Misty Mount - A Story About Loneliness and Making our Little Mark on the World

Misty Mount has written since age five and was first published at fourteen. By day she’s a caregiver, wife and mother to a young son but during the quiet hours of night she becomes a novelist. She resides in Wichita, Kansas. As our Author of the Day, she tells us all about her book, The Shadow Girl.

Please give us a short introduction to what The Shadow Girl is about.

It’s a story about loneliness and making our little mark on the world, told through the eyes of an incredibly introverted, shy young girl. Zylia feels like she’s disappearing from the world in a metaphorical way, but signs that it’s happening to her literally arise, causing her to break open a generations-old mystery.

What inspired you to write about someone who is fading from this world?

My own experiences coming from a large family and being shy and anxious to a crippling degree definitely fueled my imagination for this one.

Tell us more about Zylia. What makes her tick?

In addition to being paralyzingly shy, Zylia suffers from anxiety and depression. She’s a kind, loving soul yearning for connection. Unfortunately, since she has such a hard time opening up to others, only a few learn how deeply creative, introspective, and intelligent she actually is.

Have you always wanted to be a writer? What inspired your first book?

I started writing at age five when my kindergarten teacher read me a book that had the most disappointing ending. I decided to rewrite it and quickly went on to writing my own stories. My mother still keeps all my silly, handwritten and illustrated stories from back then.

Many readers say that they could relate very well to Zylia. What makes her so relatable?

People with an outgoing, confident personality might not realize just how hard it is to simply speak up for yourself when you battle shyness and low self-esteem. I’ve had readers write me saying that they appreciated Zylia for being their voice in explaining what they were going through. I’ve had others express how she made them feel less alone. I think Zylia is relatable because she feels so real and identifiable. Even if you don’t struggle with the same issues she does, you leave with a better understanding of those who do.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received?

It has to be to that you can’t please everyone. The best work comes when you write what you love without the main focus being on the way it will be received.

What is the hardest thing about being a writer?

For me, the writing itself is relaxing and enjoyable, but finding time and peace in a loud, busy household is the hard part.

Where can our readers discover more of your work or interact with you?

Feel free to connect with me!

Twitter: Author Misty Mount @MistyAMount

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMistyMountOfficial/

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/misty-mount

In addition to The Shadow Girl, look for The Nanny Song and soon-to-be available Underground Defenders Volume One: The Keeper at all your favorite online retailers.