Mandi Lynn is the young adult author of her debut novel, Essence. Beginning to write the story when she was only thirteen years old, after three and a half years of hard work, Essence was published in print. To graduate in 2014, meanwhile Mandi goes to a vocational high school where she takes cosmetology besides writing nivels and doing regular schoolwork. Mandi can be found on YouTube hosting YA Ink- a series of videos about writing and publishing- and sharing her journey as a writer.
1. So you're a
self-published teen author. Can you tell us about what it was like going
through that process and how long it took you? From writing the novel, getting
an editor, and publishing your novel, what was the hardest/easiest and
best/worst part of it all?
I spent three years writing Essence on and off. I was also
contacting literary agents for representation at the same time, but I never
heard any feedback from them. After writing the eighth draft of Essence I knew it was almost ready so I
looked into self-publishing. From there I found an editor and went through
another two drafts for the novel. I officially decided to self-publish in March
and the novel later came out in August because I knew it was something that had
to be done over the summer without the distraction of high school. I think the
hardest part was the tight deadline I had, but it all worked out in the end and
I started senior year as a published author!
2. Why do you write fiction and why did you want to become an
author? Who/what inspires you to write?
I don’t really know why I
started writing. I just found a love for reading and one day I decided I was
going to write a novel of my own. It was only a little personal project at
first, but it obviously developed into something more than that. But I write
because, simply put, it makes me happy. If I go too long without writing I just
don’t feel right. It’s a therapy for me.
3. Assuming that you've written other stories before, how did
the story of “Essence” stand out to you and why did you decide to go through
with that story?
Essence was the first story I had ever written and it remained that
way for a long time. I just kept working on it and re-writing because I was
determined to make it something. If I go back and read the first draft it’s
nothing like the published version. To be said, I’m just a very stubborn person
and I wanted to make the story work, even if I had to go through ten very
different drafts.
4. Can we be expecting another book from you anytime soon?
What are you working on now? I heard you're writing a prequel to
"Essence" currently! How is that going for you? How much research has
gone into it?
I am currently working on
the first draft of the prequel to Essence.
It finally has a title but I can’t reveal it yet! I’m extremely excited for
this new novel because it’s so different from Essence. I can’t say too much about it just yet, but it took me
months to find all the proper research I needed to write the historical novel.
I had started writing it a long time ago, but I kept abandoning it and starting
again from scratch because I wasn’t happy with where the story was going.
5. What are some of your future plans? Do you know if you'll
be taking any future writing courses/classes in college? Do you hope to be
traditionally published some day?
This fall I’ll be going to a
liberal arts college where I’ll be majoring in English with a focus of creative
writing. I’ll be completely honest when I say I don’t know if I’ll be going for
all four years; frankly because I don’t know if college is right for me and
what I want to do. I do know I want my novels to be traditionally published,
and if that goal takes me away from college I think I’m alright with that.
6. You also have a YouTube channel dedicated to books and
helping others with writing! What are your main tips for any writers out there
that might be struggling?
The biggest thing it
to just keep writing. It’s so easy not to work on a novel and once you stop
it’s hard to get back into the habit of writing every day. Because of my
schedule it’s extremely hard to write every day and when I do have the time to
sit down and write I’m exhausted, but you have to cut your excuses and get your
words down. In the end you’ll be happy you mustered through it.
7. Reading or Writing?
It depends on the day.
Sometimes I rather get lost in another author’s world and escape reality for
awhile, but then there are the days where I feel I need to write or risk losing my sanity.
8. Typing or Hand Writing?
Typing. My hand writing is
awful for the most part. And I cannot, for the life of me, write stories down
on paper. I need to type it, I don’t know why, but the words flow easier when I
type.
9. Hardcover or Paperback?
Hardcover. My parents tell
me I have expensive taste.
10. What book did you just finish reading? And what are you
reading currently?
I just finished The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew
Quick and I loved it! And right now I’m not reading anything, which is very
strange for me, but I’ve been writing a lot. And anyone who’s been a high
school senior knows how hectic your life becomes in the last few months before
graduation, so I haven’t had time to sit down and read a lot.
11. Do you have a specific playlist you listen to while you
write?
I do! It’s named after a
novel I had started writing but then abandoned because it didn’t connect with
me like I wanted it to. But it’s full of a lot of emotional songs and indie
bands that help me get into the zone.
12. This might be hard, but list your top 5 favorite books of
all time.
I’m bending the rules and
choosing six because I’m starring at my bookshelf and can’t cross one of these
books off the list.
Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Every Day by David Levithan
It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini’
Rapture by Lauren Kate
Allegiant by Veronica Roth (my copy is signed!)
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
13. And lastly, if you had to get any tattoo right now, what
would it be?
I love this question because I was just talking to my
friends about tattoos. I don’t know if I’ll ever actually get it, but I wanted
to get Strength tattooed onto my calf. I have anxiety every now and then, but
one of the things that helps me (along with writing) is running and long
distance bike rides. So to me it means having strength both mentally and
physically.
Thank you so much for answering these questions Mandi :) I really appreciate it and I hope all goes well for your senior year in high school!
It starts with a shift in the atmosphere. The forest greets Emma with startling force. At first she can’t move her limbs. Then her vision is rendered useless. The sensation comes more often, and the symptoms become frightening as Emma is left paralyzed to the force that emerges from the forest. Voices come in dream at first, commanding against her will. Something is out there that calls Emma to the forest. It isn’t going to fade until she surrenders.
Mandi's debut novel Essence can be bought on Amazon HERE
For more information on Mandi and her novel, check out her website where you'll find all her social media links as well! : http://mandilynn.com/
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