I am a big fan of fantasy novels. Ever since I got back into reading, they have been the ones I go back to the most, which is why I’m always on the lookout for new exciting fantasy books.
On March 29th 2022, Melanie Davies released her debut novel The Sapphire Oath, an exciting fantasy adventure on which she has been working for a very long time. She has very kindly agreed to tell us all about her new books, her writing process, and maybe tease some upcoming projects…
You have written The Sapphire Oath, which is coming out on March 29th. Can you tell us what your book is about?
The Sapphire Oath is part of a series based in the World of Nimra. It is a Fantasy based Adventure with Romance thrown in.
The first book starts off with following the journey of Giselle, the main protagonist of the series. She is currently on the run and in hiding for witnessing the murder of her mother, Queen Enelya by her father, King Xandious. However, that doesn’t last very long as she bumps into someone from her past, Lord Shadowbane. Who in turn follows her and at first she is a little apprehensive of him and keeps up her guard but as their journey continues firstly into a rescue mission to save her friend Ayla, she is then asked to join the rebel movement to remove King Xandious from the throne and place Giselle, the rightful heir back on the throne.
Giselle truly believes she can run from her past and keep her demons at bay, but she will learn that the past always has a way of catching up to you. As she is catapulted into events that will test her strength, loyalties and own sanity.
BOOK ONE, THE SAPPHIRE OATH OUT NOW!
These tropes can be found: Fated Lost Lovers - One Bed Trope - Ballroom Dancing - Tavern Fighting - Sword Training - 'I've come to kill you' - Friend Betrayal - Evil Overlord - Magic – Nightmares
How long have you been working on this idea? How did you come up with it?
I started writing the original storyline when I was 15 in a science lesson, when I really should have been paying attention. The first chapter I wrote was done on scrap pieces of A4 paper and it was of Shadow, that chapter is now chapter 2 in the book (sic). Giselle came later and it's funny how Giselle became the main character with having her story told and Shadow becoming the second main character.
I stopped working on the story during my teens and left it on a shelf in a folder to gather dust. When I was in my early twenties I took the story out again and gave it a massive facelift. What you read now is pretty much the story after the facelift. And then during the pandemic in 2020, I reread the story again and it wasn’t until November during the NaNo2021 did I sit down and think, Hey! I can publish this.
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
I have always dabbled in writing, even as a child I would write up little stories and scripts and my poor mother would be nagged to death to read them. I was on Vampire Roleplay forums during my teenage years, but I was also big into photography back during the DeviantArt and Flickr age. Although I left writing and put it aside to continue my journey into photography and weddings, writing has always been something I have enjoyed. Now at age 30, I have realised that writing is what I am truly passionate about. I have always turned back to it whenever I needed an escape and both Giselle and Shadow have never left my mind. So yes, I believe I have always wanted to be a writer.
What would you say is the inspiration behind your book? Any stories, life experiences, favourite authors?
I feel awful when I say I don’t really have a favourite author, I have books I like and would say I enjoy, Lord of The Rings, Court of Thrones, and I was such a big lover of the Fallen series and Hush Hush series.
A lot of my inspiration comes from music. It might sound a bit silly, but I will listen to a song and picture my own music video to it, creating my own story up. The first song I heard while writing the first scene where Giselle entered was Hole – Doll Parts and I remember typing up the story on my sister’s old computer while I babysat my niece and nephew for the evening.
Giselle was running through a forest in her wedding dress, very much like that scene in Disney Snow White when she’s running away from the Huntsman in the woods and as Giselle fell, she cried and a fawn came out from behind a tree and offered to help her, to protect her. It’s funny - as I type this, I realised something: that scene isn’t in The Sapphire Oath, but it gave birth to Giselle today, it introduced me to her, and it was such a magical moment.
Do you have a writing process? Anything that gets you in the right mood to write?
A good playlist, a cup of tea and no distractions. I am trying to get into the habit of staying off TikTok and Instagram when I know I should be writing and so I downloaded one of those Forest apps, where you stay on the app for a certain amount of time, and it grows a tree for you. I also love writing sprints; they help get me into the right mood to write. And I find a good twenty minutes going through Pinterest is a great inspiration helper.
What advice would you give to someone looking to write and publish their first book?
Honestly? Stop being so afraid and do it. Just get that first draft out, get the story you’re dying to write out onto paper and then when you’re done, read through it, change bits if you want and get a friend or family member to read it. Forget about the publishing side when you start, you just got to get that story out.
Once you’ve written it, get yourself an editor, some bata readers and a good cover designer. You will find then everything falls into place, your editor can help you immensely and having a good group of bata readers is wonderful as they root for you on your journey and you soon become great friends with them. You need that support bubble while writing, they will be your helping hands.
Is writing your full-time job or something that you do on the side? How do you manage your time?
I am now looking to going full-time with writing as it’s such a big passion of mine. I suffer badly from Fibromyalgia and so working full time outside of the home hasn’t been an option for me for nearly four years. And due to the pandemic, photography took a back seat. How do I manage my time? Poorly! I am terrible but I am trying to get better at it.
Do you have any plans for the future? Do you plan on writing more?
Well, as the book is part of a series, I am now on course to write the remining two books and hoping to publish the second book by September 2022 and then the third book by March 2023. I am also planning three other books based around the world of Nimra. One is a novella which follows one of the sub-characters and should be out July 2022 and then there are two other Novella’s planned for 2023, one being a the prequel. This also doesn’t include a few side projects I have in mind, a vampire dark romance book and a contemporary romance book.
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A huge thank you to Melanie for taking the time to do this interview, especially so close to her release date, and a big congratulations for publishing her first book. I am really looking forward to getting lost in the World of Nimra. You can support her work by giving her some love on Instagram, reading her book, or talking about it with your fellow readers.
‘Thank you again for allowing me to talk about my book and my adventures so far as an author. Honestly, it’s still unreal to say I am a published author, I don’t think it will ever settle in.
Melanie xx’
Blog Post by Juliette @a_spoonful_of_juliette
All pictures belong to Melanie Davies
Melanie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meldaviesauthor/?hl=fr
Buy The Sapphire Oath here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sapphire-Oath-Book-Nimra-World/dp/B09TMT9C1F/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+sapphire+oath&qid=1649102319&sprefix=THE+SAPPHIRE%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-1
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