If it hadn’t been for my sister Mary, my historical romance novel CAPTIVE SPIRIT might never have been finished. Every time she read a new chapter, she kept asking me, “What happens next?”
Music to a writer’s ears.
You see, I was kind of in a blue funk when I started this book. A young adult novel that I had written and loved was continuing to get rejected, beat up, and generally abused by probably every editor in New York City. An agent gave me great advice, though. She said, “Keep writing.”
And so I did.
I decided to write something completely different and CAPTIVE SPIRIT was born. It contained all of the things I love: Native American characters, epic themes, suspense, an American Southwestern setting and, of course, a love story. I loved writing this novel, almost as much as I enjoyed doing the research behind it. It gave me a chance to learn about the Hohokam Indians, who happened to be the original inhabitants of Phoenix, Arizona, my adopted state. (I’m originally from Illinois.) The Hohokam have a fascinating history in that they lived in the Sonoran Desert from 300 BC to roughly 1500 AD when they vanished for reasons unknown. Cool, eh? This was the piece of little-known history that inspired me to write my novel.
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About CAPTIVE SPIRIT:
CAPTIVE SPIRIT is the story of a young Hohokam Indian woman named Aiyana who isn’t like the other girls of the White Ant Clan. Instead of keeping house, she longs to compete on the Ball Court with her best friend Honovi and the other boys. Instead of marriage, she daydreams of traveling beyond the mountains that surround her small village. Only Honovi knows and shares her forbidden wish, though Aiyana doesn’t realize her friend has a secret wish of his own…
When Aiyana’s father arranges her marriage to a man she hardly knows, she takes the advice of a tribal elder: Run! In fleeing, she falls into the hands of Spanish raiders and finds herself being taken over the mountains against her will. Now Aiyana’s on a quest to return to the very place she once dreamed of escaping. And she’ll do whatever it takes to survive and find her way back to the people she loves.
I keep the first chapter and book trailer on my web site.
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Last January, I sent CAPTIVE SPIRIT to Angela James at Carina Press, after seeing a tweet where she asked writers to “Send us your historicals!” Then two months later, Carina Press offered to buy my novel and my life has been on a roller-coaster e-ticket ride ever since.
Today is the release date for CAPTIVE SPIRIT, and I’m so glad that I kept writing even when it would have been easier to give up. I’m also thankful for my fab sister, too! The whole experience made me realize that sometimes in publishing when the front door doesn’t open, you’ve got to kick in a window!
Liz Fichera
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About Liz:
Liz Fichera is an author from the American Southwest by way of Chicago. She likes to write stories about ordinary people who do extraordinary things, oftentimes against the backdrop of Native American legends. When she’s not plotting her next novel, you can find her on Facebook or her blog, discussing writing, books, hunks du jour, LOST reruns or the best brands of chocolate.
Liz is offering a free digital copy of CAPTIVE SPIRIT to one person who makes a comment or asks a question on today’s blog.
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
Liz,
Welcome! We’re so glad you could join us today! I think your heroine on the book cover is just fabulous. A hint of mystery, a hint of something else. It’s nice.
Do you have follow up books planned already? More set to be released?
Hi Heather!
Thanks so much for having me here today! I know I’m completely biased but I love the cover too. The moment I saw it, I just knew it was the one because the girl on the cover is exactly as I saw Aiyana in my head. The Carina Press artists are truly miracle workers.
I am going to be working on a sequel this summer. I have it plotted in my head, mostly. Just needed to finish up another book that I’m working on. But I’m unable to get Aiyana and Honovi out of my head, so I’m looking forward to continuing their story. :-)
Cool cover. I think historicals can make women weak sometimes so it’s nice to find one that focuses on the heroines strength. :-)
Hi Karen!
Oh, yeah! Totally agree. Aiyana is one strong cookie. But I figure you got to be to survive in the Sonoran Desert during that time.
Your book sounds fascinating. It must have been fulfilling to write about an Indiana tribe such as you describe. Congratulations on the book’s publication.
Thanks, Carolynn! The Hohokam actually originated from Mayan and Aztec cultures. They traveled north to what is now known as Arizona around 300 BC. They’re considered the original inhabitants of Phoenix, Arizona.
Thanks for your kind words! I appreciate it!
Congratulations on your big day, Liz. I do look forward to reading your book.
Will there be a continuation to this story or with the same characters, do you think or will there be totally new characters in your next story?
Hi, Tessa,
Aiyana and Honovi will definitely reappear in the sequel and their story will continue, although there will be a couple of new characters as well as reappearances from secondary characters from CAPTIVE SPIRIT who have a more significant role in the sequel.
Thanks for the congrats! It’s been a long time coming! :-)
Liz, your story inspires great inspiration. I have less that two years of writing under my belt and need that to hear how others make it to being published. Thank you for sharing yours!
I have been waiting for your book for a couple of weeks now and can’t wait to read my ebook copy!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!;-) This has got to be a very exciting day for you.
Talina!
So nice to see you here! And thanks for the kind comments! Unfortunately (or, fortunately?) I don’t have one of those fairytale stories where a publishing contract just landed in my lap. I had to write several books before I wrote one that connected with an editor/publisher. But I’ve learned a lot along the way, and for that I’m very grateful.
Let me know what you think after you finish the book! :-) And thanks so much for taking the time to read my story!
**Announcement**
Karen is the winner of CAPTIVE SPIRIT! Karen, please contact me through my web site: http://www.lizfichera.com/ and I’ll be happy to send you a digital copy of my novel.
Thanks so much for all the comments!
Thank heaven for sisters :) which reminds me. Must email mine.
And glad to meet another research fiend, Liz! How hard is it for you to put down the research (addictive!) and start writing?
Hi Jenny,
For CAPTIVE SPIRIT, putting down the research (at least initially) was very difficult because I found the Hohokam so fascinating! But then as the story began to take shape, I was able to combine the two.