Photo Credit: Colleen Barrett
The Harlequin E (digital first) team has read some fantastic romances, but every so often a more unusual one comes our way! Emmie Mears’s debut title has a strong superheroine quality–fitting since that’s the theme of her website and something she firmly believes in. So see how super characters and the Scottish referendum did a little blending…
Seven Things We Want to Know:
What got you interested in writing?
I was always making up stories as a kid. My first completed story was a comic strip about a dog that peed on a flower only to have the flower get mad at it. Later on, I was hungry to find books where girls were doing awesome things. There were no Hunger Games back in the 80s and 90s, and I finally decided that I’d have to write the books I wanted to read myself. In 8th grade, I had a teacher (aptly enough, her name was Mrs. Wright) who read a personal narrative essay I wrote and loved it. She told me I was a great writer then, and from then on I think I kept her words with me wherever I went.
What has been the most useful thing you’ve done to get to this point?
Writing. A lot. I wrote two and a half novels before I wrote one that snagged my agent (and my first contract). Aside from that, though, I think it was learning to take critique of my work and use it to make my stories better. I was fortunate to get a very timely bit of bluntness from an author I know (who has since landed on the NYT bestseller list with her newest trilogy), and for whatever reason, that was the exact thing I needed to hear right when I needed to hear it. I took her words, some newly-scavenged knowledge from craft books, and my tendency for prolific word-flurries — and I wrote THE MASKED SONGBIRD.
If I could tell new writers anything, it would be to learn to use critiques to become better at your craft. Let it sting for a moment, sift through it for the truth, and let it hone you like the hammer and anvil hones a blade.
What is the one thing you wish you’d learned sooner?
Structure, structure, structure. Screenwriters have structure injected into their bones from the moment they hit FADE IN. Novelists, on the other hand, seem to have that lesson omitted from the syllabus. Pluck just about any book from the shelf and you can see that it will hold up to basic aspects of structure. Inciting incidents, plot points, midpoint, climax. I don’t think of structure as a formula so much as a framework. You can build a house out of straw or mud or bricks, but it probably needs some sort of walls and a roof or it’s just a pile of materials.
Which book or blog or site or conference or contest would you recommend for new writers?
The Writer’s Digest Conference in New York was a shock of reality for me. It introduced me to the business of writing, gave the Mystical Agent Beasts actual faces (they’re people, you know), and introduced me to many people I now consider friends. Book wise, Story Engineering by Larry Brooks became my best friend. Also, Donald Maass’s books Writing the Breakout Novel and Writing 21st Century Fiction were phenomenal for deepening how I looked at stories, characters, plots, and every aspect of my novels.
What drew you to Harlequin?
Harlequin’s a name I’d heard my whole life. In fact, up until I actively started paying attention, it very well may have been the only publisher I could have named if asked, even though growing up I don’t recall reading books from Harlequin. That’s how powerful it is as a brand, and as a debut author, I loved knowing that brand would be behind me. Not only is Harlequin a huge publisher, but I’ve had such a fantastic experience working with my editor Matrice and the folks at HarlequinE to make this book happen.
What did you do when you got the call?
I may have panicked a little. I’m not sure I quite believed my agent at first; there was a lot of “What?” on my end of that phone call. Given the timeline of THE MASKED SONGBIRD, I wasn’t sure if we’d ever get it to readers. I went into querying and submission knowing that superheroes were a tough sell, a book set against a moment in time could be a hard sell, and that every week shaved away at the chances of it happening. Hearing that we had an offer was truly a unique moment. When it finally sunk in (it’s still sinking in) that I really will get to introduce Gwen to the world, my husband and I cracked a bottle of Prosecco and toasted to the last ten years I’ve spent working toward this exciting adventure.
What inspired THE MASKED SONGBIRD?
I’ve spent a large part of the last decade waiting to finally see a female superhero on the big screen. In spring of 2012, I was sitting in the theater to watch something, and a trailer for the rebooted Spiderman trilogy came on. Much as I love Spiderman, I found myself more and more annoyed as the trailer went on. Where was Storm? Where was Wonder Woman? Captain Marvel?
Pour that into a beaker and simmer it over eight years of watching Scottish devolution slowly turn into a scheduled referendum for independence. This book was the closest thing to a WHIZ BANG poof of smoke and inspiration I’ve ever had. Gwen Maule’s voice sounded in my head with the book’s opening sentences fully formed, and six weeks later, the book was done.
THE MASKED SONGBIRD will be published July 1, 2014 by HarlequinE.
To follow Emmie, or her “Searching for Superwomen” trail, check out the sites below!
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/EmmieMears
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmiemears
Website 1: https://www.emmiemears.com
Website 2: https://www.searchingforsuperwomen.com
We’re looking forward to some more fantastic stories from Emmie! Along with a sequel to The Masked Songbird, she’s developing a Harlequin POP! title about geek girls. We can’t wait!
Don’t forget to check out the Writing Guidelines for HarlequinE and follow us on Twitter!
10 replies on “7 Questions for Debut Author Emmie Mears”
Fabulous interview! Just goes to show what a great deal of perseverance and the right amount of talent can do. Congrats, Emmie!
Thank you so much!
Thank you so much for having me over on the SOLD! blog!
Excellent Emmie, this is one Scotsman that cant wait to read your book.
Aw tha best ti ye Hen. Vote YES 🙂
Cheers, David! I hope you love it!
Sounds fascinating! Are there other “superheroine” stories that you’d recommend? Can’t wait to read yours!
Hi to a fellow Austin native. We are rare, I’m told. 🙂
Loved this interview, Emmie, and double-love your website and blog. Like you, I also left a (good) job, that made me miserable, to piece together an income and write this past year, and, despite the sacrifices, I’ve never felt more alive. I hope you’re feeling something similar amidst the hard parts.
I’ll be rooting for you as you build your career, and can’t wait to read The Masked Songbird. Sounds awesome!
-Amy
Hello! I’m not sure how qualified I am to be a native when I haven’t been back since I was 3 months old, but…:D
Thanks so much for stopping by my websites! I really appreciate hearing that you found something you could latch onto there — it’s always good to hear from someone who gets the similar experience. 🙂
Thanks again for commenting!
Wonderful interview Emmie! I am so excited to read your book! You set a goal and did what you had to do, and now it’s a reality! So proud of you! I can say, ‘I knew you when!’ Congratulations!
Thanks so much, Laura! 😀
Comments ( 7 )
I spent the entire shutdown working. Had no time to wind down. I didn’t see my son much when school shutdown. My one co worker was told to stay home for 3 weeks so I picked up her hours. This year has been really crappy.
Ugh, Janell. Here’s hoping the rest of your summer is better.
Thanks for the info, Carol! Everyone is different in how they deal with the shutdown! I stay at home all the time since I don’t work so I haven’t been too effected but my shopping and errands sure have been effected!
Valri, I’ve been doing most of my shopping online. My local Target is still low on some items – mostly cleaning supplies. Grocery store is pretty much back to normal. Most of the dining in our town is outdoor. I can’t imagine have school-age kids!
Wow–getting your creative process on track must have been daunting–especially with “extra-large dog” glad to have you home. You don’t like coffee–I love coffee and have enjoyed my fortifying 2 cups in the morning even more than usual! How as COVID affected your story lines and characterizations? Best Wishes for all releases!
Interesting question, Virginia. You’ll have to tell me if the tone of my “COVID” books changed any! LOL
Life has changed so much! My dad passed Feb 2. The assisted living facility my folks were at went into hardcore lockdown the beginning of March. Mom couldn’t leave her apartment for 4 months! She was on the third floor, Will be 89 in two months & doesn’t use the phone. My husband and I remodeled the lower level completely and moved her in with us July 1. What a life change and difficult transition for the 3 of us! But we’re working thru it!