About the Author:
Mikhaeyla Kopievsky is an Australian indie writer and the debut author of “Resistance (Divided Elements #1)”, a dark dystopian tale set in post-apocalyptic Paris.
Mikhaeyla loves writing about complex and flawed characters in stories that explore philosophy, sociology and politics. She holds degrees in International Relations, Journalism, and Environmental Science.
She is currently working on Book 2 of the Divided Elements series and looking forward to the online launch of Resistance, which takes place this weekend at https://resistancedividedelementsbooklaunch.wordpress.com/
Readers can catch up on the events of the launch and add to the ongoing discussions at https://resistancedividedelementsbooklaunch.wordpress.com/
Welcome!
When did you start writing?
I started writing my debut novel in late 2013. I was gearing up to participate in my first NaNaWriMo (a cataclysmic failure which I went on to blog about) and was excited about finally committing to starting AND finishing a novel. Looking back at that post brings back a lot of memories and feelings. I am so proud of how much I have learned in the years since, how much I have persevered, and how much I have grown as a writer and author!
- What motivates you to write?
Originally, I was motivated by the burning desire to read a *good* story. I had hit a rough patch of reading, where everything was leaving me unsatisfied. Books I started failed to live up to expectations or failed to ignite my imagination or failed to challenge and inspire me. I wanted to write *those* kinds of stories. Since immersing myself more in the writing and literary world, I have been blessed to find a whole cavalcade of great books – which constantly motivate me to write better, to craft more interesting stories and to provide my readers with an unparalleled reading experience.
Now, I’m motivated by the tiny seeds of story ideas that are constantly bugging me to be planted! I have at least ten ideas for new books and series that will have to wait until the Divided Elements series is complete before they get their day in the sun. But the desire to explore these ideas and worlds and characters is incredibly tempting, so I am always pushing myself to finish the current project so that I can start on the next.
- What genre do you write in and what made you chose this particular genre?
I tend to write in dystopian, post-apocalyptic and urban scifi/fantasy. I love stories set in gritty environments that challenge both the characters and the readers to reimagine the word they live in and confront complex sociological, political and philosophical ideas.
- What is your goal in writing? Do you have dreams where your writing should take you?
Like most authors, my dream is to be able to write full-time – to spend my days dreaming up new stories and wrestling with words to craft the perfect novel! Obviously, there are the pipe-dreams – to win acclaim and prestigious awards, to have a major Hollywood studio offer me a movie deal, to see gazillions of copies and never work again – but really, the major goal (and dream) is to connect with readers. Awards and movie deals and sales are nice, but there is something very special in reading a review of your book or getting an email from a reader and seeing how much they have been touched by something you have created.
- Do you ever suffer from writer’s block and if yes, how do you deal with it?
Not so much writer’s block, but I’ve definitely found myself at points in the story where I needed an elegant and complex solution to a plot problem and twisted my mind inside-out for days (and weeks) trying to find it. I also usually baulk at writing difficult scenes – especially those that require a lot of emotional vulnerability. I typically leave these scenes unwritten for the first draft and come back to write them when I am well-rested and ready to really unleash the next level of myself into the book.
- What advice would you like to give new, hopeful authors?
Learn your craft! There are great websites and books and blogs out there that give excellent advice and support to new writers. My favorites are:
Books:
“Save the Cat” Blake Snyder
“Story Engineering” Larry Brooks
“Plot and Structure” James Scott Bell
“Hooked” Les Edgerton
Websites:
Fiction University – http://blog.janicehardy.com/
Helping Writers Become Authors – https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/
Stand Out Books – https://www.standoutbooks.com/blog/
- Please, tell us about your work.
“Resistance” is the first book in my new dystopian series Divided Elements. Readers have described it as a “whirlwind cross between Fahrenheit 451 and Divergent” and as a “thought-provoking and subversive” addition to the dystopian genre.
The story is set in a post-apocalyptic Paris and follows Anaiya 234, a Peacekeeper in the Fire Element. When forbidden murals start appearing on crumbling infrastructure around the city, Anaiya is selected to undergo a radical procedure to change her identity and go undercover in the unpredictable Air Element. Tasked with uncovering and dismantling this new Resistance, Anaiya must first overcome the internal conflict of her divided identity. But, when notions of self and truth become fluid, and concepts of obedience and loyalty shatter, will her new alignment bring success to the mission or place it in dire jeopardy?
This book will appeal to readers of classical dystopias like Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” and George Orwell’s “1984” as well as to fans of YA dystopian novels like Veronica Roth’s “Divergent” and Pierce Brown’s “Red Rising” who are looking for more challenging ideas and mature content.
See what other readers are saying about Resistance (Divided Elements #1) on its Goodreads page.
Thank you for being my guest. It was such a pleasure to have you here!!
__________________________________________________________________
Contact Mikhaeyla:
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32719178-resistance
Website: http://www.kyrija.com/mikhaeyla-kopievsky
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MikhaeylaKopievsky/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MikhaeylaK
Mikhaeyla Kopievsky Book Launch of Resistance:
Amazon: http://mybook.to/DE1Resistance
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/resistance-45
iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1168636508
Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/resistance-mikhaeyla-kopievsky/1124987737
Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Resistance-Mikhaeyl-Kopievsky/9780995421851
Also:
The official online launch for Resistance takes place on Saturday 4 February. There will be excerpt readings, an author Q&A, and special guests to talk about the development of the book’s cover art and discuss the themes of the book. I would love to invite your readers to attend – they can RSVP here (it’s an open invitation, so feel free to share with friends and family!)
Writer's Treasure Chest 
You must be logged in to post a comment.