That's right, folks! Another fantastic young author is making her debut! Meet Lillian E, author of A Thousand Stars! Her debut novel is a historical-esque middle-grade fantasy adventure following a young girl by the name of Hopeful!
Wanna learn more about her and her upcoming release? Just keep on reading!
our interview
What first inspired you to write?
I’ve always loved to write since I was little. Telling stories, and then writing down little tidbits; it's always been super fun to look back on all the old books I started as an aspiring ten-year-old. It's a gift that I’ve always loved and one that I plan to continue using in the future.
What are some of the driving forces behind you and your writing now?
It really is just my love for storytelling and writing. I so enjoyed the process of telling the story of Jimmy and Hope, and the creation of their characters. I just can’t wait to start my next book! (Whatever that may be.)
Can you name any authors who have inspired your voice in different ways? How can you see their influence in your writing?
Oh definitely! I’ve always loved and deeply appreciated the talent of those classic authors such as C.S Lewis, Louisa May Alcott, L. M. Montgomery, Charles dickens; I could go on and on! I love drawing from each of their styles, and often I can see different character traits in my own characters that are similar to theirs. Such as my main character's bright red hair; L. M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables. Or my hidden allegory; C.S Lewis’s reference to the bible and Christ.
What are some of your most favorite books/genres—to read and to write?
As I said I have always loved the classics from a rather young age. (My parents call me an old soul, and I quite agree!) I’m also rather a huge history lover, so writing or reading things such as historical fiction, or historical anything is also a favorite. My novella is a historical fantasy allegory.
What do you do when you aren’t writing?
I’m very interested in art, so I’ll often be sketching or doodling in one of my many sketchbooks. I am homeschooled, by my wonderful mother I might add, so that can also fill up my day. I have four rabbits, and I’m also into rock climbing! (Indoor! I can’t scale real cliffs just yet.)
Your debut novel, A Thousand Stars, is releasing in November! What inspired this story?
As I said before I’ve always loved to write tiny tidbits of stories since I was little. It was actually one of those little tidbits which inspired me to write A Thousand Stars. I was going through old google doc files when I found a little story about a girl and a boy named Hopeful and Jimmy. It was very short, only a chapter, but still I wanted to know more about the characters! What was their story? So that was what really got me started on my first ever completed novella.
What does your writing process typically look like?
It normally begins with daydreaming. I’ll dream up some story, or I’ll create some character, then I’ll write it down and put it away for later. I have so many book ideas to choose from I shouldn’t have any problem picking just the right one for my next book!
What do you want, most of all, for readers to take away from your writing?
I truly want readers to just enjoy the story as much as I have enjoyed it. I want them to be so completely immersed in the story that they feel as if they have known the characters. My wish also, is that readers will be able to see deeper into the story. I am a christian, and throughout my book I’ve added subtle references to the bible, and some of the people or creatures represent things such as angels. I think the best stories are the ones that have a deeper meaning, so if a reader is able to discover the one hidden within my story, I think I will have accomplished writing something truly great.
Have you ever endured any discouragement as an author? If so, what inspired you to persevere?
I don’t think I have ever had any real discouragement while writing. As a first time author I am sure I will encounter it some time in life but when it comes I’ll always have my family. They have been the biggest encouragement to me, and I really don’t know how I would have finished the story without them. Through these three years of writing this story, yes it took me three long years, they have been so kind and such a blessing to me every step of the way.
What are your greatest aspirations for your future, be it as a person or as a writer?
I will always keep writing, that I am absolutely sure of! I think my many interests can all really be combined into my love for writing. My love of history, family, art, kids, travel, culture and all the many other things. I’m sure that whatever other adventures my life brings on, my passion and love for writing will continue throughout the rest of my life.
What has being a writer taught you?
Three big things. Patience, perseverance, and the importance of never being afraid to rewrite.
about the book
MEET HOPEFUL AND JIMMY - TWO STRANGERS IN A KINGDOM AT WAR.
They would never have chosen this life.
One an orphan.
The other not knowing where her parents were or why they had left her alone.
But destiny had not yet chosen their fate – and the land of A Thousand Stars was yet to be discovered.
Until one day everything changed.
about the author
Lillian is not your average teenager.
No, it’s not because she raises Holland Lops and started her own rabbitry. It’s not because she’s got 4 siblings who get to call her ‘big sis’. It’s not because she lives on a farmette with lots of chickens, and a Bernese Mountain dog named Maximus.
She’s special because she’s read hundreds of books – especially the classics – and draws from all kinds of styles and genres in writing her own stories.
Her first published book, A Thousand Stars, is the product of over three years of writing, re-writing, brainstorming, collaboration, and sketching characters… and lot of drawings and late-night plotline discussions with her biggest fans (ie her family). Thanks to input from friends and cousins and her at-home fanbase, her goal of writing a book as come to fruition through hard work, prayer, and persistence.
You can learn more about her and her debut, A Thousand Stars, at athousandstarsbook.com!
I dunno about y'all, but that sounds quite intriguing! You'll have to check out the first two chapters (download link above) and let us know what you think!