Author Interview: Allison Ivy

• What inspired you to write your latest book?

As someone who grew up with it, I wanted to write a story inspired by The Pagemaster. I’ve always been a book lover, so the idea of writing a book where the characters get trapped inside one was too tempting. From that, Sophie and Ren (the two main characters of Inked in Blood and Memory) emerged, and my love of horror fueled their adventure.

• What is your favorite book/genre to read?

I read several genres, but I find myself drawn to young adult and new adult books with any kind of darkness to them. Or, alternatively, thrillers or LGBTQ+.

• What themes do you find yourself returning to in your work?

I like to include romance in my books as a subplot to the main story. I also like to write villains that are real people in the sense that they’re not definitively evil. They have trauma or understandable beliefs that make them relatable, just like the protagonists.

• How do you handle writer’s block?

Sometimes, I have to step back from a story to get perspective on what’s blocking me. Other times, I use someone else—like my significant other—as a sounding board. And then there are instances where I have to force myself to write whatever I think of even though I know I’ll have to rewrite it.

• What do you hope readers take away from your stories?

I hope my stories can offer an escape from reality for a little while. Life is hard, but reading is oftentimes a safe haven for many people.

• What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received as a writer?

The best piece of advice I’ve received is to just write. It doesn’t matter if the first draft isn’t great or even good. It just matters that you get your plot down.

• If you could meet any character from your books, who would it be and why?

Out of my two completed works, I’d have to choose Pushka, who is the villain of my debut novel, The Dragon and the Double-Edged Sword. She’s a witch who loves humans, and though she may be misguided in the methods she uses to achieve her goals, I think she’d be fun to talk to.

If we’re talking about any of the characters floating around in my brain, I’d choose Zed, who is an alien in one of my upcoming novels. He has a ton of quirks but a good heart and a love of animals. I think it would be great to hang out with him and meet some of the animals he takes care of.

• Where can readers find your books? Where can they follow you online?

The Dragon and the Double-Edged Sword is available here, and Inked in Blood and Memory is available here. You can find me online at these links.