The Literary Vixen presents…

Joining us today is C. Anne! Her book, A Home Called Haven Book 1: The Lower World released on December 1st 2022.

How long have you been writing?

I have been writing pretty much my whole life. When I was nine years old I received a Brother Word Processor for my Birthday and would spend hours creating different worlds and characters. By middle school I had a notebook with me at all times and wrote poetry and song lyrics any free time I had. I’ve always had a fascination with words and have always loved reading as well. So it just came naturally to write and create my own stories.

Describe a typical writing day.

I homeschool my kids and have a mini zoo of pets so my time to write is pretty limited. Usually on week days I start writing after finishing morning lessons with my kids. I make a cup of coffee and write for about 90 minutes. Then after lunch and afternoon lessons I write some more. On the weekends when I am in the middle of writing a book I start first thing after breakfast and will write for 3-4 hours before taking a break. Once I get going on a book I have a pretty consistent routine of writing and usually finish the rough draft in about 2-3 weeks.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

My main characters are inspired by my children, myself as a child, and the people who had a profound impact on me growing up. As for the story line, my middle grade series A Home Called Haven is inspired by the different worlds in Shamanism (lower, middle, upper.) Earth based beliefs and spirituality are a big inspiration for me as are mindfulness, taking care of the planet, healing journeys, and finding magic in everyday moments.

What do you hope your readers take away from this book?

I hope children and young adults will find hope and a bigger world view of life in general. As a child I struggled to fit in and find acceptance from others. Books were my refuge. But I never found a book with a character like myself or with the kind of story line that I could really relate to. My editor made the comment that this book (the second in the series) would have helped her so much as a child and that if every child was taught what the book aims to teach our world would be a much different and better place. That explains perfectly what I hope readers will take away from A Home Called Haven series.

What is the significance of the title?

Book one, The Lower World, is about the Shamanic lower world. It’s the realm of ancestors, spirits, and the deepest aspects of our soul. When someone is being initiated into the practice it’s the first place they travel to and will spend a lot of time there healing traumas. The first book in the series is the initiation for Fox and Otter, the main characters, and their introduction to this fantastical world where they will heal any traumas that are preventing them from becoming their highest selves.

What was the highlight of writing this book?

The book features mythological beings from various cultures. The research was so interesting, and I learned about mythological beings I had never heard of before. It opened up a whole new world of writing possibilities for me.

If you had to describe yourself in three words, what would they be?

Compassionate, imaginative, dreamer

Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share with me?

The second book in A Home Called Haven series is currently being illustrated by the amazingly talented Alessandra Liane, and will be coming out this fall. Right now I am plotting the third book in the series and also have a new series I have been doing research on. Kind of going down a rabbit hole with that one but it’s been really fun.

What advice would you give to other authors?

Write what you feel passionate about. Be authentic and have your own voice and style. And never, ever give up on your dream.

What is the one thing you want people to know about you and your books?

I’ve always been a dreamer and want to save the world. My writing is my way of doing that in the best way I know how. I feel like if I can reach children and young adults through my books, help them to be open-minded, accepting of others, and learn to be patient and kind with themselves and others, I can impact the world in a big way. I want to help young people who are struggling, who feel like they don’t belong, and who are hurting to see that the world really can be an incredible, magical place. You just have to learn how to change the way you see things and the way you react. If I can change just one life for the better I will be happy. If I can change many lives I will be fulfilled.

Thank you C. Anne for chatting with me! I will include her information down below. Check out her book, A Home Called Haven today!

~Synopsis~

What happens when two misfit children are sent to live with a mischievous and mysterious woman in her magical cabin in the woods?

Fox and Otter have only just met when they are whisked away on an adventure of a lifetime in a mystical place called the Lower World. Together they must face their fears and overcome treacherous obstacles to find their way back to the cabin named Haven. On their transformative journey they meet magical creatures that help them to heal and grow. They learn to lean on each other, trust their instincts, and the true meaning of finding their way back home.

A magical fairy tale that fuses both fantasy and adventure into one book. Are you ready for a spellbinding journey? The first in A Home Called Haven series, this is an incredible adventure you don’t want to miss.

C. Anne lives in North Carolina with her partner, two boys, cats, dogs, chickens, and a leopard gecko. She loves animals, nature, and finding magic in everyday moments. She enjoys weaving fantasy, adventure, and elements of shamanism and love for the planet in her stories. She believes books have the power to change lives and all children deserve to see themselves represented in them in a positive way. When she isn’t writing she enjoys creating art, spending time with family, connecting with nature, biking, hiking, reading, and going on adventures.

Website: c-anne-everydaymagic.com