Author Spotlight – Lucy Smoke/Lucinda Dark

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20 Questions with Lucy Smoke/Lucinda Dark

What made you decide to become an author?

I’ve literally wanted to be an author since I was a child. When I figured out that acting would probably be a really hard to get into, I decided to be “safe” and go for being an author. HAHAHAHAHA BOY DID I NOT THINK THAT THROUGH.

What is the hardest thing about writing for you?

I don’t know if I have something that’s “hard” to write about per se. I have one book (that’s non PNR/UF) that is partially based on real experiences (though I would argue that it’s completely fiction) and I guess putting so much of myself into a character/storyline isn’t hard, but it takes a lot out of me and it is a much longer process.

Do you have any routines or superstitions that you go through whenever you write a book – Such as a specific room to write in, certain drink, same pen/pencil every time, specific music or noise? Release a book?

Not really. Each book and each character is different. While I do have a general writing playlist, I do end up creating playlists specifically for each series/book. I also switch back and forth between pantsing the hell out of a book and outlining to the nines. I’m really all over the place as a writer. One thing I’ve done in the past, though, that a lot of people don’t do is that I’ve outlined on my bathroom mirror with dry erase markers.

Who is the one person in the writing profession who has inspired you the most?

That’s an incredibly difficult answer and I’m sure I’m not the only person that will say I can’t choose. There are so many people who have inspired me. There’s not really one that’s gone above others. Although, I would say that author Jex Lane is the one that (unintentionally) inspired me to self-publish. She writes UF/Fantasy M/M. I was lucky enough recently to meet her in person and I could not be more grateful to call someone as amazing and down to Earth a friend. She’s truly a wonderful person.

Which character is your favorite? Which character was the hardest to write? Why?

I’m torn between favorite characters—my favorite character changes based on what I’m focusing on writing. Right now? My favorite character is Barbie Steele from my upcoming series Barbie: the Vampire Hunter (yes, it’s exactly what you’re thinking). She’s sarcastic. She’s kind of a bitch. And I just love stabbing her because she’s always got some witty retort to throw my way.

As for the “hardest” character to write. Like I said before, Idk if it’s “hard” so much as it’s draining. But that would be Love from my dark angsty contemporary, Expressionate. And the reason is because I wrote Love’s story when I was a sophomore in undergrad at the height of my depression. The following year I finally decided to seek therapy for my depression (where I was later diagnosed), but writing her story really made me see myself in an objective manner. I saw a lot of unhealthy coping mechanisms and I shaped her as I once saw myself when I rewrote it years later. I gave her the happy ending I always wanted.

Would you consider collaborating on a book with anyone else? If so…who? Who would be your unicorn author to collaborate with?

I would and have! Lol. I have a coauthored series with Kel Carpenter that’s dark high fantasy. The Dark Maji series. I’m also working on an RH Urban Fantasy series with Carysa Locke. But if I were to choose someone else… I’m not really sure. I still suffer from imposter syndrome, so anyone I’d choose would be someone that probably doesn’t even know I exist lol.

Who is your favorite author…someone that you will buy their book even without thinking?

I don’t necessarily have a favorite author, but I do have a few authors that I one-click without even reading the blurb. I love Lexi Blake and Lynsay Sands. Both write a combination of urban fantasy/PNR and contemporary. And both have great sexy times. 😉 😉

What is your best piece of advice for someone who wants to write or publish?

Oh gosh, I’ve got a mixture of stuff I’m sure any hopeful writer/author has already heard and probably doesn’t want to hear again (but I promise, it’s the best piece of advice you could possibly follow).

Finish your book. Whatever it is. Just finish it. Even if it sucks.
Ignore what everyone else tells you (by that I mean, ignore what they say you SHOULD do with your book and focus on what YOU want to write).
Have a plan. (I literally wish I had actually planned my releases. I wish I’d done more research)

If you could ask your readers 1 question and have them all answer…what would it be?

Hmmmmm. Okay, this is hard. Maybe … it’d be … “What about my books or any books in general makes you want to keep reading them?”

What is your writing kryptonite?

Darkness. Even in my brightest series, there’s always a hint of darkness. Every once in a while I’ll get the urge to write a light fluffy romance, but when I try it out, I end up inserting something that’s not quite as fluffy as people expected it to be. I love sarcasm and witty characters, but I also like torturing them. Oh and I love characters that are different. Some of my MCs/FMCs are similar. But I think across the board, they’re also quite different. Some are youthful and naïve, some are hardened and tough, some are wild and free, and some are reserved and unsure. I like showcasing the differences in people.

Do you plot out your book or do you write as you go?

I flip back and forth. For Heart of Tartarus, my dystopian RH, I outlined book 1 to the nines and followed it almost exactly. But for many of my other books, the outline gets thrown out halfway through. Sometimes, I only outline 5 chapters ahead at a time.

Do you want each book or series to stand on its own or are you building a universe where all the books/series connect with each other?

Neither? I’m not sure. I’m not planning on having all of my series connecting to each other. But I’m also not…NOT planning that, you know? #awardforvaguestanswergoesto

If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice related to writing what would it be?

Start earlier. Publish sooner. PLEASE for the love of GOD plan ahead. Don’t rush.

What is the biggest lesson you learned after you published your first book?

Ironically, the biggest lesson I’ve learned after I published my first book doesn’t necessarily have to do with writing. It has to do with the industry. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to take everything in stride. There will be reviewers who hurt your feelings, readers, other authors, even family members who misunderstand you. I’ve gotten really angry at people and I’ve felt resentment for others. But others success has no bearing on my own. And vice versa.

What is a guilty pleasure?

Erotic romance. *hides* I write romance. I even write sex, but I find it really hard to write romance that’s primarily about sexual aspects. I have to write a longer, more detailed plot (even if it makes me want to yank my hair out and scream). But every once in a while, I just want to sit down with a filthy book and pilfer through it and ignore the world. Whoever ends up marrying me is really in for a surprise bc as soon as I get married, I’ll be sending them screen shots of my favorite scenes and demanding we reenact them. LMFAO (okay probably not, but a girl can dream, can’t she?)

Do you have a favorite vacation spot?

Not yet. Let me finish traveling the world and I’ll get back to you ;-P

What’s an Item on your bucket list?

Get a trad deal? Have a book made into a (decent) movie? Those would be amazing.

Do you have a spirit animal? If so, what is it?

My spirit animal is Edna Mode from Disney’s The Incredibles. XDDD I don’t know, probably not her. She’s far too confident to be me. I’m incredibly random and weird. I’m also insecure as hell. #Storytime A lot of people watch my Instagram stories and at the last signing I went to, people would come up to me and tell me they loved watching me and they enjoyed my books and whereas a normal person would say “Thank you, I’m glad” my response was “Why?” Just think of the most awkward turtle in the ocean and that’s probably my spirit animal.

What is your favorite holiday & why?

Other than my birthday, because let’s be real, it’s totally a holiday—HALLOWEEN. If Halloween could last all year, that’d be amazing. When I got to a writer’s retreat next year for Halloween, I’m going to wear a different costume every day for a week.

What’s your favorite Halloween candy?

Alright. No one judge me. If we’re talking candy SPECIFIC to Halloween (and not like chocolate or something like that…) I love candy corn. It’s delicious sugary goodness #cannotchangemymind

Lucy Smoke/Lucinda Dark Stalker links

Newsletter Link: http://eepurl.com/c5kaM5

FB page: https://www.facebook.com/LucySmokeAuthor

FB Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smokinghotreaders/

Website: www.lucysmoke.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlucysmoke/

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/smokinghotreaders/

Twitter Handle: https://twitter.com/Lucy_Smoke

Amazon Author Page – Lucy Smoke: https://www.amazon.com/Lucy-Smoke/

Amazon Author Page – Lucinda Dark: https://www.amazon.com/Lucinda-Dark/e/B07W3YS1WV?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1569296032&sr=8-2

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/LucySmoke

Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/Lucy_Smoke