A Conversation with Emmie Hamilton, a Dark Fantasy Author

Emmie Hamilton is an award-winning fantasy author who started her publishing career in May of 2021. Since then, she has gone on to publish three books and has two more in the works for spring of 2023. In her spare time, she enjoys making sore candles, traveling, and finding new and creative ways to entertain her son. When Stars Become Shadows, her debut adult dark fantasy novel, is available now on Amazon, Kindle Unlimited, Barnes & Noble, and more.

​Emmie received her MFA in Creative Writing in 2019 and has since had poems and essays published with Scary Mommy and Pure Slush Press. Her debut novel, Chosen to Fall, was released in May 2021. Its sequel, Fated to Burn, was released November that same year.

Let’s get started with a quick rapid fire.

Q1. If you could be transformed into one mythological creature, which one would you choose?

A phoenix!

Q2. What time do you usually go to bed at night?

2 or 3am if I’m lucky.

Q3. What are the least-likely three words someone would use to describe you?

Organized, talkative, fashionista.

Q4. Where did you go on your last vacation?

Sydney, Australia.

Q5. Would you rather find your dream job or win the lottery? You can’t do both.

I’d want to win the lottery – then I’d have the luxury of working on what I wanted to rather than what I had to.

Q6. What is one thing you regret spending money on?

Going out to eat.

Q7. What object do you misplace or lose the most?

Earrings.

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Q8. If you were a spy, what would be your codename?

Silver phoenix.

Q9. What secret about the universe would you most want to learn?

If there are multiverses!

Q10. What never fails to make you laugh?

Babies laughing.

Q11. What was one “before” and “after” in your life?

Becoming a mother.

Q12. What do you think people misunderstand about you?

I’m quiet so people think I’m standoffish but I’m really warm and funny once you get to know me!

It’s time for a more detailed conversation, Emmie.

You’ve answered our rapid fire brilliantly, Emmie. Now, it’s time for our readers to know more about the person behind the book.

Q. Tell us something about yourself that’s going to keep us wanting more.

Writing isn’t all I do! I’m also a published poet, editor, and candle maker. I’ve been studying a lot of different artistic avenues that might help me advance the success of my writing career, and I have a few tricks and surprises up my sleeve for next year if all goes well.

Q. Well, that’s just…memorable for sure. So, what books have you read more than once in your life? 

There are so many! I love re-reading books. The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning is a favorite. The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett is another that comes to mind. The world building is fantastic and the plot so richly layered. I highly recommend that. And The Outsiders by SE Hinton is one I re-read every year or so.

Q. Interesting. Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing? 

I’m lucky to have a solid network of friends and family who support my writing, from buying my books (even if they don’t read) to attending events I’m a part of. Growing up my mother was my biggest supporter, and now I’d say my critique partner and best friend encourage me the most when I’m filled with doubt or excitement about a project.

Q. Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?

Yes! Absolutely. In Chosen to Fall, I included a scene that happened in real life and only one person will be able to figure out what it is. I’ve also included a few Easter eggs to show my two series are part of the same universe, though they are not directly related.

Q. Now comes the most anticipated question that every author must answer. How do you process and deal with negative book reviews?

Book reviews! What a love/hate relationship. Authors LOVE receiving book reviews, of course, as they help generate interest and it’s truly wonderful to know that someone likes nad appreciates your work. The negative reviews can be tough to process at first, especially if you’re new to the game or don’t have a thick skin. My first advice is to always have someone you trust check your reviews rather than you do it on your own. The temptation is overwhelming, but if there’s sometimes negative reviews can be really brutal and it wouldn’t do to have the author read them. The second thing is to remember reviews are for other readers, not writers! Lastly, remember that not everyone is going to connect with your work – and that’s okay! If you have a negative review, remember that reading is subjective, it’s just one person’s opinion, and that probably isn’t the reader you’re looking for.

Q. What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?

Neither, actually! The setting always comes first. I love thinking of new worlds to dive into. Then I’ll come up with a character that fits within the setting, and try to figure out a plot from there.

Q. How do you develop your plot and characters?

I actually consider my setting first and do some world building – what the climate is like, technology, trade and currency, that sort of thing. I always consider who rules the realm/town/whatever it is, and what time period it should reflect, and how magic might affect the place. Then I work towards the plot – what is the overarching problem for my MC and how will they overcome it? What are the obstacles? What is their main goal? So essentially, I work on the bigger plot details according to how the character will develop.

Q. You got 100 points. You need to divide them on the basis of how relevant and important they are to you as a reader and a writer for your book or someone else’s as a reader. Your options are Plot/Story, Dialogues, Book Cover, Marketing, and, Reviews.

Oh, good question.

Hmm as a writer for my book, I’d say: 35 plot/story, 20 dialogue, 20 book cover, 20 marketing, 5 reviews. I want to note that reviews are REALLY important, but I don’t consider future reviews when crafting my book.

As a reader the breakdown would be: 50 plot/story, 25 dialogue, 10 reviews, 10 book cover, 5 marketing.

Q. So, now, about your book. Talk to us about it. No major spoilers.

When Stars Become Shadows follows a woman who recently escaped from her indentured servitude, thinking she had finally found her freedom, only to realize she fell into something darker and more dangerous than what she bargained for.

Q. What part of the book did you enjoy the most while writing?

I love writing SO many parts of this book, but exploring a woman who spent years being abused and finding herself again by taking control of her body was empowering and it was really eye-opening to look at the world through her lens. That, and the vulnerability she exposes was a reflection of some of my own vulnerabilities, so it was interesting to explore that aspect more.

Q. What is your kryptonite as a writer?

Imposter syndrome! No matter how much you have published, how much writing you do on a daily basis, or how many accolades you have, it will still creep up and set doubt in your mind. All writers go through it and when it strikes me, I’ll admit it takes me a while to work myself out of it.

Q. What risks have you taken with your writing that have paid off?

I chose to write a book containing a lot of themes and topics that required a pretty hefty content warning. It was a risk, because I had previously written for young adults and I didn’t know if my older, avid readers would follow me on this new experimental path, but I’m happy to say it’s been quite successful.

Q. Let’s talk about the process of writing. Do you do research while writing a book to add more authenticity? What kind and how far do you go – ever traveled to a foreign place just for the sake of your book?

I always research whatever I can, not only to add authenticity, but sensitivity as well. I spoke to several specialized therapists for this book who explained sexual trauma – what it looks like, how patients tend to act or react in situations, what their healing journey might be – and I paired it with my own experiences to make sure I was doing my main character justice.

I haven’t traveled to a foreign place for the sake of my book – although I did use past memories of trips to the Caribbean to help with the setting – but I do often get into nature or to the shoreline to make sure what I’m hearing, smelling, and touching are all accurate and authentic.

Q. What was your hardest scene to write?

There was one scene in particular where my main character thought she had to use her body to prove her worth or add value to her life. After she was turned down, she was deeply hurt to the point of believing she wasn’t good enough, even though it wasn’t true. Exploring those emotions was really difficult and I edited that scene more than any other so I could get it exactly right.

Q. Well, this has been great. Now, before we wrap this up, do you have any suggestions to help someone become a better writer? If so, what are they?

Read a lot of books! Books within the genre you want to write in and a handful in other genres as well. Become extremely familiar with the expected tropes, narration style, and structure, and write, write, then keep writing some more! You’ll never get it right on the first go, so release yourself from harsh expectations, and just have fun with it.

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