Every Tuesday, get to know a bit about the stories behind the books you love, and discover your next favourite novel.

Sabitha: Today we’re chatting with Lynette Bacon-Nguyen about her fantasy novel, Adventurer’s Overture. Lynette, can you introduce us to your book?

Lynette: My book is called Adventurer’s Overture, it’s a fantasy novel starring two characters, Amber the would be adventurer and Arabella, an apprentice priestess. Amber is trying to join the adventurer’s guild and gain a party and the story is much about her trying to get that goal and the struggles associated with it. It’s also about a few other things happening in the background, especially a recent uptick in instances of the undead entering the city. It’s a story about friendship, overcoming trials and dealing with your own shortcomings. 

Sabitha: Lynette, a lot of writers follow our blog. What advice would you give to someone who’s writing or querying?

Lynette: Make a plan for your story, but don’t force yourself to stick strictly to it. Writing is a creative process which means it’s very subject to change. Treat your outline like a sketch, things will be removed, things will be added and the final picture will be very different once it’s colored and shaded.

Sabitha: That’s solid advice. Can you give our community a writing prompt to inspire their next story?

Lynette: The day after a funeral, you enter the room of the person you loved who has died. As you look through their things, you find a letter addressed to you. What does it say?

Sabitha:  Which character do you relate to the most and why?

Lynette: The main character Amber. Like me, she is very feisty and very impatient. She has to put on a lot of bravado and is very easily frustrated when she doesn’t get her way. Still, she tries her best and pushes through.

Sabitha: Did anything change from when you started planning your first draft to the published version? What?

Lynette: Yes, originally the story was going to be more mystery oriented. There was going to be a crashed ship in the harbor and the ending was going to involve a harvest ball which the characters were invited to and attending. Both ideas were scrapped for simplicity sake and I think the story is better for it.

Sabitha: Stories have a way of transforming as you write. What do you most want your readers to take away from reading your book?

Lynette: The big message of the book is simply, don’t assume because more often than not, you’re wrong. Also don’t attribute simple reasons to complicated actions, everyone has a story and a reason for the things they do even if they don’t readily explain it to you.

Sabitha: Thanks for sharing your story and your process. We’re looking forward to reading! Where can the Night Beats community find you and your book?

Lynette: You can pre-order my book on Amazon. And I’m on Twitter.