handwrite or type things?
I love to handwrite, but my hand cramps super easily (not sure why, because it hasn’t always been like that). I usually type now, but whenever I write letters, I make sure they’re handwritten. I think it just gives them a more personal look.
4. Why did you decide to start a blog?
Well, once, I was researching current events and kind of getting disappointed in what was happening in the world. I was frustrated that I couldn’t get my voice out there, and I told my mom that I wanted to make a blog. Nothing happened for a few months, but then I decided to just jump in. I made a WordPress account and started setting up a blog. It took me a little while to figure it out, but eventually, I hit the publish button and shared the news with my friends! It was really exciting to start out. I wasn’t sure what my niche would be, but I enjoy what I blog about right now: whatever’s on my mind!
5. What has been your favourite thing about blogging so far?
It’s been awesome connecting with other bloggers and getting great feedback on my posts. I always get so excited on Fridays when it’s time to publish a new post, because I love reading the comments I get.
I also enjoy being able to follow other blogs through my WordPress account. I’d never thought of following blogs before, but it’s so much fun getting the notification that someone posted a new blog post!
6. Which post has been your favourite to write?
This post, about God’s providence and how He sometimes needs to do something drastic to get our attention, was great to write. It was such a touching story, and I was really hoping and praying that it would help someone stuck in hard times. The comments were encouraging, and even my parents seemed to enjoy it.
7. If you could control your future, where would you be at eighteen? At twenty-five? At fifty?
Eighteen: At eighteen, I would hope to be in college, pursuing my dreams. I’m really looking forward to going to college! (I guess that’s what happens when you choose your degree in ninth grade!)
Twenty-five: At twenty-five, I want to either be already married or getting married. I want to have kids around this age and be settled pretty close to my parents so they can see their grandbabies whenever they feel like it!
Fifty: Fifty is a nice, ripe age. I’d want one of my kids to be getting married or going off to college. I want to still be in a happy marriage, maybe with some grandkids if I’m lucky.
8. What’s something that always sparks nostalgia in you?
Acting. Whenever I act, I always think back to my very first acting role at six years old, and I’m always surprised by how far I’ve come since then.
9. Do you have a favourite quote, one that speaks to you? Why does it speak to you?
Be yourself, because everyone else is already taken.
Oscar Wilde
I love this quote because it reminds me to be comfortable in my own skin and to not be jealous of others. If you frequent my blog, you can see it at the bottom of the home page.
10. What was the last book you read? What did you think of it?
I’m going to assume that you mean chapter books, to which I answer Unblemished by Sara Ella. That was such an amazing book, although it drove me crazy with all the plot twists! I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel, because I need to know what happens next!
That’s all we have for today! Make sure to visit Windows on Friday for more craziness.
We interrupt our usual blog schedule with a special announcement.
My friend Amie Woleslagle is releasing her book, Fifteen, on October 23! She’s hosting a blog tour in honor of the release, and I have the pleasure of interviewing her today.
Amie blogs over at Amie Anne, so go check out her site if you haven’t already.
On to the interview!
Liesl Brunner: Hello, Amie! I’m so excited to be interviewing you here on Quote, Unquote. And for your release, of course. For those who aren’t familiar with Fifteen, can you give us a short blurb?
Amie Woleslagle: Absolutely. “You aren’t the only person who struggles with mental issues, not the only person with demons floating in your mind. Fifteen is a book of poems crafted from one teenager dealing with mental health issues to another in the same place. It covers true friendships, embracing joy, self acceptance, and living your faith while struggling with mental illness, all the while showing that, in the end, flowers will bloom in the ashes of your pain. “
LB: What inspired you to write Fifteen?
AW: Good question! For my birthday, my friend encouraged me to write fifteen poems for the last two weeks before my birthday. I did so, and it’s kinda snowballed since then.
LB: What is one of the biggest challenges you’ve encountered while writing?
AW: Probably my mental health. A lot of times I get frustrated with my own mind when I need to take it slow, or I can’t focus, or I forget everything, or even when I’m just so tired that words don’t string together to make English.
LB: Haha, I think we all understand words not wanting to make English. Anyway, that said, what was one of your favorite parts about writing this book?
AW: My favorite part about writing this book had to be the sense of satisfaction to see all the different styles of poems and topics come together in such a concise and beautiful manner.
LB: How long did it take you to write Fifteen?
AW: Some of the poems in Fifteen were written in 2019, but the majority were written from May 2020-July 2020. So not too long?
LB: What helped you the most while you were writing?
AW: Friends and music. Music is definitely something that helps my writing, though a few times I did have to stop the music so I could figure out a rhyme.
LB: What is one thing that surprised you most about this book?
AW: How many people are interested in it! I didn’t want to publish Fifteen at all. When my email list asked me to publish it, my first thought was, “No, no way. Not at all. There’s no way I’m asking people to pay money to read my terrible poetry. Besides, it’s poetry. Poetry doesn’t sell!” But God just smiled and gently led me down this path and proved me wrong.
LB: Now that your book is almost published, how do you feel?
AW: To be quite honest, I feel really tired. But besides that, I’m also excited and nervous, and thrilled to see how many people are already interested.
LB: What do you think you’ll work on next?
AW: Don’t you wish you knew? In all honesty, I’m not exactly sure what the future will bring, but I will be writing!
Thank you for reading, and Amie, thank you so much for your time. I await the arrival of Fifteen on the edge of my seat.
If you’d like to preorder Fifteen as a paperback, click here; for preordering ebooks, click here. Also, check out Fifteen‘s Goodreads page.
There’s also a giveaway–if you’d like to enter that, here’s the form.
Quote, Unquote 