Interview with Krysta Maravill, Author of Spark

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Spark?

In 2015 I had a dream that was so vivid, so detailed, so awesome, it left me wishing I lived that life. From the moment I’d awoken, I knew I needed to write the dream. Yet, when I sat down to write it, I realized I was a horrible writer. Unwilling to learn how to write with this dream, I set about the task of learning to write. I named my manuscript Fabio, because the name made me smile and rolled off the tongue smoothly, rolled up my sleeves, and began writing.

I sat down one day, after doing morning pages for about 9 months, and started three different fantasy chapters. What is now the prologue, I decided to go with and then I pantsed (meaning I wrote by the seat of my pants) the entire story. As anticipated, the first draft was horrible and only one person has read it from beginning to end I paid… It didn’t deter me though.

As I was writing the book, my reasons and inspirations shifted. At first, it was to learn to write. Then it became about writing a book where we could see a strong character who grappled with her traumatic past and current struggles, use healthy coping skills, and plant the seeds in readers of the possibilities of their own power and thoughts. Yet, it ended with my realization this wasn’t my story, but Phe’s.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Spark, what would they be?

I’m in between Underdog by Alicia Keys or Wild Things by Alessia Cara.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Epic fantasy and paranormal romance

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Right now, I”m reading We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power. Yes, its a mouth full but totally worth it! I am listening to The Courage to Be Disliked; The Japenese Phenonom That Shows You How to Change Your Life and Achieve Real Happiness, and I’m toying with reading one of Jennifer Armentrout’s books.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Chapter 29! It was a blast to write. Walking Phe through a magical training facility where she sees magic being used for the first time and encounters shifters, was so fun! Then, we get a little time with Shadow Unit members where we get a sense of how they are, as a team.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I eat a lot of Nutella. Straight from the jar, the bigger the jar the better, with a long ice tea spoon. I also only listen to Brain.fm focus music while I am writing, this helps literally drop my brain into focus and creative brain waves.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Stay marvelous 🙂 To further explain, my middle name, Maravilla, translates to marvelous. For me, it took years to discover and accept the marvel of who I am. Now that I have, I want to inspire and encourage others to see their own marvel, just as they are.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Phe’s a badass!

Krysta Maravilla is the author of the new book Spark (Of Fire and Shadows)

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