- Can you, for those who don't know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
Sure. I’m C. A. Campbell, and I’ve been
writing since I was eleven and Lord of the Rings inspired me to pick up a pen.
I live in Kansas City, MO, with my husband and our three ridiculous but
adorable dogs. I like to say I have three careers. Besides writing, I’m full
time faculty at a nursing university, and a part-time neonatal intensive care
nurse. I love my nursing career, but it’s always been a dream of mine to be a
write and publish a book, so I decided to figure out a way to make both things
happen. And here I am, publishing my first novel. Sometimes, you can have it
all.
- How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?
Funny story, actually. My characters began
as original characters that I put into Harry Potter fanfiction. I’m sure you
could find it out on the internet somewhere if you really tried (please don’t).
When I knew I wanted to start original fiction, I decided to keep them with me,
because I loved all of them so much. I had the concept of being a ‘Heretic’ --
being different than the world wanted you to be, so I knew I wanted something
along that. And that’s where I struggled for the next ten years while writing
this book.
The theme of ‘being different than what the
world wants you to be’ is something I felt as a teenager (when I first started
this book), strongly. But I had to go on a journey. I had to own that in my own
life--truly make the decision to be myself even though the people around me may
not like it. I also needed to see many other individuals--much braver than
me--who have had to make that decision as well. Only then could I write this
story that addresses the topic at the core of my own story.
How do you dare to be different in a world
that tells you exactly what to be?
- Tell us about your main characters- what makes them tick?
The Heretics Saga focused mostly on two
main characters--Shiloh Haven and Jacob Osgood--while also following three
other ‘main’ characters - and a few friends who join them along the way. In
Heresy, we get to see the POV of three of them.
Shiloh Haven is the orphaned daughter of
heretics whose grown up in a cruel place, called a Haven, with other children
of heretics. As a Haven, she has been despised and had to fight just to survive
in Arcadian society. Because of this, she lives by strict rules in order to
survive--which is all she really wants. This really gets tested over the whole
of Heresy when the survival of people she cares about suddenly depends on her
-- and saving them might mean signing her own death warrant.
Jacob Osgood comes from the complete
opposite of society. As the son of one of the nation’s leaders, he could have
anything he wanted--except freedom. Jake’s a rebel without a cause at the
beginning--doing anything he can to disrupt the perfect dance his father,
United Councilor Samuel Osgood, forces him to perform too. In the story, we get
to see what happens when he actually finds a cause to stand with and something
worth fighting for. But he makes reckless choices and the consequences will be
devastating.
Nicolette Howell is a young rebel who has
lived most of her life on the run. She’s driven by loyalty to the cause
fighting against Arcadia, but when she’s captured, she’s dumped into a strange
world where she’s unsure who to trust, but she knows she can’t escape on her
own. And if she doesn’t escape--more than her life will end.
And Val and Stefani...well, you’ll just
have to read to know a little more about them.
- Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
Oh goodness, so much stories. There were so
many things that ultimately couldn’t make it into the book. I’m sure I’ll have
to write bonus scenes or novellas to show all the things I know about the
characters.
- If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?
It would be smoky and woodsy, with a little
sweetness-- like a fire burning cedar, wth just a hint of cinnamon. I would
call it “Smells like Teen Revolution”.
- What can we expect from you in the future?
HERESY is the first book in The Heretics
Saga. Right now, the series is slated to be four books, but it’s always subject
to change. I hope to release them all within two to three years.
- Is there something specific you want to tell readers?
I hope you love my book, but more
importantly, I hope you learn from it. I hope at the end you choose to be a
Heretic--to be fearlessly, unapologetically yourself even in a world where
sometimes that feels dangerous. Because who you are is not wrong. Who you are
is perfect and amazing. And never let anyone convince you otherwise.
- Lastly, a few fun questions: What kind of world ruler would you be?
I don’t know. If it’s anything like being a
teacher, it would probably involve a lot of hair pulling of -- “Why weren’t
they listening?” “I know they hate this new law but can’t they see it will make
them better?” “Why do they hate me? All I’ve ever done is love them.” And then
I’ll probably have servants stress feed me chocolate.
- What book do you think everyone should read?
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown. I know, I
know, it’s not fiction, but it’s amazing. Here’s just one quote of a million
from her book. “Because true belonging only happens when we
present our authentic, imperfect selves to the world, our sense of belonging
can never be greater than our level of self-acceptance.”
- The advice you’d give new authors?
Self-doubt is a liar. Punch it in the face,
and just write your book.
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