Author Emily Barnett - The Writer Story

Meet Emily - Author of Thread of Dreams, a YA Science Fantasy about harvesting dreams.

I am excited about this Writer Story interview with Emily as we talk about her author career and her debut YA Science Fantasy, Thread of Dreams, and how asking the ‘what if’ question over and over again can lead to layering the plot of the story.

Before we start, here is Emily’s official bio.

Emily seeks wonder in other worlds to remind readers of the wonder in ours. She is married to a bearded man, home schools their boys, and loves the slow process of sourdough and gardening. Some authors she admires are CS Lewis, Neil Gaiman, Andrew Peterson, Rebecca Ross, Tolkien, George MacDonald, Susanna Clarke, and Marissa Meyer. Emily is represented by Andrea Morisson of Writer's House. THREAD OF DREAMS, a YA science fantasy about dreams, is available now!

1. So Emily, why did you start writing? What inspired you?

In a short story class during college, I realized the power of words. I loved how stories could help readers put their feelings into words, or even help them wade through difficult experiences from the safety of fiction. It could also wake them up. I wanted to be an author who could serve a readership in the same way.

2. When was the first time you felt that writing is something you want to do professionally? Was there a specific time?

When my youngest was 3 months old and I was sleep deprived, I decided to turn one of my short stories into a novel. I had been beta reading another writer’s work and it inspired me to try! I also wanted moments in my day where I could create something beautiful when motherhood was feeling a bit daunting. That was in 2019, and I began querying agents later that year.

3. Could you share your writing/publishing journey so far? 

I queried my first novel to agents in 2019, plus two others after that, and sadly all ended up being rejected. I shelved them and began my fourth manuscript, Thread of Dreams, and submitted it to Owl’s Nest Publishers who picked it up in 2022.

As Thread of Dreams was being edited, I wrote another book about a magical Botanist and queried again. The Botanist landed me my agent at Writer’s House. I now have two manuscripts on submission with traditional publishers and another waiting in the wings. My debut indie novel, Thread of Dreams, was published March 28th. 

I hope to continue pursuing traditional publishing, but I am open to what is to come! I have seen the pros and cons of trad, small, and self pub from author friends and my own experiences. So being flexible is important to keep pursuing this career.

4. Tell us about your book - THREAD OF DREAMS?

Thread of Dreams is a YA Science Fantasy about a girl who harvests dreams from the minds of unaware humans to sustain her sunless planet. But when she visits a boy who is already dreaming of her, the threat to her world also becomes a threat to her heart. 

Dreams is an adventure filled with found family, sister/friend relationships, unique world building & magic, dreamscapes, a POV in verse, and a sweet friend-to-more romance.

5. That sounds fascinating. When did you first get the idea? What connected you to this idea that made you think it could be a book?

My son! Kids are amazing at asking the question “What if?” which is essential for an author. He wondered what it would be like if his pillowcase was magic and could sweep him off to dream land.

I actually started outlining and drafting a middle grade story about two brothers who go fight sandman in a dream world, but it wasn’t filling me with joy. My heart was still in YA. So I swapped it to a female MC and kept asking the question, “what if?” What if the world was dying? What if the dreams kept their world alive? What if all of that was threatened? What if it was a love story that spanned across the stars?

6. Wow!! I’m definitely intrigued. Did you do any research before you started writing or did you do it as you went along? 

I usually always do research as I go. I like to build my world and magic out of necessity, rather than come up with everything beforehand. The plot informs what my world will become (for the most part). I had the very basics when starting, but then everything snowballed as I had to come up with creative solutions and obstacles.

7. What do you want readers to take away from this book?

Hope. Hope for a brighter future. And hope that though this life might be hard, there are things worth fighting for—dreaming for. And there are things we cannot see fighting for us as well.

8. Do you have a writing routine that you follow?

I have two young boys and I homeschool, so I write during their rest time. We started this schedule when they were babies, and they have come to enjoy the quiet time! And I really enjoy having a pocket in the afternoon to focus on writing. And it always involves coffee!

9. Do you plot? Or discover while writing?

I outlined my first four books. But after Thread of Dreams, I decided to try pantsing a personal-stakes, cozy fantasy and I really enjoyed it! I have found when my fantasy stories lean more epic and have big world-stakes, I need more notes, outlines, or bullet points to keep me straight. Now, I do whatever the story needs, but usually it is a hybrid between the two.

10. Do you have a preferred software you use for writing?

Scrivener all the way! It was the best investment for my writing, hands down. My notes are not organized and can end up in many places, so I like having a program where I can put my outlines, deleted scenes, character profiles, etc. in the same document as my actual story. It makes finding everything so much easier for my chaotic mind!

11. Any advice you’d like to share for other writers?

• Find your people! Writing is lonely, but you don’t have to do it alone. A community that supports one another, and is also honest with feedback is super important. 

• Know you will be rejected. It’s just going to happen. You might think it won’t happen to you, but I guarantee it will, because this business is subjective. If you self-publish you might not experience up-front rejection, but you will get reviews one day, and they won’t always be kind. (Bonus tip: don’t read reviews. Just don’t go there… if you want to keep writing, it’s best for your mental health.)

• Find the reason you write, and focus on that. When you are feeling down that book sales have dropped or no one is talking about your book, you have to remember the thing that made you start writing in the beginning, and cling to it. 

12. What is your favorite book that you’d recommend to anyone and everyone? Why?

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke is beautiful and confusing in the best way. I love books that sweep you in and are a little bit weird, but hit on profound truths when you least expect them to. I also love A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross. She is one of my favorite authors in the fantasy romance realm, and her writing is just so lovely.

13. Fantastic. I love Rebecca Ross too and adding Piranesi to my TBR for sure. What are your plans for the next book? Or anything else in the works you can share?

I have two fantasy books on sub with my agent (here’s hoping!), and my current WIP is about a girl who ends up on an island with no recollection of how she got there. It’s a bit fantasy, a bit mystery and romance, and is also sort of a psychological thriller—which is new for me. It’s been wild, but fun to stretch my craft!

14. Now finally, where can we find you? Please plug your link, socials etc.

Mostly on Instagram: @embarnettauthor

My website is www.emilybarnettauthor.com

A big thanks to Emily for spending the time with us for the writer story interview. Grab THREAD OF DREAMS now and support Emily’s writing adventures.

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~Toodle-oo~