Regal Hearts // An Author Interview

Howdy, folks! Again, today I'm breaking my usual posting schedule to share with you some exciting news! I am participating in another book tour!!! This will be my third time doing a author interview, and I am so excited to get started!

I got the privilege to read the first part of Regal Hearts Season One, and let me say, I am very intrigued and really wanting to read more! Livy's writing style is so unique, and that is one of the things that makes these books stand out!

Now, lets get on to the interview!

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1. Tell us a little about yourself and why you are passionate about writing, what made you decide to first start your self-publishing journey? 
Hi there! So, I'm a twenty-something author, blogger, singer, songwriter, YouTuber, designer, (I have a lot of passions! Haha) but most importantly I LOVE Jesus and I just want to inspire others to fall in love with Him and live out the plan and purpose He has for their lives! :)

I've been writing ever since I was a little girl. Stories are so powerful, and I just think it's absolutely amazing how words have the potential to impact people. Jesus always taught in parables and I love how stories bypass your mind and go directly to your heart.

I always enjoyed writing fiction growing up, but as a teen, a lot of that was put on the back-burner as I tried to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. The little girl in me believed I had stories I wanted to share with the world, but the "practical" side of me, didn't see how that was very realistic, or how that could make much of an impact.

Fast-forward a few years, and I was running Crown of Beauty Magazine, an online website for Christian teen girls. During that time, the desire to return to fiction was ignited. I finished the rough draft for The Coronation, and asked if anyone on our email list might be interested in Beta reading. Sending out that email was pretty scary. I didn't have much confidence and I had no idea if the story was any good! But the responses astonished me. The story was actually resonating with people. The enjoyed the characters and didn't want to leave the fictitious nation of Tarsurella! That gave me the courage to step out and self-publish my first book. And since that moment, things continued to snowball! I'm now on the verge of releasing Book #3 in The Tales of Tarsurella series, and have some more top-secret projects in store as well. ;)

2. If I understand correctly, Regal Hearts is two books in seasons. And you have written Season One and Season Two? How does writing in seasons work?  
Yes! So, the idea for Regal Hearts came with the rather unconventional thought, "What I wrote this story in a TV show format?" I wrote each segment as an "episode", introducing a large cast of character, just as one might see on a television show, hopping around in omnipresent style.

One of my dreams is to someday produce T.V. shows, and I felt like the first step toward working in that direction, was to write the script for Regal Hearts. Once I was finished writing the first few episodes, I knew I wasn't at a place in my life yet where it was time to bring it to production, so I thought, "What if I could share these stories before they hit the big screen? That way, I can invite others along for the journey, and hopefully encourage and inspire them to pursue their dreams, even in tiny baby-steps."

So, Regal Hearts was originally released on a weekly basis, a new episode every Friday, for those who wanted some fun, Christ-centered entertainment in their lives, but couldn't find anything to watch on the weekends! After I released the first ten episodes online, a handful of readers asked if I would put them in a bundle and release it via paperback, so they didn't have to read on their screens. So, that's why I refer to them as episodes and seasons. I know it's not very traditional, but I love doing new things, and when you're an indie author, who says you have to follow the rules anyway?! :D

3. How long did it take you to write Regal Hearts? 
When I first started working on Regal Hearts, I set the goal of writing five pages a day. Each episode is 25 pages, so it averaged about a week per episode. Ten episodes, would be ten weeks, approximately.

4. What character in Regal Hearts is your favorite, and who do you relate with the most? 
My favorite character is definitely Arden! With some characters, you really have to develop and take time to get to know them, but with Arden, it was like he just showed up in my mind and shouted, "I'm here, let's get the party started!" Some characters have the ability to write themselves, and Arden is absolutely one of those characters! I can't tell you how many times I laughed when writing a scene with him, because his dialogue would just come flying onto the page and I'd have to ask, "Who are you and where did you come from? This is SO not me!" Haha! I love when that happens, because then you know the character is authentic and you're not just creating another version of yourself on the page.

But as far as who I relate to the most, I would probably say Emma. Though she's much quieter and sarcastic than I am, I think we have a lot in common.

5. What is the best part about the writing/publishing process for you? 
This is going to sound very cliche, but the best part about writing is...writing! Haha, I truly love being able to let my creative spirit soar on the page, and writing is a lot like returning to the playground and letting my inner little-girl run wild. :)

But in addition to that, I love connecting with readers. It's just so incredibly humbling to hear that people are enjoying the stories, falling in love with the characters, or learning something new from what the characters are going through. It means so much to me that people would take time out of their busy lives to read these books, it's just amazing! I still haven't gotten used to that! Haha.

6. What is the hardest part about the writing/publishing process for you? 
I think one of the hardest parts is just remaining confident and trusting God when I feel discouraged. Oftentimes it can be so temping to compare ourselves to others, wish we were further along in the process, wish we were selling more books, reaching more people, etc, but we have to remember that God has SO MUCH PURPOSE in the process! I am where I'm at for a reason, and if He's okay with me being here, then so am I.

7. What lesson would you like your readers to take away from reading Regal Hearts? 
One of my main prayers for Regal Hearts, is that it would inspire and remind people that they DON'T have to settle. Growing up, I could never find what I wanted to read. I know everyone has different standards for what they allow to enter their hearts and minds, but I wanted my entertainment to be clean, pure, and pleasing to God. Something that would draw me closer to Him, inspire me, and give me tools for becoming the best version of myself for His glory! Sadly, when I look back at my teen years, I don't see that content evident in my life. I could never find the entertainment I wanted, so I decided to create my own, in hopes that someday, my children will be able to experience the joy of going on amazing adventures without having to settle for lowering their standards and allowing garbage into their minds. I know Regal Hearts won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I truly hope that those who find themselves drawn into the story, will be encouraged by the fact that there is a remnant of Christian creatives striving to fill our imaginations with joy, challenges, tears and triumphs: and that the cinema can be beautiful. Regal Hearts might not be on the big screen yet, but for those who allow the saga to play on the big screen of their hearts, I hope they will be ignited to embrace what God has called them to do, and pursue it wholeheartedly.

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I so enjoyed getting to know you more through this author interview, Livy! And I am thrilled to be apart of this book tour!

Go HERE to buy Season One of Regal Hearts on Amazon. And HERE to buy Season Two! Also, add these books to your TBR on Goodreads by following the link for Season One HERE. And Season Two HERE.

About book one:

Following the dramatic birth of her royal daughters, the Queen of Bella Adar is murdered by the merciless sword of an evil usurper. The helpless princesses are placed in the care of the URIA, an undercover organization who safely extracts and protects the girls from a tragic fate. Sixteen years later, Lena Bodner encounters a stranger who uncovers secrets from her past... 

The Regal Hearts Season 1 Bundle introduces you to the beginning of an exciting story written in a unique “TV Show” format. Livy has been releasing these episodes on a weekly basis, but now you can read the entire first season (10 Episodes!) all at once! 

About book two:

Following the unexpected revelation of her regal heritage, Lena Bodner must travel to Tarsurella in search of allies. Rebuilding a broken nation is no small task. But now it's up to Lena to convince her sisters to help. Will they learn to work together in love and unity? Will they rise to become the world-changers they were meant to be? Or will their nation crumble apart, as a wicked dictator overthrows their courage? 

Regal Hearts Season Two is the continuation of an exciting story written in a unique "TV Show" format. Livy has been releasing these digital-book episodes on a weekly basis, but now you can read Season 2 (10 Episodes) all at once!

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^^^ Love this quote! XD

^^^ Let me just say, I love that background picture! :)

^^^ So true! <3

^^^ Hehe, yup! ;P

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Author Bio:

I’m a twenty-something author, singer, and songwriter. I enjoy crafting YA fiction that is pure, lovely, inspirational, and of course, entertaining! When I’m not writing, you can usually find me playing guitar, blogging, drinking peppermint tea, connecting with new friends, planning my next trip to Disney, or pinning images of Europe and Golden Retriever Puppies.

Connect with this talented author on her blog, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest! 

And with this awesome book tour, Livy is hosting a GIVEAWAY!!! Enter HERE!

Psalm 118:1 

"Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever."

Have you read Regal Hearts? Are you planning too? Do you like reading Contemporary Christian fiction? Comment below! :)