A husband demands his wife uses a special meat to cook their dinners, but what animal does it come from? A couple go on an illegal night safari to view unique creatures. A bizarre candy shop offers sweet-yet-morbid-themed delicacies to the general public…just don’t visit it after dark. A woman experiences the ride of her life in a bell tower in Ghent.
All of these stories above were written by Felicia Change. Felicia Change is a published prose and poetry author in Divinations Magazine, Run Rabbit Run (A drabble anthology), and Havok Online (https://gohavok). Writing everything from humor to horror, Felicia writes stories that readers cannot put down. On May 1st, she published a poem called “You Should Have Stayed Home” featured in Divinations Magazine. Here’s the link: https://www.divinationsmagazine.co.uk/issue-one-intuition.
When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?
I don’t think there was a time I didn’t want to be a writer. So, I wouldn’t say it was an active decision. Writing and storytelling has always been an important part of my life. I knew even if I went down a different career path, I would still be writing in my spare time and making it work.
Was there a particular book or author that inspired you to write? What was special about the book or author?
Growing up my mother read to me a lot and I think that’s where my love for stories started. A lot of the stories were fairytales and I liked that some had magic and others life lessons. It’s inspired a lot of my work, even when it’s not in plain sight.
Your stories run the gamut from grim to wondrous. The difference between Deadly Delights (a creepy candy store short story) and The Dragon of Ghent (a whimsical flash fiction piece) are two such examples. How do you determine the tone of your story?
It usually depends on the story itself and what kind of atmosphere I want to create. I knew “Deadly Delights” was going to be of the darker kind due to the premise. A shop assistant decides to break the one rule she’s given: no staying after dark. The premise and setting helped create a darker tone. The Dragon of Ghent is about a girl who helps a dragon in return for a wish. I knew it had to be family friendly, so I decided to focus on the magical aspect. It’s easier to set the tone when I know what type of story it is going to be and if there are any limits I should keep in mind.
Do you have a favorite story you’ve written, published, or haven’t published yet?
Yes, a few years ago I wrote a witchy urban fantasy novel which I would love to revisit and revise one day. My favorite published piece is probably my poem, “You Should Have Stayed Home.” It was inspired by my love for haunted houses.
Is there a genre that you struggle to write in?
Probably contemporary fiction. I love having the possibility of magic and mystics. Writing realistic stories is difficult because I don’t feel as invested and able to add creativity. I’m hoping that somewhere in the future it will come more naturally.
What comes easier for you: prose or poetry?
Prose. I feel like it’s easier to delve into creativity than delving into emotions. At least for me. I can write prose at any time, but not always poetry. There is usually more of a buildup of ideas and feelings before writing poetry. With prose I just jump straight in.
What do you like most about writing poetry?
Experimenting. For me poetry is all about experimentation. I get to express ideas and feelings using different formats.
If someone said to you, they were going to write their first novel, what advice would you give them?
Read. Not the most unique advice, but some of the most important. Reading opens one’s perspective on writing, especially if you read different formats and genres. The best way to see what works and what doesn’t is to read. Writing without reading is like going on a picnic without packing a basket. You’ll still be having a picnic but there won’t be food or beverages to enhance the experience. Reading enhances your writing, even when it’s not noticeable at first.
What is your main goal as a writer? Or put another way, what would you consider the achievement of your dream for writing?
My main goal is to finish my novel and publish it. My ultimate goal is to be a full-time writer. I’d love to travel the world while writing.
Where can readers find you and your books online?
Readers can find me on Instagram @feliciachange, my story links are available on my Linktree and my newsletter is available on Substack.
Here are Felicia’s full links from above:
https://feliciachange.substack.com/