Book: Grief
Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
My name is Taea Edwards, I’m a full-time student at the University of Central Florida with a passion in writing and politicals. I dream of doing book-signings for my novels, strive to connect with readers so they feel less isolated in this crazy world, and aim to one day travel all over the world for my writing and humanitarian aid work!
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Grief’ book?
The biggest challenge I faced was poor organization. I started at a very young age (8th grade) and because I was evolving so much over the years I had to entirely redo the novel over four times, which stretched out the process by six years. I wouldn’t ever change the oitcome, however it proved quite challenging to fix and alter.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
I would absolutely say Sarah J Maas was one of the greatest influences on my writing. I looked up to her for so long, and going to her book signing was one of the greatest turning points in my writing, because I knew immediately all I wanted was to be on the other side of that stage and signing table.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I have not been to enough places consistently to have a favorite! I have always moved around and never spend more than a few years in any one place, so a lot of areas are nostalgic to me, but none is a consistent favorite as I haven’t been back to enough places! But any beach is always a safe haven for me!
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
I would say there is quite a bit to do before diving in, however there can be times when I will spontaneously add a new exceprt as well. For example, on the novels I have yet to write, first I need an idea (which comes quite easy for me), than a base plan for characters (they usually evolve on their own eventually, but a solid idea is still needed to start), and some decent plot lines/development plans for characters and plot. With those few things in mind, I generally let the idea sit for a minute as well, because I know over a few months’ time (whilw focusing on other novels), dozens of new ideas will come to me, which I can match to a certain novel, and build on it in that way beforehand so there is less revisions later on.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Grief’ book?
It took me (as previously mentioned) six years to finish Grief. This was because the final version and the original are pretty kuch entirely different concepts. I’d say to write the most recent concept took about 2 years max, however as I was younger I never wrote very consistently.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Grief’ book to buy?
Currently, it is not published yet, though once I do publish it the novel will be accessible on Kindle/Amazon, Audible, my personal website, and IngramSpark for sure, though I’m still looking for other places to add it to as well.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Grief’ ?
I have had the book cover for Grief in mind for years, as well as the next two novels. I am currently looking for an artist who cen help bring that image to life. As the trilogy centers around Amara and her development, I always wanted her to be a direct part of it, which is why I always wanted a half-face realistic drawing of her along the edge, each cover will have her primary emotion of the novel to show visual progress, and will have her magic slowly growing around her, as symbolism again for her progress throughout the novels. The title came to me as I was about halfway through writing the book. I’ve had it set for years, I can’t quite remember how it hit me, but I believe I had just finished writing the climax for one of the very early versions and the sheer agony and grief that would tie the readers to the pace was just so heavy, I knew nothing else would fit the description more.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I would say I keep things fresh by truly knowing the ins and outs of my own novel. By knowing every little detail of lore, backstory, history, charavter, in and out, it always leaves something else to pepper in or add that will for sure add to the story, so even if it is just a simple chapter of the characters having fun and takinf a break from the stress of their situations, they are leaving something with the readers. At least, that is what I hope to accomplish.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
Not quite secrets, but as all of mh novels take place in the same universe, there is a lot of different opportunities for crossovers, so readers should keep their eyes peeled for character descriptions, sayings, or visuals that may seem out of place… They might come up later in the series, or even in another world.
Grief
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