How this author turned trials into tales of resilience and wonder.
Welcome to the second part of our Author Spotlight featuring Aubrie Nixon, the creative force behind Secret of Souls, and the captivating Age of Endings series. In this installment, we had the chance to ask Aubrie a few questions about her writing journey, offering a rare peek into her creative process, personal struggles, and the magic that fuels her storytelling. Let’s jump right into the exclusive Q&A!
What inspired you to write Secret of Souls?
Aubrie: Honestly, I had been wanting to get the characters that constantly plagued my thoughts out on paper. I wanted them to have a life outside of me.
It’s fascinating to think about how characters can live within an author’s mind, waiting to emerge onto the page. For Aubrie, Secret of Souls wasn’t just a book but a way to give her vivid imaginings a tangible form, giving her characters a voice and letting them breathe.
Can you tell us a bit about your writing process? How do you come up with Zephera and her crew and develop them into a full story?
Aubrie: For me, it was about sitting my butt down and writing, even when I didn’t want to. I sat down every day and just wrote. Even if what I was writing didn’t make sense or have any merit, I just wrote. Eventually, after many hours, sleepless nights, and a million rounds of edits, I had something that resembled a story. Zephera was always there, but by writing every day, the rest just kind of followed. By writing daily, everything, even the whole crew, just fell into place.
Aubrie’s dedication to her craft is a testament to the power of persistence. Her commitment to writing daily, no matter the obstacles, shaped Zephera and her crew into the richly developed characters readers love.
Were there any challenges or obstacles you faced while writing? How did you overcome them?
During the writing of Secret of Souls, Aubrie faced an enormous personal challenge: undergoing another surgery to remove spinal tumors. This experience profoundly shaped her storytelling, with the physical and emotional trials she endured influencing the themes of resilience and survival within her work. It added a layer of authenticity to her characters, as they too navigate struggles that demand both courage and transformation.
Aubrie: “I was angry, scared, and in a lot of pain. I didn’t know what was going to happen. I was at risk for paralysis, and I was terrified.”
Rather than let fear paralyze her creativity, she channeled those intense emotions into her writing. It became her outlet, a way to process and transform pain into something meaningful.
Are there any specific themes or messages you wanted to convey through the Age of Endings series?
Aubrie: When I first wrote Secret of Souls, the answer to this would have been good and evil and dark, and how each of us has both inside of us. I wanted to explore the nuances of both. Now, I’d like to add survival. What do we as humans do for survival? Not only for ourselves but those we love.
Exploring the duality of good and evil, along with the instinct to survive, adds depth to Aubrie’s storytelling. These universal themes resonate with readers and provoke introspection about their own lives.
How do you create believable and relatable characters, like Zephera?
Aubrie: I am not particularly worried about my stories or characters being relatable. I write for myself… a way to understand the feelings inside of me. If someone besides myself can relate to anything I write, I call that a win.
This candid approach to writing makes Aubrie’s work even more genuine. By focusing on her own emotions and experiences, she naturally creates characters that feel real and compelling.
Do you have a favorite scene or chapter in the series?
Aubrie: I love the scene where Daegan and Zephera are at the lake, and Zephera goes skinny dipping. I love that Daegan takes her clothes, and she has to walk back to the inn naked.
Aubrie’s favorite scene showcases her ability to blend humor and vulnerability, creating moments that are both memorable and relatable. This playful dynamic between Daegan and Zephera is just one example of what makes the series so enjoyable.
Aubrie Nixon’s journey as an author is a story of perseverance, creativity, and emotional depth. Through her dedication to writing and her ability to channel personal struggles into her work, she’s created a world that continues to captivate readers. Stay tuned for more exciting updates from Aubrie and the Age of Endings series in future Winterwolf Press features!
