I am thrilled to introduce R.A. Lingenfelter.
I met RaeAnne online a few years ago as I was looking to connect with other authors. In one group, she was looking for folks to read and review her book, End of Crows, and I volunteered. I am so glad I did, because I enjoyed the book immensely, AND I got to befriend this incredible writer who really is a genuine artist.
End of Crows, a Dystopian ~ Sci-fi/Fantasy novel, is part of the Small Sacrifices Series.
Willow is a seventeen-year-old girl who has lived under a tyrannical government her entire life, but her parents were born free and talked about how freedom was. They have had a plan for her entire life to escape to the Colorado mountains, where their faction, The Crows, will embrace them and keep them hidden. While Willow yearns for freedom, she’s also worried about leaving the comforts of a planned life, where she doesn’t have to make decisions and told what to do, after all, it’s all she’s known. Her family makes the escape but once hidden with the Crows, she finds she has to prove herself to a new community who view her as a possible spy. As she’s trying to find her place among the Crows, she discovers she has powers that allow her to see into the future, and that the Dominion has found the Crows’ hideout. Wanting to prove herself to her new family, and flush out the spy who betrayed them, she puts herself in a perilous position that could kill them all.
•Hello! Tell me, what inspired you to tell this particular story?
I LOVE Divergent, Hunger Games, Maze Runner and Harry Potter. I wanted to write something that would be a nod towards these incredible stories, while creating a world of my own.
•Having read End of Crows, I think you achieved that goal perfectly. I was reminded of Divergent especially, but Willow’s story and her journey were uniquely told in a way that captured my attention and interest. Is Willow inspired by someone you know in real life?
Willow is written with my daughters in mind. They are so strong, independent and willing to put themselves out there. They inspire me.
•With your daughters in mind, did that make Willow’s character easy or hard for you to develop throughout the story? Explain.
It was very easy, because my father, who fought in WWII under General Patton, raised me to be very strong, independent and how to fight. Steve and I raised our girls the same way, and seeing their strength, and also the times when they doubted themselves with people who really weren’t their friends, was difficult to hold back not jumping in to be the Momma Bear. I had to let them learn to use their voice. I still encourage them to use it.
•Who do you hope will read your book?
Everyone who enjoyed the above books and movies!
•Now, about you as an author. How did you get into writing?
Hahaha, it was accidental! I was fired for having my first daughter. I took a graveyard job building PC boards so she wouldn’t have to go into daycare. Exhausted and waiting for work to come down the line, I began taking notes on how I could kill off my boss without getting caught (I was an automotive mechanic at the time) My dad, who lived with us, read my notebook and said, “Kid, this would make an excellent book.” So I turned it into a murder mystery and saved myself from serving time in jail. Mechanics of Murder is my first novel.
•Wow! That is an interesting way to dive into the writing world, but I imagine taking your revenge on your boss through writing was actually a bit cathartic, yes? Have you found this to be true in following writing: that real-life events could be managed because of writing them out in your stories?
Absolutely
•And bravo to your dad for the great idea. So, your dad is supportive of your journey as an author, I presume. Do you have others that are very supportive?
I know my Dad would be. He passed away 2 days after I handed him Mechanics of Murder. He never had the chance to read it. My girls are HUGE supporters, and one of my best author friends is always encouraging me. Now that End of Crows has been released, I’m amazed at the fans of Willow. I have one young lady that has her parents drive her to every single one of my book signings in Colorado. She has earned the title of my “biggest fan” (not in the Stephen King way, hahahaha)
•I am sorry for your loss, but how wonderful that your daughters are so supportive! I bet it is incredible to have a fanbase so dedicated! Makes writing even more worthwhile knowing there are people out there not just reading your books, but truly connecting with them. How long have you been writing?
19 years
•That is a long time! Over the years, how has your writing method changed?
I no longer write out my stories. Having worked with several small publishers, I found it was faster to learn to type onto my laptop instead of writing it out and then typing it up. When I’m not in a hurry to meet a deadline, I still prefer to write longhand.
•Oh… I would love to write longhand. For me, typing is just better because typing keeps better time with my thoughts. Haha Now, please could you share a moment of inspiration that affected something you have written, even if it is not in your book.
My father had a stroke right after I finished Mechanics of Murder. I rushed to self-publish it so it would inspire him to get better and go to my first book signing. The day I put it in his hands, the girls and I watched him take 8 steps on his own.
•Wow! That makes Mechanics of Murder even more special to you and your entire family, I am sure. Have any of your other books, specifically End of Crows, had similar meaning to you or members of your family? Can you share?
90% of my books have a personal experience in it. With Love; Now & Forever was how I lost my first love. It was extremely therapeutic to work through the emotions on the page.
•I can imagine! I know that is something a lot of writers discover: they can write out genuine things from their own lives within the confines of fictional places and people, and that can help deal with working through those real-life events. I think that is exactly how we can connect with readers, and find our fans.
As indie writers, we rely on many tools (books, apps, programs, etc.) to write and prepare to publish. What is the most useful tool you use when writing or preparing to launch your book? Why is it so valuable to you?
I create book trailers, mostly for myself, as I’m a very visual person. I can create a scene and put it to music, then once I watch it, see if it would play out in words.
•I’ve seen some of your book trailers! They are really well done. So well done, I believe you have won awards for them? So tell me, how did you get into creating book trailers? Is this something you do only for your own books, or do you also create them for other writers?
I was ripped off by a company who claimed they would have a producer/director review my book if I paid them $2k. I found out later it was some schmuck who wasn’t very successful in the film industry, but he was making a killing this way. I researched and found out about film festivals, bought the software and began creating. I won the first festival I entered, and that sparked my passion. I’ve now won 23 international film festivals and scouts are now reaching out to me to enter. My End of Crows trailer (feat. R.A. Lingenfelter) is premiering in Tokyo next month. I’m so very excited! I am designing my own website and offering to create book trailers for other authors and will help get them in front of producers and directors worldwide through the festivals.
•I knew you had won some awards, but did not know you’ve won so many times! That is incredible! Congratulations! I think it only fair we all get to see what it is you create beyond your books. Would you like to share the link to one?
YES PLEASE! ❤️ www.stories2life.com
•Thank you!
Have you ever stumbled on advice or a tip that you found to be useful in your writing journey?
Ignore the bad reviews. Everyone gets them. When I’m feeling down, I will go to my favorite authors and read their reviews. If a 1 star is okay for Nora Roberts or Stephen King, then it’s okay for me. I’m in good company, as they are laughing all of the way to the bank.
•That is a brilliant suggestion! Reading “traditionally” published authors’ reviews would certainly help Indie writers gain perspective, because I know a single critical review really seems to affect us more deeply. Have you gotten a poor review that gave you insight into your writing, though? That you could use as constructive feedback rather than criticism?
Definitely! I’ve gone through six editors before I found one thorough enough to make sure my books are polished and complete, whereas before, it was just to pump out a story and try and keep up with demand. I’m not proud of my work during those times and want to rewrite some of the stories. They had good plots, but poor execution.
•I understand. I don’t have much out there, really, but the early things that I have been able to go back and go over because of reviews and feedback have definitely helped add some polish.
What is one thing you wish to express to readers who might enjoy your book?
I love interacting with readers! If they have questions, or want to chat, I’m all up for that. I’m very outgoing socially and in person, I’m just very social media awkward. I don’t know how to talk about myself.
•You are a very welcoming and engaging person to chat with. I find it hard to believe that social media is awkward for you. Still, do you have a preferred venue for your readers to connect with you?
I have found my tribe on TikTok. They are easy to talk to, appreciate when I’m a goofball and really interested in my writing process.
•It makes sense that you have a tribe on TikTok. I tried it, but I am not comfortable with the video creation side of things. Though, it offers a unique way to connect with readers, for sure!
If you could give a shout-out to any fellow writers, now’s your chance. Give us their name, and a book by them that you read and enjoyed.
Ann Boelter with her Viking books, Nena and Fiona. OMG they are like crack.
•AND there go more books to add to my TBR list. Haha!
As an experienced writer, what do you think are overlooked, but important elements, to a good book?
NO LOOSE TIES. I hate when an author brings up a subject, and then it’s dropped in the book. You have no idea why it was brought up if it wasn’t important.
•Ooh… That is good. One I try to be very conscious of, but because of the massive world-building I am still doing for my fantasy world, I worry things fall through the cracks.
Now… because we all are curious, tell us about your writing space.
I finally have my dream office. I have a beautiful oak curved desk with three monitors for my video creation. My awards and book signing posters adorn my walls, I have a small fridge to hold my beverages, a wall mounted flat screen (I must have noise in the background when I work, so I’ll either put on an older movie that I don’t have to focus on, or have my music going) my book cases with my books and the books I enjoy re-reading, and the best is my window that faces my horse corral, so I can look out and see my babies anytime I want.
•That sounds like the perfect writer’s corner!
As a writer of a series, how to you help keep the storyline going while keeping it fresh for both your readers and yourself?
I write how I would want to read, even if it’s painful. I’m working on the 5th book for End of Crows and it’s gutting me. I know most of my readers are going to cry with me, but as with all stories, real or fiction, bad times happen. It’s how we deal with them that builds our character and creates our story.
•Oh yes. Writing the painful is hard. Just as hard on us writing it, as it is for the reader reading it.
The next few are just for fun.
•What is your favorite quote? Why?
I’m no longer here to fit into your world. Now…my focus is solely on creating my own. (author unknown)
•What book are you currently reading?
Nora Robert’s Sign of Seven Trilogy
•When you aren’t writing, what do you most enjoy doing?
Riding horses or sewing
•Both are excellent hobbies!
What part of the day is your favorite?
Mornings!
•Me too! Doesn’t mean I get anything done, really, but I love a sunrise and fresh coffee.
Share something about yourself that readers wouldn’t readily know.
I make everything food-wise. I make my own cola, my own bread, my own pasta, pizza, fried chicken. I don’t buy food, just the ingredients to make it.
•That is really very interesting! Making it all yourself must make everything much healthier. Describe yourself in three words.
Transparent, passionate, faithful
•Have any of your hobbies beyond writing had an influence on your writing or your publishing journey? How so?
My music and my horses. I have listened to over 556 genres of music in 2022, I have music playing almost 24/7. I’ve been riding horses since I was 3, and still love riding (I currently have 6 horses) so I combined the two and wrote Love’s Everlasting Song. I have always had a HUGE crush on Rick Springfield (80’s were the best!) and wrote that book with him in mind. As I became an adult, I was lucky enough to own 2 purebred Friesians, but never met Rick. Sigh
•Let’s imagine you have won another award for one of your trailers, if you could choose a celebrity (author, actor, singer, etc.) to hand you the award, who would that person be? Why?
Scarlett Johannsen. I was really struggling in my life when I won the gold for End of Crows, and her song off of the movie Sing, (Set it all Free) I played it over and over. It gave me the strength to pull up my big girl pants and do what I wanted, instead of listening to those who told me I couldn’t.
•If one of your readers were to visit the area you live, what would you recommend they do or see while there?
The Box Falls in Ouray. It’s so magical and beautiful!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share more about your book and yourself with me.
Reader: To follow more by R.A. Lingenfelter/RaeAnne Hadley, she has shared multiple ways you can find her. Please check her out!
https://www.facebook.com/raeanne.hadley
https://www.instagram.com/r.a.lingenfelter/reels/
https://twitter.com/raeannehadley
https://www.tiktok.com/@r.a.lingenfelter_author
If you enjoyed this interview with RaeAnne, please leave us a comment below. And of course, come back next Friday for my interview with fellow SPFBO9 Entrant, and author of one of my favorite books from the competition so far, E.C. Greaves, author of Daughter of the Beast.