Book: Angel In The Mirror The Burning One
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
My name is Rachel Porter and I graduated with a degree in Creative Writing and Film Studies. I currently hold a job in finance – boring I know. But love that I can now say I am also an author. I currently live in the South East of England. Its safe to say I’ve had a passion for storytelling for as long as I can remember since my mum loves to tell the story that I sat and watched the whole of The Wizard of Oz when I was two years old. I decided I wanted to be an author ten years ago at fourteen when I wrote ten pages (front and back) for a short story project at school. Even though it was easily ten times longer than everyone else’s, my teacher said it was her favorite. So, I decided to go for it and try to become a novelist – I might as well use my crazy dreams for something.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Angel In The Mirror The Burning One’ book?
Honestly, it was trying to remember everything. It is such a complex world being created and I would often find myself stuck trying to remember what had happened and what name I had used before. That was when my trustee folder was created – I call it my ‘Angels Folder’ where all my notes are. Not to mention my terrible character drawings – definitely will stick to writing and not try to become an artist.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
I fell in love with Derek Landy’s Skulduggery Pleasant when I was ten. My mum had bought them for my brother, but they slowly made their way onto my book shelf. Then later I fell for Sarah J. Maas and then came along George R. R. Martin. All are so different in style and worlds, but all have created such amazing characters. I am a character driven reader and that’s what I love about these authors. Whilst the storyline is cleverly structured, it’s the characters that have me gripped and I hope I’ve been able to take influence into my own work.
Q4. What’s your favorite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
It’s not really a special spot, but a city. Bath is the home of literacy here in the UK and I feel like I’m walking through history. I know I’ll move there one day. Whenever I’ve visited it’s just felt calming and as if my imagination can run free.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
I do what most people probably will think is mad, but the best part about writing is that there are no rules. I will normally only have the main characters planned out and how I want the story to start and end. Then I go ahead and start writing. Even though I have hardly anything planned, I’ve never had writers block with a story. In fact, it often feels like I’m reading and finding out about the story as I write it.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Angel In The Mirror The Burning One’ book?
Truthfully, there are two answers to this. I first got the idea when I was fifteen. I created the characters and wrote the first version – which was absolutely awful. Then, I left it and hardly touched it until I was twenty-two and the whole world went into lockdown. There, I started again from complete scratch a part from the characters. And within a month, I had a complete manuscript. But it was no where near done and it took another eight months of editing – getting others to read it and comment on before sending it out. So, if you want the short answer, I would say it took about a year, but the long answer is it took nine years from when I got the first idea at fifteen and it officially being published at age twenty-four.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Angel In The Mirror The Burning One’ book to buy?
Everyone can get it through the publisher’s website – Austin Macauley. Also, in the US it’s available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. And in the UK, it’s available on Amazon and Waterstones.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Angel In The Mirror The Burning One’?
It was so long ago when I came up with the title I can’t remember the whole process. But I do remember going through a load of ideas as I do for characters until it feels right. But majority of the time it just comes to me and it feels perfect. Same as the front cover. I knew I wanted the mirror because it’s such an integral part of the story. Then I did wonder if to feature the main character. I did a few sketches to see and then sent a plan for the talented artists at the publishers to create the version we see.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I think the best thing to do is try to ensure the characters always feel relevant. It doesn’t matter on the setting and if the story isn’t set in this time period. If you feel connected to the character then you will always feel the pull back to the story. Also, I love fast paced storylines and if it feels like it’s constantly moving then you won’t want to put it down.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
The blurb mainly focuses on the threat of the story. But something I’m sure readers will be gripped onto is that there is an in-depth magic system that focuses on the four elements. There is a fun dynamic for many of the characters with this new power – especially Annith – so readers can submerge themselves into this new world.
Book Is Available On Amazon
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