Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with Mariah Norris
Book Title: Hands Like Secrets
Released: 05/13/22
Genre: Adult Fantasy
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Hands Like Secrets”?
Norris: About a decade ago I had this bizarre dream (or maybe two separate dreams; I can’t remember now): I was in a room full of people wearing black hoods, who were hiding from more powerful people wearing white hoods. And although the black hoods thought I was one of them, I knew I was actually neither. The goddess of the black hoods came to visit us in an old, moldy house, which was scary because I was trying to keep my true identity secret. That became the emotional core of the story: a girl who wore the metaphorical gray in a society of two sides who hate each other. Once I came up with the antagonist/villain who would bring her onto the “bad” side, everything else started falling into place.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Norris: With Saeli, I honestly don’t remember; I think it just sounded good. Rafel was originally going to be spelled Raphel— I wanted something kind of romantic/pretty, but abrupt at the end--but everyone kept calling him Raphael instead. Fien, Yan, and Mauri all had more ordinary sounding names to start, which I changed to be more fantastical. Kaeben was, I kid you not, originally named Kaladan, a good decade before The Way of Kings came out. So I had to change his name, too. *shakes a good-natured fist at Brandon Sanderson*
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Norris: Saeli was not originally autistic, and I never set out to write “an autistic book.” I was doing research for another character in another series who I did intend to be autistic, and realized that Saeli—as I’d already written her—was checking a lot of those same boxes. My two choices then, as I saw it, were either to change her to be more neurotypical or lean into what I’d already done. I chose the latter because it felt more authentic to her character, and it allowed me to dig into the magic system and prose the way I wanted to. I’m not autistic myself, so there are probably places where I haven’t gotten the representation exactly right. But I’m learning more and more as I write the series, and I hope I’ve done her justice by the end.
If "Hands Like Secrets" was adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Norris: Originally I pictured Wentworth Miller as someone who could play Rafel (have you SEEN his eyes), but that was a decade ago; he’s too old now, and I’ve since given Rafel darker skin. I never really had anyone in mind for Saeli. Nowadays, I would insist on someone who actually is autistic to play her, but otherwise, I love seeing unknown talent over big names.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Norris: I’m a heavy plotter who builds outlines in several passes, the last of which is basically a scene by scene synopsis. I’ve found that when I get blocked, it’s always because of character: either I haven’t done enough to flesh out their goals and motivations, or the plot is forcing them to act in a way that doesn’t feel natural for them. My writing screeches to a halt when that happens, and I can’t muscle through until I’ve fixed the character problem. Despite knowing that, I will still try.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Norris: This is a marathon. Whether you choose traditional publishing, indie, or self, breaking in and having success is a combination of merit, luck, and timing. You can’t do anything about the second two. Rejections and/or bad reviews are not (usually) a reflection of how good your story is. Don’t give up on a story you believe in, but know that you may have to put it away for a few years. Don’t be afraid to cut characters, plot lines, or turns of phrase that no longer serve your story. Keep those deleted bits in a file. Write down interesting dreams and keep those in a file. Your fellow authors are not your competition—people will read their books and your books if they like the genre—so be kind. Have a friend you can rant to in private…don’t do it on your public social media.
What is your favorite genre, book, and/or author?
Norris: My favorite genre is fantasy. I tend to prefer worlds, races, and magic I’ve never seen before over Middle Earth, elves, and four elements, though I’ll read all of it. You’ll never make me choose a single book :D Right now I’m enjoying the Lockwood and Co. series by Jonathan Stroud (gotta love a new take on ghosts!) The authors I’ve been most inspired by over the years are Brandon Sanderson and Maggie Stiefvater.
What are you working on next?
Norris: The second book in The Seven Strands series is already out; it’s called Secrets Like Glass and follows right on the heels of Hands Like Secrets. I’m about to start working on Book 3, which will come out next spring. Book 4 will follow that a year later, and Book 5 will finish the series. After that, I have a reimagined vampire/shapeshifter trilogy idea that I’ll probably start developing.
Meanwhile, I’m currently querying a standalone sci-fi novel about dragons and an internet time machine, hoping to get traditionally published. My goal is to go hybrid, publishing series with my current indie press and any standalone books traditionally. I also have an ongoing fanfiction series that uses characters from the YouTube series Sanders Sides and reimagines them in a world that’s inspired by the roleplaying game Changeling: The Lost.
Learn More About the Author and Hands Like Secrets:
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/nevertherose
Twitter: @nevertherose
Instagram: mariahnorris_author
Website: www.mariahnorris.com
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