1. What inspired you to start writing/creating art, and how has that inspiration evolved over time?

I started writing when I was fourteen. Before I fell in love with writing and creating stories, I liked to draw characters, and my older sister created one story based on them. When she did, I told myself I wanted to try that. It looked fun! I started fanfiction like Tinker Bell and Barbie movies, and from there, I began developing my own stories. Even since then, I have never stopped creating stories I love.

2. Can you share the story behind your latest work? What was your creative process like?

Dust and Crown inspired Anastasia's musical play. The original concept was quite different from what I have done now. It was September when I thought about creating a story about Anastasia, but in what form? There are already several books based on or spin offs of Anastasia Romanov. Then it hit me. What if I created a story about her in a fairy world? I grew up watching Tinker Bell movies. So, the story was born. Fast forward to 2022/2023, I decided to redraft the manuscript to make its own, as if the dust tree were dying, and the dust tree chose Anastasia to be the next ruler to save the fairy kingdom. I had a blast working on it; now, people can read it.

3. What themes or messages do you aim to convey through your work, and why are they important to you?

Themes like redemption, family relationships, and friendships are important because we need more of them in books.
I know I included many other themes, but I used those three themes a lot.

4. What advice would you give to aspiring authors/artists who are just starting their journey?

It is okay to work at your own pace. You don’t have to publish a ton of books to be successful. It is hard when other indie authors can write and publish many books in a year, and you can’t. You have to work out what is best for you and your books. Publishing one book at a time is a huge accomplishment.

5. What role has self-publishing or independent production played in your career, and what have you learned from the process?

Editing and formatting have taught me a lot in the publishing process. I learned how to format my books after I published my debut novel. I had someone else do the format for the first book. I love formatting now. I’ve always struggled with editing, but after working with beta readers, critique partners, and editors, they taught me how to pay attention to details, sentence structure, grammar issues, etc. Those are the two most important roles in the publishing process.

6. How do you connect with your audience, and what has been your favorite moment of reader or viewer feedback?

I am more active on Instagram and connected with my readers there. I love to see readers’ reactions when they read my books. I recently got a message from a reader who said I should be in jail for killing one of the characters in Dust and Crown (a joke, but seriously, the reader was shocked and sad that I did it). I laughed because I did something right.

7. What’s next for you? Can you share any upcoming projects or future creative goals you’re excited about?

I am working on NA Portal Fantasy with subplot romance (not the primary genre, but it is part of the story) and querying a middle-grade historical fiction, Long Journey Home. I know two different genres and audiences. LOL. I won’t be publishing books anytime soon. When I do, you could follow me on Instagram @havelahmclatwriter or sign up for my newsletter at havelahmclat.wixsite.com/home

Havelah McLat| Author

Hannah Beth | Author