Guesting at my blog today is author Chelsey M. Ortega. Chelsey is a teacher by day and award-winning author by night. History is her first love, and any story involving magic and romance, her second love. She especially loves witches and is still awaiting her acceptance letter to a well-known school. Chelsey received her Bachelor’s in History Teaching from Brigham Young University. In addition to writing, Chelsey teaches high school U.S. History and ELD. She lives in Utah with her husband, three children, and two cats. Follow Chelsey at www.chelseymortega.com.
Have you ever come across that tumblr-screenshot-turned-into-a-meme thing about that claim that certain deaths in the Harry Potter series are pieces of JK Rowling’s soul, and thus by the end of the 7th book, she had seven horcruxes, just like Voldemort? Well, I have a much less gruesome version of that.
My debut novel, Bondwitch, came out two and a half years ago, and it follows the adventure of a teenage witch named Annamaria as she navigates learning how to use her powers, protect herself from vengeful vampires, and open up her heart to love. In Book 1, Annamaria is the only POV character. Written in third person limited, the reader gets to know only what Annamaria is thinking, feeling, and doing.
Towards the end of Bondwitch, I threw in three very short moments where we hop into Marianna’s head (Annamaria’s sister). I enjoyed exploring Marianna’s headspace so much, that I decided she deserved a larger role in the sequel.
Bondwitch: Hybrid came out last week, and is a dual POV; following Annamaria and Marianna in their next adventure.
Annamaria Lyons is finally with her grandma, but Libby holds unyielding control of her coven and granddaughters. Betrothed to a male witch, Annamaria’s heart secretly belongs to her vampire boyfriend. When Libby threatens deadly consequences if she refuses the arranged marriage, Annamaria faces an impossible choice: obey or risk everything to follow her heart?
Marianna Lyons is a big disappointment. Stripped of her magic when she was forcefully turned into a vampire, she is now an outcast, desperate for Libby’s approval. When Marianna is tricked into breaking coven rules, she faces a difficult decision: endure brutal rehabilitation, or leave her new home. As Marianna struggles to rediscover herself, will she accept her new identity, or conform to Libby’s impossible demands?
As I navigated two plots and two main characters, I discovered something about myself: I am both Annamaria and Marianna in their respective situations. Marianna is who I am: softspoken, afraid of conflict, obedient. Annamaria is who I want to be (and occasionally bring out when I’m feeling really brave or comfortable): bold, fiery, and puts herself first (usually).
Have you ever walked away from a conflict and an hour later you’re playing the conversation you wish you had in your head? Annamaria doesn’t wish she’d been more assertive an hour later. She simply is assertive. So, when I’m writing a scene in Annamaria’s head, I ask myself what I would want to do, but probably not be brave enough to actually do that; and that’s what Annamaria does.
Are you that person who remains calm, flexible, and in the middle? Or do you know someone like that? That’s who Marianna is. She wants everyone to be happy, even if she has to sacrifice her own happiness. When I’m writing a scene in Marianna’s head, I ask myself what I would actually do in that situation, and then I increase the passive and obedience tenfold.
These two sisters are two halves of my soul. Breathing life into their being and telling their story has been a wonderful journey thus far. But their story isn’t over yet. Two more books are in the works. In the meantime, check out Bondwitch and Bondwitch: Hybrid at https://chelseymortega.com/books/.
Thank you for hosting me, Jacquie!