‘I never back down from a project’ – interview with author, Dana Gricken

Dana Gricken is a prolific author from Canada, whose titles include The Soulless War Trilogy and the upcoming Jessica Prince Mysteries. Dana kindly agreed to be interviewed for my blog and give us an insight into how she creates so many magical worlds.

What’s your first memory of writing?

In first grade, I wrote a short story and illustrated it called “I Lost My Cat”. It was about—you guessed it—losing my cat. There may have also been some aliens written in. Don’t worry, the cat was saved! I was a little girl who adored her cat, and I usually wrote about what I knew back then.

You are incredibly prolific. What are your secrets to remaining disciplined and finishing projects before starting exciting new ones? (Something I think all of us writers might struggle with!!)

It can be difficult sometimes to focus on one task, but I learned a long time ago that you have to in order to get things done. Jumping from one project to the next is fun, but not very productive! I write down clear goals for myself to follow and hold myself to them. If I follow through, I’ll reward myself with chocolate or free time. That way, there’s more of an incentive to stay focused on one project at a time! Always, always, always finish what you start.

You’ve said your dreams can inspire stories – I’d love to hear an example?

I once had a dream where my husband had been murdered in bed next to me. Graphic, I know—and I didn’t even have a husband! That would eventually inspire my thriller novel, In the Middle of the Night, where a journalist’s husband is murdered and she must solve it while learning some terrible things about her beloved. I’m still hoping that will find a publisher one day.

You started your writing career self-publishing. Tell me about that. How did you go about it? What did you do that you’d perhaps change in hindsight?

I self-published my first fantasy novel, The Girl Who Walked Through Fire, in 2018. I had tried for years to find a publisher and agent and it just wasn’t happening for that novel. I was still determined to get my work out there, so I self-published through Amazon and Draft2Digital. I designed the cover myself and had my mom give me feedback on the story. It was fun! In hindsight, I think I would’ve done some more marketing for it and spread the word a little more. I’m grateful that it’s finally getting readers seven years later! That’s the great thing about writing—it doesn’t need to be a success right out of the gate. You can find your audience, even a large one, decades later.

How do you balance writing with marketing and building an online presence?

It can be tough! I have timers set for myself. A few hours of writing in the morning, then an hour or so on Twitter/X and Instagram in the afternoon. It can be a struggle but marketing and building an online presence are so important! No one will buy your books if they haven’t even heard about them.

What does your average day look like?

It’s pretty much the same every day! I wake up very early, then write a chapter of my current novel. I’ll break for breakfast, answer some emails and social media messages, then a little reading and video game time. For the rest of the afternoon, I write another chapter of my current book and do some light editing on a previous project. Then I usually take the evenings for myself to cook dinner, watch TV, and just relax. I am very blessed to be a full-time author with my family’s support—both emotionally and financially! All my productivity wouldn’t be possible without them, and I love my parents and grandma dearly. Also my two cats, Whitey and Timmy, who sleep next to me while I write. I usually don’t work on weekends either unless I’m on a deadline and need to get something done. I try very hard to balance work and play. If not, I can get a little stressed out!

How do you unwind and chill out?

Video games! They are my true love. Reading books, watching Star Trek with my cats, hanging out with my boyfriend, and going shopping with my grandma helps too. I love buying (and posting selfies in) dresses! That’s very clear across my social media, ha ha.

You’ve said you like to write with a clear plot. How do you go about plotting it? Do you map out every detail? What’s your process?

I keep a notebook on my desk as I write that lists characters, the setting, and major plot points. Sometimes even a world map if I’m writing fantasy or sci-fi, and I hand draw it. I try to make sure I have a clear beginning, middle, and end before I start writing, and I usually write a blurb before too. Who is the protagonist/hero? Who is the antagonist/villain? What is the hero trying to do, and why does the villain want to stop them? How far will they go? What are their best and worst traits to make them seem as realistic and human as possible, even if they aren’t human themselves? (No one is completely evil or completely good, so I try to write complex and flawed characters.) Those are some questions to ask yourself before sitting down to write. I try to outline as much as I can, though I do leave some legroom to improvise. Surprisingly, some of my best ideas have come on the spot! Ultimately, everyone’s process is different, but mine has worked for me for years. The best part about writing is personalizing it and finding what works for you and your schedule.

Do you like to listen to music while you write?

I listen to instrumental music, yes! Mostly soundtracks that fit with the theme of the book I’m writing. For example, if I’m writing fantasy, I might listen to the soundtrack for Game of Thrones. I can’t have any words or singing since it’ll distract me. My favorite soundtracks to listen to are Skyrim, Baldur’s Gate 3, Mass Effect, Dragon Age, and James Bond! When not writing, my favorite artists are Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Dua Lipa.

What are you currently reading?

I just finished The Unknown Witch by my friend, Grace Herbst. Right now, I’m currently reading an early copy of The Serpent’s Bridge by SZ Estavillo, a gritty crime thriller with fascinating characters. It releases in August of this year. She’s a talented writer and a lovely friend—plus we now share a publisher—so do check out her work and support her debut novel!

What’s your all-time favourite book?

Oh boy, this is a tough one! Percy Jackson definitely comes to mind. Also the Vampire Academy series. My good friend, AG Rodriguez, has a great fantasy novel called Stone Feather Fang which incorporates Puerto Rican mythology. I love to see diverse authors sharing their cultures and history while weaving them into fantasy and sci-fi worlds. So many good books to choose from!

Is there anything you would like to talk about and mention? Feel free!

You can find out more about me at danagricken.com. Currently, I have eleven novels out and seven book deals coming soon! I write, read, and love all genres and age groups, and I never back down from a project, even when it gets difficult. I’m still in talks for a few other projects, including film and TV rights for my existing novels, so hopefully those will work out. Fingers crossed! All my books can be found on Amazon and other book retailers, both in e-book and paperback forms.

Tell me about your upcoming projects, if they’re not top secret.

Absolutely, I can share a bit! I have a romantic fantasy trilogy coming out with Oliver-Heber Books this year. The first one is called Modern Fairytale. I also have books releasing with Fire and Ice Young Adult, an imprint of Melange Books, called Kingdom of V (a young adult vampire novel and the first in a series), and Coming of Age, a young adult sci-fi and the start of another series, both next year. They’re also publishing my standalone paranormal novel called Chatter this year. Jessica Prince and the Crimson Caper, a young adult mystery and the start of a series in the vein of Nancy Drew, releases this fall from Roan and Weatherford Associates (their young adult imprint called Mad Cat.) Additionally, Evernight Teen is publishing my YA horror novel called Desire and a young adult thriller novel called A Billion Reasons. Whew, that’s a lot—and there’s more going on behind the scenes! My latest release, Whispers in the Woods: A Short Story Collection, inspired by Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, and The Twilight Zone will be released on June 17th, 2024, self-published. More details are found on my website, danagricken.com, or my social media.

And one last question: how do you determine which publisher is a good fit for your book? I guess this isn’t so much of an issue as you’re agented. But how did you avoid publishing scams and cons?

My agent, Jessica Reino of Metamorphosis Literary Agency, is a wonderful resource, yes! She has a lot of knowledge about the publishing industry which is helpful to avoid scams. But anyone can do some investigating. Just typing in “publishers open to submissions” will reveal a treasure trove on the internet. I try to submit to publishers widely, then cross my fingers and hope they like my work. It can be a shot in the dark, but sometimes, it does work out. Make sure to read the submission guidelines on their website to see if they publish the genre you’ve written. When looking at a publisher, investigate their social media first. Do they seem professional? Do their book covers look good? Do they try very hard to promote their authors across social media and maintain a website? Then check websites called Writer’s Beware, Absolute Write, and QueryTracker to see if there are any complaints when it comes to the publisher you’ve chosen. Publisher’s Marketplace also has lists of reputable publishers. Whoever you choose to submit to, they should be respectful, pay their royalties on time, design your cover art, edit and compile your book, market it all, and NEVER ask for money. If they do, that’s a red flag—so run! Make sure to carefully read any contracts you receive for hidden clauses. Remember, if something feels wrong, it usually is. You can always reach out to me or other authors on social media for clarification on contracts and terms if you’re confused. I’ve chatted with many authors and given them free advice and encouragement, something I love to do. Best of luck publishing your books! Please don’t get scammed or get discouraged. Lots of rejection is normal. Keep writing, keep trying, and keep believing! For reference, I have been published by Fire and Ice Books, Roan and Weatherford Associates, Evernight Teen, and Oliver-Heber Books, four publishers who are very reputable and lovely to work with. Feel free to query them or my agent if you think your work is a good fit and they’re open to submissions!