writing style | Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers

Creative Edge – Author Interview – Liz Butcher

November 26, 2020
mandyevebarnett

What drew you to the paranormal genre?

I’ve held a fascination for all things paranormal, ever since I was a little girl. So, once I knew I wanted to pursue writing it was a natural fit for me to right in the horror/dark fantasy/speculative fiction genres.

Did writing for anthologies aid your writing style?

Absolutely! When you’re given specific word limits to adhere to, it teaches you to write concisely which I found a great skill to have once I moved forward with my novels.

Did you find the switch from short stories to novel length challenging?

Not at all, though they are certainly different. With novels you need to make sure there’s a lot more fleshing out of the characters/places etc.

What inspired your debut novel, Fates’ Fury?

I’m not sure when the idea first came to me. It wasn’t an ‘ah ha!’ moment, but more like an idea that simmered beneath the surface for awhile. It was in 2012, when there was a lot of talk of the Mayan Calendar, and it got me thinking about what would the ancients think if they could see us now?

Can you tell us about the story behind Fates’ Fury creation?

Essentially, the Fates’ have decided enough is enough and mankind have to go. They start killing people off as they hunt for the Tablet of Destinies, which will allow them to eradicate us for good. Three friends, Jonah, Tristan and Ava find themselves in the middle of it all, when they each have increasingly strange encounters before they’re approached by a man in the middle of a thunderstorm claiming he’s Zeus. He tells them of an Alliance of ancient gods and goddess prepared to help fight against the Fates. Yet the Fates are more powerful than man the gods combined…

Your follow up novel Leroux Manor is set in England. Did you visit England for research?

I wish! That would have been amazing! Just lots of research, I’m afraid. Though one day I’d love to visit for real.

Where is your favorite place to write?

I’m boring—it’s my desk! We moved into our first home a few months ago, and it’s the first time I’ve had a space solely dedicated to writing and I’ve loved setting it up.

Do you feel your environment affects your writing?

100% I hate feeling pent in by clutter or a stuffy room. I love fresh air (even in winter, but it gets super cold here.) and I often have oils in the diffuser to aid concentration and focus. I have drawings by my daughter on the wall, as well as a moon calendar, a framed copy of Fates’ Fury and a Dali print. I like greenery too, and have a little terrarium hubby put together for me, and a couple of potted palms. I’m also a massive procrastinator so I also have to make sure there’s nothing on hand to aid that.

Has your BA in psychology given you insights into how a character would react to a situation? Has it helped in the creative process?

Yes, I think it has. There’s just an overall deeper understanding of human behaviour and what motivates certain personalities. I think its especially helpful when writing in the darker genres.

Where can readers find your books?

On Amazon for both ebook and paperback, and anywhere else you can buy ebooks!

Which social media platforms can we find you on?

Website: https://lizbutcherauthor.com.au

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lunaloveliz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lunaloveliz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Liz-Butcher-1394868604152823/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13845425.Liz_Butcher

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/lizbutcherauthor/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00X6XN5O6

With the global effects of COVID19 restricting gatherings, how have you managed to promote your books?

By relying heavily on social media! I’ve also had some wonderful friends sharing it around, which I’m so appreciative of.

Is there any message you would like to send to your fans and readers? Thank you so much for your support!

Bio

Liz Butcher resides in Australia, with her husband, daughter, and their two cats. She’s a self-confessed nerd with a BA in psychology and an insatiable fascination for learning. Liz has published a number of short stories in anthologies and released her own collection, After Dark, in 2018.

Her debut novel, Fates’ Fury, released September 2019 and Leroux Manor in September 2020.

Bibliophile’s Collective Tuesday – Why I Write in Multiple Genres & Reincarnation Book Review

February 4, 2020
mandyevebarnett

fantasysubgenres_reduced

When I am asked about the stories I write, one question arises quite often. Why do you write in multiple genres instead of just one?

To answer this is not as simple as it first appears. It is linked to my process of writing. I allow the story to evolve as I write and do not steer it in any specific direction. Enjoying where the characters take me is, for me, the best part of writing. I may have an idea what the story is going to be about but more often than not, it diverts into another direction – many times to somewhere I have not thought of. There are many writers that need a lot more structure to their writing, such as complete plot notes from start to finish and I admire that but it is not something I can do. It stalls my creativity. Once the first draft is written then I begin refining the narrative and decide on the genre it suits best.

For example, my Edmonton Best Seller, The Twesome Loop began as a light-hearted romance with a few characters finding their soulmate. However, the complexity of writing in two time periods required a significant amount of detail to be incorporated to allow my readers to understand the backgrounds and personality traits of these people from their past lives to the present. Other secondary characters also began to take on a life of their own and the subsequent narrative follows several love stories intertwined with the main characters.

Clickety Click

https://www.amazon.ca/Clickety-Click-Mandy-Eve-Barnett/dp/1927510856

In my YA novella, Clickety-Click, I had what I though was a definite plot arc but young Alice, the central character and the circumstances of her finding out about her true self went in a surprising direction. It still deals with self discovery and self confidence but also has a twist that I hope will delight the reader.

As a reader what captures you about a book?

Do you prefer one genre over another?

111 Reincarnation themed

Past Presence by Nicole Bross

42856212 Absolutely loved this book! Well crafted characters, a sense of place and a great plot, I didn’t guess the culprit! Woven with regression tales, which is an interest of mine it has wonderful elements in the story to propel you onward.
Can’t wait for the next book, Nicole.

What book have you just reviewed?

Ask A Question Thursday

July 18, 2019
mandyevebarnett

Today’s question:

How did you find your particular writing style? A creative writing class, a teacher, a format or something else?

Do you write differently for different genres?

We all find a process that allows us to convey our story in the best way is good – right? There are several styles that utilize words/language, sentence structure, and paragraph structure, to convey our meaning effectively in respect of the genre we write.

writing-styles

Last week’s question: How important is research to you when writing a book? What have you researched for you current manuscript?

pamelaallegretto

For me, research is half the fun of writing. Even with the convenience of today’s Internet, I still enjoy thumbing through “real” reference books: highlighting, underlining, dog-earing pages, sticky noting, etc. My most recent research project has been on cremation.

Mandy Eve-Barnett

I have researched medieval physician’s healing techniques, the circumstances of how a body can dry out and become a husk, natural substances that prevent pregnancy or induce sterility.

Writing Hub -Books, Writing, Tips & more…

October 18, 2017
mandyevebarnett

writing-hub

Writing:

Writing has been spasmodic this past week but I have accomplished several ‘to do’ items on my list. I have increased the word count on my YA novella, which now has the new title of Creature Hunt on Planet Toaria. The word count stands at 24,491 as of today. I think the new title reflects the age group and hopefully will intrigue them.

The fairy story, I submitted for an anthology has been edited a couple of times and I am happy with the changes.

My freelance project is continuing and the collaboration with my client is working well.

My excitement went into overload this week when The Twesome Loop was on the Edmonton Bestsellers from October 9th to October 15th.
Link for print or ebook – https://www.amazon.com/Twesome-Loop-Mandy…/dp/B075DRWHXN

Edmonton Fiction Bestsellers

1. This is All a Lie – Thomas Trofimuk *
2. Maybe This Time: A Colorado Ice Novel – Jennifer Show *
3, Raincheck – Marlo Lanz
4. Origin – Dan Brown
5. This Wound is a World (Poetry) – Billy-Ray Belcourt
6. Alice Network – Kate Quinn
7. A Legacy of Spies – John Le Carre
8. Left-Handed Dinner Party & Other Stories – Myrl Coulter
9. Never Let Me Go – Kazuo Ishiguro
10. The Twesome Loop – Mandy Eve-Barnett

Books:

blood games Enjoying this detective versus serial killer story even though it is not a genre I normally read. My friend V.J. has a great style and keeps the tension going.

Looking forward to reading this by a new local author I connected with a while ago.

chronicles

Writing Tips for famous authors:

Use concrete imagery when you write about large, abstract themes – Wislawa Szymborska

Work stories out in your head when you can’t write – Alice Munroe

Make people believe in your story first and foremost – Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Don’t focus on the end goal excessively as you write – John Steinbeck

Writing Hub -Books, Writing, Tips & more…

October 11, 2017
mandyevebarnett

writing-hub

Writing:

As most of you know I take advantage of any opportunity to write. On Monday, I wrote several chapter summaries and two whole chapters for my ghost writing project. Great you say – however my location was rather usual – in the waiting area of Canadian Tire – as my new tires/tyres were fitted! Luckily I was the only one who took advantage of this space so was not interrupted.

Other writing during our long Thanksgiving weekend was a blog post for Monday and agendas for my writers group AGM Tuesday and Arts Council Board meeting on Thursday.

I also practiced reading aloud for my event today – Fall into Romance at Audreys Books, Jasper Avenue, Edmonton.

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I even got some writing done prior to the AGM as it was close to my local library! Another 647 words – not great but good.

What did you do with your long weekend – Canadian authors?

Books:

A Desperate Fortune

Well this was a delight – two time periods, lots of wonderfully well-rounded characters, a superb plot, a glimpse at how life is affected by Asperger’s and intrigue throughout.

I recommend this book to everyone! We travel through France and Italy, experience the trials of two women in two eras and how their surroundings and the people around them take their toil.

And for #writers this link is great. https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/book-storystructure/a-desperate-fortune/

Now onto:

blood games

Followed by:

chronicles

Writing Tips:

Set a timer for forty-five minutes, then take a fifteen minute break

Find three trusted readers, not just one