Rebecca Holmes Author Bio:
I’m a fantasy author based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. When I’m not writing or reading, I sew my own clothing and play games on PC. My favourite video games are the strategy, survival, building types – especially those rich in lore and immersive world building. I’d by lying if I said the games I play never influence my writing! I used to think that inventing entire worlds and cultures in my head was something everybody did in their spare time. Then I realized this may or may not be a talent I should put to good use.
As a reader, I devour as many fantasy books as I can get my hands on, with the occasional diversion into science fiction or purely historical fiction. Genre-bending, trope-smashing and upside down perspectives are always welcome. I seek novelty and aim to create it in my own work. I’m an ‘oddball’ reader, who will seek out hidden gems that no one is talking about in preference to the big names of the moment.
What inspires you to write?
Writing is like capturing a piece of your soul and preserving it for all time within the pages of a book. As an author, I turn my life experiences – all experiences, including the bad ones – into stories I can share with the world. That makes every moment of life worthwhile, because absolutely anything could become a source of inspiration later on. If my work has inspired, entertained, or comforted others, then I have made a lasting contribution to this world, however small. I believe that a good story doesn't need to rely on explicit content to hold a reader's attention and leave a lasting impact. My books focus on friendship, courage, and questions of morality, with detailed world building and cultures that feel real enough to have existed at some point.
Tell us about your writing process.
Writing my first book was organized chaos. The book grew out of a series of disjointed scenes and snippets of conversation between characters that made sense only to me, until I finally started joining them together properly. On many occasions during the eleven years it took me to finish Beyond the Gloaming Pass, I doubted if I would complete the book before I somehow lost interest, or the story stopped resonating with me. That never happened. Even if I went for several months without writing a single word, I could always pick it up again with renewed vigour. I learned that forcing myself to plan and outline stifles my creativity. After all, real life rarely follows a prescribed sequence of events. I allow my characters space to react naturally to what happens around them. That approach has proven to be the most beneficial for me, and I've learned to accept it without hesitation – even if it goes against every piece of writing advice out there.
For Fiction Writers: Do you listen (or talk to) to your characters?
Yes! I argue with them, scold them, and sometimes feel exceptionally bad about what I've put them through. I wouldn't wish such a fate on my worst enemy, but I'll readily do it to my book characters! I have to form an emotional attachment to my characters in order to write effectively, but that means ALL my characters, including the ones the reader is supposed to hate. Often, I feel like the mediator, trying to stay neutral between them and empathize with all sides. There have been times when I wrote with tears streaming down my face, or had to go for a long walk afterwards to work off all the anger I put into a scene. Sometimes it can be as emotionally exhausting as dealing with those people in real life.
Who are your favorite authors?
Right now, I'm reading A Practical Guide to Sorcery by Azalea Ellis. I particularly admire her complex plots and world-building, and her diverse range of characters. There's something incredibly cozy and immersive about her series. I like to support other indie fantasy authors and seek out unique twists on the genre. Michael Wisehart, Sam Feuerbach, Andrew Rowe, S. M. Gaither, Jennifer Ealey – there are too many to list! I've also been inspired by Katherine Arden's Winternight trilogy, for her exploration of Russian folklore brought to life, and Naomi Nouvik's fairytale retellings, such as Uprooted.
What genres do you write?
Fantasy (adult, high fantasy, gaslamp)
How did you choose the genre(s) you write?
I think I’ve always been a fantasy nut as long as I can remember. I’ve sampled all sorts, but I generally prefer the historical kind–whether that’s a version of our world or an alternate world analogous to a familiar time period. There was no decision to be made; it was a certainty that I would write the style and genre of book I love to read.
What three things are on your writing desk at any given moment?
My laptop for the actual writing part, which sits on an illustrated desk mat purchased from PAX West in 2019. Headphones for listening to ambient soundtracks, music to put me in the right mood for a scene, or videos when I'm researching some background material. A cup of tea; English Breakfast with a dash of milk, mostly just for comfort. I'll never say 'no' to a cup of tea.
What hobbies do you have when you need a break from writing?
I am notorious for taking on too many hobbies at once. Sewing is a hobby that runs in my family, passed down through the generations, along with my sewing machine, which was my grandmother's. I learned to make my own clothes when I was about 10 and have never stopped. Garments I've made occupy at least half of my (unreasonably large) wardrobe. I've also been a PC gamer since the early 90s. I have a different computer for that, hooked up to my TV in the living room with RGB lighting everywhere. That is my go-to for a couple of hours every night after work. More recently, I've been working through a digital painting course. I'm always envious of authors who can draw their own character portraits or even cover art. Not sure I have the time to get that good at it, but we'll see.
What formats are your books in?
eBook, Print
Website(s)
Home Page Link
Follow On Amazon
Link to Author Page on All Author
Author’s Social Media Links
Goodreads
All information is provided by the author and is presented as it was submitted so you the reader get to hear the author’s own “voice” in their interview.
