Tricia Copeland

CJ Ives Lopez

3 years ago

Tell us a little about yourself.

We create our own magic, and I believe that we discover magic every day whether we transform hearts, lives, numbers, ideas, art, music, or enjoy nature. My goal is to write stories that show what is possible when one commits to finding their brand of magic. Beyond being an avid reader in multiple genres, I love being outdoors, running, hiking, and spending time with my friends, family, and my dog Olivia.

Playing games and watching movies allows me to unwind from a career in the intellectual property field after moving from biotech research.

Whether technical or fiction writing, putting words to paper fills most of my waking hours.

Why Do you write?

My first series tells the story of a girl who, like me, developed anorexia. In writing this series, I wanted to highlight this eating disorder, let those struggling know that they are not alone, and give hope for recovery. I formed an intense love of writing and created characters with tenacity and heart by writing these books.

What genre do you write, and why did you pick this genre?

My first series was a coming of age/college/new adult series. It is a fictionalized account of my experience with anorexia. After finishing this series, I dove into my favorite genre, fantasy. Following this, I wove some other romances and dystopian tales into the mix.

Tell us about your book.

My most recent novel, To be a Fae Queen, is not one I had planned on writing. I saw an advertisement for an anthology that included a beautiful picture of a faerie. I fell in love with a faerie princess character named Titania and developed my story around the image. Although I submitted a short story for the anthology, it never came together. Titania became woven into my series, the Kingdom Journals, an urban fantasy series. After I wrote the finale to that series, it was hard to let the characters go. Continuing their story by weaving it into a new tale of faerie protectors of the human realm was a great way to extend the prior series and grow Titania’s character.

How much time do you dedicate to your author career?

I spend 10-25ish hours a week writing and author-bizzing, depending on whether I am currently writing. When I’m writing, I write at least an hour a day. Things like social media, blog posts, podcasts, and emails, all of which I love creating, take about 1-2 hours a day.

How long on average does it take you to write your books?

On average, I take three to four months to write a book and then spend two months in the editing process.

What is the best money you have ever spent on your author career?

The best money I have spent is traveling to book cons. I love meeting up with readers and other authors. Talking to other book junkies feeds my soul and creativity. Being an author can feel isolating, so it brings me great joy to speak to readers, and fellow book lovers face to face.

What is the most challenging part of being an author?

The hardest part of being an author, I imagine, like any solo/small business, is that you wear all the hats. You’re a marketing person, accountant, and producer all in one. Learning all the best practices for each of these roles is a steep slope and because things are constantly changing, stay on top of best practices.

What is the best piece of advice you have for other authors?

If you love it, do it. If it makes you happy, do it. Learn all you can and be your own biggest fan!

What is your favorite book?

What a tricky question! I love so many books. Ones that I’ve read and re-read include Lord of the Rings, Gone with the Wind, and the Twilight series.

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