Definitely ADHD—C.I. Chevron loves to write everything from Christian to hard science fiction. Problem is, she loves to read just as much and has a hard time deciding which to do first. Please welcome her to No Wasted Ink.
I began writing at a very young age on anything I could get my hands on, including, don’t kill me, my picture books. When I was nine, my great grandmother took out her old typewriter and taught me to type. What a revelation. I wrote all the way through high school. Then college, marriage, kids, and showing horses competitively got in the way and I stopped. About ten years ago my mother (my greatest fan and supporter) passed away. Then not too long after, my stallion. I was floating without the will to do anything. So I turned back to writing. It’s been full steam ahead since.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I wrote this monstrosity of a fantasy book when I was sixteen. My sister loved it and read every word asking for more. The validation of having a devoted fan—yeah, I know she was my sister—made me think, hey, I can do this. Even if it took a while. My mother kept the book. A huge file of loose single spaced scribbled on mess. Sometimes I take it out and look and it and think—maybe this year.
Can you share a little about your current book with us?
Metal and Bone is a fractured CinderElla fairy tale set in an alternate steampunk timeline of 1870. Ella is a modified human, forced to work as a servant and thief for her stepmother, a German agent. Of course, there is a handsome Prince, returned from the warfront when his brother, the crown prince, is killed. At loose ends, he works with Scotland yard to apprehend the thief Cinder. Unbeknownst to him the woman he has fallen in love with, Ella, has a lot of secrets. As does the thief Cinder.
What inspired you to write this book?
Quite simply, I love fractured fairy tales. I read as many as I can get my hands on.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I used to be a pantser, but after several saggy middles and stories that just didn’t go anywhere, I pretty must plot my stories now. The outlines are fluid and tend to change—a lot. But when I get stuck, I look at the outline, and away I go.
How did you come up with the title of this book?
My main character, Ella, was modified by her godmother using a secret method from the Egyptian tombs (since lost again) that fused wires (metal) to nerves and bone. Thus—Metal and Bone.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I really don’t tend to write with a message in mind, but I do write strong women. Basically, do what you need to do women.
Are experiences in this book based on someone you know or events in your own life?
Not at all. I am an escapist writer and reader. I want to fall into the story and disappear, and I want to take the reader with me. Of course, there are a few things that may be traced to people I know or things I have seen or done, but I’m not admitting to anything.
What authors have most influenced your life? What about them do you find inspiring?
Too many to count. Any person, indie author or traditional, that can take me on a journey, who has a good story to tell, I will read. Not matter mistakes, even plot holes. It’s all about the story for me.
If you had to choose, is there a writer would you consider a mentor? Why?
The people of NETWO (Northeast Texas Writers Organization) have been my mentors for the past eight years. They are supportive and offer up the best constructive criticism ever.
Who designed the cover of your book? Why did you select this illustrator?
Steven Novak did this cover and I love it. It won the People choice at the 2019 NETWO conference’s cover contest. Steven is easy to work with, and you just can’t beat that. He gets back to me, is willing to change things up over and over again until we get it right.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Find a critique group that meets regularly or put one together yourself. I am in a group that has met at a local coffee house every Tuesday for over a year and a half. They are great for bouncing ideas off, finding plot holes, running book trailers by, and discussing marketing or just the book world in general.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
C.I. Chevron
Cookville, TX
Metal and Bone
Cover Artist: Steven Novak
No Wasted Ink 