Interview with Indie Writer Georgina Anne Taylor

Georgina Anne Taylor is an indie writer who has published a short story compilation, Fairy Tales for Freya, and her first novel, Sorrow's Child. The fantasy writer has several books planned for 2013 including the second in her Taint series plus a dystopian novel.

Let's get to know Georgina...

Q: How long have you been writing and when did you decide to indie publish? What was the biggest hurdle in going it alone?
A: I wrote as a child and then a teenager. Bad poetry and overly dramatic stories. I put it aside. I began again in 2001.

I decided to indie publish in November 2011.

I’d been represented by Lyn Tranter of Australian Literary Management since 2007, and had spent years doing the traditional submission process with the publishing houses via my agent. I’d had a bid on an early draft in The Taint series from Random House Australia in 2007, but declined it on advice. Don’t ask. Not talking about it.

I rewrote. Wrote. Rewrote again. That part was good for me, but I’d come to the conclusion that the submission process was bad for my health. I had another near bid in 2011, but then the bookstores started folding… It was time to go indie. Another rouge writer on the loose. Thanks for listening to my tale of woe!

In terms of hurdles, in as far as possible, I think the product has to be able to stand up beside a traditionally published book. I sought out a developmental editor (book doctor) and then a wonderful copy editor. I also found and commissioned an amazing cover artist for the series.

The other hurdle for indie writers is lack of exposure and proving our worth, but I’m a big believer in passive marketing. In other words, if your book is good enough, people will find it. I do diddlysquat to promote. I even closed my facebook page down due to lack of interest—mine.

Q: In 2012, you published Sorrow's Child, the first book in The Taint series. The sequel, Bewitchments and Betrayals, is expected this year. Can you explain the idea behind the series? Where did the inspiration come from?
A: I started the series story with a premise: fate’s not written. We choose our destinies: we can aspire to be Gods or monsters. The past, or the future, shouldn’t bind us; it’s what happens now that matters. It’s the choices we make at each and every turn.

Lilith begins the tale, grows and changes in Sorrow’s Child, then meets Meng, a winged demigod and beast, in Bewitchments and Betrayals. Both are fighting inner demons, one of them literally. Not sure if that’s a spoiler—and doesn’t it sound like a paranormal romance series? It’s not. More like a gothic, dark fairy tale steeped in myth. The story begins with imps and elementals, spells, poisonous substances, and the making of a hand of glory…

That’ll do.

Q: Lilith is the MC for Sorrow’s Child. Was she a difficult character to create? What do you love most about her? Is there anything that makes you want to bitchslap her?
A: My Witch, Lilith, has been with me since I was a teenager. She’s the girl you wished you could be, when you really needed it. You know that Aerosmith song? “Janie’s Got A Gun?” Well, that’s Lilith. I just had to get her backstory right. That’s where Sorrow’s Child fits in.

Yes, there were times in Sorrow’s Child that I might have harbored an urge to bitchslap her. She takes her time in getting it. She’s too trusting for too long. But you see, I already knew the adult Lilith, so there was no way I was going to say it to her face.

Q: Do you plan to write more in the series? If so, how many books do you envision?
A: The third book: Gods and Monsters, will be released in 2014. That will wrap The Taint series up.

Q: Before Sorrow’s Child, you wrote a short story fairy tale compilation called Fairy Tales for Freya. You're planning a sequel for this book too. Can you explain what it’s about and the inspiration behind it?
A: Fairy Tales for Freya is a collection of four short fairy tales. Ultra short. A little book of death and change. Parables. I wrote them after a very good friend died. And yes it was of a spinal column injury. I’m releasing another nine stories sometime later this year.

Q: You’re working on a dystopian novel called Terra. Can you explain what it’s about and when you expect its publication?
A: Terra is a stand alone, post-climate change dystopia set in water-starved Australia, in an area now known as the Blue Mountains. The main characters are Terra: a young indigenous Australian woman, an Indonesian-Australian waterfinder named Burriin, and his dingoes Yali and Yinggil.

It deals with the issues of water, power, refuge—who gets it, who doesn’t—and the question of the meaning of humanity itself.

It will be released towards the end of the year, 2013.

Q: What drew you to fantasy, fairy tales, and dystopia? Do you plan to branch out to even more genres as your career progresses?
A: As a kid I escaped into myths and dark fairy tales. As a visual artist I’ve always lived in my own imaginary world. Writing’s just another really good excuse to go off on mental excursions of your own making.

I’m planning to explore genres a bit. More stand alones. I have some sci-fi stories in me too. I’m in it for the fun.

Q: You write both short stories and novels. Is the writing process a different beast for each?
A: You know, these are really good questions, Angela. It’s got me thinking. Both need mapping out well before I begin. Short stories can work on simpler concepts though. A single idea I’m exploring. Some short stories take eons to finish. Some novels pour out in a rush. I like to write the shorts in between writing novels, when I’m nutting out the next.

Q: How do you come up with the names for your characters?
A: I am interested in archetypes from myths and legends. For me, names carry meaning: Lilith, Ibur, Esha. The names of my winged demigod twins, Meng and Meabel are Celtic in origin: Meng meaning ‘guile’ and Meabel ‘disgrace’. I like to keep the names short and pronounceable though. Those tongue twisters in the epic fantasy novels always peeve me.

Q: Chicken or the egg question. Do you create a character and build around him/her? Or do you imagine a concept and create characters that fit the idea?
A: They arrive at the same time. Further characters and details come the more I think and work upon it. That’s the easiest part.

Q: How do you avoid writing a Mary or Marty Sue when most writers can’t help falling desperately in love with their creations?
A: I like flawed characters. I see people as horribly complex creatures—too complex for their own good. I try and make my characters echo that. I like writing dark stories though, so perhaps that makes it easier. Mary Sues just wouldn’t last long in any of my imaginary worlds.

Q: Do you use anything to inspire you while you’re writing? Music, visual aids, etc? Also have you found ideas come to you more freely in particular places or at certain times of the day?
A: I charge myself up with visuals: art, movies, and also music while I’m nutting details or mind scenes out before each chapter. I draw sketches of the scenes and specific details I want to capture. I can’t listen to music, or have other major distractions, when I write though.

I write best by reserving consecutive days and starting very early. I’m exhausted by nightfall. It takes it out of me.

Q: When an idea hits you, do you start writing immediately or plot it out first?

A: Plot first. Then plot some more. Then some more again. I chafe at the bit to start, but I’ve learned that charging on ahead leads to plot holes and shallow characters. At least for me.

Q: When you read less than fawning reviews, how do you know when to use the critique to improve your future writing and when do you chalk up the criticism as different strokes for different folks?

A: I listen and correlate information. Any issue repeated is worth noting. I have revised on early reviews. Sometimes it’s a taste thing. But all feedback and all opinions are good and always appreciated.

Q: How big a deal is writer’s block for you and what do you do to shake it off?

A: I experience block when I need time to think about something. I’ve learned not to fight it. I go off and feed my imagination elsewhere while thinking on plot or character, I work it out, and then it flows again. I am, however, very good at hanging out with Little Miss Procrastination. She’s a wicked gal and I love her well.

Q: Do you have a playlist for your books?

A: Yep. For Sorrow’s Child, one song each for three pivotal scenes in the book:

1. “Sorrow’s Child,” from The Good Son by Australian Nick Cave (This song for the hanging scene.)
2. "Coping With Fear,” from Welcome Home Loser by the British band The Broken Family Band. (Love the wild, completely losing it ending—that’s a scene clue.)
3. “Between Two Lungs,” from Lungs by Florence and the Machine. (A liberation.)
4. For Lilith overall: “Living In Sin,” from Welcome Home Loser by The Broken Family Band.

Georgina offers Sorrow’s Child, book one of The Taint series, and Fairy Tales for Freya as free samples of her writing. Find Georgina's books at her website and Amazon.