Author Dana Evyn - The Writer Story
Meet Dana, Author of The Other Side of the Mirror - a dark romantasy
A huge thanks to Dana for making us privy to behind the scenes of her writing journey and her brilliant book - The Other Side of the Mirror.
Introducing the wonderful Dana -
Dana Evyn is a romantasy author who has been lost in her daydreams for as long as she can remember, though she only recently started writing them down. When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading a good book—especially one with an indomitable female lead, a unique magical world, and a dark twist you don’t see coming. She lives in Kirkland, WA with her two tiny humans, ever-supportive husband, and giant golden retriever.
So tell us Dana, why did you start writing? What inspired you?
I'm always writing since I work in PR, but I didn't really focus on writing creatively until I was laid off as part of the tech layoffs over a year ago. It was one of the best things that could have happened to me.
I went from a voracious romantasy and romance reader to finally having the time to write the Mirror. While I wrote the first line for it years ago, I never took the time to give it a real go until that turning point.
So, you literally took a downturn in your career into a deep dive into a second career. That’s a prime example of when one door closes another opens. I feel so inspired. So, tell us when was the first time you felt that writing is something you want to do professionally, to be a published author, and not just a hobby?
It was less an urge to be a professional author and more an urge to write down the story I couldn't get out of my head. And then once I had the story in a place where I really loved it (and my beta readers did too), I figured it was time to see about that next step! The imposter syndrome is so real, but the closer I get to my publish date, especially as reviews are coming in, the less I listen to that self doubt.
I couldn’t agree more about the imposter syndrome. I know the writing and publishing journey is like a minefield a long process, what has been your journey so far?
I started querying The Other Side of the Mirror in the beginning of 2023 and got an offer from a small publisher that spring. I started writing the sequel shortly after, as well as a witchy romantasy I started querying in fall. It’s going better than I’d expected. Fingers 🤞.
Introducing Dana’s brilliant book
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MIRROR
Release Date : April 9th, 2024
The cover is absolutely enticing. Tell us a bit about your book - THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MIRROR?
The Other Side of the Mirror is a dark romantasy where, seven years after her family's murders, Eva is attacked by a magical creature and abducted to the faerie realm. When a handsome fae saves her, Bash reveals that he must bring Eva to her faerie soulmate to stop a world-ending Curse. She relents, but only for the opportunity to find answers about her parents' deaths.
As their journey progresses, Eva delves into her previously hidden magic—and grows steadily closer to Bash. But when she meets her prince, she soon learns that all is not what it seems. While mystery and intrigue surround her, Eva takes it into her own hands to uncover the truth. But what she discovers is beyond her imagination, as she unravels the fae's web of lies.
That sounds fantastic. When did you first get this idea and what connected you to this idea that made you think it could be a book?
I got stuck on a scene that kept replaying in my head every time I tried to go to sleep, so I eventually jotted it down. Then I started to think about how to get there. Obviously, I'm more of a panster than a plotter, but I had a lot of fun figuring out where the story was leading me and tying in some of my favorite tropes.
It also helps that I'm a huge romantasy reader, and my book felt like something I wanted to read but hadn't quite found yet.
What do you want readers to take away from your book?
I really love focusing on flawed main characters, the adversity they face, and how they overcome it. I don't want to give too much away, but there's obviously some darker themes in this book—and especially in the post "Me Too" era I'd love readers to walk away with feeling a sense of solidarity as well as empowerment, since I love a female main character who saves herself. I also wouldn't mind if readers were to beg me for book two, since this one might end a cliffhanger... (but please don’t let that stop you from reading it, book two is very nearly finished!)
That’s a great message. Now let’s talk a bit about your writing routine? What makes the creativity flow for you?
I have two young kids, so my routine is very much write when I can. Usually this means once I put the kids to sleep and can focus for a few hours. But having limited time to write really gives me the onus to get it done! Not that it's some huge chore since I love doing it.
There’s always so much discussion about plotting and pantsing. What do you prefer?
I'm very much a panster, not a plotter, though I'm a fan of the reverse outline. I love letting the story lead me. Half the time I have ideas on the go, then message them to myself, get home and take my time figuring out where they all tie in.
What software do you use for writing?
I work at Microsoft for my day job so I'm very much used to and a proponent of Microsoft Word. One of my favorite editing tricks is having Word "Read Aloud" my book to catch errors that your brain just reads right over!
Any advice you’d like to share with other querying writers?
Don't query until you're actually ready. I definitely queried Mirror before it was, and I wish I could've told that past version of myself to go through beta readers and really understand what querying was about before hopping straight in.
Also, just because querying isn't going well doesn't mean the world doesn't want to read your book. As part of the indie author community, and as a reader who has so many indie favorite books, it's all about finding your audience!
Okay to wrap this wonderful interview, if there was one book you’d recommend to anyone and everyone, a.k.a. your favorite book(wink wink), what will that be?
I honestly can't pick just one!! But I love anything with high stakes, a unique magical world, and a dark twist I don't see coming.
Awesome. Lastly, please provide where people can find you and connect with you and preorder your book?
My ebook is available to preorder now, hardcovers coming soon! https://books2read.com/Mirror1UBL
To sign up for my newsletter, please visit danaevyn.com.
Goodreads: The Other Side of the Mirror | Goodreads
Twitter: danaevyn
TikTok: @danaevyn
Instagram: danaevyn
Thank you so much Dana for this amazing interview and providing a sneak peek into your upcoming book, releasing on April 9th, 2024.
So what are you waiting for. Preorder now. Go! Go! Go!