July/August Indie Author Spotlight-Brittany Hymes
This month on Indies&Ink, we’re excited to spotlight Brittany Hymes, a multi-genre author who loves crafting stories that transport readers to unforgettable worlds. From fantasy adventures to dystopian future romance, her books are driven by compelling characters, high stakes, and emotional journeys. Her fantasy novel, Trials of Ilithia, draws inspiration from Egyptian mythology, blending action, romance, and magic into an epic adventure that keeps readers turning the page.
Outside of writing, Brittany is the founder of Indies&Ink, a platform created to help independent authors gain the visibility they deserve. As an indie author herself, she understands the challenges of self-publishing and wanted to build a community where authors can connect with readers, access affordable resources, and support one another. Whether she's writing her next story or helping fellow authors share theirs, Brittany is passionate about celebrating the indie book community and proving that every story deserves a chance to be discovered.
Indie Author Interview:
Q: How long have you been writing or when did you start?
A: I started writing in middle school. I remember scribbling in journals stories of epic adventures. My true journey into an author came when I was seventeen. I started writing Imprisoned. A story focused on a dystopian world and an innocent girl who becomes the leader of a rebellion. I finished the entire trilogy but was too scared to put it out there. It took me ten long years to finally decide to publish.
Q: What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
A: Write what you want, not just following trends. I write what comes to me, and all writers should, don’t just write to follow trends or try to play catch up with the latest and greatest. Write what you want and the audience will find you.
Q: What advice would you give to a writer working on their first book?
A: Your book is not for everyone, but it is for someone. When I first wrote my first book I shared it with a close friend, they hated it. Told me it wasn’t a good story, and it destroyed me, it was the reason it took me so long to finally publish. I wish I wouldn’t have listened, because when I finally got the courage to share it again, the next person loved it and questioned why I never tried to publish. It gave me the courage to go for it.
Q: Are there any books or authors that inspired you to become a writer?
A: Really anything and everything I have read. But I do have a soft spot for R. L. Stine and Stephen King.
Q: Has writing and publishing a book changed the way you see yourself?
A: Yes! It helped me gain not only confidence but the ability to know that I can do anything I set my mind to. I love getting my stories out there.
Q: When you’re writing an emotional or difficult scene, how do you set the mood?
A: Music and I fall into the emotions. I’ll always remember killing off a character and crying so hard I couldn’t catch my breath and my husband told me that I was doing it to myself and could stop if I wanted to.
Q: What, to you, are the most important elements of good writing?
A: Characters. If the book lacks true character development it often loses my interest. Especially romance! The relationships between characters is so important. and a lack of realism, Not just in the world but the emotions and the drive of a character.
Q: What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?
A: Usually the plot. I come up with the bones of a good story. I have an idea for the characters but they get built along with the story.
Q: How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
A: I have written way too many to count, but I have published four. I would say my current love is Trials Of Ilithia, but Justified, the final book in my Imprisoned trilogy will always have a special place in my heart.
Q: What inspired the idea for your book?
A: For the one Trials of Ilithia I would say the show Moon Knight. I was watching it and fell in love with Egyptian mythology, I started doing research that lead to me wanting to write a book inspired by the mythology. For Imprisoned, it was a hundred percent my love for the Hunger Games and Divergent.
Q: How did you come up with the title for your book?
A: Imprisoned actually came before the story. I had an idea about a world revolved around a set of rules and a prison, the name came to me and then the story. For Trials of Ilithia, it started with the title A Land of Trials and Shadow, but I felt the Blank of Blank and Blank was being overused and wanted something unique and catchy, as the Trials are called the Trials of Ilithia, I thought it was the perfect name.
Q: If you could meet your characters, what would you say to them?
A: For Alaster, I would tell her that she made it, she may have lost what she thought needed but she found something greater in purpose.
For Cleo, I would tell her that her story isn’t over, and that she needs to love herself and find who she truly is.
Q: Share something about yourself that your readers don’t know (yet)?
A: I am currently writing Trials of Betrayal, the second book in the Trials Trilogy. So, keep a look out!
Check out the Authors Page Here on Indies&Ink to explore more of his work and connect with them on social media.
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