Please give a warm welcome to author Maya Daniels

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Tell us a bit about yourself

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One would think I would be good at this, talking about myself. Here is a little secret; I am not! I’m an introvert that lives more inside her head, than in real life. My characters have all the glory and adventures, so I have most of my fun through them. I love cooking and hiking, martial arts and painting. People usually think I’m a very serious person when they first meet me. It’s a running joke amongst my friends; I tell them “It’s the face, isn’t it?” and we laugh about it. I’m the queen of sarcasm, and sometimes say random things that freaks people out to see their reaction. It helps a lot when bringing characters to life; I’ll say that much  I do love interacting with my readers. I call them my people because they get me. Also, the most important thing, I am a coffee and chocolate addict.

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Have you always wanted to become an author?

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I’ve been writing since I could hold a pencil. Poetry was my first love. I received my first award when I was eight years old for a poem about bees on an international contest. It gave me enough reason to continue writing throughout my life. Did I specifically always wanted to be an author? I’m not sure. I can say that I always wanted to write. No matter where I was in life, or what was going on around me, that thing never changed. I kept writing like my life depended on it. I guess it did.

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What are you working on now?

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I’m working on the second book of the Hidden Portals trilogy, The First Secret. This trilogy is a different writing style than my usual, but I must say I’m enjoying it immensely.

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Do you have any quirks while writing?

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Don’t we all? I have a few of those. I never outline a story. Before I start writing it, I have no idea what I’m going to write. After I type in the title, the characters take over, and I sit in the back seat enjoying the ride. I also don’t have multiple drafts of my books. I sit and write until there is nothing left to say and then send it to my editor, for line editing. The stories come as a movie inside my head, so I only describe them. It feels almost as if I’m not the one coming up with it because the characters indeed take over and do whatever they feel like. Also, there is always a hidden meaning in most of the words I write.

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What are your hopes for the future?

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To keep writing. There are so many stories fighting for attention, and so many characters wanting to be heard that I don’t think I have any other option but to write. I will be grateful if readers enjoy the stories as much as I enjoy writing them.

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Do you have any advice for new authors about the publishing world?

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It’s a brutal market, and it’s not easy. Writing the story might be the easy part. That being said, it’s also the most beautiful world all on its own, full of creative and talented people that will cross your path and make you realize there is no other place you rather be. Don’t be afraid of judgment. That’s the only thing stopping aspiring authors from publishing, or finishing their stories. People will judge you anyway. However, you will get that one review, telling you that you made someone smile, or cry, or be angry, and yell at the characters. And that will make it all worth it. Write! And, keep writing! You can only get better at it. The best advice given to me was “you can fix anything, but you cannot fix an empty page” Remember that and good luck!

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Do you have anything to say to your readers?

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Thank you! I’m not sure you know how much your reviews, messages, and comments mean to me. You are the reason I keep pushing myself harder every day, to give you the best stories I possibly can. I’m one of you first, an author second. So, reach out, even if it’s just to say hi. I love hearing from you!

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