Welcome back to another edition of Fan Fiction Friday. Today’s edition is a shameless plug for my debut novel, lol. why? well, because I finally did it, I have things to say, and I’m extremely proud of it. I was recently interviewed for a local newspaper, so I will borrow the questions she asked me and add a few of my own I think readers would like to know about. Let’s get into it. I should probably do a quick recap and introduce myself again before we get started. My name is Sarahjane. I am the owner of Rustic Magnolia,mom to 3, and grandma to one. I wear several different hats depending on what I’m doing, and as of January 26th, 2023, I can now add published author to my list as well.
1. How long have you been writing for?
A: I’ve always enjoyed writing creatively. I wrote poetry in my teens and wrote a few articles for newspapers and magazines when my children were young. I’d always wanted to or I guessed dreamed of writing a book that when I got sick and Covid hit I had all this free time so I figured why not.
2. What inspired you to get into writing?
A: When I was younger writing was cathartic and a escape. A way to put word to feelings I didn’t want to say out loud. As I got older I found inspiration in everything. Every day I’m inspired by something or someone or a feeling I had. Writing is so freeing
3. Is this your first book?
A: Yes, it is and hopefully not the last.
4. What gave you the idea for the topic?
A: The Bratva and all organized crimes have always intrigued me. I love history, myths, and legends. I also happen to love romance books and MMA fighting. Then i got greedy in a sense because I thought, why not incorporate all three. Once the initial idea came to me, it kind of nagged at me until I had it mapped out beginning to end.
5. How did you research some aspects of the book?
A: I bought several books on mafia and organized crime. I scoured the internet for all related topics about the bratva, how they worked, the hierarchy, weapons, and all illegal activities related to them. I watched countless hours of UFC and MMA fighting bouts to make all the fighting scenes in the book seem as authentic as possible.
6. What was the most surprising thing about the writing and publishing process?
A: I learned that writing is the easy part lol. Everything that comes after you’ve written your book I found overwhelming. Proper formatting, trigger warnings and why you should use them, where to publish as I self-published. How to set it up, what programs to invest in, and learn a whole new set of skills to market it after the fact. When you self-publish, everything is your job to make sure your book is the best it can be and then to market your book so it does well.
7.What was the most surprising thing about the writing and publishing process?
A: I learned that writing is the easy part lol. Everything that comes after you’ve written your book I found overwhelming. Proper formatting, trigger warnings and why you should use them, where to publish as I self-published. How to set it up, what programs to invest in, and learn a whole new set of skills to market it after the fact. When you self-publish, everything is your job to make sure your book is the best it can be and then to market your book so it does well.
8.Is the book a stand alone or part of a planned series?
A: The Fall of Baba Yaga is Book 1 of 2 with a spin off series in the works for a few characters.
9. Who was your favorite lesser characters and why?
A: That’s a tough one tbh I tried to give a small back story to each of my lesser characters so a few of them when I wrote their parts inspired new stories. I don’t want to give anything away so you’ll have to read the book and see which characters I left nuggets with hinting at possible future stories. But to answer the question I don’t have a favorite as every character was personal and I either loved them or hated them in the best way possible of course.
10. What advice would you give to others starting this process?
A: I will share some of the same advice I received that has helped me. 1. Never cheap out on your book cover or a good editor. Especially editing. 2. Just get the words written down. Don’t self-edit as you go. It’s a waste of time and the first draft always sucks. It’s meant to. 3. Ignore all the voices telling you that you can’t. You can. Imposter syndrome is a real thing but don’t let it stop you. 4. Break everything down to the smallest tasks so it’s more attainable. Set small mini-goals along the way and celebrate the wins no matter how small. Accept the bumps in the road and be patient. It’s worth it in the end.
11. Were there any doubts along the way? And how did you work through them?
A: Definitely, imposter syndrome was really tough, self-doubt in my work. I figured out that the need to do it and commit to it that it outweighed the reason I was making up not to do it.
12. What is your least favorite part of the process?
A: I’d say marketing the book. I had to learn so many things about making reels, posts, hashtags to use, trending music, time of day to post, and so on. I’m sure it won’t always feel like this as I get better at doing it.
13. What is next for you?
A: I’m currently writing Book 2 in the duet and have several other story ideas lined up after.
This is the part where I usually thank the guest for coming and sharing today but that’s me and I think that might be a little pretentious thanking myself so instead I’ll say thank you to my readers, my editor, friends and family for the support I got reaching for this dream and seeing it through. This book is a dark romance, so please check the trigger warnings before purchasing as it might not be the book for you.
Love, a totally inspired Magnolia x
My book is available on Amazon in paperback, the Kindle store, and Kindle unlimited. http://The Fall of Baba Yaga https://a.co/d/7EurV7v
I can also be found on Facebook under S.J Magnolia and Instagram @author_s.j_magnolia
Rustic Magnolia 
I’m so excited for you, Sarahjane! Congratulations!!! 🎉 🎉 🎉 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼
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