Today I welcome fantasy author Sarah Buchynski to my blog. Be sure to check out an excerpt of Before True Light: The Awakening after the interview.
Interview
Please tell us about your current release.
Before True Light: The Awakening is mostly told through the eyes of the heroine, Izanami. She is an orphaned girl who lives among a secret society, the Red Mages, who are in hiding until they are needed once more to protect mankind. All of Izanami’s life she has questioned her upbringing, not knowing the purpose of her existence in such a world. However, when a sadistic madman emerges and threatens the very existence of life itself, Izanami gains insight to her purpose, but in ways she could have never imagined.
I would also like to add one thing. A lot of readers have said that they wished there was a more up front relationship with Izanami and Zane. However, this is not a romance so I did not want that to be up front for that reason. Also, most people in their teens act awkward towards others that they like. I found that to be a more realistic interaction between the characters.
Did the story turn out the way you planned from the beginning? If not, what change happened that you didn’t expect?
Originally, Izanami and Zane were enemies on a student rivalry level. They did not like each other at all. However, I changed it to the complete opposite. This change made the story flow smoothly. I felt this change was necessary so that the story was not completely dark but Zane was the light that helped Izanami persevere.
The story as a whole had a huge change. Originally, The Awakening was the first book of the series but now it isn’t. There will be a book that takes place before The Awakening’s timeline. I suppose it’s a similar scenario as The Chronicles of Narnia. As well as it was originally just called Before True Light, but later that became the name of the series.
Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your next book?
Yes I have started my next project. In fact, I have started two new books. Both are from the Before True Light series. One is a prequel to the events of The Awakening and the other continues the story. All I will say about them is depending on which one you read first, the reader will get a different perception of the overall story.
How did you come up with the title?
I think it was really subconscious. I was just getting into Japanese music at the time and a song I had stumbled upon was Before True Light by Shadow. It was a few months after (more like 6) that that name came into my head when thinking for a title. It just fit so well. I had not listened to that song for awhile when it dawned on me that that was a name of a song…a really good song I might add if you like something heavier.
What was the most difficult thing/scene to write in this story?
The ending was the most difficult to write. This was mostly because it was challenging to determine how far to go with it or if I did not go far enough to set up for the next installment. It took quite a few of rewrites to get the perfect balance with a good blend of drama.
How do you conceive your plot ideas?
My best ideas come to me when I am severally sleep-deprived. Also, I picture them playing out in my mind as if I am watching a movie. I suppose that is why a lot of readers have said my book reads like a movie.
Do you write full-time? If so, what is your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
No I do not write full-time. My full-time profession is an audio engineer currently at a recording studio, Pulsworks Audio Arts and a freelance composer for book trailers. I usually do my writing when I have some spare time in the evenings.
What book are you reading right now?
Fruits Basket (it’s a manga comprised of several volumes).
Excerpt
The crimson sky bled out across the horizon. The land that was once fruitful and stunning began to wither in an abyss of darkness. That very same darkness that was born on that grave day would spread like a rabid plague across the great land. Light, peace, hope… all such beliefs would begin to slip away from the commoners. Even the bravest men and women would succumb to such a dire state of mind. Fear can be more deadly than that, itself, which disturbs the harmony.
Upon the peak of a mountain there perched a young woman. The black cloak she was wearing shielded any distinct features of her face from being seen. Standing in stillness, her eyes stared coldly at the dying land. A faint, icy mountain breeze wisped across her face but she did not shudder. The more she stared into the distance, the more her very soul seemed to split apart. She slumped onto the rocks and, for many hours, sat there in deep thought. Perhaps, she was more in a state of shock. Her eyes continued to scan the horizon. The only image she saw was one of death and destruction. While the destruction continued to move on, she remained on the mountain, alone.
In time, the cloaked woman could hear the murmur of voices coming from behind her, but she did not betray her stillness.
“Hey, a survivor is over here!” one of the men yelled to his companion. “Are you alright?” he questioned, cautiously, as he approached her. The young woman did not reply. She did not even turn around to signify that she still had life flowing within her. The man’s companion, a young soldier, approached him and the cloaked woman. His golden eyes and hair glistened against the setting, blood red sun. The young soldier motioned for his companion to step away from the woman. He crouched down next to the cloaked woman and gently put his hand on her shoulder.
Book Description
The fate of the world is uncertain…A secret society, historical protectors of mankind and thought to have been lost for centuries, re-emerges in dire times. When a sinister madman emerges and threatens the balance of harmony, a young girl realizes her quest for purpose.
About the Author
Sarah Buchynski is a young author that primarily writes Young Adult Fantasy using powerful imagery to captivate her readers. Her latest work, Before True Light: The Awakening has begun to captivate readers across the globe.
In her early teens, Sarah began to dabble in poetry due to her fascination with Edgar Allen Poe. At sixteen, she had her first poem, The Gift, professionally published through an anthology. Since then Sarah has had a few more of her works of poetry published but on a much smaller scale. Today she continues to write poetry, but not for publication.
When Sarah is not focusing on her writing career, she focuses on her audio engineering career and sometimes fusing the two together. Sarah independently composes scores for book trailers and designs all audio aspects needed and takes on other audio-based projects when she can.
You can follow Sara on Twitter or Facebook or check out her Goodreads Author page.
You can buy Before True Lights: The Awakening on Smashwords, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, the Kobo Store and from Sony.
Into Another World 