we are the origin book talk w the author, CM Lockhart!

TL;DR

Chelsea, author of "We Are the Origin," discusses her book, indie publishing, black representation in fantasy, and her love for anime.

Transcript

we are live hello welcome hello debra hello benjamin who is chelsea's husband yes to see it we love couple support beautiful beautiful we're going to give some folks time to trickle in and then we'll do like introductions we'll talk about the book the books about and it's just it's gonna be a fun fun time why do i feel like i'm so shiny right now i... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥶 The Melanin Library, created by Chelsea, is a free online resource for finding books by black authors, providing a platform for self-published and indie authors to be seen and discovered.
• 🖤 "We Are the Origin" aims to center black characters in a fantasy world without focusing on racism or trauma, offering black readers a chance to see themselves as the pinnacle of beauty and power.
• ✍️ Chelsea's writing style combines elements of traditional epic fantasy with emotional depth and fluid storytelling, creating an accessible and engaging experience for readers.
• 📔 The book features diverse characters, including polyamorous gods, and explores themes of violence, desensitization, and the complex relationships between characters.

Questions & Answers

Q: How long did it take you to write "We Are the Origin"?

The writing process took about four to five months, but the original idea for the book started back in 2016. Chelsea is also currently working on the second book in the series.

Q: Did you plot or free write the novel?

Chelsea is a combination of a plotter and pantser (someone who writes by the seat of their pants). She had a general idea of the main plot points but discovered many details as she wrote. Some characters even changed from her original plans.

Q: What was the inspiration for the lavish gods in the book, particularly the goddess Freya?

The idea for the gods came from a vivid dream Chelsea had, and as she wrote, their personalities and roles in the world developed. Freya was created as a powerful, beautiful black goddess to put black girls at the pinnacle of beauty in the story.

Q: Which character powers do you find the most interesting?

Chelsea is fascinated by Lindel's blessings, which include persuasion, coercion, and the ability to command others. She also enjoys exploring Pine's blessing, which she finds to be particularly intriguing.

Q: When can readers expect book two of the series?

Chelsea aims to have the second book out in June of next year, but timing is dependent on various factors. Her goal is to have no more than a one-year gap between books.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Chelsea, also known as CM Lockhart, is the owner of Written Melanin Publishing and the creator of the Melanin Library, a free online database of books by black authors.

• "We Are the Origin" is the first book in an epic fantasy series about a group of assassins trying to save the gods in their realm from destruction. It features diverse characters, unique world creatures, and a focus on black representation in the genre.

• Chelsea enjoys creating complex characters and exploring themes of violence, beauty, and power in her writing.