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

I’ve always had a desire to write stories, even before I knew how to spell. As a little kid, I would draw pictures and put scribbles or random letters next to them for the “words.” Even though no one understood what I was saying, I kept writing these random stories because it was so much fun. As I got older, I never stopped wanting to create stories, but, of course, my stories were a lot better once I could actually spell real words.

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

My first book, Save Our Dogs, has been a passion project of mine for a while. It’s a fictional middle grade book that covers the topic of puppy mills, which is something I feel is so important for both kids and adults to learn about. I was inspired to write a book like this because, at 12 years old, my family adopted a puppy mill survivor. Learning about puppy mills at that age made me incredibly passionate about helping dogs in need and spreading the word about puppy mills.
I started writing Save Our Dogs while I was in college. I believe I wrote the first draft in less than a year, but I spent years after that editing it and tweaking it to make sure it was ready for the world to see.

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

I want to write books that people enjoy reading, but I also want my books to have some type of message behind them. I want them to make a positive impact. Most of my books will be very focused on animal rescue like Save Our Dogs, but I also plan to explore other topics in the future, such as focusing on LGBTQ+ characters.

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

Don’t be afraid to show people your work. Writing comes naturally to me, but I’ve always struggled with letting other people read my writing. Ever since I published Save Our Dogs, I’ve received nothing but support. Everyone has different book preferences, but if you love your book, then there’s an audience out there that will love it too, so don’t be afraid to move forward with the publishing process.

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

When I first started writing Save Our Dogs, I planned to traditionally publish it simply because I didn’t know anything about self-publishing. Yet, once I researched self-publishing more, I realized that it seemed like the better route for me. I love how independent publishing gives me more control over my books. Taking this route in my author journey has made me feel more confident as a writer because it allows me to publish what I want to write and stay true to myself.

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

I primarily connect with my audience through social media. There’s a wonderful community of readers and authors online, and fellow indie authors are so supportive of each other. I’ve also tried in-person events, which are amazing as well, but as an introvert, those can be a little overwhelming for me even when they’re successful.
My favorite moment of feedback was in the months leading up to my publish date. I sent my book out to a few people I know, many of which were fellow writers that I knew would give me honest feedback. Their responses were so sweet and they had so many good things to say about my book. It was my first time getting feedback from readers instead of editors, and it made it clear that my book was ready to exist in the world.

7. How do you handle challenges like writer's block or creative burnout, and what motivates you to keep going?

Writing books is just what I do in my free time for now. I do freelance writing to pay the bills. So, sometimes, it’s hard to write books after writing for work all day. With so many writing projects at once, it’s easy to get burnt out and not have the energy to keep working. So, I make sure to take lots of little breaks here and there. Spending time with my dog and foster dogs is always a good way to get me feeling passionate to write more.
Also, I keep reminding myself that the sooner I finish my next book, the sooner I can move forward with another book. I have so many books I want to write, and I think they’ll all have such a positive effect on the world.

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

I’m currently working on my second book, which will hopefully come out within the next year or two. I don’t have a set timeline for it because I don’t want to feel rushed. I will announce more about it once I’ve edited it more and gotten other people’s opinions on how to improve it. I’m really excited about this book because it features asexual and bisexual characters, which are sexualities that I believe need to be represented more.

9. Who are some of your biggest creative influences, and how have they shaped your work or style?

I’m definitely inspired by Erin Hunter. I know Erin Hunter is more than one person, but their ability to create fascinating worlds full of animals has always been exciting to me. I was a huge Warriors fan as a kid, and while my writing style is very different, I always thought it would be amazing to publish books that people fall in love with like Warriors.

10. How has your personal life or experiences influenced your writing/art, and are there any particular moments that stand out?

I’m constantly inspired by aspects of my life. The most significant was learning about puppy mills at 12 years old. Not only learning about them, but seeing the effects they had on the rescue dog my family adopted. She was terrified of humans, and I couldn’t believe anyone would purposely mistreat dogs like that. That experience is what made me so passionate about rescue dogs today. I do a lot of volunteering and incorporate these topics into my books because of it.

Molly Weinfurter | Author

B. Williams | Author