Today I welcome to the blog, author Sara A. Latimer, for an interview about her debut book, Song of the Forgotten. Enjoy!

Q01 What was the inspiration behind your debut novel, Song of the Forgotten?

I was highly inspired by Queen Elizabeth the first. I always loved and hated her story. She never married, was supposedly a virgin queen, and to me that meant she never found true love. I break my own heart every time I remember she never married Robert Dudley.

So, I rewrote her story, in a way. And Anne Bolyn’s story as well, her mother. I gave them beautiful sweeping romances, (But not easily. That wouldn’t be any fun.) all while exploring the themes that loomed over the true historical figures like motherhood, dynasty, loss, fear, and patriarchy that wreaked havoc on their worlds.

Q02 What was the most difficult part of writing Song of the Forgotten?

Having the time to write, reread, and then rewrite. I made so many mistakes along the way and needed a few rewrites.

I have a full time corporate job, so my 9-5 rolls right into my 5-9, which is writing. I also wrote myself into corners that I needed to scrap about half way through. I had characters that were fun, but not necessary that needed to be cut.

So, the true difficulty was having enough time to sit down and actually complete the book. But, once the plot clicked, and everything fell into place, it was smooth sailing. I probably would have saved myself a lot of time/energy if I plotted more thoroughly, but also that exploration in my world was really helpful too. So, I don’t think I would have done it any other way.

Q03 What was the most fun part of writing Song of the Forgotten?

The sirens! I’ve always loved the ocean (I’m a pisces), and dreamed of fanciful underwater worlds. I was the kid scared of the deep end in the pool, because what if there was a sea monster over there or something… I had a big imagination, okay.

Creating Naiadon the underwater castle, the sirens’ hierarchy, culture, way of life, and the way they look, was so much fun for me. They are truly unique to anything else I’ve read or seen on screen and I’m really proud of that.

Q04 Song of the Forgotten is book 1 of a trilogy, did you plan out the full trilogy before completing book 1 or are you discovering the overall story arc as you write?

I wanted to make it a duology originally, mainly because there is a stigma with series, and they are harder to sell.

When I was playing with the idea of going trad, I knew anything besides one book would be hard to get out there.

But, once I realized I was committing to going full indie, I realized there was so much more of a story to tell. I’m keeping it to a trilogy though. I would always prefer to leave readers wanting more than less.

Q05 What has been the biggest surprise or obstacle in finishing and publishing your book?

Like I said, time, and also my own fears: What if it isn’t good enough, what if people point and laugh at me for trying to write a book.

Luckily, I’m pretty tough and have a ton of self confidence, probably a little too much if we’re being honest.

But you know what, people did poke fun at me, or try to discourage me, and I survived it.

Q06 What are you currently working on now and how is it going?

I am working on book two of the Damned Dynasty Trilogy, Song of the Remembered.

Which I am SO excited for. It has so much more romance, drama, and yearning than the first book. It is a huge undertaking though because I’m attempting two romances and two points of views.

If I can pull it off, I’ll be really happy. When it’s with my editor I’m playing around with a spicy age gap, grumpy knight and naive maiden romance set in the same universe.

Q07 Do you have a writing routine?

I like to keep things simple, because over complicating anything just creates obstacles in my opinion. I make myself write for 15 minutes a day. That is it. No word count goals… when you get to editing, which is majority of the writing processes, you get stuck.

Just 15 minutes dedicated to whatever it is I am working on. 90% of the time I write for longer. It helps keep the habit while not being daunting. I usually listen to lofi-medieval music too lol.

And always write in Novlr. That’s really it.

Q08 What has been the biggest surprise or obstacle in finishing and publishing your book?

Not really a surprise, but the cost. I think people need to understand just how expensive this process can be, especially to do it well.

Q09 Are there any authors you’d love to meet in person?

Meeting any author is genuinely fun. We can all feel like islands more often than not.

I would love to pick the brains of Victoria Aveyard, Penn Cole, and Caressa Broadbent. Honestly, getting dinner and drinks with all three of them would be the best day of my life.

Q10 What is the best piece of advice did you ever receive as a writer?

Just write the dang thing.

So many people are caught up in their own pride? Self importance? And are so afraid someone will read their writing and say, “wow this is awful.” And guess what, that is 100% going to happen!

If you publish, I think the only thing that is a guarantee is that someone, somewhere, will hate what you wrote. And that is okay.

So, just write it. Get it down on paper first, stop getting in your own way. It could be “bad,” by some stranger on the internet’s standards, but at least it exists.

Bonus: If you got transported into your book’s world, what location would you visit first and who would you want to meet? (and why?)

Oh, this is a fun question! I would be up in Naiadon (underwater siren castle) drinking the night away with Morvyn at the “Grotto,” (think siren dance club).

He’s this rakeish siren, with jokes for days. I know we would have a fantastic time.

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About Sara

Sara A. Latimer writes romantic fantasy that blends courtly intrigue, sweeping romance, and the shimmer of magic.

Her debut novel, Song of the Forgotten, is the first in a Tudor-inspired trilogy filled with deception, royalty, and shocking twists.

Based in the greater Houston, Texas area, she spends her days weaving stories, tending her garden with her two pups, and finding inspiration in strong coffee and Florence & The Machine albums.

Website

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Song of the Forgotten

When her father beheaded her mother, Princess Elowyn Blackthorn was stripped of her titles and banished for twenty years. Summoned back to court, she dares to hope it’s a second chance. Instead, she’s tricked into a betrothal to a man she despises.

Her life is over—until her ship is seized by sirens.

In Naiadon, the castle beneath the sea, the sirens believe Elowyn is the key to uncovering the truth behind their vanishing kin and to winning the war they plan to wage on her homeland. Though held captive, Elowyn grapples with her loyalty to the kingdom that betrayed her and her growing connection to the ocean’s mysterious inhabitants.

Her only ally is fellow prisoner Captain Arlo—maddeningly handsome and fiercely determined to free his captured crew. As they plot their escape, both suppress their attraction to one another, knowing distraction could cost them their freedom. But while Elowyn begins to see the sirens as something more than monsters, Arlo sees only captors.

As tensions rise above and below the sea, Elowyn must decide where her loyalty lies: with the man she’s falling for, the realm that forgot her, or the sirens who offer her not just freedom, but power.

Buy Song of the Forgotten

You can also request it at your favorite local brick and mortar bookstore! Shop local!!

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Big thank you to Sara, for joining me today on the blog. Wish her all the best with her debut book and please take the time to check out her links above.

Happy reading

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Sources: Title Image from Canva. Headshot and book cover belong to Sara

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