Interview with Melissa Widmaier, Author of Realm of Light Series

Melissa is an editor with a heart for wide, open spaces. When not manipulating words, she can be found camping with a camera in hand, getting lost among things green and growing. She lives in Arizona with her husband, three boys, a barrelful of cats, and a rambunctious corgi. Her debut adult dark, epic fantasy, The Wind at Oak Hollow, is out now! 

1. You had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Curious, empathetic, and adventurous

2. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what made you want to start writing? Was there a moment that made you think, “I want to write a book”?

I’ve been writing my thoughts down since high school (for 28 years!). My interest in writing really intensified when I took a creative writing class. Mr. Sabel encouraged this very shy girl to think outside of herself and take risks with her writing. He also encouraged my love of anthropology, which I think goes hand in hand with writing. Fiction is a great way to explore what it means to be human.

It took some time and two discarded novels for me to really find my voice. I do love those stories, and perhaps someday I will revisit them. Still, they were a great way to practice worldbuilding. My debut novel was started over a decade ago. This story was more personal to me, and I was more than ready to start sharing my ideas with the world by the time it was completed.

3. The Wind at Oak Hollow is your debut novel. What can readers expect from this first book in the Realm of Light series?

Marl is a young healer living in a tranquil village, but his life takes a dark turn rather quickly. His family is thrust into something dark and unexpected. If my characters were real, they would absolutely curse me for everything I’ve put them through. But I think they make some excellent growth through the narrative and discover things about themselves that were greater than they expected, as well.

Marl isn’t your typical hero. He’s sometimes a brat. But he doesn’t mean to be. As you experience everything with him, you can see how someone who behaves differently to the outside world might just be different on the inside. My characters love each other very much. Despite the hardships and misunderstandings, they still hold strong.

4. The Wind at Oak Hollow won some great awards, like 2nd Place in the 2023 Firebird Book Awards for Dark Fantasy. How did it feel to win, and how has it helped you as a writer?

It was wonderful to know that other readers enjoyed my story and were able to find it worthy of exploring. Writing is such an individual, lonely profession. Being able to reach others with my words is incredibly satisfying. It definitely gave me the courage to keep going.

5. With A Crow in the Canyon being the second book in the series, how did you approach continuing the story while also keeping it fresh and engaging for readers?

I actually wrote both The Wind at Oak Hollow and A Crow and the Canyon at the same time. I just had to get the story out of my head! It wasn’t until I finished writing that I realized the chunkiness of my book would require me to break up the tale. It was just too epic to keep to one tome. I do think A Crow in the Canyon is the most epic of the series so far, however. Marl and his brother Natsir are forced out of their comfortable village and into a world that is definitely wilder and more dangerous. The unity of their family is what ties the two books together.

6. Your books focus a lot on family and their challenges in a fantasy world. What inspired you to write about these themes, and how do they play a role in A Crow in the Canyon?

My family was going through some difficult times and my mind kept twisting around the ideas of family and trauma. I’ve always been a fantasy lover; so, plugging those ideals into a fantasy setting just felt right. I think, on a subconscious level, I wanted to give my own family the chance to face down the hardships. I gave my characters magical abilities with a connection to light, hoping they would find the path out of the darkness through those gifts. The more I wrote, the more I realized it was their family ties (blood and chosen family) that made them stronger. In A Crow in the Canyon, it is their deep bond that saves the kingdom.

7. Without spoiling too much, how do Marl and his brother Natsir grow as characters in A Crow in the Canyon? What can readers expect from their journey?

Marl and Natsir both struggle with being different in a world that wants order. Natsir has trouble in social situations, but he is hardworking and kind. Marl is wild and headstrong, but he’s fiercely loyal to those he loves. Outwardly, Marl appears to be the painfully smart one and Natsir appears to be the perfect son. But they are more nuanced than that.

In the beginning, they are pitted against each other, unwittingly, by their parents and the village, but their love for each other supersedes their rivalry. In A Crow in the Canyon, they have a reversal of challenges. Natsir is forced to show his stronger side and Marl is forced to be more introspective.

8. You were an editor before becoming an author. How has your editing experience influenced the way you write? Are there any specific techniques you’ve brought from editing into your writing?

Most people see editors as rigid and unforgiving, and I’m sure there are some in my field that are like that. But my experience has shown that language is fluid and very personal. We all have our own voice and nuances to language and no one writes exactly the same. There’s nothing wrong with this. This is what makes books so fascinating.

Don’t get me wrong; grammar is definitely important, but meaning is even more so. I focus on the story first and foremost and then I go back and clean up areas where perhaps I am being too verbose or vague. I’m a big advocate for reading and writing because those are the best ways to grow your mind. When I read other novels, I’m hyper aware of the “mistakes” made in the technical side of things, but I know that even the most celebrated writers make mistakes; so, it doesn’t stress me out too much. I just learn from them and move on.

9. The Realm of Light series mixes fantasy with deep character stories. How do you balance building the world with developing the characters, and what kind of emotional journey can readers expect?

The best part about fantasy is that the world can look like whatever you want. I grew up in a small, green farming town. It was easy to visualize how that would look on paper. I challenged myself with creating the other parts of the realm, though I do take some descriptions and ideas from places I’ve traveled. I honestly had fun with my settings. They help to cement the mood my characters are in, and my characters take it from there. My books are very character driven; sometimes I don’t even know what exactly will happen next (though I have a basic outline in my head). I just let the story work out organically, and that can take me to some incredible places and scenes.

10. Balancing writing with family life can be tough. How do you manage your time between being an author, an editor, and a mom? Does your family life inspire parts of your stories?

My stories wouldn’t exist without my family. These kids toss you into some crazy situations, I’ll tell you. Honestly though, my husband and our boys are very supportive of my writing. They are almost more excited than I am when I get my author’s copies or when I receive an award nomination. They absolutely embody the unity and love that comes out in my stories.

Can it be difficult to write when we have so much else to do? Yes. My boys are busy with their own interests (dance, Boy Scouts, band, theatre, etc.) and that sometimes means that my interests have to take a backseat. But I really don’t mind. It’s a joy to watch them discover and grow. And my stories aren’t going anywhere. I write when I can and that makes the experience all the more precious.  

11. Do you have other writers in the family and friends?

I’m the first author in the family, which is surreal and a little daunting. Both my family and my husband’s family are very big into reading and education, though. We even have had a couple of librarians on my side. But, as far as I know, I’m the first author in generations.

I’m still growing in the indie writing community, which is chock full of amazing authors, but I haven’t made any deep connections, as yet. I’m sure I will as I keep plodding along, though.  

12. How would you describe the Realm of Light series in just a few words to make someone want to pick it up and read it right away?

One remarkable family will change the world. But will the world change them?

13. What was the most surprising thing you learned while writing this book?

I have a lot to say! I’m a rather quiet person in the flesh; so, it came as a shock that I’m a prolific writer. This turned out to be the best medium for me to share what I know and feel. I also learned that I’m more hopeful than I give myself credit for. Humans are suckers for happy endings because we need to feel that drive to move forward, to know that things will get better. I am most definitely human… but I already knew that.

14. Are there any specific authors or books that have influenced your writing style?

As a child, I adored The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett and Heidi by Johanna Spyri. Perhaps it was because these misunderstood children weren’t afraid to explore and discover and share their truths. As an adult, I still love these sorts of characters and idyllic worlds. I’ll gobble up anything by Patricia A. McKillip, Tad Williams, Diana Wynne Jones, or Anne McCaffrey. Although, I am discovering new favorite authors every day.

15. If someone wanted to reach out to you for a project or collaboration, what’s the best way for them to get in touch?

They can send me a request through my website contact page: melissawidmaier.com. I read everything sent my way, but you’re more likely to make a connection if you give me all of the information you can up front. I’ll get back to you if I’m intrigued.

16. What can readers look forward to in the next books of the Realm of Light series? Can you share any hints about where the story is going?

I’m not done putting my characters through the wringer. Sorry guys. The next book in the series will have more instances of generational trauma to contend with and it will explore and question what constitutes a true family and also how to love someone who remains on a path of darkness. Of course, there will be more mystics, magic, and talking animals—can’t forget the talking animals.

We recommend the Realm of Light series. Check it out on Amazon.com.