Today's Author Spotlight is author Lisa Hofman!
Read on for the full interview.
Publication date: April 5th, 2021
An Island in the lake. A curse. A stargazer's daughter whose time is running out.
The girl in the tower watches the stars from her window – and the black waters of the lake below.
Monsters thrive between the rocks and the fouling weeds, guarding the cursed shore. Her people seem to have forgotten her. It’s easier to forget than to fight.
Only Elnathan still knows she’s there on that island. He would fly on broken wings to the ends of the earth just to be near her, but the dark spell Abaddon cast could cost him everything, and time is against them both.
Enjoy this new magical, thrilling shapeshifter love story by Lisa Hofmann!
An Island in the lake. A curse. A stargazer's daughter whose time is running out.
The girl in the tower watches the stars from her window – and the black waters of the lake below.
Monsters thrive between the rocks and the fouling weeds, guarding the cursed shore. Her people seem to have forgotten her. It’s easier to forget than to fight.
Only Elnathan still knows she’s there on that island. He would fly on broken wings to the ends of the earth just to be near her, but the dark spell Abaddon cast could cost him everything, and time is against them both.
Enjoy this new magical, thrilling shapeshifter love story by Lisa Hofmann!
What's your latest release?
Artemis' Wings - a raven shifter love story. It's one of the series of shapeshifter stories I published over the past year, and it probably has the most fairytale-y feel about it.
Can you start out by telling us a little about your latest work?
It's a collection of short shapeshifter stories with unusual shifters. I loved writing it because they have a sprinkling of fairytale about them all, and they're set in the deep, dark forests of medieval Europe.
Where did you get the inspiration to write this story?
I have always loved fairytales, and that's where a lot of the ideas for the shapeshifters we have today originated, so I decided to write a few of my own. I've published four over the past year, and I'm going to publish a collection of five in a single volume in September.
When you developed the characters, did you already know who they were before you began writing or did they develop organically?
I'm a planner through and through, so I knew my characters well. They'd been churning inside my mind for some time.
Which of your characters was your favorite to write and why?
I loved writing Willa from the dragon shifter story Amberflame, because she is so gutsy!
What was more important to you when you were writing: character development or plot?
Both, really. They had to fit together to make the pacing work. In a novella or anything shorter than a novel, both have to be well-managed.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned (about your story, about yourself, etc.) while writing?
Over the past years, I learned that I can actually be patient! With myself and with the process. And I also learned to love editing, which is kinda weird, but here we are.
In your opinion what makes a good story?
Good character development, a steady pace that doesn't kill me, and a few good twists along the way.
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
It changed everything about my writing process up until that point because I began working with a very cool and competent non-eye-rolling editor, who taught me a lot about finding out what's important and what isn't, and how to further develop my voice and style of writing.
Do you read your book reviews? What do you consider "good" /"bad"?
I do - I don't think any of us can afford not to. I don't think in terms of good or bad reviews - I'm always hoping for the helpful ones.
I want to know what my readers think and how to improve what I'm doing if something was genuinely off.
I recall one reviewer telling me they didn't like the book cover, so 2 stars for that, despite the fact that they weren't into fantasy and hadn't read the free book they'd gotten from me... That's what I mean by not very helpful.
But I also generally get a few that I can really work with, and the ones that are posted to Amazon definitely help me promote my work.
What led you to start writing?
My love for reading and history, I think. Plus, I've been accused of having an overactive imagination.
Do you have any writing superstitions?
I have to have my cat nearby. She's probably the one who's really working all the magic.
What attracted you to the genre(s) you write in?
Everything. In Fantasy, you can be anyone or anything and go anywhere in a thousand worlds. So much to explore there!
What is one of your favorite words? OR Is there a word you find yourself using too often?
Shenanigans. I don't think I've ever actively used it, but I just love it. It's cheeky.
What are you currently reading?
Spinning Silver by Noami Novik
A lot of authors have a soundtrack while writing. Are there are songs you had on repeat?
Not really - I need quiet to really get into the deep of things while I write. Sometimes I have music with no lyrics on while I'm still drafting, though. First drafts are always quick and non-wordy.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Be a bit more brave and start publishing earlier.
What are a couple of your favorite movies to kick back with to relax?
I like shark movies, which - again - is weird and so not what I write. Whenever I'm ever really stressed out, though, I don't watch a lot of TV. I try to get out and about and into the woods.
Which animal would you say is your spirit animal and why?
The blue-and-gold-glittered Middle-European Coffee Sloth
Would you rather live in a haunted mansion or a cottage surrounded by fairytale creatures?
I'll take a haunted mansion surrounded by fairytale creatures.
What is something about the genre that annoys you?
I love that women play a bigger role in Fantasy now than ever before, but think there are a lot of very similar characters and story arcs being written, which makes some of the series that started out great quickly become a bit dull.
I don't like formula-writing because I like the unusual twists and turns that a story can take. I wish there was more of that out there.
What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
In terms of my writing process: I tend to slash and burn my way through my finished manuscripts while revising to the point where my editor shouts stop. In terms of my style: what I hear a lot from others is that I do well with my prose. I like atmosphere, so I try to create one for the reader that's relatable - if you like my type of stories.
Are you on social media and can your readers interact with you? What are your links?
I'm mostly only on Facebook because I can't really deal with more than that between the busy day job and the writing and my family.
I also have a website, on which you can find a newsletter sign-up. My newsletters are practically non-existent, though, because I have to admit I'm really sloppy about sending them out to people. I never remember...
I also have a website, on which you can find a newsletter sign-up. My newsletters are practically non-existent, though, because I have to admit I'm really sloppy about sending them out to people. I never remember...
But here are the links:
https://www.facebook.com/authorlisahofmann
https://www.facebook.com/groups/LisasBookdragons (the group is worth joining because here's where you get ARCs and other freebies, as well as some good bookish discussions)
https://www.lisahofmann.net
Do you have a favorite line that you've written? What is it and why do you like it?
I couldn't really pick one because my favorites are always the ones I'm currently working on.
What advice would you like to pass on to aspiring writers that is unconventional but true?
Do your thing and write that book you've always wanted to write - but remember that you're not writing to entertain only yourself. When you finish it, others are going to want to read it, so know who your readers are going to be, and what they would like you to present them with, or you're going to set yourself up for a heartache.
Do you have a WIP? If so, can you tell us anything about it?
I'm currently working on two novels. One is a fourth in a series, and the other is a standalone fantasy novel that is set in the 1920s.
Thanks so much for participating in the Author Spotlight! Anything you'd like to add?
Thanks for having me on your blog!
Lisa is a European-based writer, born in 1975. She was educated in the nerd factories of Germany and the mystery moors of Ireland. Before she began writing medieval and shapeshifter fiction in her late thirties, she worked internationally as an interpreter, translating specialized publications on early education and literacy.
She is a genuine Dr Jekyll and Mrs. Hyde: a teacher of multilingual children by day, and producer of character-driven fantasy novels by night. Since Stealing the Light, she has published three other novels and several shorter works. She writes predominantly in English and works with a weather-proofed Pennsylvania-based American editor.
Lisa lives in Germany with her husband, three outrageous children, and a house full of exceptionally vocal pets. Whenever she finds herself teetering on the brink of boredom, she will generally resort to exploring old towns and castles, walks in the woods, and reading anything that other people throw at her.